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Strength weapons in Elden Ring, while imposing, have always had one problem, they look like cavemen hurriedly crafted most of them. If you want to dance through the Lands Between with the grace of a wind-swept petal and the deadly trashing of a waterfowl, something sharper and more elegant, such as Dex weapons, will do the job better. We’re here to guide you through the best Dex weapons in Elden Ring.
Godskin Peeler
Starting our list with a twist of elegance and terror, the Godskin Peeler stands out as a twin-blade that dances wildly if you rely a lot on its Weapon Skill. The aforementioned Weapon Skill, Black Flame Tornado, is an odd whirl of black flame but does a lot of damage and can even dispatch multiple enemies at once.
Infuse it with the right Ashes, and you’ll be peeling the skin off gods and enemies alike. It’s also quite flexible as you can play into its Bleed capabilities, especially if you infuse it with Blood affinity, though it will then change to an Arcane weapon at that point.
Cross-Naginata
Cross-Naginata, a spear that boasts not just reach but the ability to slice through air and armor with the finesse of a master calligrapher, is also one of the more stylish Dex weapons in Elden Ring.
Oddly enough, its Ash of War, Impaling Thrust, limits its group-tackling capabilities, so you might want to change it to something more wide-sweeping. It has innate Bleed so no need to infuse it, but you will lose some of it if you choose to play into its Dex-scaling.
Hand of Malenia
Ah, the Hand of Malenia — there’s no katana more graceful than this. It’s a blade that sings a siren’s song, luring players to their doom, especially in PvP. It’s one of the most distinguished rewards you can brandish in Elden Ring‘s PvP, a sign that you endured the Blade of Miquella.
However, if you’re min-maxing and care much about numbers, then this weapon is easily outclassed by other katanas. The Waterfowl Dance just isn’t that effective against serious and major bosses. Still, this is not just a weapon; it’s a statement. A fashion statement.
Uchigatana
A classic among classics, the Uchigatana is the bread and butter of early Dexterity builds, proving that sometimes, the old ways are the deadliest. It does help that you get it immediately if you pick the Samurai class, and you also get another one in a tomb in Limgrave.
In any case, the innate Bleed and the weapon’s versatility can make it a good template for builds and even a competent off-hand weapon if you’re dual-wielding it with Rivers of Blood thanks to having the same range. You can even take this weapon Elden Ring‘s late-game if you want.
Death’s Poker
Death’s Poker is not your typical weapon; it’s a gamble with the reaper himself, especially given how tricky it can be to obtain it. However, its eerie skill, Ghostflame Ignition, makes it a cut above your typical Dex weapon. The damage for that unique (and permanent) Weapon Skill actually scales with Intelligence.
So if anything, the weapon is encouraging you to split your build between Dex and Int, which is weird since its main scaling is Dexterity. Still, this crowbar’s Dex scaling and physical capabilities are a good backup for when your Spellblade build needs to get its hands dirty with good old-fashioned melee.
Morgott’s Cursed Sword
Carrying the weight of a would-be king, Morgott’s Cursed Sword is a full package of painful status effects for any opponent. It’s also an oversized CS: GO knife if you prefer. In any case, you’re stuck with its Weapon Skill, Cursed-Blood Slice.
The unique skill is a barrage of cursed slashes that cannot be parried and deal a ton of Fire damage. It also deals Bleed buildup. On top of that, other players can’t parry this Weapon Skill, so you might find it more effective in PvP than PvE, but it’s a lovely weapon to use anywhere.
Butchering Knife
Don’t let its rustic appearance fool you; the Butchering Knife is a beast in sheep’s clothing. It’s one of the heavier Dex weapons in Elden Ring, and this hefty piece of metal rewards aggressive play with health regeneration with each successful hit.
To that end, it’s one of the more special weapons in the game. The HP restoration per hit stays even if you infuse it with another Ash of War or a different scaling. If you want it to be even scarier, Ashes of War, such as Wild Strikes, ought to up the intimidation factor.
Bloodhound’s Fang
A weapon as savage as it is sleek, the Bloodhound’s Fang isn’t your typical greatsword. It’s faster than the rest in its class and still deals good damage, combined with Bleed buildup. Its main strength, however, comes from Bloodhound’s Finesse.
The Weapon Skill not only lets you deal damage but also allows you to follow it up with a nimble dodge that can turn you invisible for a second. If you’re ever looking for an “easy mode” in Elden Ring, make sure to try out this weapon.
Moonveil
The Moonveil katana is less a weapon and more a piece of art, weaving magic and steel into a spellblade’s hybrid conduit. Its Transient Moonlight skill slices the very air, sending out waves of energy that cut through enemies like butter. It got nerfed, and rightfully so, but it’s still an effective weapon.
And while the Moonveil no longer staggers bosses like it used to, it’s still one of the most stylish Swiss knives in the game, providing ranged damage, Bleed, and even Magic in one package. You will need to work hard for it if you want it early on.
Nagakiba
Last but certainly not least, the Nagakiba is the long arm of the samurai, offering unmatched reach and precision for a katana. This weapon is for those who prefer to speak softly and carry a long sword.
Think of it as the taller and more genetically blessed brother of the Uchigatana. The Nagakiba ensures that your enemies feel your bite long before they can get within their own striking distance, complete with Bleed buildup and negligible weight that lets you dual-wield these babies like a Sabertooth samurai.
