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Unveiling the Blade Masters: The Best Sword Damage in Elden Ring

The quest for the ultimate weapon in Elden Ring is a journey filled with peril and discovery. While “best” is subjective and depends on build, playstyle, and enemy type, if we’re talking pure, unadulterated sword damage, the Blasphemous Blade is a top contender and a consistently favored choice by many players. Its unique Ash of War, Taker’s Flames, deals incredible fire damage while also restoring HP on hit, making it a powerful and sustainable option for many encounters. However, other swords also shine brightly in specific scenarios, making the landscape of bladed combat in the Lands Between wonderfully diverse.

Exploring the Realm of Elden Ring Swords

Elden Ring offers a staggering array of swords, each with its strengths and weaknesses. To truly understand which delivers the best damage, it’s essential to consider factors beyond just the Attack Rating (AR) displayed on the weapon’s stat screen. These factors include scaling, Ash of War potential, weapon type, and even the enemy’s vulnerabilities.

Damage Types and Enemy Resistance

Elden Ring features various damage types, including physical (standard, slashing, piercing), magic, fire, lightning, and holy. Enemies exhibit different resistances to these types. A sword with a high AR but the wrong damage type might fare poorly against a heavily armored opponent. Some enemies are particularly susceptible to certain damage types, such as fire damage against enemies weak to fire, and this should influence your weapon choice.

Scaling: Power From Your Stats

Scaling refers to how well a weapon’s damage increases with your character’s stats, such as Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. Weapons have scaling grades from S (best) to E (worst) for each stat. A weapon with high scaling in your primary stat will often outperform a weapon with a higher base AR but poor scaling. You should also consider infusion to scale your weapon, such as a Heavy infusion to scale Strength or a Keen infusion to scale Dexterity.

Ash of War: Unleash the Potential

Ashes of War are equippable skills that can dramatically alter a weapon’s capabilities. Some Ashes of War provide powerful attacks, while others add elemental damage or change a weapon’s scaling. A seemingly mediocre sword can become a powerhouse when paired with the right Ash of War. Experimentation is key to finding the most effective combinations.

Weapon Type: Range, Speed, and Stagger

Different sword types, such as straight swords, curved swords, greatswords, and katanas, offer distinct advantages. Straight swords are fast and versatile, greatswords offer high damage and stagger potential, and katanas inflict bleed buildup. The “best” type depends on your preferred combat style. Colossal Swords often provide high damage and stagger potential but can be slow to use.

Beyond the Blasphemous Blade: Other Contenders

While the Blasphemous Blade is a strong contender, several other swords deserve recognition for their damage output:

Sword of Night and Flame: This sword, scaling with Intelligence and Faith, offers versatile attacks with its unique Night-and-Flame Stance Ash of War. While it was heavily nerfed early after release, it remains a viable option for specific builds.
Rivers of Blood: A katana that excels at inflicting bleed buildup, Rivers of Blood can quickly decimate enemies with its Corpse Piler Ash of War. However, it’s more reliant on bleed than raw damage.
Grafted Blade Greatsword: Found early in the game, this Strength-scaling greatsword boasts impressive damage and the powerful Oath of Vengeance skill, temporarily boosting your character’s stats.
Moonveil Katana: Another Intelligence-scaling katana, Moonveil’s Transient Moonlight Ash of War allows for quick and powerful ranged attacks, making it excellent for both melee and ranged combat.
Dark Moon Greatsword: A reward for completing Ranni the Witch’s questline, this Intelligence-scaling greatsword deals significant magic damage and empowers your attacks with frost buildup.

Optimizing Your Sword Damage

To maximize your sword’s damage output, consider the following:

Upgrade your weapons: Use Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones to upgrade your weapons at the blacksmith, increasing their base AR and scaling.
Optimize your stats: Invest points in the stats that your chosen sword scales with. Aim for the soft caps for optimal gains.
Equip talismans: Talismans can provide various buffs, such as increased attack power, damage negation, or stat boosts. Experiment with different talismans to find the best combinations for your build.
Use consumables: Consumables like Greases can temporarily imbue your weapon with elemental damage or grant other beneficial effects.
Powerstance: Dual-wielding weapons of the same type can grant access to a unique powerstancing moveset, which often deals significantly more damage.

Understanding “Best”: Context Matters

Ultimately, the “best” sword for damage in Elden Ring is subjective and depends on the context. A sword that excels in one situation might be ineffective in another. Experimentation, adaptation, and a deep understanding of your character’s build are crucial for finding the perfect blade for your Tarnished. Don’t be afraid to try different weapons, Ashes of War, and strategies to discover what works best for you. You can always find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org, a great resource for understanding game mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the highest raw damage weapon in Elden Ring?

Generally, Colossal Weapons like the Giant-Crusher will offer the highest raw Attack Rating (AR). However, AR doesn’t tell the whole story, as scaling and Ash of War effectiveness also play a crucial role. It’s important to note that this is not a sword, but a colossal weapon.

2. What is the best early game sword for damage in Elden Ring?

The Grafted Blade Greatsword, found in Castle Morne, is an excellent choice for early-game damage due to its high base stats and Strength scaling. Other options include the Lordsworn’s Straight Sword and the Claymore, which are both readily available and versatile.

3. Is Strength or Dexterity better for sword damage in Elden Ring?

Neither stat is inherently “better.” It depends entirely on the weapon. Some swords scale primarily with Strength, while others scale with Dexterity. You should focus on the stat that your chosen sword scales with to maximize its damage output. Some weapons scale with both, giving you additional flexibility.

4. Can I respec my stats in Elden Ring?

Yes, you can respec your stats by using a Larval Tear after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, at the Academy of Raya Lucaria. This allows you to reallocate your stat points and optimize your build for a different weapon or playstyle.

5. What are the best talismans for increasing sword damage in Elden Ring?

Some of the best talismans for increasing sword damage include the Ritual Sword Talisman (increases attack power when at full HP), the Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal (raises attributes but increases damage taken), the Claw Talisman (enhances jump attacks), and the Shard of Alexander (boosts the attack power of skills).

6. How does bleed build-up work, and what are the best swords for it?

Bleed build-up causes a massive burst of damage when the bleed meter fills. The best swords for inflicting bleed include the Rivers of Blood, the Uchigatana, and the Nagakiba. Arcane investment can also influence the status build up applied by weapons.

7. What is the best infusion for a Strength-based sword build?

For a Strength-based build, the Heavy infusion is generally the best choice. This increases the weapon’s Strength scaling while reducing other scaling stats.

8. What is the best infusion for a Dexterity-based sword build?

For a Dexterity-based build, the Keen infusion is the best choice. This increases the weapon’s Dexterity scaling while reducing other scaling stats.

9. How do I unlock more Ashes of War in Elden Ring?

You can acquire more Ashes of War by defeating certain bosses, exploring the world, and completing quests. Once you have an Ash of War, you can equip it to a compatible weapon at a Site of Grace using the Blacksmith Master Hewg at the Roundtable Hold.

10. Can I use Ashes of War on unique weapons?

Some unique weapons cannot have their Ashes of War changed. These weapons have a fixed Ash of War that cannot be removed or replaced. However, some unique weapons can be upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones to enhance their performance.

11. How does weapon art affect damage output in Elden Ring?

Weapon arts, also known as Ashes of War skills, can significantly impact damage output. Some skills deal high damage, while others provide buffs or utility. Experiment with different skills to find the ones that best suit your playstyle and weapon.

12. What role do critical hits play in Elden Ring sword combat?

Critical hits deal significantly increased damage and can stagger enemies, leaving them open to further attacks. Swords with high critical hit multipliers, such as the Miséricorde dagger (when paired with a critical-hit-focused build), can be devastating in skilled hands.

13. How do I effectively stagger enemies with a sword?

Heavy attacks, jump attacks, and certain weapon arts can stagger enemies. Using heavier weapons like greatswords and colossal swords increases your chances of staggering enemies.

14. Is it better to two-hand a sword in Elden Ring?

Two-handing a sword increases your Strength by 50%, allowing you to wield heavier weapons and deal more damage. It also changes the moveset and often provides access to more powerful attacks.

15. What are the best armor sets for increasing sword damage in Elden Ring?

Armor sets that increase attack power, such as the White Mask (increases attack power after blood loss in the vicinity), can indirectly boost your sword damage. Look for armor with beneficial passive effects that complement your build. Additionally, understanding the mechanics of games can be enhanced at the Games Learning Society.

What is the best sword damage in Elden Ring?