When it comes to Elden Ring Swords, the variety is staggering. From fast-swinging straight swords with strong Faith scaling to curved blades that trigger bleed on every other hit, the game offers dozens of options that fit completely different playstyles. Knowing which sword fits your build is what turns a struggling run into a smooth playthrough.
Elden Ring Swords can be broken into several weapon categories: straight swords, curved swords, and unique hybrid weapons like greatswords and thrusting blades. Each category has different move sets, stat requirements, and scaling affinities. The right choice depends on your build’s primary stats and the type of combat you prefer.
The answer most players need is this: if you’re building Dexterity, curved swords will feel incredible in your hands. If you’re playing a Faith or Intelligence hybrid, straight swords like the Sword Of Night And Flame deliver extraordinary versatility. Choose based on your stats, not aesthetics alone.
Best Straight Swords in Elden Ring
Sword Of Night And Flame
The Sword Of Night And Flame is one of the most iconic straight swords in the game, and for good reason. It requires 12 Strength, 12 Dexterity, 24 Intelligence, and 24 Faith. In return, it gives you two Ash of War options: Night Comet (magic damage beam) and Comet Azur-like channeling.
With a mixed Intelligence and Faith build, this weapon deals physical, magic, and fire damage simultaneously, making it effective against most enemy types. It’s particularly strong in mid-game and PvE encounters where hitting multiple resistances at once matters.
Coded Sword
The Coded Sword is a unique straight sword that deals only holy damage. It scales with Faith (B scaling at base) and requires 20 Faith to wield. Its Ash of War (Unblockable Blade) creates a wave of golden light that cannot be blocked by any enemy shield.
However, be aware that holy damage has weaknesses late in the game. Several endgame areas and bosses resist holy damage heavily, making the Coded Sword a specialist weapon rather than a universal pick.
Here’s a comparison of top straight swords:
| Sword | Primary Stat | Damage Type | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sword Of Night And Flame | Intelligence + Faith | Physical/Magic/Fire | Hybrid Caster PvE |
| Coded Sword | Faith | Holy Only | Faith Build Mid-Game |
| Dark Moon Greatsword | Intelligence | Physical/Magic | Intelligence Scaling PvE |
| Backhand Blades | Dexterity | Physical + Bleed | PvP Meta |
Best Curved Swords in Elden Ring
Wing Of Astel
The Wing Of Astel is one of the most unique curved swords in Elden Ring Swords category. It scales with Dexterity (C) and Intelligence (B) and has a special Ash of War: Nebula, which launches projectiles of void energy outward. These projectiles deal magic damage and can hit enemies at mid-range, giving a curved sword some ranged threat.
For Intelligence-leaning Dexterity builds, Wing Of Astel is outstanding. It rewards hybrid investment and provides combat flexibility that standard curved swords can’t match.
Scavenger’s Curved Sword (Occult)
For bleed-focused builds, Scavenger’s Curved Sword in Occult affinity is a top-tier choice. Apply Occult affinity to maximize Arcane scaling, then dual-wield two of them. The bleed build-up per swing is exceptional, and the L1 dual-wield attacks hit multiple times per combo.
This setup is dominant in PvP and highly effective against most PvE bosses that aren’t immune to hemorrhage. The key is infusing both swords with Occult using a Somber or standard Whetstone Knife and the Arcane-boosting Whetblade.
Bloodhound’s Fang
Bloodhound’s Fang is technically a Curved Greatsword, but it belongs in any discussion of the best curved swords in Elden Ring. It deals physical and blood loss damage with strong Dexterity scaling and has a gap-closing Ash of War that deals significant burst damage.
Found early in Limgrave by defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol, it remains competitive through the entire game. If you want a single curved weapon that carries you from start to finish, Bloodhound’s Fang is the answer.
How to Choose the Right Elden Ring Sword for Your Build
Stat-Based Sword Selection
Choosing the wrong sword for your stats wastes your damage ceiling entirely. Here’s how to match swords to your build:
- Strength builds: Consider Curved Greatswords or heavier straight swords. The Dark Moon Greatsword fits if you have Intelligence investment.
- Dexterity builds: Curved Swords are your best category. Wing Of Astel or Scavenger’s Curved Sword in Occult deliver strong output.
- Intelligence builds: Wing Of Astel and the Sword Of Night And Flame both reward Intelligence investment on curved or straight blades.
- Faith builds: Coded Sword is the specialty pick. Consider the Sacred Relic Sword for AoE wave damage at endgame.
- Arcane builds: Scavenger’s Curved Sword with Occult infusion, dual-wielded for maximum bleed.
Sacred Relic Sword
Sacred Relic Sword is obtainable after defeating the Elden Beast and using the Elden Remembrance. It deals physical and holy damage and has one of the best Ashes of War in the game: Wave of Gold, which sends a massive golden shockwave across the battlefield. Ideal for farming large groups of enemies in endgame areas.
Pro Tips: Elden Ring Swords
- Always check your Ash of War: Every sword’s unique Skill is as important as its raw damage. The Ash of War defines how you use the weapon in actual combat, especially against bosses.
- Infuse for your stat: A sword with Occult Affinity scales with Arcane. A sword with Sacred Affinity scales with Faith. Never use a standard infusion on a stat-boosting build.
- Dual-wield curved swords for bleed: Two Scavenger’s Curved Swords in Occult affinity is one of the strongest bleed setups in the current PvE meta.
- Test in the Roundtable Hold: Before fully committing resources to a sword, try different affinities using Ashes of War in your inventory to see which scaling feels right.
- Keep upgrade materials for your main weapon: Don’t spread Smithing Stones across every sword you find. Identify your main pick early and max it out as quickly as possible.
Common Mistakes Elden Ring Swords Players Make
- Not infusing curved swords for bleed builds: Many players pick a curved sword for its speed and bleed potential but never apply the Bleed or Occult affinity. Fix: Apply the correct infusion immediately and check your weapon scaling to confirm it matches your primary stat.
- Using the Coded Sword in holy-resistant late-game zones: The Coded Sword is powerful, but late areas like the Haligtree and Farum Azula have enemies highly resistant to holy. Fix: Carry a second weapon with physical or fire damage for these zones.
- Upgrading the wrong sword early: Players sometimes invest Smithing Stones into a sword they’ll replace within a few areas. Fix: Research your chosen build’s best weapon before investing upgrade materials, especially Somber Smithing Stones.
Reduce Lag While Farming and PvP
Whether you’re farming Albinaurics for runes to buy upgrade materials or jumping into invasions to test your build, connection quality matters in Elden Ring. Lag in PvP means your attacks register late, your rollcatches miss, and your Ash of War lands after your opponent is already safe.
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Final Verdict on Elden Ring Swords
Elden Ring Swords offer something for every build and every playstyle. Straight swords shine for Faith and Intelligence hybrids, curved swords dominate for Dexterity and Arcane bleed builds, and every category has at least one weapon that remains competitive through the entire game including the DLC content.
All game images used in this blog post belong to FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment. They are used for informational and educational purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with the rights holders.
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