The Ultimate Chill: Unveiling the Best Frost Weapon in Elden Ring
Choosing the “best” frost weapon in Elden Ring isn’t as simple as picking one from a list. It depends heavily on your build, playstyle, and what stage of the game you’re in. However, if forced to choose, for overall versatility, damage output, and accessibility, the Dark Moon Greatsword stands out as the superior choice. It scales excellently with Intelligence, deals both physical and magic damage, and its unique weapon art, Moonlight Greatsword, unleashes powerful frost waves. This weapon allows for both melee prowess and ranged attacks, making it invaluable in a multitude of situations.
Why Frost? The Power of Cold in the Lands Between
Frostbite is a potent status effect in Elden Ring. When inflicted, it deals a burst of damage and then applies a debuff that increases the enemy’s damage taken by 20% for 30 seconds. This debuff stacks multiplicatively with other damage buffs, making frost a fantastic enabler for subsequent attacks, whether from yourself or a co-op partner. Unlike Bleed or Poison, Frostbite also slows enemy movement, giving you a tactical advantage. Furthermore, many enemies in the game are vulnerable to Frostbite, making it a reliable strategy throughout the Lands Between. The consistent damage increase and control that Frost provides makes incorporating it into a build a very powerful tool.
Top Contenders for Best Frost Weapon
While the Dark Moon Greatsword takes the top spot, several other frost weapons deserve recognition:
- Death’s Poker: A versatile greatsword that excels at both melee and ranged combat, thanks to its Ghostflame Ignition weapon art which leaves trails of frost. It scales with Intelligence, Dexterity, and Faith, making it suitable for hybrid builds.
- Icerind Hatchet: A quick and easy-to-acquire weapon in early to mid-game. Its Hoarfrost Stomp skill unleashes a powerful wave of frost that can quickly build up the Frostbite status effect.
- Royal Greatsword: A powerful colossal sword that scales primarily with Strength, Intelligence, and Dexterity. Its Wolf’s Assault weapon art inflicts Frostbite, making it an excellent choice for strength-intelligence hybrid builds.
- Dragonscale Blade: A katana that deals both physical and lightning damage, and also inflicts Frostbite. Its weapon art, Ice Lightning Sword, imbues the blade with both elements.
- Dragon Halberd: Another good choice that scales with strength, dexterity and faith.
- Helphen’s Steeple: A greatsword that deals both physical and magic damage, and has great scaling with strength and intelligence.
- Zamor Curved Sword: While not as directly impactful as other options, the Zamor Curved Sword offers unique attack animations that can be useful in specific situations, particularly for players who enjoy a more mobile combat style.
Building the Ultimate Frost Build
A successful frost build in Elden Ring needs more than just the right weapon. Consider these factors:
- Stats: Intelligence is key for scaling most frost weapons and sorceries. Vigor and Mind are also crucial for survivability and FP management. Endurance should be considered for managing equipment load and stamina.
- Talismans:
- Stalwart Horn Charm: Increases Robustness, boosting resistance to Frostbite and Blood Loss.
- Cerulean Amber Medallion: Increases FP, essential for using weapon skills and sorceries.
- Graven-Mass Talisman/Marika’s Soreseal/Radagon Icon: Boosts sorcery damage or casting speed.
- Armor: The Snow Witch Set is ideal for its bonus to Cold Sorcery. The Twinsage Glinstone Crown can also be effective.
- Sorceries: Supplement your weapon with frost spells like Freezing Mist, Zamor Ice Storm, or Adula’s Moonblade for ranged attacks and additional Frostbite buildup.
- Ashes of War: Consider using Ashes of War like Hoarfrost Stomp on weapons that don’t natively inflict Frostbite to add the effect.
Frost vs. Other Status Effects
Frost isn’t the only game in town. Here’s how it stacks up against other status effects:
- Bleed: Deals massive burst damage but doesn’t debuff enemy defenses.
- Poison: Deals damage over time, but the damage is relatively low.
- Scarlet Rot: A more potent version of Poison, dealing significantly more damage over time.
- Sleep: Renders enemies temporarily unconscious, allowing for critical hits or strategic repositioning.
- Madness: Causes enemies to attack each other and can briefly stun them.
Frost offers a unique combination of damage and debuff, making it a strategically valuable choice.
Games Learning Society and Elden Ring Strategy
Understanding the mechanics and strategies within Elden Ring, like the effectiveness of Frostbite builds, highlights the complex learning and problem-solving skills that gaming can foster. Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) recognize the educational potential of games and advocate for their integration into learning environments. Mastering Elden Ring requires critical thinking, resource management, and adaptation – skills that are transferable to real-world situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Frost Weapons in Elden Ring
1. Is Frost good against all enemies in Elden Ring?
No. While many enemies are vulnerable to Frostbite, some are resistant or immune. Enemies covered in ice or those of a fiery nature are less susceptible. Experiment and adapt your strategy accordingly.
2. Can I apply Frost to any weapon?
No, but you can utilize Ashes of War like Hoarfrost Stomp to imbue weapons with Frost. Certain weapons also have innate Frost buildup.
3. What is the best early-game Frost weapon?
The Icerind Hatchet is arguably the best early-game Frost weapon due to its accessibility and powerful Hoarfrost Stomp skill.
4. Does Frostbite affect bosses?
Yes, most bosses are susceptible to Frostbite. However, the buildup may be slower, and some bosses are more resistant than others. Radahn, for example, is susceptible to Frostbite, so it can be an effective tool against him.
5. How do I increase my Frostbite buildup?
Increase your Intelligence stat, use weapons with innate Frost buildup, and equip talismans that boost Robustness.
6. Does Frost damage scale with Intelligence?
Yes, the damage dealt by the initial Frostbite proc does scale with Intelligence, especially for weapons like the Dark Moon Greatsword and Death’s Poker.
7. What are the best Frost sorceries?
Adula’s Moonblade, Freezing Mist, and Zamor Ice Storm are among the best Frost sorceries.
8. Is there a talisman that directly increases Frost damage?
No, but the Snow Witch Set provides a bonus to Cold Sorceries, indirectly increasing your overall frost damage potential.
9. Can I dual-wield Frost weapons?
Yes, dual-wielding Frost weapons can significantly increase Frostbite buildup. Consider dual-wielding Icerind Hatchets or combining it with another weapon.
10. What armor is best for a Frost mage?
The Snow Witch Set is considered the best due to its bonus to Cold Sorceries.
11. Is Frost better than Bleed?
It depends on your playstyle and enemy weaknesses. Bleed deals more immediate burst damage, while Frost applies a debuff that increases subsequent damage.
12. What stat do I need for the Dark Moon Greatsword?
You primarily need Intelligence (minimum 38), but also Strength (16) and Dexterity (11) to wield it effectively.
13. Where do I find the Ash of War: Ice Spear?
It is dropped by a Night’s Cavalry boss patrolling near the broken Gate Town Bridge in Liurnia of the Lakes.
14. Does the Royal Greatsword do Frost damage?
Yes, the Royal Greatsword’s weapon skill, Wolf’s Assault, infuses the greatsword with Frost, dealing Frost damage.
15. How effective is Frost against the Elden Beast?
While the Elden Beast doesn’t have specific resistances to Frost, its high health pool can make inflicting Frostbite a challenge. However, the damage increase debuff can still be beneficial, especially when combined with other damage sources.
Ultimately, the best frost weapon in Elden Ring is the one that best complements your individual build and playstyle. Experiment with different weapons, Ashes of War, and sorceries to find what works best for you in your journey through the Lands Between. And remember, true power lies not just in the weapon, but in the Tarnished who wields it.