Players around the world are jumping into the new From Software title Elden Ring. Like many other titles from the developers, this game can be quite a challenge. Fans of the series will surely remember their first From Software game and how the first boss beat them down to oblivion. There is a learning curve present in these games, and if the Tarnished refuses to learn, then the Tree Sentinel boss will beat the knowledge into them.
Elden Ring does a great job of informing the player when they are not ready to take on certain portions of the game. After getting smacked down by a boss so many times, eventually, the player should seek more upgrades. In these scenarios, players like to do the most plausible thing: bring better weapons. Starting with a weapon that is good, but most importantly, feels right, is key to survival in this beautiful game.
Updated on June 18, 2023, by Jeff Drake: Updates are constantly changing weapon balance, including the best early-game Elden Ring weapons. Some weapons' scaling has improved, and others have been made worse. This update has updated the scaling for the weapons on this list. Most have been fortunate to avoid any nerfing; the Greatsword, though, had its Dex scaling worsened. This update has also added five additional great starting weapons to the mix. One of these new weapons (Twinblade) can be found within minutes of starting a new game and remains a viable main throughout the game if infused and upgraded.
15 Shortbow
- Scalingat Max: Strength D, Dexterity D
- Location: Can be purchased from a merchant near Coastal Cave.
- Weapon Skill: Barrage
The 
Shortbowcan be used to devastating effect in Elden Ring when used properly, and best of all it can be found (or purchased) very early into the game. This is actually one of the starting weapons for the Bandit class. The Shortbow gives the player exceptional reach and a quick attack speed.
The Shortbow has several advantages over larger bow types. For starters, the Shortbow can be fired while jumping and then fired again quickly upon landing. The Shortbow can also be used while riding a horse at full gallop. Unless a player is going for a bow build, they shouldn't waste their efforts with any other bow.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Bandit
- Vigor: 27
- Mind: 20
- Endurance: 30
- Strength: 20
- Dexterity: 50
- Intelligence: 10
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 65
14 Nightrider Glaive
- Scalingat Max: Strength B, Dexterity E
- Location: Between Bellum Church and East Raya Lucaria Gate
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
Halberds are an often overlooked weapon type - which is a shame. These weapons provide superior reach, high damage attacks, and can be swung fairly quickly. Among the best of this weapon type in Elden Ring, and one that can be picked up reasonably early into the game, is the Nightrider Glaive.
A somewhat hidden aspect of this weapon is that it gets a higher damage boost than other halberds when on horseback. Players will want to focus on Strength when using the 
Nightrider Glaive ; with the Heavy infusion, the scaling for Strength is S.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Hero
- Vigor: 60
- Mind: 11
- Endurance: 30
- Strength: 70
- Dexterity: 20
- Intelligence: 10
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 20
13 Nagakiba
- Scalingat Max: Strength D, Dexterity B
- Location: Murkwater Cave
- Weapon Skill: Unsheathe
Nagakiba is a katana with an extended blade; allowing the wielder to swing it just as fast as a standard katana, but with a longer range. This weapon also has the ability to cause bleed damage, and its fast attack speed ensures the bleed damage will begin stacking quickly.
The ability requirements are low for such a powerful weapon, but to acquire this weapon the player will have to defeat Bloody Finger Hunter Yura. Nagakiba can be infused with Ashes of War. The Cold infusion works well, which becomes overpowered when combined with its bleed damage.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Bandit
- Infusion: Blood
- Vigor: 49
- Mind: 11
- Endurance: 35
- Strength: 20
- Dexterity: 60
- Intelligence: 10
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 35
12 Twinblade
- Scalingat Max: Strength D, Dexterity C
- Location: Dragon-Burnt Ruins
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
The Twinblade allows players to bring out their inner Darth Maul. Essentially two swords attached at the handle, the Twinblade is a weapon whose best attribute is the speed with which it can be wielded. With this weapon, the player can slash through groups of enemies like a tornado. The special ability of Twinblade, Spinning Slash, allows players to attack an entire group of enemies - as long as they're crowded around the player. Spinning Slash is also useful in PvP fights. It is perfect for punishing players that roll toward you.
Twinblade can be made even deadlier by infusing it with the Hemorrhage ability. This will let the player stack bleed damage on the target extremely quickly. Cold infusions also work well with the Twinblade. The best aspects of this weapon are that it has low requirements, and is relatively easy to obtain; in fact, this weapon is very close to the starting location.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Warrior
- Infusion: Blood
- Vigor: 36
- Mind: 20
- Endurance: 35
- Strength: 25
- Dexterity: 55
- Intelligence: 10
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 40
11 Great Stars
- Scalingat Max: Strength C, Dexterity D
- Location: In a carriage in Altus Plateau
- Weapon Skill: Endure
Players looking to use something other than a bladed weapon as their main should try the Great Hammer by the name of 
Great Stars . Being a large weapon, wielding this weapon effectively requires a high-strength build. The trade-off is having a weapon that can crush enemies with only a swing or two.
This weapon causes the Hemorrhage status effect on the target, which inflicts bleed damage. That would be good enough, but Great Stars has the added benefit of healing the wielder by 1% health per hit - even if the attack was blocked. With this weapon, the player can inflict an enormous amount of damage per hit, destroy armor, cause bleed damage, and heal themselves in the process. Not bad.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Samurai or Vagabond
- Infusion: Cold
- Vigor: 50
- Mind: 12
- Endurance: 40
- Strength: 60
- Dexterity: 25
- Intelligence: 25
- Faith: 7
- Arcane: 10
10 Grafted Blade Greatsword
- Scalingat Max: Strength B, Dexterity D
- Location: Castle Morne
- Weapon Skill: Oath of Vengeance
This behemoth of a weapon can be acquired in the Castle Morne region in Southern Limgrave and is one of the best early weapons in Elden Ring. Players will find this castle in the middle of a siege, falling to the Misbegotten enemies. Along with an NPC side quest and a pretty fun castle to explore, the Tarnished will eventually face the area's boss, the Leonine Misbegotten, which can definitely pose a threat to newcomers. This boss is a perfect chance to learn the basics of the game. It doesn't do too much damage, but it will punish players for being too aggressive.
After the player defeats the Leonine Misbegotten, they will be rewarded with this Colossal Sword, which is the host of great skill scaling. 
Grafted Blade Greatsword can be a wonderful strength weapon for a build or a placeholder for later. It can pack a punch and looks cool doing it. The sword's Ash of War, "Oath of Vengeance," boosts all the user's attributes. This can provide that extra edge needed to take down the next boss.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level:150
- Starting Class: Hero
- Vigor: 60
- Mind: 9
- Endurance: 50
- Strength: 60
- Dexterity: 24
- Intelligence: 7
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 11
9 Axe of Godrick
- Scaling at Max: Strength C, Dexterity C
- Location: Trade with Enia at Roundtable Hold
- Weapon Skill: I Command Thee, Kneel
This weapon is one of the best axes in the game and can be acquired very early on in the Stormveil Castle legacy dungeon. The weapon has a "C" scaling in both strength and dexterity. This means that it is a great weapon for those interested in a "quality" build. The 
Axe of Godrick can be obtained after defeating the Demigod of Stormveil Castle, Godrick the Grafted. After this fight, the player will earn the "Remembrance of the Grafted," which can be traded with the Enia at Roundtable Hold for the weapon.
The weapon's Ash of War "I Command Thee, Kneel!" will send a cool-looking shockwave out from where the axe meets the ground. Any Tarnished who uses this skill knows the devastation it can cause — because it has probably killed them multiple times in the fight with Godrick.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Samurai
- Vigor: 53
- Mind: 11
- Endurance: 40
- Strength: 50
- Dexterity: 50
- Intelligence: 9
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 8
8 Reduvia
- Scaling at Max: Strength E, Dexterity C, Arcane B
- Location: Kill Bloody Finger Nerijus by Murkwater Cave
- Weapon Skill: Reduvia Blood Blade
This little blood weapon is one of the first weapons with the bleed status effect that players can get. It can be obtained by going up the right ravine in Agheel Lake. While players travel upstream, they will be invaded by Bloody Finger Nerijuss. After slaying him (with the help of Yura) they will receive the weapon.
Reduvia is a Dagger, so it doesn't do too much base damage. The beauty of this weapon lies within its status effect and skill. The bleed status effect is a boss melter, considering how many swings the weapon can throw out before the player needs to dodge a boss's attack. This bleed damage more than makes up for the lack of base damage. Pair this with the amazing projectile the Reduvia can throw, the result is a weapon that enemies won't want to be close to, or too far away from.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Bandit
- Vigor: 52
- Mind: 11
- Endurance: 40
- Strength: 9
- Dexterity: 50
- Intelligence: 9
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 50
7 Bloodhound's Fang
- Scalingat Max: Strength C, Dexterity B
- Location: Kill Bloodhound Knight Darriwil
- Weapon Skill: Bloodhound's Finesse
This weapon has seen some attention from the community, and there is a reason why. The 
Bloodhound's Fang is a Curved Greatsword that players can acquire by beating the Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in Limgrave. The weapon has amazing scaling for quality builds and does ridiculous amounts of damage.
Normally, with bigger weapons, there is a common drawback of slower speed. With the larger weapon doing more damage often, the Tarnished forfeits their rate of swinging — but not for the Bloodhound's Fang and its Ash of War. The weapon's Ash of War, "Bloodhound's Finesse," is a swing and a quick back step that makes it a safe getaway attack, just in case the player is a little too aggressive. This weapon's lack of flaws makes it one of the deadliest starting weapons in the game.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Warrior
- Vigor: 50
- Mind: 12
- Endurance: 40
- Strength: 40
- Dexterity: 60
- Intelligence: 10
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 9
6 Golden Halberd
- Scaling at Max: Strength B, Dexterity D, Faith D
- Location: Kill the Tree Sentinel in Limgrave
- Weapon Skill: Golden Vow
The Golden Halberd has slain more Tarnished than any weapon in the game. The Tree Sentinel, who wields this weapon, has been a menace to the newly Tarnished since the game's release. After the player finally defeats this boss, they will have acquired the 
Golden Halberd . This weapon's amazing reach makes it a great option for newcomers to the game.
Often, players will find themselves being killed after extending too much or being too aggressive. Bosses in From Software games love to punish greed. However, the person with the bigger stick usually laughs last. The Golden Halberd also has an amazing Ash of War called "Golden Vow," which increases attack and defensive power. All of these attributes make for a perfect starting weapon.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Prophet
- Vigor: 50
- Mind: 14
- Endurance: 40
- Strength: 60
- Dexterity: 25
- Intelligence: 7
- Faith: 23
- Arcane: 10
5 Lordsworn's Greatsword
- Scaling at Max(Depending on Infusion): Strength C, Dexterity D
- Location: Gatefront Ruins
- Weapon Skill: Stamp (Upward Cut)
Sometimes, the Tarnished does not need anything flashy. Sure, the weapons with the sparks and tricks are fun to use, but sometimes the most reliable weapon is the right tool for the job. This is where the 
Lordsworn's Greatsword(found in the Gatefront Ruins) comes in.
With its low skill requirement and amazing scaling when fully upgraded, it is a reliable option for the early game. Players can also infuse it with whatever Ash of War they like. This might make it the best option for newcomers because it offers the most versatility.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Samurai
- Infusion: Quality
- Vigor: 50
- Mind: 14
- Endurance: 40
- Strength: 50
- Dexterity: 50
- Intelligence: 9
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 8
4 Morning Star
- Scaling at Max(Depending on Infusion): Strength C, Dexterity D
- Location: Weeping Peninsula
- Weapon Skill: Kick
For players that prefer the tried-and-true method of a weapon and shield, the Morning Star (found in Limgrave) is a great option. Often, when a player uses a shield, the fight's pacing can come to a screeching halt. This strategy effectively makes the fight a waiting game of block and strike. The 
Morning Star offers a solution to this problem: bleed.
Bleed weapons in Elden Ring currently reign supreme because of how much damage the status effect does. The Morning Star's innate bleed is a great way to speed up the pacing of what would otherwise be a slow fight. Players can also infuse it with any Ash of War they prefer, making it a versatile weapon to boot.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Prisoner
- Infusion: Cold
- Vigor: 40
- Mind: 30
- Endurance: 30
- Strength: 50
- Dexterity: 14
- Intelligence: 50
- Faith: 6
- Arcane: 9
3 Greatsword
- Scaling at Max(Depending on Infusion): Strength B, Dexterity D
- Location: Dragonbarrow
- Weapon Skill: Stamp (Upward Cut)
For players who enjoy a method of all-out attack, this weapon is perfect. The 
Greatsword(found in Caelid) falls into the category of Colossal Greatsword, making it a hefty weight. This means that in the early game, the Tarnished will likely need to lose a few pieces of armor to sustain this weapon's heavy weight.
The sacrifice will be worth it in the end, however, because this weapon is an absolute monster. Enemies' health will be chunked down with each swing of this massive blade. It can also be infused with any Ash of War the player prefers.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Warrior
- Vigor: 40
- Mind: 12
- Endurance: 35
- Strength: 99
- Dexterity: 16
- Intelligence: 10
- Faith: 8
- Arcane: 9
2 Demi-Human Queen's Staff
- Scaling at Max: Strength C, Intelligence S
- Location: Kill Demi-Human Queen
- Weapon Skill: None
Players who are more inclined to sorceries and magic might prefer this entry. The 
Demi-Human Queen's Staff is one of the best staves in Elden Ring. It can be acquired in the Demi-Human Forest Ruins in the Weeping Peninsula.
The staff contains an "S" scaling at full rank and is a great choice for someone who wants to dip into each school of sorcery. It can also be infused with an Ash of War, which doesn't make much difference but is still cool. This weapon is a great choice for sorcerers and casters.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level: 150
- Starting Class: Astrologer
- Vigor: 40
- Mind: 40
- Endurance: 35
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 40
- Intelligence: 50
- Faith: 7
- Arcane: 9
1 Dragon Communion Seal
- Scalingat Max: Faith B, Arcane S
- Location: Fringegolk Hero's Grave
- Weapon Skill: None
Players who prefer a more zany build might be inclined to try the 
Dragon Communion Seal . The Scared Seal weapon variety in Elden Ring allows the caster to cast Incantations, most of which are spells that host healing or restorative properties. However, for Tarnished bold enough to face a dragon and come out victorious, there is a new type of incantation available.
Dragon Communion incantations are a style of spells that call on the power of slain dragons. The Dragon Communion Seal, which can be found by beating the boss in "Fringefolk Hero's Grave," boosts these incantations.
Recommended Build:
- Rune Level:150
- Starting Class: Prophet
- Vigor: 40
- Mind: 26
- Endurance: 25
- Strength: 11
- Dexterity: 10
- Intelligence: 7
- Faith: 50
- Arcane: 60
Elden Ring is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
