As we head into 2026, anticipation for the Tarnished Edition of Elden Ring continues to build, bringing with it hopes of fresh DLC content and new gear for veterans and newcomers alike. For those returning after a break or jumping in for the first time, especially with the game’s arrival on the Nintendo Switch 2, finding the most effective weapons and builds has never been more rewarding. To guide you through the ever-evolving world of Elden Ring, here is a breakdown of the top weapons and builds that dominate both the base game and DLC content.
Elden Ring Tier List 2026
The current climate in Elden Ring post-DLC is packed with variety and high-powered options, with balance tweaks and new additions resulting in a diverse arsenal. Many of the most devastating builds are proven in the harshest environments, including New Game Plus 7 and beyond. The inclusion of new weapons and Ashes of War has expanded the pool of viable playstyles, making it more exciting than ever to experiment. Whether you prefer status effects, raw damage, or versatile hybrid approaches, the tools for success are at your fingertips.
Players now have access to weapons that combine innate bleed, frost, or poison with top-tier move sets. There are also several builds that can obliterate bosses in moments, or provide the flexibility to adapt to nearly any challenge. Below, you’ll find the definitive weapon and build tier lists for 2026, combining both new DLC additions and established classics.
Elden Ring Best Weapon Tier List 2026
S-Tier Weapons
Blasphemous Blade
This remains the go-to for anyone seeking an easy ride through Elden Ring. Its Ash of War delivers immense fire damage while healing the user, allowing for smooth runs through even the toughest bosses. With the right stats and buffs, it stands as the single best weapon for those wanting maximum efficiency and survivability.
Star Fist
Known for its absurd charged attack damage, this weapon transforms fights into a charge-heavy experience. With infusions like Blood Flame Blade, you gain high physical damage, quick bleed buildup, and strong poise damage. The Star Fist is an excellent choice for both strength scaling and status effects.
Blood Fiend’s Arm
This DLC addition is an absolute powerhouse when combined with Crag Blade or Royal Knight’s Resolve. Its charged heavies not only deal massive physical and stance damage, but also cause blood splatter for even more pressure. Its bleed buildup, even after nerfs, remains impressive.
Scavenger’s Curved Swords (Occult)
For those at meta PvP or co-op levels, these swords in Occult affinity offer unmatched physical damage and bleed potential. Twin blades like these excel at jump attacks and can rapidly stack status effects, making them ideal for aggressive playstyles.
Guts Greatsword
A mainstay in the colossal weapon category, its base damage is so high that it outshines many weapons even with less impressive scaling. When paired with Giant Hunt or Lion’s Claw Ashes of War, it excels at boss takedowns and stance breaks.
Sword Lance
A standout from the DLC, this thrusting weapon comes with high frost buildup, strong physical and pierce damage, and can be further tweaked for bleed. It’s quick, effective, and versatile—making it a top pick for both offense and status application.
A-Tier Weapons
Reduvia
Dual-wielding these daggers provides fast bleed buildup and potent physical damage. The Blood Blade Ash of War is especially effective, allowing for rapid status procs.
Miquella’s Knight Sword (Mady)
With a fluid moveset and strong status effect potential, this weapon shines when paired with the right Ashes of War and affinities. Its versatility gives it a strong position in both PvE and PvP.
Dark Moon Greatsword
Still reliable after adjustments, this sword provides significant magic and frost damage, especially when fully buffed. Its ranged beams can hit for thousands, making it great for intelligence builds.
Moonveil
A dexterity/intelligence hybrid classic, Moonveil’s Ash of War offers both poise and magic damage. Its early accessibility and unique moveset keep it popular, especially for those who want to combine swordplay with spellcasting.
Fire Knight’s Greatsword
This faith-scaling sword shines in Flame Art affinity with Flame Spear, providing both high attack rating and stylish moves. It’s a favorite for faith builds seeking both power and flair.
Giant Crusher
For those who love pure strength, this weapon’s heavy hits and stance-breaking power are unmatched when used with buffs like Royal Knight’s Resolve.
Death Poker
With a unique Ash of War that delivers heavy frost and magic damage, Death Poker is a top-tier intelligence weapon for those who want to stack status effects quickly.
Guardian Sword Spear (with Ice Spear Ash of War)
Combining high base damage in Keen affinity with the Ice Spear Ash of War creates a weapon capable of devastating frost buildup and strong dexterity scaling.
Elden Ring Best Build Tier List 2026
S-Tier Builds
Blood Flame Samurai
Centered around Eleonora’s Poleblade, this build leverages the weapon’s innate bleed, fast twinblade moveset, and unique Ash of War to rack up damage quickly. By splitting points into dexterity and arcane, and stacking multi-hit and bleed-boosting talismans, you can stun-lock and shred bosses and invaders alike. Light attacks alone can pump out impressive DPS, while bleed procs trigger additional buffs from gear like the White Mask.
Winged Assassin
Pairing the Mady with the Winged Stance Ash of War, this build chains flurries of attacks for both high damage and stance breaks. Running the cold variant allows for regular frostbite procs, lowering enemy defenses and boosting your output further. Its flexibility means you can swap to holy or fire damage as needed, making it effective against nearly every foe.
Iceman (Ice Spear Build)
Built around the Ice Spear Ash of War, this option focuses on dexterity and intelligence to maximize both physical and frost damage. Ice Spear’s projectile allows for safe stance pressure from a distance, while the build can be further enhanced with spells if desired.
Ancient Dragon Lord (One-Shot Build)
This build is all about stacking buffs for massive, sometimes single-hit, damage with ancient dragon lightning incantations. Using maximum faith, twin Gravel Stone Seals, and the DLC’s Dragon Heart, you’ll reach the highest possible numbers for those seeking to obliterate bosses in seconds.
Fire Lord (Magma Blade Build)
Centered on the Magma Blades, this setup uses jumping attacks and the Magma Shower Ash of War for huge DPS and area denial. With high strength and faith, you also have access to potent fire incantations for added versatility. Power-stancing two blades yields one of the game’s best move sets for aggressive play.
Spike (Star Fist Strength Build)
This pure strength build takes advantage of the Star Fist’s fast and powerful charged heavies, stacking physical and bleed damage. With minimal requirements and the ability to infuse various status effects, it’s both simple and devastating.
A-Tier Builds
Prince of Night (Claws of Night Build)
Focused on the Claws of Night, this high-dexterity build delivers rapid attacks with both magic and bleed damage. Their Ash of War, Scattershot Throw, can be used at range, while close-range flurries stack multiple status procs for overwhelming offense.
Scholar (Wing of Ael Intelligence Build)
Utilizing the Wing of Ael, this intelligence-focused configuration breaks stances and delivers heavy damage through cosmic explosions from its Nebula Ash of War. Its versatility is further enhanced by the ability to add a wide array of spells for additional utility.
Destroyer (Blood Fiend’s Arm Build)
This strength/arcane hybrid makes the most of the Blood Fiend’s Arm’s charged attacks for high stance and bleed damage. Swapping affinities to match boss weaknesses (such as Sacred for holy or Flame Art for fire) makes this build adaptable for any encounter.
Elemental Fury (Multi-Status Build)
By combining weapons like the Ansper Rapier or Venomous Fang with Ashes of War that apply multiple status effects (poison, bleed, rot, and even frost), this build excels at rapidly stacking damage-over-time effects. With the right talismans, each proc boosts your overall output, making this a sleeper choice for longer fights and boss encounters.