More than a year after the last meaningful balance pass, Elden Ring is back in the spotlight with Patch 1.17 and the release of the Tarnished Pack DLC alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 Tarnished Edition, bringing fresh weapons, two new starting classes, Torrent skins, extra NPC invasions, and a wave of buffs and nerfs that reshuffle the meta from top to bottom. Here we are going to walk through the strongest weapons and builds to run in Elden Ring version 1.17, covering the newly added Hollow Slayer Greatsword, the buffed perfume bottles and Smithscript throwing weapons, and the veteran picks that continue to dominate PvE, with each entry paired with a suggested stat spread, talisman loadout, and buff routine so you can get straight to swinging.
Elden Ring 1.17 Tarnished DLC Best Weapons & Builds Tier List
The wait is finally over. After more than a year of silence on the balancing front, FromSoftware has dropped Patch 1.17 alongside the release of the Tarnished Pack DLC and the Nintendo Switch 2 Tarnished Edition. The DLC introduces two brand-new starting classes, the Itinerant Knight and the Heavy Knight, a handful of fresh weapons including the long-awaited Hollow Slayer Greatsword (referred to in some sources as the Mirror's Greatsword), three Spectral Steed skins for Torrent, and new NPC invasion events in Caelid and Leyndell. On top of that, 1.17 delivers a wave of buffs to previously overlooked weapons, sorceries, incantations, and great shields, while nerfing a few PvP menaces like Rakshasa's Great Katana and Gravitational Missile.
With so many weapons receiving attention, players want to know which options rise to the top of the meta after the update. Below is a ranked list of the strongest weapons and builds to run in Elden Ring version 1.17, covering both the freshly added gear and the veterans that got a shiny buff.
Elden Ring 1.17 Tarnished DLC Best New Weapons
The Tarnished Pack adds six brand-new weapons in total, spread across a mix of familiar and DLC-exclusive weapon classes. After putting each one through a full playthrough, from Margit all the way to the Elden Beast, here is how the six new arrivals stack up against each other.
1. Leontiel's Greatsword (S Tier)
Dropped by the invader Leontiel who runs at you from the dunes over by the large pillars in Radahn's arena, this greatsword instantly earns a spot as one of the coolest weapons in the entire game. It uses an almost entirely pierce-based moveset with a fast R2 poke, and its Ash of War is a matador-style stance where you unfurl a red flag, dodge with what appears to be i-frames, and land a devastating charged follow-up. Base damage is high, the Dex scaling is excellent, and the whole package just oozes aura. This is the standout weapon of the entire Tarnished Edition and a legitimate top-10 weapon in the whole game.
2. Reed Great Katana (S Tier)
Sitting on top of a giant skull just outside Fort Faroth, the Reed Great Katana can be picked up before killing a single boss, which is genuinely absurd for a weapon of this quality. Great katanas are already one of the best weapon classes in the game thanks to their reach, crouch attacks, and native bleed pressure, and the Reed variant is no exception. It one-cycled Rennala at +12, chunked the Fire Giant on a bare-bones build, and generally felt like the highest raw-output weapon of the six. If you want the strongest weapon in the DLC, this is probably it, Leontiel's just edges it out on style.
3. Reverse Bladed Swords (Lightning) (A Tier)
Available for purchase at the Twin Maidens in Roundtable Hold, the Reverse Bladed Swords are a new pair of backhand blades that thrive on multi-hit combos. They're a bit awkward without a proper multi-hit talisman setup, but once you slap on Lightning affinity, Ritual Sword Talisman, Wing Sword Insignia, and the Lightning Scorpion Charm, they absolutely melt bosses weak to lightning, including Godfrey and the final boss of the run. Phase two performance in particular was ridiculous, a strong choice for mid-to-late game Dex builds.
4. Itinerant Sword (A Tier)
The starting weapon of the new Itinerant Knight class, this light greatsword can also be picked up in the wild southeast of Lazuli Ruins if you didn't roll the class. It has a Dex-favored scaling, fast pokes, and its charge attacks with Axe Talisman and Wing Sword Insignia hit noticeably harder than expected. It stopped Gideon's yapping cleanly and felt strong from Margit all the way through the endgame, arguably the best starting weapon in the game outside of the Uchigatana.
5. Hefty Scimitar (B Tier)
Sold by a merchant just north of Fort Haight in Mistwood, the Hefty Scimitar is the starting weapon of the Heavy Knight class and functions as a curved greatsword with respectable Heavy and Keen scaling. Pair it with Wild Strikes for Radahn or a Cragblade heavy build for the Fire Giant and Malenia, and it puts up genuinely strong physical damage numbers. It's still a curved greatsword though, which means it loses out slightly to light greatswords like the Itinerant Sword in overall feel and moveset flexibility.
6. Golden Order Flail (B Tier)
Unlocked through Corhyn's questline by using Law of Regression on the statue beneath the Godfrey arena, the Golden Order Flail is the most conceptually interesting of the six new weapons. Its Ash of War buffs you first, then unleashes a scaling AoE holy blast based on how much damage you took while buffed. Against holy-weak enemies like the Deathbirds or Godskin Apostles it absolutely nukes, but against holy-resistant mainline bosses like Morgott, Maliketh, and the Elden Beast, which is unfortunately most of what you fight after obtaining it, the damage falls off hard. A cool weapon with real niche potential, but the hardest of the six to actually build a full playthrough around.
Elden Ring 1.17 Best Weapons & Builds Ranking
1. Leontiel's Greatsword (New DLC Weapon)
The headline pickup of the Tarnished Pack, Leontiel's Greatsword is looted from the invader Leontiel near Radahn's arena. It sports a nearly all-pierce moveset with a fast R2 poke and a matador-style Ash of War that adds evasive frames before a heavy follow-up strike.
Build Setup: Run a 150-level Dex-focused character with 50 Vigor, 22 Mind, 33–35 Endurance, 22 Strength, 60 Dexterity, and 25 Faith to cast Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength. Equip the Rellana's Cameo Talisman (+45% stance skill damage after a 1-second hold), Shard of Alexander, Spear Talisman for the piercing counter, and the Godfrey Icon to buff the charged Ash of War. Use Bloodsucking Cracked Tear + Stonebarb Cracked Tear in your Physick, and swap Flame, Grant Me Strength for Blue Bull-Goat Aromatic if you want maximum damage output.
2. Reed Great Katana (New DLC Weapon)
Picked up on top of a giant skull just outside Fort Faroth with zero boss requirements, the Reed Great Katana is the strongest pound-for-pound pickup in the entire DLC. Native bleed, crouch-attack pressure, and huge poise damage make it a nightmare for every boss in the game.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 22 Mind, 25 Endurance, 22 Strength, 55 Dex, 20 Arcane. Keen or Blood affinity, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Millicent's Prosthesis, Lord of Blood's Exultation, and Shard of Alexander. Bloodflame Blade buff or Wild Strikes on the offhand for stagger.
3. Blasphemous Blade
Despite fan predictions of a nerf, the Blasphemous Blade came through Patch 1.17 completely untouched. It remains the king of PvE, thanks to Taker's Flames, which restores HP on kills, deals massive ranged fire damage, and grants super armor on startup. The physical moveset is solid, and its Faith scaling makes fire damage soar.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Endurance, 25 Strength, 15 Dex, 55–60 Faith. Pair with the Fire Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Flock's Canvas Talisman, and Godfrey Icon. Buff with Flame, Grant Me Strength and Golden Vow, and slot Fire-Shrouding Cracked Tear + Bloodsucking Cracked Tear into the Physick.
4. Greatsword (Colossal)
The vanilla Greatsword found in a chariot chest in Caelid remains the top pure Strength weapon in the game. With a Heavy infusion, two-handed grip, and buffs like Bloodflame Blade, no other physical weapon competes on raw damage-per-swing.
Build Setup: 60 Vigor, 30 Endurance, 80 Strength (two-handed multiplier pushes you well above cap effectively at 54 base). Heavy affinity + Lion's Claw or Stamp (Upward Cut). Equip the Great-Jar's Arsenal, Curved Sword Talisman for jump attacks, Claw Talisman, and Erdtree's Favor +2.
5. Nagakiba
Still the best early-game Dexterity weapon in the game. Its enormous range lets you poke bosses safely, and with a Cold or Occult infusion plus Spinning Slash or Dancing Blade of Ranah, it stacks bleed absurdly fast.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 25 Endurance, 20 Strength, 55 Dex, 25 Arcane (Occult infusion). Blood Ash of War, Millicent's Prosthesis, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Lord of Blood's Exultation, and Shard of Alexander when using the weapon skill.
6. Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear
Bloody Slash - sorry, Bloodboon Ritual, remains one of the most broken weapon skills in the game. It clears rooms, deals split fire and bleed damage, and buffs the weapon after cast for follow-up attacks.
Build Setup: 55 Vigor, 20 Mind, 25 Endurance, 24 Strength, 14 Dex, 27 Arcane, 25 Faith. Lord of Blood's Exultation, White Mask, Shard of Alexander, Godfrey Icon, and Flame, Grant Me Strength.
7. Reverse Bladed Swords (New DLC Weapon)
Purchased directly from the Twin Maidens in Roundtable Hold, this new backhand blade pair thrives on multi-hit builds. Lightning infusion turns them into a shred machine against Godfrey, Radagon, and other holy/lightning-weak bosses.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Mind, 22 Endurance, 14 Strength, 55 Dex, 24 Faith. Lightning affinity, Ritual Sword Talisman, Wing Sword Insignia, Lightning Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander. Buff with Golden Vow and Electrify Armament.
8. Itinerant Sword (New DLC Weapon)
The starting weapon of the Itinerant Knight, but also findable in the wild southeast of Lazuli Ruins. A light greatsword with fast pokes and strong charged attacks — arguably the best starting weapon in the game outside of the Uchigatana.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Mind, 25 Endurance, 18 Strength, 50 Dex. Keen affinity or Impaling Thrust Ash of War. Axe Talisman, Wing Sword Insignia, Spear Talisman, Shard of Alexander. Physick with Bloodsucking Cracked Tear + Stonebarb Cracked Tear.
9. Carian Sorcerer's Sword (Buffed)
Patch 1.17 changed the Intelligence scaling so it now applies to all damage types, not just magic. At 60 Intelligence, this thrusting sword now competes with the Cleanrot Knight's Sword as the top magic-based thrusting weapon and gains real physical damage on top of its sorcery-casting heavy attack.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Mind, 20 Endurance, 12 Strength, 18 Dex, 68 Intelligence. Magic Scorpion Charm, Graven-Mass Talisman, Shard of Alexander, Radagon Icon. Buff with Terra Magica and Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear.
10. Spear of the Impaler (Buffed)
Throwing attacks on the Spear of the Impaler received both reduced stamina cost (from 109 to 72) and roughly 40% more damage in 1.17. It finally feels respectable as a throwing weapon, and its explosion effects fit nicely into a fire-themed build.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Mind, 25 Endurance, 25 Strength, 15 Dex, 60 Faith. Giant's Seal, Fire Scorpion Charm, Spear Talisman, Shard of Alexander, Smithing Talisman. Buff with Golden Vow, Howl of Shabriri, and Blessing's Boon.
11. Fire Spark Perfume Bottle (Buffed)
Every perfume bottle got an attack power buff in 1.17, and the Fire Spark version pairs beautifully with Wall of Sparks Ash of War. Damage output feels closer to viable now instead of purely cosmetic.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Mind, 22 Endurance, 12 Strength, 18 Dex, 60 Faith. Perfumer's Talisman, Fire Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Flock's Canvas Talisman. Physick: Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear + Bloodsucking Cracked Tear.
12. Lightning Perfume Bottle (Buffed)
Also benefits from the universal perfume buff. Blend it with lightning incantations like Night-and-Flame Stance's equivalent or Lightning Spear for extra ranged pressure.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 22 Mind, 22 Endurance, 12 Strength, 22 Dex, 50 Faith. Perfumer's Talisman, Lightning Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Flock's Canvas Talisman. Buff with Golden Vow and Blessing of the Erdtree.
13. Relanna's Twinblades (Buffed)
The Twinblades now deal roughly 10% more damage on ripostes after the 1.17 crit buff. They remain one of the most stylish weapons in the game for split Intelligence/Faith builds.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 25 Mind, 25 Endurance, 12 Strength, 25 Dex, 40 Int, 40 Faith. Rellana's Cameo Talisman, Magic Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Blade of Mercy Talisman for the riposte bursts.
14. Golem Fist (Buffed)
The heavy attack projectile got extra range in 1.17. Combined with a Blood infusion, it procs bleed remarkably fast thanks to the double hit from projectile + melee swing.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Endurance, 30 Strength, 15 Dex, 30 Arcane. Blood affinity, Lord of Blood's Exultation, White Mask, Shard of Alexander, Great-Jar's Arsenal.
15. Smithscript Great Hammer / Axe / Spear (Buffed)
All three received major buffs to their weapon-throwing attacks, both in damage (~40% up) and stamina consumption (down). They're now genuinely viable options for hybrid ranged/melee playstyles.
Build Setup (Great Hammer): 50 Vigor, 25 Endurance, 60 Strength, 15 Dex. Great-Jar's Arsenal, Roar Medallion, Axe Talisman for charged heavies, Ritual Sword Talisman.
16. Smithscript Dagger (Buffed)
Its riposte damage went up in 1.17. It's still not the easiest dagger to stance-break with, but combined with the improved parry frames from the same patch, a parry-and-riposte gameplay loop becomes far more rewarding.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Endurance, 20 Strength, 55 Dex, 15 Arcane. Blood affinity, Assassin's Cerulean Dagger, Blade of Mercy, Shard of Alexander.
17. Hefty Scimitar (New DLC Weapon)
The Heavy Knight starter, also sold by a merchant just north of Fort Haight in Mistwood, is a curved greatsword with Heavy and Keen scaling. Slap Wild Strikes on it, load up a strength build with Cragblade, and you have a very serviceable option all the way through the endgame.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 22 Mind, 30 Endurance, 55 Strength, 18 Dex. Heavy affinity, Wild Strikes, Cragblade, Ritual Sword Talisman, Wing Sword Insignia, Axe Talisman, Great-Jar's Arsenal.
18. Golden Order Flail (New DLC Weapon)
Acquired by progressing Brother Corhyn and Goldmask's questline until you can cast Law of Regression under the Godfrey arena, summoning an invader who drops the flail. Its Ash of War buffs you and unleashes a scaling holy AoE based on damage taken, devastating against holy-weak targets like Deathbirds and Godskin Apostles, but mediocre against holy-resistant mainline bosses.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 22 Mind, 25 Endurance, 22 Strength, 20 Dex, 55 Faith. Sacred Scorpion Charm, Ritual Sword Talisman, Wing Sword Insignia, Warrior Jar Shard, Shard of Alexander. Physick: Sacred-Shrouding Cracked Tear + Bloodsucking Cracked Tear.
19. Ordovis's Greatsword
Ordovis's Vortex is still one of the most damaging weapon skills in the game with cheap FP cost, super armor, and huge stance damage. Excellent against DLC bosses weak to Holy.
Build Setup: 60 Vigor, 20 Endurance, 40 Strength, 15 Dex, 40 Faith. Sacred Scorpion Charm, Godfrey Icon, Shard of Alexander, Great-Jar's Arsenal. Buff with Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength.
20. Godslayer's Greatsword
Queen's Black Flame chains hit hard and applies black flame damage over time on the follow-up swings. Ideal for a Strength/Faith crossover.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 22 Mind, 25 Endurance, 40 Strength, 14 Dex, 55 Faith. Godfrey Icon, Fire Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Flock's Canvas Talisman.
21. Morgott's Cursed Sword
A curved greatsword with fire damage, passive bleed, and a 110 riposte modifier. Cursed Sword Insignia's dash closes gaps on evasive bosses instantly.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 20 Endurance, 22 Strength, 55 Dex, 20 Arcane. Millicent's Prosthesis, Lord of Blood's Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Shard of Alexander.
22. Star Fist
Fist weapons boast the fastest charged heavies in the game and enormous stance damage. Star Fists add passive bleed on top thanks to the spikes.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 25 Endurance, 40 Strength, 25 Dex, 15 Arcane. Kindred of Rot's Exultation, Millicent's Prosthesis, Claw Talisman, Shard of Alexander. Bloodflame Blade buff.
23. Death's Poker
The Ghostflame Ignition skill deals pure magic damage and receives extra boost from the Spellblade armor set. A hidden pick for Intelligence hybrid builds.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 22 Mind, 25 Endurance, 40 Strength, 12 Dex, 40 Intelligence. Spellblade set, Magic Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Graven-Mass Talisman.
24. Moonveil
The Transient Moonlight projectile still hits hard, especially with the Rellana's Cameo Talisman synergy for its stance-style skill.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 25 Mind, 20 Endurance, 12 Strength, 40 Dex, 60 Intelligence. Rellana's Cameo Talisman, Magic Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Graven-Mass Talisman.
25. Rivers of Blood
Nerfed several times since launch, but Corpse Piler still shreds bosses when paired with Rellana's Cameo Talisman and Lord of Blood's Exultation.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 30 Mind, 20 Endurance, 12 Strength, 30 Dex, 50 Arcane. Rellana's Cameo Talisman, Lord of Blood's Exultation, White Mask, Shard of Alexander.
26. Blood Hound's Fang
Still one of the best early-game Dexterity pickups. Bloodhound's Finesse handles both offense and evasion.
Build Setup: 40 Vigor, 20 Endurance, 18 Strength, 40 Dex. Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Millicent's Prosthesis, Claw Talisman, Great-Jar's Arsenal.
27. Misericorde
The 140 riposte modifier is unmatched. Slot it as a secondary for guaranteed one-shot ripostes on bosses.
Build Setup: 40 Vigor, 20 Endurance, 15 Strength, 30 Dex. Assassin's Crimson Dagger, Blade of Mercy, Kindred of Rot's Exultation, Shard of Alexander.
28. Rusted Anchor
A great axe with Wild Strikes that can out-DPS most enemies in the game thanks to its raw damage numbers and stagger.
Build Setup: 50 Vigor, 25 Endurance, 60 Strength, 12 Dex. Heavy affinity, Wild Strikes Ash of War, Great-Jar's Arsenal, Axe Talisman, Roar Medallion.
29. Reduvia
An early Arcane dagger that scales well with bleed builds. Great starter for Bandit class runs.
Build Setup: 40 Vigor, 15 Endurance, 12 Strength, 25 Dex, 30 Arcane. Lord of Blood's Exultation, White Mask, Millicent's Prosthesis, Shard of Alexander.
30. Sword of Night and Flame
Niche but powerful with the right Int/Faith split. The magic ray and flame slash cover multiple engagement ranges.
Build Setup: 40 Vigor, 25 Mind, 20 Endurance, 12 Strength, 12 Dex, 45 Intelligence, 45 Faith. Magic Scorpion Charm, Fire Scorpion Charm, Shard of Alexander, Radagon Icon.
31. Rain of Fire (Incantation, Buffed)
Not a weapon per se, but the 1.17 buff makes it a legitimate ranged option on faith builds targeting large enemies. Damage numbers reach 20K+ on optimal setups.
Build Setup: 40 Vigor, 40 Mind, 20 Endurance, 12 Strength, 15 Dex, 80 Faith. Erdtree's Seal, Giant's Seal, Fire Scorpion Charm, Godfrey Icon, Cerulean Amber Medallion, Flock's Canvas Talisman.
