HomeGuidesElden Ring
Best early weapons in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The ErdtreeHere are the best early weapons to pick up first in the new Elden Ring DLC
Here are the best early weapons to pick up first in the new Elden Ring DLC
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
Looking for the best early weapons in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree?Even for seasonedElden Ringplayers,Shadow Of The Erdtreewill pose quite the challenge with its range of new enemies and threats.
Luckily, the DLC comes with a large range ofnew weaponsandweapon typesto get stuck into. We’ve cultivated a list of the best early weapons in Shadow Of The Erdtree that you can pick up within the first 1-10 hours of playing in the Gravesite Plain region. If you’re looking for an upgrade to thebase game weaponsor want to try something new in the DLC, see our full list below.
To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings
To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings
Great Katana
The Great Katana is a great weapon option for ableed build.Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
TheGreat Katanabelongs to the new weapon category of the same name and introduces longer, larger katanas of better reach and power. The trade-off is a slightly reduced attack speed but, if you’ve cultivated a quality orDexterity build, the Great Katana is definitely worth picking up and trying.
The Great Katana has a Weapon Skill called theOverhead Stancewhich puts your Tarnished into a stance and then allows them to deliver either one or three consecutive downward slashes to enemies, depending if you follow with a light or heavy attack. This is a powerful combo that can cut through foes like butter. Attacks range from slashes, thrusts and downward strikes and you can apply anAshes Of Warto it if you want to customise the blade further.
We recommend using the Black Whetblade to bump up the bleed damage of the blade even further (to a possible 70). The Glintstone Whetblade is also a good choice if you want the blade to cause both bleed and frost build-up for huge potential damage output. For your Talisman of choice, we recommend picking up theRellana’s Cameo Talismanin Castle Ensis. This is a new Talisman with the DLC that offers enhanced attacks after maintaining the same stance for a period of time.
How to get the Great Katana
If you’re feeling brave, you can useTorrentandSpirit Ashesto help you against the Ghostflame Dragon. The biggest threat this dragon poses is its black flame AOE attack which can kill you instantly. We recommend utilising your Spirit Ashes to draw its attention away from you as you hack at its legs and head. As with most dragons, try to aim for the head to stagger it. It will then lower its head and leave it open to an attack to its eye which delivers the most damage at once.
Death Knight’s Twin Axes
The Death Knight’s Twin Axes can perform a lightning dodge combo. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
TheDeath Knight’s Twin Axesare as fast as a Katana but can be dual-wielded and infused with lightning magic. This lightning magic strikes foes with every light or heavy attack.
These Axes are speedy and powerful enough to pack a punch in the opening section of Shadow Of The Erdtree before you unlock later regions. Due to the magic properties of the Axes, we recommend equipping theLightning Scorpion CharmTalisman which will apply even more lightning damage to your attacks.
How to get the Death Knight’s Twin Axes
Travel downwards, west of the Castle Front Site Of Grace to find the Fog Rift Catacombs. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
The Death Knight’s Twin Axes are acquired after completing theFog Rift Catacombsand defeating theDeath Knightboss therein. The Fog Rift Catacombs are located northwest of the Castle FrontSite of Grace, outside Castle Ensis.
Milady
Milday is arguably the best Light Greatsword in Shadow Of The Erdtree and can be picked up early on. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
Miladyis a Light Greatsword that excels in delivering fast and hard-hitting combos. It’s powerful enough to make it to ourbest weaponslist for Shadow Of The Erdtree, as well as our early weapons list here, as you can actually pick it up extremely early in the DLC.
Although it comes with theImpaling ThrustWeapon Skill, Milady really shines when paired with theWing StanceAshes of War (also found within Castle Ensis). This allows the Tarnished to hold a stance and then deliver either a three-slash combo (light attack) or a leaping thrust attack (heavy).
We recommend capitalising on this withRellana’s Cameo Talismanand pairing a Talisman that will bolster your stamina recovery, like theTwo-Headed Turtle Talisman.
How to get Milday
Watch out for the Troll Knight enemy outside of Castle Ensis. When defeated it will not respawn. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
We have a guide onhow to get Milady in Elden Ringbut essentially, you can pick it up from a chest on top of atower opposite Castle Ensis.
Backhand Blade
The Backhand Blade is perfect for a Dexterity-focused build. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
TheBackhand Bladebelongs to a new weapon category of the same name and is known for suiting primarily Dexterity-based builds. The blade has a powerfulBlind SpotWeapon Skill that allows the Tarnished to sidestep and deliver an attack to an enemy’s side, both dodging and attacking in the same move.
This is an extremely formidable Skill in the right hands which can enable you to dodge around your foes and cut them down before they have time to react. Think of it as Elden Ring’s entry weapon for a rogueclass.
How to get the Backhand Blade
The Backhand Blade is directly northeast of the starting Site Of Grace. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
To get the Backhand Blade in Shadow Of The Erdtree, traveleastof the Gravesite Plain, past the Smoldering Ruins. The sword will beon a corpse within a mausoleum, in this region. Look out for the Furnace Golem patrolling the area, or see our guide todefeating Furnace Golemsif you’re feeling brave.
Moonrithyll’s Knight Sword
Consider Moonrithyll’s Knight Sword for a Strength/Intelligence build. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
Although classed as a Colossal Sword,Moonrithyll’s Knight Swordisn’t as slow as you may expect. With its Weapon Skill,Tremendous Phalanx, the blade summons three spectral Carian swords which target foes automatically and hit from a distance. These types of Carian sorceries are nothing new to Elen Ring players, of course, but the key to this skill is the follow-up heavy thurst attack which can be executed with enhanced speed.
This greatly increases the sword’s effectiveness and enables a powerful combo attack. Additionally, the sword benefits from the usual large, powerful slash attacks as befits most Colossal Swords. As such, it’s a great option for anyStrength buildslooking to add a little magic and ranged attacks to their playstyles.
How to get Moonrithyll’s Knight Sword
Make sure you defeat the other enemies in the area before taking on Moonrithyll. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
Moonrithyll shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge as long as you take care of the mages in the surrounding area first, as they can pincer you in with ranged spell attacks. Moonrithyll will be beyond the stairs leading to the altar within Castle Ensis.
Swift Spear
The Swift Spear has impressive Dexterity scaling, especially when upgraded. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
TheSwift Spearcould easily be overlooked. It comes with the standardImpaling ThrustWeapon Skill from the base Elden Ring game and doesn’t have any fancy magical effects. It is, however, extremely helpful for stunning enemies and getting past shields.
The Impaling Thrust Skill enables the Tarnished to step forward and thrust attack, delivering impressive stagger capabilities over a substantial range. Additionally, the light attack is capable of emitting three consecutive thrust attacks in quick succession. For some enemies, this means you can interrupt their attack animations before they properly begin.
I found particular luck pairing the Swift Spear with aPerfume Bottlein my off-hand. With this, I could chain a heavy thrust attack, hit them with a status effect from the Perfume Bottle and then roll backwards to repeat the process.
There are a few Perfume Bottles you can get early on in the DLC and unlike the base game, these aren’t a one-use item. The Deadly Poison Perfume Bottle can be purchased fromThiollierand the Firespark Perfume Bottle can be picked up from the perfumer camp near the Castle Front Site Of Grace.
How to get the Swift Spear
Follow the road east of the Castle Front to pick up the Swift Spear. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
The Swift Spear can be looted from a corpseeast of the Castle FrontSite Of Grace, near a campfire and wooden fortifications on the road leading east of Castle Ensis.
Beast Claw
The Beast Claw is perfect for speedy builds that like close combat and bleed status effects. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
TheBeast Clawweapon is ideal for players who like quick and close encounters. As with most Beast Claw weapons, they inflict blood loss buildup for high potential damage if you can execute consecutive hits on enemies.
The speed and bleed capabilities of this weapon make it a solid contender amongst the early weapons and worth a try, even if you’re usually used to ranged builds. The main thing to keep in mind when using these Beast Claws is stamina regeneration and the FP cost of the Weapon Skill, which although low, will quickly add up if spammed.
Consider a Talisman like theBlessed Blue Dew Talismanwhich slowly regenerates FP and can be picked up at the Church of Benediction, southwest of the Gravesite Plain.
How to get the Beast Claw
Keep a distance from Logur The Beast Claw. Once hit, it’s difficuilt to avoid his chain of attacks. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/Bandai Namco
To get the Beast Claw weapon, you must travel directlysoutheastfrom the first Gravesite Plain Site of Grace, anddefeat Logur The Beast Claw, the NPC who patrols the forest area of this region. The main trick with this NPC invader is staying out of arms reach as his claw attacks will quickly rack up blood loss buildup.
Keep a distance and whittle him down, his attacks can be interrupted and he doesn’t wear armor so it should be a matter of patience.
That rounds up our guide to the best early weapons in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree. For more Elden Ringtips and tricksand to get you a head start for the DLC, check out our guide to allMap Fragment locations,boss locationsin the DLC, bestTalismansand more.
