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Your weapon in Elden Ring will usually decide not only your play style but also how easily you can breeze through the content or even meet the requirements for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Certain weapons in Elden Ring can make the game less frustrating, especially since there are a limited number of resources for upgrading them. So to help you catch up quickly, I recommend the best weapons in Elden Ring for beginners (along with their locations).
Also, while you can find these weapons in the early or starting areas, you can still take them to the late game.
Claymore
| Location | Building to the right of the burning corpse pile in Castle Morne in Weeping Peninsula, Limgrave. |
| Requirements | Str 16 Dex 13 |
| Type | Greatsword |
The Claymore is quite a versatile weapon in Elden Ring since you can wield it either two-handedly or while using a shield (it’s still fast enough for one-handed moves). However, the main draw for the Claymore (no pun intended) would be its default Weapon Skill or Ash of War: Lion’s Claw.
This Ash of War is a pain to obtain in Caelid since you need to kill a Lion mini-boss. But here it is in Castle Morne, ready for use as a decent weapon nonetheless. The requirements are also not too demanding.
Greatsword
| Location | In a chest near a stationary carriage in Caelid, northwest of the Caelem Ruins Site of Grace. |
| Requirements | Str 31 Dex 12 |
| Type | Colossal Sword |
Ironically, the Greatsword belongs in the Colossal Sword weapon class and not the Greatsword class. That’s why a lot of players have taken to calling it the Ultra-Greatsword or Guts Sword after the manga character that inspired it. In any case, this is the best Colossal Weapon in Elden Ring and also the best Strength weapon.
You also don’t need to hit that Strength requirement right away; if you two-hand it while at only 21 Strength, your Strength will be multiplied by 1.5 and you can suddenly use this heaping slab of pure death.
Nagakiba
| Location | Reward for murdering Bloody Finger Hunter Yura north of the river past Murkwater Cave. You must not have killed the dragon in Agheel Lake yet. |
| Requirements | Str 18 Dex 22 |
| Type | Katana |
As one of the best katanas and Dexterity weapons in the game, the Nagakiba quickly outclasses the smaller and more accessible Uchigatana (though that’s still a good alternative). A word of warning is needed here, you will need to murder a friendly NPC (Yura) to get this early on.
Otherwise, you will need to wait until Yura’s questline is done. Murdering him right away will bar you from obtaining his cool armor later on. It’s alright if you don’t want to kill Yura, as the Uchigatana is a good alternative to the Nagakiba.
Golden Halberd
| Location | Reward for defeating the Tree Sentinel in Limgrave, just after the tutorial area. |
| Requirements | Str 30 Dex 14 Fai 12 |
| Type | Halberd |
The Strength requirement is also high, but remember that you only need 21 Strength if you intend to dual-wield this one. Moreover, it’s one of the best Strength-Faith weapons out there since it comes with the Golden Vow Incantation.
The moveset is also quite good considering it’s a weapon you can get early on. This one’s an ample reward after you finally defeat the Tree Sentinel after tiptoeing around the boss in Limgrave.
Bloodhound’s Fang
| Location | Reward for defeating the Bloodhound Knight Darriwil, in Limgrave. |
| Requirements | Str 18 Dex 17 |
| Type | Curved Greatsword |
For Dexterity builds that want to commit to Bleed builds (often considered as one of the best Elden Ring builds or playstyles), then the Bloodhound’s Fang is an excellent starting point. So excellent, that you might even take it to the late-game bosses and areas.
It not only applies the Bleed or Hemorrhage status but the Weapon Skill (which can’t be changed) is a powerful move that lets you attack quickly and follow up with a defensive skill. It’s overpowered for how early you obtain the weapon and some even this weapon as the game’s easy mode.
Moonveil – The Best Early Weapon in Elden Ring
| Location | Reward for defeating the Magma Wyrm, in Gael Tunnel, Caelid. |
| Requirements | Str 12 Dex 18 Int 23 |
| Type | Katana |
Finally, the best katana in Elden Ring, the Moonveil. It’s strictly for Intelligence or Mage builds, but changing your playstyle around the Moonveil is worth it. The Weapon Skill is a stylish and flashy vertical magic projectile that most enemies can’t evade.
You’ll need to work a bit harder for this one, however. The Magma Wyrm boss is hard to kill if you’re fresh out of the tutorial cave. Level up a bit in your Intelligence or Sorcery-based classes to prepare for the fight. I promise you, however, the Moonveil is worth every salt of frustration you shed.
Elden Ring is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.
