If you’re just beginning your journey through The Lands Between, finding solid Elden Ring Weapons early can make a huge difference. Getting weapons that match your playstyle, scale well, and are available without having to grind too much lets you focus on learning combat, exploring, and leveling up. Here are ten excellent early game weapons you should try to acquire and master. They’ll carry you far into the mid‑game if used wisely.
What Makes a Great Early Game Weapon
Before the list, a few things to watch for when picking Elden Ring Weapons early:
Low stat requirements – you want something you can wield without dumping most of your points just to hit prerequisites.
Good damage vs enemies you’ll actually see – not just bosses. Speed, reach, and status effects (like bleed) help a lot.
Upgradeable – weapons that can be upgraded (with smithing stones or somber stones) let you scale with the game.
Move‑set you like – whether you prefer slower heavy hits or fast strikes, range or mobility, spike damage or bleed ticks, pick something you enjoy.
Top 10 Early Game Elden Ring Weapons
Here are ten weapons many players agree are among the best for early progression, combining raw power, utility, and accessibility.
1. Bloodhound’s Fang
This curved greatsword has excellent damage and a strong unique weapon skill (Bloodhound’s Finesse) that helps in both offense and mobility. Many players carry it from early Limgrave through much of the mid‑game.
Where to find it: Dropped by Bloodhound Knight Darriwil at his Evergaol in southern Limgrave.
2. Reduvia
A dagger with a bleed effect that’s very handy early, especially if you build Dexterity or Arcane. It’s lightweight and procs status quickly.
Where to find it: Defeat Bloody Finger Nerijus, who invades near Murkwater Cave in Limgrave.
3. Uchigatana
The katana class offers good speed, decent damage, and bleed potential. A favorite for fast, aggressive playstyles.
Where to find it: Starting weapon for the Samurai class or found in the Deathtouched Catacombs in Limgrave.
4. Morning Star
Good blunt damage, useful against armored enemies, and a decent weight-to-speed tradeoff. Adds variety if you want blunt over slashing or piercing.
Where to find it: Found in a chest on a carriage in the Weeping Peninsula, just south of Limgrave.
5. Zweihander
Big reach, strong stagger potential, and great for breaking enemy poise. It’s slower, but rewarding if you manage its timing.
Where to find it: Purchased from the Isolated Merchant in the Weeping Peninsula.
6. Claymore
An excellent all‑rounder with range, solid damage, and manageable weight. Ideal for sweeping attacks and keeping enemies at bay.
Where to find it: Found in Castle Morne in the Weeping Peninsula.
7. Longsword
Very balanced and easy to use, with good speed and reach. A strong choice for new players looking for a simple yet effective weapon.
Where to find it: Standard weapon for the Vagabond class and found in many locations throughout early game areas.
8. Ornamental Straight Sword
Low stat requirements and a clean move-set. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective with some upgrades.
Where to find it: Dropped by the Grafted Scion if defeated during the tutorial section. Can be acquired later in the game as well.
9. Lordsworn’s Straight Sword
Another straight sword class weapon with slightly longer reach and better base stats. Great for dealing with groups and general exploration.
Where to find it: Dropped by enemies near the Gatefront Ruins and other early camps.
10. Golden Halberd
A halberd with a great balance of reach and damage, especially for those who want to stay safe while dishing out pain.
Where to find it: Dropped by the Tree Sentinel patrolling near the First Step Site of Grace. Tough fight early on, but very rewarding.
Tips to Master These Elden Ring Weapons in Early Game
Once you have a weapon you like, making it truly effective takes more than just wielding it:
Upgrade early and often – even a +2 or +3 upgrade can drastically change your damage output against early enemies.
Match your stats – don’t try to force a high-strength weapon if you’re investing in Dexterity or Arcane. Pick weapons that scale well with your build.
Use Ashes of War and affinities – some weapons benefit significantly from adding special skills or elemental affinities. Early on, these can give you a big edge.
Learn the move-set – heavy weapons take practice to master, while faster weapons rely on precision. Learn how each type handles for best results.
Be open to switching – while sticking with one weapon is fine, adapting to enemy weaknesses by switching weapons can make difficult encounters easier.
Why These Weapons Set You Up for Success
Each of these Elden Ring Weapons covers a different playstyle, allowing you to experiment and find what suits you best. From quick bleed-based attacks with Reduvia to heavy-hitting greatswords like the Claymore, you’ll find something here that can carry you into the mid-game. They’re also easy to upgrade, widely accessible, and have move-sets that help you learn the game's rhythm early on.
They also let you focus more on leveling your character and exploring instead of struggling through tough enemies with weak starter gear. Whether you like aggression, range, tanky builds, or something in between, mastering just a few of these weapons will give you a major advantage in the early hours of the game.
Final Thoughts
If you had to pick just a few to prioritize:
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For bleed builds, go with Reduvia or Uchigatana.
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For heavy and high stagger, pick Bloodhound’s Fang, Zweihander, or Claymore.
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For balanced builds, Longsword, Lordsworn’s Sword, or Morning Star are perfect.
Getting a handle on Elden Ring Weapons early on is key to making progress without frustration. These ten are the best mix of accessibility, damage potential, and upgrade paths that new players can ask for. Try them, upgrade them, and you’ll be ready for anything The Lands Between throws your way.
