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Quick Answer: The best Katanas in Elden Ring are Rivers of Blood (S-tier bleed and Faith/Arcane scaling), Moonveil (Transient Moonlight Ash is meta-defining), Hand of Malenia (Waterfowl Dance Ash), and Uchigatana (cheapest, best entry-level bleed). All build Bleed status naturally, making them devastating against most bosses.
Katanas are among the most popular weapons in Elden Ring, prized for their speed, reach, and the deadly Blood Loss status they often carry. This tier list ranks the best katanas in the game, explains what makes each one shine, and helps you choose the perfect blade for your Dexterity or hybrid build.
Why Katanas Are So Strong
Katanas occupy a sweet spot in Elden Ring’s weapon roster. They swing quickly, have surprisingly good reach, and many of them inflict Blood Loss — a status effect that deals a massive chunk of damage when it triggers. Combined with strong Dexterity scaling and excellent unique skills, katanas can carry a build from the opening hours all the way to the final boss.
They are also stylish and satisfying to use, with fluid movesets that reward aggressive, precise play.
S Tier — The Best Katanas
Rivers of Blood
Rivers of Blood is the most famous katana in Elden Ring, and for good reason. It scales with Dexterity and Arcane, inflicts Blood Loss rapidly, and comes with the legendary Corpse Piler skill — a flurry of quick slashes that shreds health and builds bleed at terrifying speed. For bleed-focused builds, it remains a benchmark weapon.
Hand of Malenia
Obtained from one of the game’s most iconic bosses, the Hand of Malenia is a long-reaching katana with Dexterity scaling and a sweeping, wind-based skill. Its extended range and bleed buildup make it a top-tier choice for players who want a katana that can strike from just outside the enemy’s reach.
A Tier — Excellent Katanas
Moonveil
Moonveil is the katana of choice for Intelligence builds. It scales with Dexterity and Intelligence and features the beloved Transient Moonlight skill, which unleashes ranged magic slashes. It blends melee and ranged pressure beautifully and remains one of the most effective spellblade weapons in the game.
Uchigatana
The humble Uchigatana is the starting weapon of the Samurai class and one of the most reliable katanas in the game. It has solid Dexterity scaling, native Blood Loss buildup, and accepts any Ash of War. Available almost immediately, it can comfortably carry a Dexterity build from start to finish — proof that an early weapon, kept upgraded, beats a fancier weapon left weak.
Nagakiba
The Nagakiba is the longest katana in the game, offering exceptional reach. With Dexterity scaling and the ability to take any Ash of War, it is extremely flexible. Many bleed builds favor the Nagakiba precisely because its reach lets them apply pressure safely while building status.
B Tier — Strong Situational Picks
Dragonscale Blade
A pure Dexterity katana with a unique frost-themed skill. It does not inflict Blood Loss like most katanas, but its skill and solid scaling make it a stylish alternative for Dexterity builds that want something different.
Meteoric Ore Blade
This katana scales with Dexterity and Intelligence and inflicts Blood Loss, making it a strong early option for spellblade builds before they acquire Moonveil. It is found relatively early in a hostile region, rewarding players willing to explore.
Serpentbone Blade
A katana that inflicts Poison alongside its physical damage, the Serpentbone Blade offers an alternative status route for players who want to stack damage-over-time effects rather than relying purely on bleed.
How to Choose Your Katana
Match the blade to your build:
- Bleed build: Rivers of Blood or Nagakiba;
- Pure Dexterity: Uchigatana early, Hand of Malenia later;
- Intelligence spellblade: Moonveil, with Meteoric Ore Blade as an early stand-in;
- Long reach priority: Nagakiba or Hand of Malenia;
- Status variety: Serpentbone Blade for Poison instead of Bleed.
For planning the Dexterity and Arcane investment many of these weapons want, see our stat soft caps guide.
Getting the Most From a Katana
Katanas excel when you play to their strengths: stay aggressive, apply consistent pressure, and let Blood Loss do a chunk of the work. Keep your blade upgraded, and on weapons that accept any Ash of War, pick a skill that complements your stats — a bleed-friendly skill amplifies an already deadly weapon. Pairing two katanas for dual-wielding is also a popular and devastating route, which we cover in our dedicated guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best katana in Elden Ring?
Rivers of Blood is widely considered the best, thanks to its rapid Blood Loss buildup and the powerful Corpse Piler skill. Hand of Malenia is a close contender for pure Dexterity builds.
What is the best katana for a beginner?
The Uchigatana. It is available immediately as the Samurai’s starting weapon, has native bleed, and remains viable through the entire game when kept upgraded.
Which katana is best for a mage?
Moonveil, which scales with Intelligence and fires ranged magic slashes with its skill — ideal for Intelligence spellblade builds.
Final Thoughts
Katanas combine speed, reach, and the brutal efficiency of Blood Loss into some of the most enjoyable weapons in Elden Ring. Whether you start with the dependable Uchigatana, chase the iconic Rivers of Blood, or wield Moonveil as a spellblade, a well-upgraded katana is a build-defining choice that will serve you brilliantly across the Lands Between.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best Katana in Elden Ring?
A: Rivers of Blood is the top Katana — Corpse Piler Ash deals massive bleed and Arcane damage. Best for endgame and PvP.
Q: Where to get Moonveil?
A: Defeat the Magma Wyrm boss in Gael Tunnel, eastern Caelid. Drops the Moonveil Katana directly.
Q: Are Katanas good for new players?
A: Yes. The Uchigatana drops from a samurai NPC at the Deathtouched Catacombs entrance in north Limgrave and is excellent for early-mid game bleed builds.