When it comes to PvE combat in Elden Ring, weapon choice can make the difference between a smooth boss run and repeated trips back to a Site of Grace. With hundreds of options available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Whether you're running a strength build, a dex-heavy assassin, or a hybrid caster, some weapons consistently stand out for their utility, damage, and synergy with key Elden Ring items. Below are 12 of the best weapons for tackling the game’s toughest enemies and dungeons.

1. Blasphemous Blade

The Blasphemous Blade is a top-tier choice for strength-faith hybrids. Not only does it deal excellent fire damage and scale with Faith, but it also heals the user with each kill. This is a huge advantage in longer PvE runs, where sustaining health without wasting flasks helps preserve your Elden Ring runes.

2. Dark Moon Greatsword

For Intelligence-focused builds, the Dark Moon Greatsword offers fantastic scaling and magic damage. Its weapon skill releases a wave of frost, which is ideal for crowd control and punishing slow enemies from a distance.

3. Nagakiba

This extended katana boasts massive reach and quick, bleeding attacks. Ideal for dexterity builds, the Nagakiba pairs well with status-enhancing Elden Ring items and buffs, helping you whittle down tougher enemies with bleed procs while maintaining mobility.

4. Ruins Greatsword

If you're running a pure strength build, few weapons hit as hard as the Ruins Greatsword. It’s heavy, slow, and devastating. Its gravity-based Ash of War lets you knock back large enemies and clear groups with ease, ideal for PvE where control matters.

5. Moonveil

Moonveil has become a fan favorite thanks to its Transient Moonlight ability. This katana excels in PvE scenarios where speed and burst magic damage are crucial. Its intelligence scaling and stagger potential make it deadly against mid-tier bosses and minibosses alike.

6. Sword of Night and Flame

While it was nerfed post-launch, this weapon is still incredibly effective in PvE, especially for hybrid Intelligence and Faith users. The sword offers two powerful ranged attacks—magic beam and fire wave—making it ideal for clearing mobs or targeting enemies from a safe distance.

7. Bloodhound’s Fang

Found early in the game and still viable late into your journey, Bloodhound’s Fang is a curved greatsword that deals high bleed damage and offers a strong evasive skill. It’s one of the most resource-efficient choices for players conserving their Elden Ring runes.

8. Sacred Relic Sword

Unlocked at the end of the game, this weapon is tailor-made for farming and crowd control. Its Wave of Gold skill can decimate large groups of enemies, making it a perfect fit for rune farming runs. It also scales well with Faith, rounding it out as a solid PvE tool.

9. Reduvia

This dagger is ideal for early-game dexterity builds and shines in tight dungeons. Reduvia’s blood blade projectile makes it great for hitting enemies around corners or staying out of melee range, especially when paired with other bleed-boosting Elden Ring items.

10. Greatsword (Colossal Sword)

Inspired by Guts’ Dragon Slayer, the Greatsword is a colossal blade that thrives in PvE for its raw power. Despite its slow swing speed, it stuns enemies easily, breaking their posture and opening windows for critical attacks.

11. Winged Scythe

This Faith-based weapon combines style and effectiveness. Its unique skill prevents enemies from healing, which is extremely useful in specific PvE encounters. The scythe also deals holy damage and causes bleed, making it a versatile tool in your arsenal.

12. Serpent-Hunter

While niche, the Serpent-Hunter is a standout weapon specifically designed for the Rykard boss fight. However, its no-scaling attribute means it's easy to wield and can be surprisingly effective in other large-scale PvE battles thanks to its range and poise damage.

Choosing the right weapon in Elden Ring can elevate your PvE experience dramatically. Keep in mind that some weapons scale better when upgraded, so managing your Elden Ring runes wisely and investing in the right Elden Ring items for enhancement is key to long-term success. Whether you lean toward heavy-hitting swords or agile bleed weapons, this list should help you make more strategic decisions as you explore the Lands Between.