Quick Answer: Elden Ring features 12 weapon classes: Daggers, Straight Swords, Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Curved Swords, Katanas, Twinblades, Thrusting Swords, Heavy Thrusting Swords, Axes, Greataxes, and Hammers. Each class has unique movesets, scaling, and Ashes of War compatibility. The DLC adds 8 new classes.
Welcome to the EldenGuide Weapons Wiki — your reference hub for every armament in the Lands Between. Elden Ring features one of the largest and most varied weapon rosters in any action RPG, spread across more than a dozen distinct weapon classes. This page explains how weapons work and how our wiki organizes them.
How Weapons Work in Elden Ring
Every weapon has attribute requirements you must meet to wield it effectively, and scaling grades — from E up to S — that determine how well it converts your stats into damage. Weapons also have an upgrade path using Smithing Stones, an Ash of War granting a special skill, and an affinity that can change which stats it scales with. Choosing and upgrading the right weapon matters more than almost any other build decision.
Weapon Classes
Our wiki sorts weapons by class, each with its own moveset and feel:
- Daggers — fast, short-range, strong critical damage;
- Straight Swords — balanced, beginner-friendly blades;
- Greatswords & Colossal Swords — heavy, high-impact two-handers;
- Katanas — fast blades that often inflict Blood Loss;
- Curved Swords & Curved Greatswords — sweeping, aggressive movesets;
- Twinblades — double-ended weapons with spinning attacks;
- Axes, Hammers, and Flails — blunt and cleaving Strength weapons;
- Spears, Halberds, and Reapers — long-reach polearms;
- Fists and Claws — rapid, lightweight close-range weapons;
- Whips — unusual reach weapons, strong at status buildup;
- Bows and Crossbows — ranged options;
- Staves and Sacred Seals — casting tools for sorceries and incantations.
Damage Types
Weapons deal one or more damage types: Standard, Strike, Slash, and Pierce for physical damage, plus elemental types — Magic, Fire, Lightning, and Holy. Enemies have different resistances, so carrying a backup weapon with a different damage type is a smart habit for tough fights.
Scaling and Affinity
Applying an affinity at a whetblade changes a weapon’s scaling — for example, a Heavy affinity boosts Strength scaling, while a Keen affinity favors Dexterity. This lets you adapt a weapon you love to the stats you are building. Pure casters can apply elemental affinities to make a weapon scale with Intelligence or Faith.
Upgrading Your Weapon
Weapons upgrade from +0 to a maximum level using Smithing Stones, with special weapons using Somber Smithing Stones. A fully upgraded weapon vastly outperforms an un-upgraded one, so focusing your upgrade materials on a single main weapon is far better than spreading them thin.
Explore Our Weapon Guides
For curated rankings and build advice, see our dedicated weapon guides:
- Best Greatswords
- Best Katanas
- Best Strength Weapons
- Best Dexterity Weapons
- Best Faith Weapons
- Best Intelligence Weapons
Final Notes
The right weapon is the foundation of any successful build. Browse by class, match the weapon to your stats, apply a suitable affinity, and keep it upgraded. Whether you favor a lightning-fast dagger or an earth-shaking colossal sword, the EldenGuide Weapons Wiki is here to help you choose well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many weapon classes are in Elden Ring?
A: 20 total (12 base + 8 DLC). Each has unique attack animations, scaling profiles, and compatible Ashes of War.
Q: What is the strongest weapon class?
A: Katanas (especially with bleed) are universally top-tier. Colossal Swords have the highest single-hit damage. Light Greatswords (DLC) are the new meta for Dex builds.
Q: Where do I see weapon stats?
A: Inventory → Armaments → Weapon details. Hold the weapon to see scaling letters (S/A/B/C/D), damage, weight, and equipped Ash of War.