Numbering at a total of 21, the Greatswords of Elden Ring can easily catch the eye of any character with an investment in Strength. Those in search of the perfect endgame weapon would do well to consider the companionship of a mighty Greatsword. However, finding the materials to level up all 21 greatswords can be a daunting and even pointless task for any player.

With this in mind, I have decided to compile a list of the 10 best greatswords in the entire game, their stats, strengths, their best Ashes of War, and the builds that should be utilized to bring out each weapon's peak potential. Read closely, as this list will include everything from the mighty power of the Sacred Relic Sword to the effective simplicity of the Claymore.

 

1. Sacred Relic Sword (Dexterity and Faith Build)

Recovered from the remains of the Elden Beast, the Sacred Relic Sword is capable of launching wide crescent-shaped Holy projectiles.

Required Stats

• Strength- 14
• Dexterity- 24
• Faith- 22

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 87
• Lightning- 0
• Magic- 56    
• Holy- 0 
• Fire- 56       
• Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 62 
• Lightning- 33
• Magic- 33    
• Holy- 45
• Fire- 33        
• Boost- 42

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- E, can be upgraded to D
• Dexterity- D, can be upgraded to B
• Faith- D, can be upgraded to C

Strengths

• Holy Damage

-Due to its skill, “Wave of Gold”, and B level Faith scaling, this greatsword can dish out a ton of holy damage from close up or afar.

• Area Damage 

-“Wave of Gold” is an area attack that expands over a wider area the farther it travels. Keep at a distance and the player can eliminate scores of enemies.

2 Best Ashes 0f War

Cannot use Ashes of War.

How To Get

Give the “Elden Remembrance”, obtained from the Elden Beast, to Enia.

 

2. Blasphemous Blade (Strength and Faith Build)

Recovered from the remains of Rykard, The Lord of Blasphemy, the Blasphemous Blade is a greatsword capable of launching a line of fire and lava at enemies. This skill heals the wielder based on the amount of damage dealt.

Required Stats

• Strength- 22
• Dexterity- 15
• Faith- 21

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 121
• Lightning- 0
• Magic- 0        
• Holy- 0
• Fire- 78         
• Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 72   
• Lightning- 39
• Magic- 39      
• Holy- 39
• Fire- 54          
• Boost- 50

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- D, can be upgraded to C
• Dexterity- D, can be upgraded to C
• Faith- D, can be upgraded to B

Strengths

• Fire Damage

-Due to its skill, “Taker’s Flame”, and B level Faith scaling, this greatsword can dish out a ton of fire damage from close up or afar.

• Healing

-“Taker’s Flame” heals the wielder based on the amount of damage dealt to enemies.

2 Best Ashes of War

Cannot use Ashes of War.

How To Get

Give the Remembrance of the Blasphemous, obtained from Rykard, to Enia.

 

3. Banished Knights Greatsword (Strength Build)

Recovered from the remains of Banished Knights, The Banished Knight’s Greatsword has an alternative moveset that makes it one of the fastest greatswords to wield.

Required Stats

• Strength- 17
• Dexterity- 9

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 142
• Lightning- 0
• Magic- 0        
• Holy- 0
• Fire- 0            
• Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 68 
• Lightning- 36
• Magic- 36    
• Holy- 36
• Fire- 36        
• Boost- 44

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- D, can be upgraded to C
• Dexterity- D, cannot be further upgraded as Standard

Strengths

• Moveset

-This greatsword is one of the very few in which its two-handed light attacks do not slam into the ground. Rather, they are quick swings that return to the wielder's shoulder in quick succession, making this one of the fastest swinging greatswords.

2 Best Ashes of War

• Giant Hunt- A powerful upward thrust to take down larger opponents.
• Lion Claw- Surprise the enemy with a leaping forward attack.

How To Get

Looted off of the remains of a Banished Knight.

 

4. Golden Order Greatsword [Legendary Armament] (Dexterity and Faith Build)

Recovered from the remains of the “Cave Of The Forlorn’s” Misbegotten Knight, The Golden Order Greatsword is one of the 9 Legendary Armaments in Elden Ring and is capable of launching consecutive waves of holy projectiles after an initial explosion of holy damage.

Required Stats

• Strength- 16
• Dexterity- 21
• Faith- 28

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 86  
• Lightning- 0
• Magic- 0       
• Holy- 103 
• Fire- 0           
• Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 30  
• Lightning- 30
• Magic- 30     
• Holy- 60
• Fire- 30       
• Boost- 42

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- E, cannot be further upgraded
• Dexterity- D, cannot be further upgraded
• Faith- C, can be upgraded to B

Strengths

• Holy Damage

-While this greatsword is already capable of dealing holy damage through its regular attacks and weapon skill, it also has an additional bonus in which it deals 20% more damage to the undead.

2 Best Ashes of War

Cannot use Ashes of War

How To Get

Obtained from the Misbegotten Crusader in the Cave Of The Forlorn upon defeat.

 

5. Claymore (Quality Build)

Found in Castle Morne, the Claymore is a popular weapon that can deal a devastating thrust attack, heavy slashes, and comes with the Ash of War “Lion’s Claw”.

Required Stats

• Strength- 16
• Dexterity- 13

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 138 Lightning- 0
• Magic- 0        Holy- 0 
• Fire- 0            Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 65  Lightning- 35
• Magic- 35     Holy- 35
• Fire- 35         Boost- 42 

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- D, can be upgraded to C
• Dexterity- D, cannot be further upgraded as Standard

Strengths

• Heavy Thrust

-This greatsword is capable of launching a heavy thrust that can break the poise of most enemies.

• Dependability

-The Claymore is often admired for its low stat requirement, low stamina cost, heavy thrust attacks, and finally its ability to last the player the entire game while some greatswords can only be obtained later on. This weapon is never the “wrong” choice for anyone capable of using it.

2 Best Ashes of  War

• Giant Hunt- A powerful upward thrust to take down larger opponents.
• Lion Claw- Surprise the enemy with a leaping forward attack.

How To Get

Obtained from a chest in Castle Morne. For a more exact location use the link provided. https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Claymore.

 

6. Knight’s Greatsword (Quality Build)

Recovered from the remains of any Knight, the Knight’s Greatsword is a cheaper to use and easier to get version of the Banished Knight’s Greatsword.

Required Stats

• Strength- 16
• Dexterity- 12

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 141
• Lightning- 0
• Magic- 0       
• Holy- 0
• Fire- 0           
• Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 68 
• Lightning- 36
• Magic- 36    
• Holy- 36
• Fire- 36        
• Boost- 44

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- D, cannot be further upgraded as standard
• Dexterity- D, can be upgraded to C

Strengths

• Moveset

-This greatsword is one of the very few in which its two-handed light attacks do not slam into the ground. Rather, they are quick swings that return to the wielder's shoulder in quick succession, making this one of the fastest swinging greatswords.

2 Best Ashes of War

• Giant Hunt- A powerful upward thrust to take down larger opponents.
• Lion Claw- Surprise the enemy with a leaping forward attack.

How To Get

Dropped by most “Knight” archetype enemies.

 

7. Inseparable Sword (Strength and Faith/Dexterity and Faith Build)

Given by or taken from D’s brother, the Inseparable Sword acts as a baby version of the Golden Order Greatsword. It has lesser stat requirements, can be found early game, and even launches its own holy projectiles that do not expand.

Required Stats

• Strength- 18
• Dexterity- 18
• Faith- 20

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 98  
• Lightning- 0
• Magic- 0       
• Holy- 98
• Fire- 0           
• Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 59 
• Lightning- 34
• Magic- 34    
• Holy- 52
• Fire- 34        
• Boost- 44

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- D, cannot be further upgraded
• Dexterity- D, cannot be further upgraded
• Faith- C, can be upgraded to B

Strengths 

• Moveset

-This greatsword is one of the very few in which its two-handed light attacks do not slam into the ground. Rather, they are quick swings that return to the wielder's shoulder in quick succession, making this one of the fastest swinging greatswords.

• Holy Damage

-While this greatsword is already capable of dealing holy damage through its regular attacks and weapon skill, it also has an additional bonus in which it deals 20% more damage to the undead.

2 Best Ashes of War

Cannot use Ashes of War.

How To Get

Received after obtaining the Mending Rune Of Death and giving D’s brother D’s Twinned Armor.

Can be gotten earlier by killing D in Limgrave and then killing his brother upon returning the armor and weapon.

 

8. Darkmoon Greatsword [Legendary Armament] (Intelligence Build)

Given by Ranni, the Darkmoon Greatsword is one of the 9 Legendary Armaments in Elden Ring and deals both Magic and Frost Damage. It can launch its own projectiles just like the Golden Order Greatsword or the Inseparable Sword.

Required Stats

• Strength- 16
• Dexterity- 11
• Intelligence- 38

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 82  
• Lightning- 0
• Magic- 98     
• Holy- 0
• Fire- 0           
• Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 57 
• Lightning- 31
• Magic- 63    
• Holy- 31
• Fire- 31      
• Boost- 44

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- D, cannot be further upgraded
• Dexterity- D, cannot be further upgraded 
• Intelligence- C, can be upgraded to B

Strengths

• Elemental Damage

-After activating the greatswords skill, the blade starts to deal frost damage in addition to magic and physical damage.

• Intelligence weapon

-Due to its oddly low Strength and Dexterity requirements, this greatsword becomes the perfect option for a pure Intelligence build.

2 Best Ashes of War

Cannot Use Ashes of War.

How To Get

Found in The Cathedral of Manus Celes once Ranni is given the dark Moon Ring. For a more exact location use the link provided. https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Dark+Moon+Greatsword.

 

9. Bastard Sword (Quality Build)

Bought from the Nomadic Merchant, The Bastard Sword is a dependable greatsword that could easily last a player the entire game. A great beginning weapon.

Required Stats

• Strength-16
• Dexterity- 10

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 138 Lightning- 0
• Magic- 0        Holy- 0
• Fire- 0            Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 65  Lightning- 35
• Magic- 35     Holy- 35
• Fire- 35         Boost- 42

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- D, can be upgraded to C
• Dexterity- D, cannot be further upgraded as Standard

Strengths 

• Dependability

-The Bastard Sword is often admired for its low stat requirement, low stamina cost, wide swinging attacks, and finally its ability to last the player the entire game while some greatswords can only be obtained later on. This weapon is never the “wrong” choice for anyone capable of using it.

2 Best Ashes of War

• Giant Hunt- A powerful upward thrust to take down larger opponents.
• Lion Claw- Surprise the enemy with a leaping forward attack.

How To Get

Purchased from the Nomadic Merchant at the Castle Morne Rampart.

 

10. Gargoyle’s Greatsword (Strength Build)

Recovered from the remains of the Valiant Gargoyle, the Gargoyle’s greatsword is another dependable greatsword that could easily last a player the entire game. A great beginning weapon.

Required Stats

• Strength- C
• Dexterity- E

Base Damage Stats

• Physical- 133 Lightning- 0
• Magic- 0        Holy- 0
• Fire- 0            Critical- 100

Base Resistance Stats

• Physical- 71  Lightning- 38
• Magic- 38     Holy- 38
• Fire- 38         Boost- 46

Damage Scaling Factor

• Strength- C, can be upgraded to B
• Dexterity- E, cannot be further upgraded as Standard

Strengths 

• Dependability

-The gargoyle greatsword is often admired for its low stat requirement, low stamina cost, wide swinging attacks, and finally its ability to last the player the entire game while some greatswords can only be obtained later on. This weapon is never the “wrong” choice for anyone capable of using it.

2 Best Ashes of War

• Giant Hunt- A powerful upward thrust to take down larger opponents.
• Lion Claw- Surprise the enemy with a leaping forward attack.

How To Get

Obtained from the remains of the Valiant Gargoyle within the Siofra Aqueduct.

 

In Conclusion

As far as greatswords are concerned, many of them, like the ones I've just mentioned, can easily carry you through to the end of the game. So have fun with it. Play around with each blade and its power to find the one that suits you best. Blast enemies with the power of the elements by using the Golden Order, Blasphemous, and Darkmoon weapons. Or you can cut them up swiftly with the Knight’s, Banished Knight’s, and Inseparable greatswords. The possibilities are endless!  

 

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