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What is the Best Halberd in Elden Ring? A Tarnished’s Guide

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For all you Tarnished striving to become Elden Lord, choosing the right weapon is paramount. And if you’re leaning towards the reach and power of a halberd, you’ve got some excellent choices in Elden Ring. But which one reigns supreme?

While personal preference and build play a significant role, the Golden Halberd consistently emerges as a top contender and is widely considered one of the best halberds, if not the best, for many players. Its combination of high physical and holy damage, relatively early availability, and potent Weapon Skill (“Golden Vow”) makes it a powerhouse throughout your journey in the Lands Between. It’s reminiscent of the Black Knight Halberd from Dark Souls, a weapon capable of carrying players from early game to the very end.

Let’s delve deeper into why the Golden Halberd stands out and explore other formidable halberds that might better suit your specific build and playstyle. We’ll also address some frequently asked questions to help you make the most informed decision.

Understanding Halberds in Elden Ring

Halberds in Elden Ring offer a unique blend of reach, damage, and versatility. They typically scale well with Strength and Dexterity, though some also incorporate Faith or Arcane. Their movesets often include sweeping attacks, thrusts, and overhead strikes, making them effective against a variety of enemies.

When choosing a halberd, consider these factors:

Scaling: How well does the weapon scale with your stats? A weapon with high scaling in your primary stats will generally deal more damage as you level up.
Damage Type: Does the halberd deal primarily physical damage, or does it also inflict elemental or status effects? Some enemies are more vulnerable to certain damage types than others.
Weapon Skill: What unique skill does the halberd possess? Some skills provide buffs, while others unleash devastating attacks.
Weight: Heavier weapons require more Strength to wield effectively and can impact your equip load.
Availability: How easily can you acquire the halberd? Some weapons are found early in the game, while others require completing challenging encounters or exploring hidden areas.

Top Halberd Contenders in Elden Ring

While the Golden Halberd is a strong all-around choice, here’s a look at other top halberds and their strengths:

Golden Halberd: As mentioned, this is a fantastic option for its early availability (dropped by the Tree Sentinel in Limgrave), excellent damage output, and the powerful “Golden Vow” Weapon Skill, which boosts attack and defense. It requires a decent investment in Strength, Dexterity, and Faith.
Nightrider Glaive: Found relatively early, this halberd boasts excellent scaling and damage, making it a reliable choice throughout the game. It primarily scales with Strength and Dexterity.
Commander’s Standard: This halberd’s Weapon Skill, “Rallying Standard,” provides a powerful attack and defense buff to yourself and nearby allies. This is perfect for co-op play or builds focused on supporting others.
Dragon Halberd: Dropped by the Dragonkin Soldier in Siofra River, this halberd deals both physical and lightning damage. Its Weapon Skill, “Dragon Dance,” unleashes a series of spinning attacks with frost and lightning damage, making it effective against groups of enemies.
Guardian’s Swordspear: This halberd possesses a unique moveset that blends spear-like thrusts with halberd-like sweeps. It’s especially effective at staggering enemies and scales well with Dexterity.
Vulgar Militia Saw: This is a fantastic option for those looking for bleed buildup. It has innate bleed and also can have bleed applied to it via an Ash of War.
Gargoyle’s Halberd: This straightforward halberd excels in pure physical damage and has good scaling, making it a solid choice for Strength-focused builds.
Ripple Crescent Halberd: If you are doing an Arcane build, look no further. The Ripple Crescent Halberd scales solely with Arcane and can be buffed.
Banished Knight’s Halberd: An easily accessible halberd dropped by Banished Knights. It’s versatile and reliable, making it a good early-to-mid game option.
Loretta’s War Sickle: Requires Intelligence to wield and it deals magic damage. It’s Weapon Skill fires off magic projectiles.

Choosing the Right Halberd for Your Build

The “best” halberd ultimately depends on your build and playstyle.

Strength Builds: The Gargoyle’s Halberd and Nightrider Glaive are excellent choices for pure Strength builds.
Dexterity Builds: The Guardian’s Swordspear and Dragon Halberd are well-suited for Dexterity-focused characters.
Faith Builds: The Golden Halberd is a standout option for Faith builds, thanks to its scaling and holy damage.
Arcane Builds: The Ripple Crescent Halberd is the best halberd that scales with Arcane.
Support Builds: The Commander’s Standard is ideal for players who want to buff themselves and their allies.

Experimentation is Key

Don’t be afraid to try out different halberds to find the one that best suits your personal preferences. Experiment with different Weapon Skills, Ashes of War, and stat distributions to optimize your build and playstyle. Remember that Elden Ring is a game of discovery, and the best way to find your perfect weapon is to explore the Lands Between and test out different options. The Games Learning Society emphasizes the importance of experimentation and discovery in game-based learning, a principle that applies equally well to mastering Elden Ring. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore more about the intersection of games and education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Halberd a good weapon type in Elden Ring?

Yes, halberds are a very good weapon type in Elden Ring. They offer a good balance of reach, damage, and versatility. They are effective against a wide range of enemies and can be adapted to various playstyles.

2. Is the Golden Halberd the absolute best halberd?

The Golden Halberd is arguably one of the best, but it’s not universally the absolute best. It excels in early to mid-game and remains viable throughout, especially for Faith builds. However, other halberds might be better suited for specific builds or playstyles.

3. Where can I find the Golden Halberd?

The Golden Halberd is dropped by the Tree Sentinel boss that guards the entrance to Limgrave. It can be a challenging fight early on, but the reward is well worth it.

4. What stats do I need to use the Golden Halberd?

The Golden Halberd requires 30 Strength, 14 Dexterity, and 12 Faith to wield effectively.

5. What is the Weapon Skill of the Golden Halberd?

The Weapon Skill is Golden Vow, which buffs attack power and defense for both the user and nearby allies.

6. Is the Nightrider Glaive better than the Golden Halberd?

The Nightrider Glaive scales better with Strength and Dexterity than the Golden Halberd, making it a stronger option for those builds. It also doesn’t require Faith investment.

7. Where do I find the Nightrider Glaive?

The Nightrider Glaive is dropped by the Nightrider boss that patrols the Weeping Peninsula at night.

8. What is the Commander’s Standard good for?

The Commander’s Standard is excellent for co-op play or builds focused on supporting allies. Its Weapon Skill, “Rallying Standard,” provides a significant attack and defense buff to the entire party.

9. Is the Dragon Halberd worth using?

The Dragon Halberd can be an effective choice for Dexterity builds who can use the Dragon Halberd to slash enemies while spinning.

10. Where is the Dragon Halberd located?

The Dragon Halberd is dropped by the Dragonkin Soldier boss after a gateway portal in the lower Siofra River region.

11. Can I change the Weapon Skill on a halberd?

Yes, you can change the Weapon Skill on many halberds using Ashes of War. This allows you to customize your weapon to better suit your playstyle.

12. Are halberds good against armored enemies?

Yes, halberds were historically effective against armored opponents. Their combination of a spike for thrusting and an axe blade for hacking made them versatile weapons against armored targets. In Elden Ring, they remain a viable option against heavily armored enemies.

13. What is the best Ash of War for a halberd?

The best Ash of War depends on your build and playstyle. Some popular options include Bloodflame Blade, Hoarfrost Stomp, and Giant Hunt. Experiment to find the one that works best for you.

14. Are there any unique halberds I should look out for?

Besides the ones mentioned above, the Loretta’s War Sickle is another unique halberd that requires Intelligence and deals magic damage.

15. Is it better to two-hand a halberd?

Two-handing a halberd increases your Strength stat by 50%, allowing you to wield heavier weapons or meet the Strength requirements for certain skills. It also changes your moveset and can increase damage output. Whether it’s better to two-hand depends on your build and playstyle.

In conclusion, while the Golden Halberd is a strong contender for the title of best halberd in Elden Ring, the optimal choice depends on your individual build and preferences. Experiment with different options, explore the Lands Between, and discover the halberd that best empowers you on your journey to become Elden Lord. Remember, the true strength lies not just in the weapon, but in the Tarnished who wields it. Good luck, and may your path be ever guided by grace!