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Choosing the right weapon in Elden Ring can feel overwhelming, especially with the game’s vast arsenal of swords, axes, bows, and staves. As someone who has spent over 300 hours in the Lands Between, I’ve experimented with nearly every weapon type in both PvE and PvP scenarios. In this guide, I’ll compare eight primary weapon types and explain when and why each shines. Whether you're considering a strength-heavy build or a nimble dexterity-focused one, this comparison can help you decide before you buy Elden Ring Items or farm for cheap elden ring runes.

1. Straight Swords vs. Curved Swords

Straight swords like the Longsword are beginner-friendly, fast, and scale well with both strength and dexterity. They work great with shields, making them ideal for early- to mid-game survivability.

Curved swords, on the other hand, such as the Scimitar, offer faster swing speeds and better combo potential. I used them in my dexterity build for a more aggressive playstyle, especially when dual-wielding.

Best For: Straight swords suit cautious players. Curved swords favor those who like fast-paced melee combat.

2. Greatswords vs. Colossal Swords

Greatswords like the Claymore balance power and speed, with versatile movesets and decent scaling. They’re my go-to for general exploration.

Colossal swords, such as the Greatsword, are devastating but slow. Timing becomes crucial, especially in PvP. I remember missing an attack during a boss fight and getting punished hard—lesson learned.

Best For: Greatswords for consistent damage and flexibility. Colossal swords for raw power and stagger potential.

3. Daggers vs. Thrusting Swords

Daggers are extremely fast and ideal for critical attacks and backstabs. I once built a pure critical-strike character around the Reduvia and had a blast in dungeons.

Thrusting swords like the Estoc offer more reach and speed while still delivering precision damage. They're also great in PvP thanks to their poke-and-dodge rhythm.

Best For: Daggers for stealthy, critical-hit builds. Thrusting swords for quick, safe duels and ranged melee.

4. Axes vs. Hammers

Axes are aggressive with fast startup animations and good stagger. They excel in clearing small enemies. I used the Battle Axe early on and found it incredibly effective against mobs.

Hammers, including Warhammers and Great Hammers, are excellent for smashing through shields and poise. They're slower, but against certain heavy-armored enemies, they’re ideal.

Best For: Axes for early-game mob clearing. Hammers for high-poise enemies and shield breakers.

5. Spears vs. Halberds

Spears offer long reach and safety, allowing attacks from behind a shield. During one NG+ run, I used the Pike exclusively for its passive poise and excellent range.

Halberds combine wide swings with thrusts, providing both crowd control and dueling potential. Though slower, they pack more punch.

Best For: Spears for defensive play. Halberds for versatile mid-range control.

6. Bows vs. Crossbows

Bows allow for flexibility and different arrow types. The Black Bow became my favorite when clearing out enemies from a distance.

Crossbows are more straightforward and can be quicker to fire in close quarters, especially with repeaters. However, they lack the aiming flexibility of bows.

Best For: Bows for ranged sniping and exploration. Crossbows for burst damage and utility in combat.

7. Staves vs. Sacred Seals

Staves are essential for sorcery builds, scaling with Intelligence. I used the Carian Glintstone Staff throughout my magic-focused playthrough to great success.

Sacred Seals are for incantations and scale with Faith. They offer a variety of buffs, heals, and fire/lightning spells.

Best For: Staves for offensive magic. Sacred Seals for support and hybrid Faith builds.

8. Fists vs. Claws

Fist weapons offer ultra-fast combos and are great for those who enjoy aggressive, in-your-face fighting. I enjoyed using Caestus in PvP due to its speed and surprise factor.

Claws provide slightly more range and bleed buildup, perfect for dex builds. The Hookclaws with dual-wielding were extremely satisfying for quick damage bursts.

Best For: Fists for raw aggression. Claws for dexterity and bleed-heavy tactics.

As someone who enjoys testing every playstyle Elden Ring has to offer, I always find myself returning to U4GM when I need to buy Elden Ring Items to try out a new weapon set or experiment with builds. They’re also a solid source for cheap elden ring runes, which is helpful when you want to quickly upgrade gear without hours of grinding.

Remember, there’s no single “best” weapon type—only what suits your build and preferences. Try different ones, explore their strengths, and enjoy mastering each style.