Elden Ring Best Dexterity Weapons, Ranked

Elden Ring offers players plenty of avenues for building characters. There is no shortage of massive hammers, devastating axes, or flashy spells to choose from in the game. For players looking for a faster-paced, high-damage, or critical-focused build, however, dexterity weapons are definitely the way to go in FromSoftware’s latest title.

There are countless dexterity-based weapons to choose from in Elden Ring. Katanas, daggers, claws, and curved greatswords are just a few of the options open to players. Dex builds are great with shields, without shields, dual wielding, or even with magic. They’re flexible, fast, and deal tons of damage. While every weapon can be great in its own right, there are a few dex weapons that stand above the rest as some of the very best in the game.

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Updated September 29, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: Some of the best Dexterity weapons in Elden Ring are great options because of powerful scaling, weapon skills, or innate passive benefits that tend to work well with typical Elden Ring Dex builds – but some are just great to look at. Of all the new weapons added in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, the Backhand Blade is considered by many to be the best Dex weapon Elden Ring players can get in the Realm of Shadow. Its attack speed is fast, it can be imbued with status effects that proc quickly, and its weapon skill lets you get around virtually any block. This guide has been updated to include the Backhand Blade amongst other options for the best Dex weapons in Elden Ring, as well as some new details on weapons previously listed.

16 The Scythe

A Stylish Fromsoft Classic

The Scythe has been a recurring weapon in Souls games for a while. In the original Dark Souls, the Scythe was one of the best dex weapons available. In Elden Ring, the Scythe offers great physical damage and scales very well with the player’s dex. The weapon builds up blood loss quickly and can be imbued with other damage types, too. It hits like a boss weapon but only requires normal smithing stones to upgrade.

The Scythe might have a plain name and unremarkable appearance, but it proves that sometimes the simplest weapons are still the best. Plus, it can be obtained very early by players willing to brave the skeleton-filled catacombs.

Scythe Ash of War: Spinning Slash Skill

Spinning Slash is the default weapon skill for the Scythe, and can be altered. This skill costs 6 FP to cast, and 12 FP to follow up.

A favorite skill of dexterous warriors.

Slash foes as your body spins.

This momentum can connect into a final heavy attack.

How To Get The Scythe

Elden Ring’s Scythe can be found on the north side of Stormveil Castle in Liurnia of the Lakes inside the Cliffbottom Catacombs dungeon. Head to Liurnia, then go to the eastern side of the Lake and head south. The Cave should be below the main road leading to Stormveil – on the map, it’s about parallel with the Moonlight Altar.

15 Dragon King’s Cragblade

A Heavy Weapon With Good Dex Scaling

The Dragon King’s Cragblade is one of the best Dexterity weapons in Elden Ring because it’s one of the few Heavy options that still has good scaling without any other modifications. At +10, the Dragon King’s Cragblade has a Dexterity scaling rank of B, higher than most items of its heft.

What makes this a weapon worth trying out is its Ash of War. The Thundercloud Form skill turns players into a red lighting cloud to jump a long distance towards their target. In PvE, this is little more than a cool-looking effect, but it takes players unawares in PvE thanks to just how far you can travel while holding down the input.

Dragon King’s Cragblade Ash of War: Thundercloud Form Skill

Thundercloud Form is the default weapon skill for the Dragon King’s Cragblade, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 28 FP to cast.

Temporarily transform into a red thundercloud and fly through the air, then plunge down with a lightning-infused blade.

Hold to increase the reach of the thundercloud form.

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How To Get Dragon King Cragblade

The Dragon King Cragblade can only be acquired by trading in the Remembrance of the Dragonlord with Enia at Roundtable Hold for it, after defeating Dragonlord Placidusax in Crumbling Farum Azula.

14 Black Knife

Great Against High-HP Enemies

It may not have the best Dexterity scaling to it, but the Black Knife does hold its own in Elden Ring as a net positive Dex-adjacent weapon. Blade of Death is its imbued weapon skill, and when landed results in the target having their max health reduced for a moment and also inflicting damage.

This makes it a bit easier for players to defeat tougher enemies without having to be involved in constant engagement. On top of that, the Black Knife also has a double slash move that’s unique to both it and the Blade of Calling.

Black Knife Ash of War: Blade of Death Skill

Blade of Death is the default weapon skill for the Black Knife, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 25 FP to cast.

Unleash the power of the Rune of Death to fire off a blade-like projectile.

In addition to dealing immediate damage, the blade reduces the enemy’s maximum HP and continues to wear down HP for a while

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How To Get The Black Knife

Head to the Sainted Hero’s Grave in the center of the Altus Plateau, west from the Rampart Side Path Site of Lost Grace near the walls of the capital. Outside, there is a Black Knife Assasin, which will start to attack the player if they get within sight. Defeat this Black Knife Assassin to get the Black Knife before even setting foot in the Hero’s Grave.

13 Rivers Of Blood

Arguably The Best Bleed Weapon In Elden Ring

Anyone who has played a FromSoftware Soulslike title likely knows that katanas tend to be great for Dexterity-focused builds, and Elden Ring continues in that very tradition. Rivers of Blood, outside of an incredibly brutal name, is a blade that scales with Dex, Strength, and Arcane.

Players who prefer a mid-ranged approach to combat with strong piercing and slashing attack animations will likely find Rivers Of Blood quite useful. Its attached skill is called Corpse Piler and is a slashing attack that deals normal damage in addition to both fire damage and blood buildup each time it lands.

Rivers Of Blood Ash of War: Corpse Piler Skill

Corpse Piler is the default weapon skill for the Rivers Of Blood, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 17 FP to cast and 9 FP to follow up.

Forms a blade of cursed blood for repeated, interweaving successive attacks.

Follow up with an additional input for further successive attacks.

How To Get Rivers of Blood

Rivers of Blood is dropped by Bloody Finger Okina, an invader who appears right outside of the Church of Repose. The Church of Repose is found near the end of the Mountaintops of Giants, just a stone’s throw away from the Fire Giant’s boss area, which means it’s hard to get this early in the game without trading. The church looks over the rest of the Mountaintops and should be pretty obvious once you are close.

12 Wing Of Astel

Good Scaling & Style Points

Dexterity is a trait that’s most often associated with rogues, assassins, or other professions where stealth and/or precision striking is of the utmost importance. Being able to move and react without feeling stuck in one spot is ideal for players who prefer a Dexterity-focused build. Wing of Astel manages to deliver on that front while also providing a source of magical damage for players who love the mix of ranged and melee combat.

The positive spin is by that time their build will have tons of Dex, Strength, and Intelligence which means they can use their bounty of Somber Smithing Stones to upgrade it a ton and get the most of out the magically special weapon from all-around great Scaling.

Wing Of Astel Ash of War: Nebula Skill

Nebula is the default weapon skill for the Wing Of Astel, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 20 FP to cast.

Imbue the Naturalborn’s stars with magic to send forth a dark cloud of stars that lingers briefly before exploding.

How To Get The Wing of Astel

For all its upsides, there is one downside: players can’t get their hands on it until they get to Nokstella, Eternal City. Though the chest containing this weapon can be seen early in the game behind a Malformed Star in the Ainsel River, it can’t be accessed until the upper portion of Nokstella is available. Follow a secret path reaching east from the Nokstella Eternal City Site of Lost Grace behind a waterfall to find your way to the chest.

11 Eleonora’s Poleblade

Fast Attacks & Blood Loss

Here’s the thing, even if Eleonora’s Poleblade was ineffective and bottom of the barrel it’d still be worth acquiring. Very rarely do games have a weapon that’s strikingly similar in appearance to Darth Maul’s dual-sided lightsaber from the Star Wars series, but Elden Ring manages to be one of the few.

Thankfully it happens to also be super powerful in the hands of Dexterity/Arcane builds because of its fast attack speed and blood loss buildup. With two of these, it’s almost possible to proc Blood Loss with a single jumping dual-wield attack.

Eleonora’s Poleblade Ash of War: Bloodblade Dance Skill

Bloodblade Dance is the default weapon skill for Eleonora’s Poleblade, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 11 FP to cast.

Leap at foe to perform a flurry of tornado-like attacks.

Follow up with an additional input to perform an attack that ends in an evasive maneuver.

How To Get Eleonora’s Poleblade

At the Second Church of Marika players will be invaded by Bloody Finger Eleonora. The Second Church of Marika is in the Altus Plateau, a short ride north on the forked road leading from Liurnia of the Lakes.

10 The Hookclaws

Surprisingly Great For Early Game Dex Builds

This versatility and accessibility make them one of the best early-game dex weapons for players looking to dual-wield and rely on dodging. The Hookclaws also build blood loss on enemies with consecutive blows. While they don’t bleed as fast as the Uchigatana, the blood loss can still come in clutch when combined with the claws’ fast attack rate and high DPS.

Though it come swith the relatively decent Quickstep Ash of War, and bad scaling, the Hookclaws can be upgraded with regular smithing stones and imbued with different damage types later on.

Hookclaws Ash of War: Quickstep Skill

Quickstep is the default weapon skill for the Hookclaws, and can be altered. This skill costs 3 FP to cast.

Skill prized by the crafty and fleet of foot.

Perform a quickstep maneuver that allows for circling around lock-on targets.

How To Get The Hookclaws

For dex players mainlining the story, the Hookclaws can be found pretty early on in Stormveil Castle. Players should take the secret side entrance by Gostoc to reach a Wine Cellar, which contains the Hookclaws on the floor in a corner near a patroling Exile Soldier.

9 Bloodhound’s Fang

Great Early Game, Great Late Game

As it is a greatsword, Bloodhound’s Fang will reach its true potential via two-handing. This means that players looking for the most out of the strength and dexterity scaling weapon will have to forgo a shield for maximum damage. Luckily, Bloodhound’s Fang offers a move set that allows players to get close and deal damage before retreating quickly, making it one of the most versatile melee weapons in the game.

Bloodhound’s Fang isn’t an easy greatsword to obtain, but it is certainly worth it for players looking for a great high-damage weapon early on.

Bloodhound’s Fang Ash of War: Bloodhound’s Finesse Skill

Bloodhound’s Finesse is the default weapon skill for the Bloodhound’s Fang, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 8 FP to cast, and 12 FP to follow up.

Slash upwards with the Bloodhound’s Fang, using the momentum of the strike to perform a backwards somersault and gain some distance from foes.

Follow up with a strong attack to perform the Bloodhound’s Step attack.

How To Get The Bloodhound’s Fang

This curved greatsword is dropped by Bloodhound Knight Darriwil after being defeated in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol. This Evergaol overlooks the Bridge of Sacrifices that leads to Castle Morne and the Weeping Peninsula in Limgrave – it’s conveniently right next to a Spiritspring, too.

8 The Parrying Dagger

Parry Without A Shield

The Parrying Dagger isn’t the best dagger in the game when it comes to DPS, and it certainly isn’t the flashiest with its design. Yet, this dagger can heighten a dex player’s dual-wielding kit with its simple special move: the parry. It’s easy to make mistakes when parrying, but this dagger makes it just a little easier. Normally, shields are the primary source of parries in Souls games, but the Parrying Dagger offers an extra bit of DPS with a faster parry animation.

It can be upgraded with regular smithing stones and imbued with alternate damage types. This dagger might not offer the best DPS, but it is a huge plus for players that love to parry and don’t mind having to rely solely on dodging to avoid damage.

Parrying Dagger Ash of War: Parry Skill

As one might have guessed, Parry is the default weapon skill for the Parrying Dagger, and can be altered. This skill is free to cast.

Use this Skill in time with a foe’s melee attack to deflect it and break that foe’s stance.

This gives you a chance for a critical hit.

How To Get The Parrying Dagger

The Parrying Dagger can be purchased from Patches for 1600 Runes early in the game after his encounter inside the Murkwater Cave, north up the chasm a short ways from Lake Agheel in Limgrave – just be sure not to kill Patches when he surrenders.

7 Backhand Blade

Fast Attacks, Great Weapon Skill, & Infusable

The Backhand Blade is among the best Elden Ring DLC Dexterity weapons because of its extremely fast attack pattern and its powerful Ash of War. The Backhand Blade can be two-handed to equip a second Blade in your off-hand, enabling Dual Wield attacks for more hits per second. And because it can be Infused, it’s one of the best weapons for the Bleed and Frostbite affinities thanks to this fast attack speed.

Its Ash of War lets the Tarnished dash to the side and then immediately lunge into their target from the side, often faster than they can block the surprise attack. This ability is amazing in PvP, but because its fast and moves your character model to the side, it serves as a great way to dodge attacks while wasting no time getting your own in. Plus, the lunge deals more damage than normal attack.

This becomes one of the best Dexterity weapons Elden Ring players can get when given either the Blood infusion, for the reasons listed above, or the Keen infusion. With a Keen Backhand Blade, the weapon will gain S Dexterity scaling, making it one of the best Dexterity scaling weapons in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Backhand Blade Ash of War: Ash of War: Blind Spot

Ash of War: Blind Spot is the default weapon skill for the Backhand Blade, and can be altered. This skill costs 9 FP to cast.

Leap into close quarters to take advantage of the enemy’s blind spot and gore them from the side.

Input determines which side you strike from.

This attack slips below the opponent’s guard.

How To Get The Backhand Blade

The Backhand Blade location can only be found in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. To get to the Realm of Shadow, defeat Starscourge Radahn in Caelid and Mohg, Lord of Blood in Mohgwyn Palace, then touch Miquella’s arm to be transported to the Gravesite Plain, the first area of the DLC.

Head to the Scorched Ruins in the center of the Gravesite Plain, then travel northeast until you see a group of Hornsent Inquisitors pacing around a mausoleum. You can also head almost directly east from the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace to reach this location. The Backhand Blade location is on the ground next to a coffin, but be careful not to attract the attention of the Inquisitors or the Furnace Golem nearby.

6 The Godskin Peeler

Don’t Underestimate Black Flame Tornado On Bosses

Twinblades in Elden Ring aren’t as busted on release as they were in Dark Souls 3, but they still offer fantastic DPS to players willing to learn their unique move sets – and the Godskin Peeler is definitely unique. Unlike other boss drops, the Godskin Peeler doesn’t require somber smithing stones to upgrade. It has a great Ash of War move called Black Flame Tornado that can deal with groups of enemies with ease.

While their dex requirement of 22 is higher than some other weapons, their huge damage and fast movement make them a great choice for players that like to be fast on their feet. Though it is found later on in the game, the Godskin Peeler can carry a dex player right through to the end if needed.

The Godskin Peeler Ash of War: Black Flame Tornado Skill

Black Flame Tornado is the default weapon skill for the Godskin Peeler, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 30 FP to cast.

Spin armament overhead and then plunge it into the ground to summon a raging vortex of black flames.

Hold to create an initial flame tornado while spinning the armament.

How To Get The Godskin Peeler

The Godskin Peeler can be acquired by defeating a Godskin Apostle in the Windmill Village of the cliffs of north eastern Altus Plateau (but not as far northeast as to get inside the outer wall of Leyndell). The easiest way to get there is to hug the rim of the chasm in the middle of the zone on either side, though it’s faster to go right than left if approaching from the south.

5 The Wakizashi

The Perfect Pair To A Main Hand Katana

At first glance, it can seem like an ordinary dagger with few standout features. If players read the description though, they’ll find that it was designed to be paired with a katana. Should the player follow the flavor text and equip a katana, they will find a unique move set not found with any other daggers in the game. The Wakizashi causes blood loss buildup and can throw faster precise strikes into the move set of a typical dual-wield Katana moveset.

It might not be the best dex weapon, but its unique playstyle and pairing with Katanas, arguably the best dex weapons in the game, make it a standout choice for players looking to really spice up their play style.

Wakizashi Ash of War: Quickstep Skill

Quickstep is the default weapon skill for the Wakizashi, and can be altered. This skill costs 3 FP to cast.

Skill prized by the crafty and fleet of foot.

Perform a quickstep maneuver that allows for circling around lock-on targets.

How To Get The Wakizashi

Players can find the Wakizashi in one of the locked cells inside Gaol Cave when entering from the Caelid side. Gaol Cave can be entered from Limgrave, but the majority of the dungeon can’t be explored from that direction. The entrance to Gaol Cave in Caelid is around the mid-point of the western cliffs of Caelid – you’ll have to go up a short hill and dispatch some soldiers to get in.

4 The Hand of Malenia

A Very Long Katana With Bleed & Waterfowl Dance

Katanas are not only some of the best dex weapons in Elden Ring ​​​​​​but also some of the best weapons in the entire game. The Hand of Malenia is a late-game boss drop that is the perfect katana for players looking to make a bleed build. This katana is reserved only for the most dedicated dex builds. It requires a staggering 48 dexterity to wield, but its high cost is more than worth it.

The Hand of Malenia deals incredible damage and gets blood loss procs enough to fell even the most mighty enemies in just a few quick slices.

Hand of Malenia Ash of War: Waterfowl Dance Skill

Waterfowl Dance is the default weapon skill for the Hand of Malenia, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 12 FP to cast, and 9 FP to follow up.

Perform a series of one-footed leaps in the manner of a waterfowl to unleash a swift yet graceful slashing combo.

Repeated inputs allow for up to two follow-up attacks

How To Get The Hand of Malenia

The Hand of Malenia is dropped by Malenia, a technically optional boss who has become legendary as one of the game’s toughest bosses. To fight her, players must make the arduous journey to the base of the Haligtree, which itself can only be accessed by unlocking a secret entrance in the Consecrated Snowfield, which is itself a relatively hidden area.

3 Morgott’s Cursed Sword

Slow, But Punishing Curved Greatsword

Morgott’s Cursed Sword is one of the more advanced weapons in Elden Ring. It requires decent strength and high dexterity to wield, but also demands a hefty arcane score. Players will need 14 strength, 35 dexterity, and 17 arcane to even wield the blade. This would be a problem if the sword was subpar, but its damage and unique weapon skill make it more than worth the cost.

Consecutive attacks with this blade cause hemorrhage buildup in enemies and the unique weapon skill, Cursed Blood Slice, makes this process even quicker. Though slower than some other dex weapons, Morgott’s Cursed Sword is a titan when it comes to dealing huge burst damage and can make a dex player feel like a real strength build with its punishing blows.

Morgott’s Cursed Sword Ash of War: Cursed-Blood Slice Skill

Cursed-Blood Slice is the default weapon skill for the Morgott’s Cursed Sword, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 20 FP to cast, and 20 FP to follow up.

Brace, then charge forward to deliver a downward diagonal slice.

The bloody trail of the late is followed by a burst of flame.

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Additional input allows for a follow-up attack.

How To Get Morgott’s Cursed Sword

​​​​​​As the name suggests, players will need to defeat Morgott to obtain his Remembrance, which can be traded for his Sword from Enia. Morgott can be found at the end of the Leyndell, Royal Capital legacy dungeon, ready to stop the Tarnished from going into the Erdtree.

2 The Uchigatana

Sometimes, You Don’t Need Anything Fancy

Among all the extraordinary boss weapons and secret blades in Elden Ring, it’s somewhat surprising that the simple Uchigatana remains so incredibly viable. The Uchigatana can be upgraded with regular smithing stones and causes rapid blood loss buildup in enemies. It has a great ranged poke with a charged heavy attack and its rather underwhelming weapon art can be replaced with a better Ash of War that makes better use of the weapon’s capabilities – like the Occult scaling option.

The Uchigatana is the definition of old reliable and can carry a player all the way through The Lands Between should the player desire. Players familiar with the katana from previous Souls games will pick Elden Ring’s Uchigatana up with ease.

Uchigatana Ash of War: Unsheathe Skill

Unsheathe is the default weapon skill for the Uchigatana, and cannot be altered. This skill is free to use.

Skill of swordsmen from the Land of Reeds.

Sheathe blade, holding it at the hip in a composed stance.

Follow up with a normal or strong attack to perform a swift slash attack.

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How To Get The Uchigatana

A starting weapon for one of the game’s new starting classes, the Samurai, the Uchigatana can also be found in the Deathtouched Catacombs a few minutes east of Stormveil Castle’s entrance (close to the Liurnia shortcut).

1 Moonveil

Arguably The Best Weapon In Elden Ring

Moonveil isn’t just the best katana in the game, it’s also one of the best weapons of any type. It scales off of dexterity and intelligence but doesn’t require insanely high scores in either. It deals both physical and magic damage making it a versatile weapon for any enemy. Moonveil is also incredibly powerful in PVP thanks to its fast and powerful weapon art.

Moonveil might not get the massive single hits of strength weapons, but its constant barrage of physical damage, blood loss, and magical damage make it one of the best weapons in the game, not just the best dex weapon.

Moonveil Ash of War: Transient Moonlight Skill

Transient Moonlight is the default weapon skill for Moonveil, and cannot be altered. This skill costs 15 FP to cast as a Light Attack, and 20 FP as a Heavy Attack.

Sheathe blade, holding it at the hip in a composed stance.

Follow up with either a normal or a strong attack to draw the blade at great speed for an instant slash attack.

Both attacks fire off a wave of light.

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How To Get Moonveil

To acquire Moonveil, players will need to beat the optional Magma Wyrm boss in Gael Tunnel, which can be entered from the base of the northwest cliffs of Caelid.