The Definitive Guide to the Best Sword in Elden Ring

Determining the “absolute best” sword in Elden Ring is a complex question, one that doesn’t have a single, universally agreed-upon answer. It hinges entirely on your build, playstyle, and preferred encounter types. However, if I were forced to crown a single blade as the most consistently powerful and versatile option, it would have to be the Blasphemous Blade.

The Blasphemous Blade, acquired by trading the Remembrance of the Blasphemous at Roundtable Hold after defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, stands out for several reasons:

• Excellent Scaling: It scales with Faith, Strength, and Dexterity, allowing for a wide range of viable builds. This makes it accessible to a large pool of players, whether they’re pure Faith casters, Strength-Faith hybrids, or even Dex-Faith builds.
• Unique Weapon Skill: Taker’s Flames: This skill unleashes a wave of fire that deals significant damage, heals the user, and staggers enemies. It’s incredibly powerful in both PvE and PvP, offering both offensive and defensive benefits. The healing aspect is invaluable for survivability, particularly in prolonged boss fights.
• Innate Healing on Kill: Every enemy defeated while wielding the Blasphemous Blade provides a small amount of health recovery, making it fantastic for exploration and clearing out groups of enemies. This passive healing dramatically reduces reliance on flasks.
• Fire Damage: Its inherent fire damage is highly effective against many of Elden Ring’s enemies and bosses, especially those weak to fire. As pointed out in the source material, Radagon is particularly vulnerable to fire-based attacks.
• Ease of Acquisition: While Rykard is a challenging boss, he’s typically encountered in the mid-game, making the Blasphemous Blade accessible relatively early compared to some other top-tier weapons.

While other swords might excel in specific areas, the Blasphemous Blade’s combination of damage, healing, versatility, and relative ease of access makes it the most reliable and generally powerful sword choice in Elden Ring for many players. It is considered the best Remembrance weapon in the game, and for good reason!

Delving Deeper: Alternatives and Considerations

It is important to reiterate that “best” is subjective. Other swords vying for the title of best include:

• Sword of Night and Flame: This weapon was incredibly powerful at launch, offering both magical and physical damage. While it has been nerfed, it remains a potent option for Intelligence/Faith builds.
• Sacred Relic Sword: Earned by defeating the Elden Beast, this sword has incredible Area of Effect (AoE) damage with its weapon skill, making it perfect for farming runes. However, its late-game acquisition limits its overall utility.
• Rivers of Blood: A powerful katana that excels in bleed buildup, especially in PvP. However, its effectiveness has been toned down from initial releases.

Ultimately, the “best” sword is the one that best suits your individual needs and preferences. Consider your stat distribution, playstyle, and the types of enemies you typically face when making your decision.

Elden Ring Sword FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the sword landscape in Elden Ring:

1. What is the hardest-hitting sword in Elden Ring for pure Strength builds?

The Heavy Giant-Crusher takes the crown for pure Strength builds. Its raw attack power is unparalleled, requiring a substantial Strength investment to wield effectively. The GamesLearningSociety.org emphasizes the importance of understanding game mechanics to maximize your character’s potential.

2. What is considered the weakest sword in Elden Ring?

While subjective, the Zamor Curved Sword often appears on “worst weapon” lists due to its underwhelming stats despite its unique design and skill. Its stat scaling isn’t optimal, making it less effective compared to other curved swords.

3. Is the Rotten Crystal Sword better than the regular Crystal Sword?

Generally, yes. Although the regular Crystal Sword deals slightly more base damage, the Rotten Crystal Sword inflicts Scarlet Rot, a powerful status effect that can decimate enemy health bars. The slight damage trade-off is almost always worth the status effect.

4. What stats does the Sacred Relic Sword scale with?

The Sacred Relic Sword scales primarily with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith. It’s a strong option for builds that invest in these stats, rewarding a well-rounded character.

5. Which sword is better, the Sacred Relic Sword or Marika’s Hammer?

The Sacred Relic Sword is generally considered superior. While Marika’s Hammer has a similar weapon skill, the Sacred Relic Sword’s weapon skill is more effective for farming mobs due to its wider range and damage output.

6. What sword requires the most Strength to wield in Elden Ring?

The Giant-Crusher demands the highest Strength stat requirement. This colossal weapon is designed for players who prioritize raw physical power above all else.

7. What are some of the best “S-Tier” swords in Elden Ring?

Popular “S-Tier” swords often include:

• Moonveil: For Intelligence builds, this katana is incredibly powerful.
• Rivers of Blood: For Arcane/Dexterity builds focusing on bleed.
• Uchigatana: A versatile katana available early in the game.
• Black Knife: A dagger with excellent range and damage potential.

8. What is the best weapon to use against the Elden Beast?

The Black Flame incantations are particularly effective against the Elden Beast. They deal percentage-based damage, making them scale well against the boss’s massive health pool. The Sacred Relic Sword is also a decent option, obtained after defeating the Elden Beast.

9. What kind of damage is Radagon weak to?

Radagon is surprisingly weak to Fire damage. Weapons and spells that inflict fire damage are highly effective against him, allowing you to quickly deplete his health.

10. Which Great Rune is considered the best in Elden Ring?

Godrick’s Great Rune is often considered the best due to its universal stat boosts. It increases all your attributes by five levels, significantly enhancing your character’s overall power.

11. Who is the true final boss in Elden Ring?

The Elden Beast is the true final boss, encountered immediately after defeating Radagon of the Golden Order.

12. What hammer broke the Elden Ring?

Marika’s Hammer is the tool used by Queen Marika to shatter the Elden Ring. The hammer itself partially broke during the act.

13. Can you “cheese” the Elden Beast fight?

Yes, there are strategies to cheese the Elden Beast. One popular method involves using the Mimic Tear spirit ash to draw aggro and provide a distraction while you deal damage.

14. What is the fastest sword type in Elden Ring?

Daggers are the fastest weapon type in Elden Ring. They allow for rapid attacks and backstabs but often lack the range and damage of larger weapons.

15. What weapons are generally effective against bosses in Elden Ring?

Numerous weapons can be effective against bosses, depending on your build and the boss’s weaknesses. Some popular choices include the Fallingstar Beast Jaw, Rivers of Blood, Sword of Night and Flame, and Dark Moon Greatsword. Understanding enemy vulnerabilities is key to success.

Choosing the right sword in Elden Ring is a deeply personal journey, influenced by your individual playstyle and build. While the Blasphemous Blade stands out as a consistently powerful and versatile option, exploring the vast array of weapons and finding what resonates with you is a key part of the Elden Ring experience. Remember to consider weapon scaling, weapon skills, and enemy weaknesses to make the most informed decision. And don’t forget to explore resources like the Games Learning Society to deepen your understanding of game mechanics and strategies.