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Decoding the Endgame Arsenal: The Best Late-Game Weapons in Elden Ring

So, you’ve battled your way through the Lands Between, felled demigods, and are staring down the barrel of the Elden Throne. But what’s the best late-game weapon to help you seal the deal? The honest answer is: it depends. Elden Ring is all about builds, playstyles, and personal preference. However, if we’re talking about raw power, versatility, and accessibility, the Blasphemous Blade is a top contender for the best late-game weapon in Elden Ring.

Why the Blasphemous Blade Reigns Supreme

This greatsword, acquired by trading the Remembrance of the Blasphemous at Roundtable Hold, scales primarily with Strength, Faith, and Dexterity, making it a fantastic choice for Faith-based builds. But its true strength lies in its unique weapon skill, Taker’s Flames. This skill unleashes a wave of flame that deals significant damage to enemies in front of you and, crucially, heals you for a percentage of the damage dealt. This combination of offense and sustain is invaluable in the late game, where survivability is just as important as damage output.

The Blasphemous Blade is also excellent for clearing groups of enemies, thanks to the wide arc of Taker’s Flames. Its passive effect provides a small amount of health recovery with each hit, further enhancing its survivability. Furthermore, it deals fire damage, which many late-game bosses are vulnerable to. While some weapons may deal more raw damage in specific scenarios, the Blasphemous Blade’s well-rounded nature and self-healing capability make it a consistently strong choice against almost any encounter. Its accessibility, requiring only the completion of Volcano Manor quests, also makes it a great pick for players looking for a powerful weapon without needing to farm obscure items.

Honorable Mentions: Contenders for the Crown

While the Blasphemous Blade is a strong all-around choice, several other weapons shine in the late game, catering to different builds and playstyles:

Rivers of Blood: This katana is a Bleed powerhouse, devastating bosses and enemies alike with its Corpse Piler weapon art. It’s particularly effective against enemies vulnerable to Hemorrhage.
Moonveil: Another popular katana, the Moonveil scales with Intelligence and deals magic damage. Its Transient Moonlight weapon art is fast, powerful, and effective at both melee and ranged combat.
Dark Moon Greatsword: The ultimate magic weapon, acquired through Ranni’s questline. Its Moonlight Greatsword weapon art enhances the blade with magical energy, dealing massive damage and firing projectiles with charged heavy attacks.
Bloodhound’s Fang: An excellent choice for players seeking a blend of mobility and damage. This curved greatsword boasts the Bloodhound’s Finesse weapon art, allowing for quick attacks and evasive maneuvers.
Godslayer’s Greatsword: This colossal sword is fantastic for Faith/Strength builds. Its “The Queen’s Black Flame” Weapon Art does percentage based damage that melts enemy HP quickly.
Uchigatana: A starting katana that’s still viable in the late game due to its speed, Blood Loss build-up, and the ability to be infused with Ashes of War.

The best late game weapon truly boils down to personal preference. The Games Learning Society explores how game mechanics influence player choice and decision-making. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about game studies.

FAQs: Expanding Your Elden Ring Arsenal Knowledge

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further refine your understanding of late-game weapon choices in Elden Ring:

1. Is Uchigatana viable late game?

Yes! The Uchigatana remains surprisingly effective in the late game. Its speed, low weight, and bleed build-up make it a reliable choice, especially when dual-wielded or infused with powerful Ashes of War. Its versatility allows for various build options, proving that starting weapons can remain competitive throughout your journey.

2. What are the strongest weapons in Elden Ring for a Strength build?

For pure Strength builds, the Greatsword (Guts’ Greatsword), Brick Hammer, and Giant-Crusher are excellent choices. These weapons deal massive physical damage and can stagger enemies easily, but they require significant Strength investment and can be slow to use.

3. Is Moonveil still good in the late game?

Absolutely. While it may have been nerfed slightly, the Moonveil remains a potent weapon in the late game. Its Transient Moonlight weapon art is still incredibly strong, and its Intelligence scaling makes it a natural fit for magic-focused builds.

4. Can you use Bloodhound’s Fang to endgame?

Yes, Bloodhound’s Fang is a reliable weapon that remains effective until the very end of the game. Its Bloodhound’s Finesse weapon art provides excellent mobility and damage output, and it scales well with both Strength and Dexterity.

5. What is the best katana to dual wield with Rivers of Blood?

The Uchigatana is a popular choice for dual-wielding with Rivers of Blood due to its similar moveset and Blood Loss build-up. The Nagakiba is another viable option, offering greater range but requiring more Strength investment.

6. What is the best magic sword in Elden Ring?

The Dark Moon Greatsword is widely considered the best magic sword in Elden Ring. Its Moonlight Greatsword weapon art enhances the blade with magical energy, dealing massive damage and firing projectiles. Its Intelligence scaling makes it ideal for sorcerers.

7. Is dual wielding bad in Elden Ring?

Not at all! Dual wielding can be incredibly powerful in Elden Ring. By equipping two of the same weapon type, you can activate a Powerstance, which alters your moveset and significantly increases your damage output.

8. What are some of the best dual wield combos in Elden Ring?

Popular dual wield combos include Rivers of Blood and Uchigatana, Godskin Peelers, Hoslow’s Petal Whips, and Reduvias. Experiment with different combinations to find what suits your playstyle best.

9. What is the best build for defeating bosses in Elden Ring?

There isn’t one single “best” build for defeating bosses, as different strategies work better against different enemies. However, popular options include Comet Azur builds for burst damage, Colossal Weapon jump attack builds for staggering, and Bleed builds for sustained damage.

10. What are some of the worst weapons in Elden Ring?

While almost any weapon can be viable with the right build, some are generally considered weaker than others. These include the Clawmark Seal (due to its low scaling), the Zweihander (compared to other colossal swords), and the Winged Spear (due to its low damage).

11. Is there a better sword than a katana in Elden Ring?

Whether a sword is “better” than a katana depends on your playstyle and build. Longswords offer a balance of speed and range, while greatswords provide heavier damage and stagger potential. Katanas excel at inflicting Blood Loss and offer quick, agile attacks.

12. What stat should I focus on for the Blasphemous Blade?

The Blasphemous Blade scales primarily with Strength, Faith, and Dexterity. However, Faith is the most important stat to prioritize, as it significantly boosts the damage and healing of Taker’s Flames.

13. What talismans are best for a Blasphemous Blade build?

Useful talismans for a Blasphemous Blade build include the Fire Scorpion Charm (to boost fire damage), the Taker’s Cameo (for additional health recovery), the Carian Filigreed Crest (to reduce FP cost of weapon skills), and the Shard of Alexander (to increase weapon skill damage).

14. What is the best Ash of War for the Uchigatana in the late game?

The Uchigatana is compatible with a wide variety of Ashes of War. Popular choices include Unsheathe (for increased damage and speed), Seppuku (for boosted Blood Loss build-up), and Bloodflame Blade (for fire damage and Blood Loss).

15. How do I optimize my character for late-game combat in Elden Ring?

Optimizing your character for the late game involves maximizing your key stats, equipping the right weapons and armor, selecting appropriate talismans and spells, and mastering your chosen combat techniques. Experiment with different builds and strategies to find what works best for you.

Final Thoughts

The “best” late-game weapon in Elden Ring is subjective, ultimately hinging on your individual playstyle and build preferences. However, the Blasphemous Blade, with its combination of damage, healing, and versatility, remains a strong contender for the crown. Experiment with different weapons, explore various builds, and discover the arsenal that empowers you to claim the Elden Throne!

What is the best late game weapon in Elden Ring?