FromSoftware's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has fundamentally reshaped the weapon meta in Elden Ring, and with another year of patches, theorycrafting, and community testing behind us, the 2026 landscape looks dramatically different from launch. Whether you're pushing into NG+7, chasing Platinum, or simply trying to survive the abyssal depths of the Shadow Keep, the right armament can turn a brutal encounter into a highlight reel moment. Below is our definitive, fully revised tier list ranking every standout weapon added or rebalanced in Shadow of the Erdtree as of 2026.
For broader RPG coverage, visit our RPG category hub, and if you need help prepping before heading into the DLC, check our fast-leveling guide for Shadow of the Erdtree.
S Tier: The Defining Weapons of the 2026 Meta
At the absolute peak of the hierarchy sit weapons whose movesets, scaling, and unique skills make them the obvious choice for nearly every build type. After the March 2026 balance patch, these armaments received substantial damage buffs that locked them into S-tier status.
Backhand Blades (Light Greatsword Class)
The twin-wield Backhand Blades remain the single most versatile melee option in the entire game. Their innate Bleed buildup, combined with the new "Lacerating Slash" weapon art added in patch 1.18, allows players to shred boss posture in seconds. Both Strength and Dexterity scaling stay competitive, and the dual-wield stance opens some of the most aggressive combo strings in the series. If you want one weapon to carry you through every region of the Shadow Keep, this is it.
Spear of the Impaler
Dropped from Messmer the Impaler, this colossal thrusting spear hits like a freight train and features the most damaging skill in the game when fully charged: "Impaler's Thrust." Reach, posture damage, and stagger potential all rank best-in-class. Pair it with the Ritual Sword Talisman equivalent and you can one-cycle most late-game bosses.
A Tier: Exceptional Choices With Minor Trade-Offs
The A-tier contains weapons that are arguably best-in-slot for specific builds but lack the universal appeal of S-tier picks. Every single one of these is more than capable of clearing the DLC's toughest content.
Star-Lined Sword
An Intelligence-scaling greatsword with a stellar (pun intended) weapon art that releases a homing cosmic projectile. The casting time holds it back slightly compared to pure melee options, but the reward is a weapon that turns every encounter into a battlefield-control exercise. For Intelligence-focused Witches, this belongs in every loadout.
Black Steel Twinblade
Originally overlooked at launch, the 2026 meta shifted heavily in favor of multi-hit weapons thanks to the popularity of fast-attacking boss patterns. The Black Steel Twinblade's triple-hit light combo and innate Frostbite buildup make it a menace in both PvE and the DLC's newly added coliseum duels.
Greatsword of Radahn (Remembrance Rebalance)
Following the FromSoftware rebalance, Starscourge Radahn's remembrance now rewards players with a colossal Greatsword that deals a portion of its damage as True Damage, bypassing defense entirely. It requires Strength investment, but for pure tank builds, no weapon compares.
For more build advice across FromSoftware-style titles, our guides section is regularly updated with optimized loadouts.
B Tier: Strong Contenders Worth Your Scadu Fragments
B-tier weapons are the definition of "great, but situational." They excel in particular matchups, builds, or scaling setups but don't quite clear the bar for top-tier general use. Still, every weapon here can comfortably handle the entire DLC when upgraded properly.
Falx
A curved greatsword with ridiculous Dexterity scaling and one of the cleanest dodge-cancel windows in the game. The Falx's main drawback is its short reach, which becomes painful against the larger DLC bosses. It remains a PvP favorite, however, due to its unparryable running attack.
Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana
Built specifically for fighting Dragonkin enemies, this katana gains bonus damage against dragons, including the brand-new draconic bosses introduced in the DLC. Outside of those fights, it functions as a solid mid-tier Great Katana, but it doesn't shine the way the backhand blades do in neutral play.
Smithscript Dagger (Throw Build)
For dedicated Throwing Knife builds, the Smithscript Dagger is irreplaceable. It features a multi-projectile fan-out art that shreds groups of enemies. The recent addition of "Returning Throws" QoL improvements has made it dramatically more user-friendly, but the limited single-target DPS keeps it out of A-tier.
C Tier: Niche Tools and Memes (That Sometimes Win)
The C-tier isn't a punishment tier. These weapons have legitimate strengths, but they're outclassed by other options in nearly every practical scenario. That said, FromSoftware players love a challenge, and some of the most entertaining community builds come from C-tier picks.
Stone-Sheathed Sword
A heavy thrusting sword that requires the player to hold a stance before unleashing a powerful counter. The risk-versus-reward is brutally punishing, and one mistimed input means eating a combo. Beautiful weapon, niche use case.
Beast Claw
The Beast Claw is pure flavor. It scales off Arcane and deals a strange mix of physical and Blood damage. The transform attack enables a short-range pounce that looks incredible but rarely outperforms dedicated Blood weapons. Still, if you want to roleplay as a wilderbeast while clearing the DLC, no weapon captures the vibe better.
Chain-Sickle
The Chain-Sickle is the kind of weapon that can solo Rellana if you master its absurd hitboxes. For everyone else, it's a C-tier curiosity that occasionally produces miracle runs. Check the Black Myth Wukong weapons tier list if you enjoy ranking obscure armaments in RPGs.
How We Tested and Ranked These Weapons
Ranking Elden Ring weapons in 2026 requires accounting for several moving pieces: the Scadutree Blessing system, the new armor sets, and a year of community-discovered tech. Our team ran every weapon through standardized benchmark fights against the top 10 DLC bosses at Blessing level 19, the soft cap for damage scaling. We measured clear times, posture damage, FP efficiency, and versatility across the three primary stat builds (Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence/Faith hybrid).
We also referenced data from the official Elden Ring site, the Shadow of the Erdtree Steam page, and patch notes on the Bandai Namco Elden Ring news portal to ensure every ranking aligns with the most current official tuning.
Build Pairings Worth Your Time in 2026
If you want to take full advantage of the S and A tier weapons, consider these meta-viable pairings:
Bleed Backhand Blade (Dexterity/Arcane)
Run dual Backhand Blades with the Bandit Set, the new DLC-exclusive "Bloodied Grasp" Ash of War, and a Seppuku off-hand for the maximum Bleed proc window. This build melts every boss in the game and remains the dominant speedrun setup as of the 2026 ruleset.
Colossal Faith Spear (Strength/Faith)
Pair the Spear of the Impaler with the giant-seal meta and the Erdtree Greatshield for an unstoppable poise-monster. For a more defensive take, see our armor progression guide which covers similar defensive optimization in other Souls-likes.
Intelligence Battlemage (Int/Dex Hybrid)
Center the build around the Star-Lined Sword and supplement with the Carian Retaliation ash. This hybrid lets you swing through the mid-game and then transition to a pure caster once you pick up Lusat's enhanced staff from the DLC's hidden dungeon.
Final Verdict on the 2026 Meta
The 2026 Shadow of the Erdtree weapon meta rewards aggressive, multi-hit playstyles above all else. Backhand Blades, the Spear of the Impaler, and the Star-Lined Sword define the current S-tier, while a deep bench of strong A and B-tier options ensures that no single build dominates the entire game. If you're starting fresh in the DLC, prioritize grabbing the Backhand Blades early; they will carry you through every region and remain the most flexible option in any scenario. For more tier breakdowns, browse our reviews section and our PC games archive, both of which are updated weekly with new rankings and meta shifts.