Summary
One of the things thatElden Ringdoes well is giving players a lot of options when it comes to weapons and equipment to use in combat. With the addition ofShadow of the Erdtree, there are now 40 categories of weapons in the game, and each category has several individual weapons to choose from to suit a player’s build.
Big,heavy-hitting buildshave always been popular in FromSoftware games, but sometimes players want to be fast, nimble, and able to attack and disengage quickly. This still leaves players with several options to choose from, and identifying the fastest weapon isn’t always as obvious as it seems. These are the fastest weapon types inElden Ring, and the best weapons to use for each type.
The attack speed of a weapon inElden Ringis determined by its weapon category. Some unique weapons within categories have their own combos and differences in animations, but one-handed light attacks from a weapon of the same category will mostly be the same speed. With that in mind, this topic covers the fastest categories of weapons, with recommendations for individual weapons based on players' stats.
Two Blades Are Better Than One
Best Weapons in Category:
The Twinblades appear a little lower on this list than some might expect, due to the fact that a normal one-handed R1 combo is relatively slow. However, Twinblades are best when two-handed, and the light attacks in this case hit multiple times.
This increases the attacks per minute of the weapon significantly and, due to the high base status build-up of the Twinblade category of weapons, makes them one of the bestweapon typesfor applying status buildup quickly.
Surprisingly Fast For Its Size
Despite the name, heavy-thrusting swords are shockingly fast for the size of the weapon. This category is for swords that essentially work like large rapiers, such as the Bloody Helice. The thrusting R1 combos of these weapons are quick, almost equaling a normal short sword, despite much greater reach and damage on average. In addition, these weapons can be given lunging stabs that hit multiple times withthe right ashes of war.
The Sword And Board Staple
Sometimes the most familiar options are the best, anda standard straight swordcan take players a long way inElden Ring. They sit right at the “good, not great” end of weapon attack speed, but they’re not slow, and the R1 attack has a short start-up and recovery that makes getting off one hit before dodging away viable in most situations.
In terms of attack speed, sticking with one-handed R1 attacks outputs the most attacks per minute, compared with dual-wielding or two-handing a straight sword.
Nippon Steel
Katanas are an interesting weapon in terms of attack speed. The standard one-handed R1 combos are just a little faster than the average straight sword. Heavy attacks and special attacks, though, often come with a long start-up time, but fast execution and recovery.
This plays into the anime aesthetics of katanas inElden Ring, echoing fabled sword masters who hold their swords in their sheath until the last moment, only to unleash a strike too fast for the eye to see.
Flashing Falchions
Curved swords are a step up in attack speed from their straight sword counterparts. Many ofElden Ring’s curved swords don’t trade off significant damage for the speed increase, either. Base game options like the Grossmesser or Bandit’s Curved Sword will give the player as much damage as a straight sword, with faster attacks and more maneuverability as well. The Dancing Blades from theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC have anash of warthat allows the player to deliver flowing, consecutive attacks, too.
Quick Combos
Axes come a little higher on this list than manyElden Ringplayers will expect. Anyone who’s used a one-handed axe in the game knows that the first R1 attack has a noticeable start-up time to it. However, R1 combos actually chain together faster than many other weapon types, giving axes a relatively high number of attacks per minute when chaining together R1 attacks.
The new DLC weapon, the Death Knight’s Twin Axes, gives players a natural dual-wielding option for axes, with a lightning-fast ash of war as well.
Piercing Strike
Fencing fans will be pleased to know that rapiers, or thrusting swords as they’re termed inElden Ring, are still one of the fastest weapon categories in the game. Repeated R1 attacks come out quickly and are easy to chain.
This category of weapon also comes with feints and lunges on certain attacks, which increases the players' mobility in combat. The Antspur Rapier is a popular option for building up status effects quickly, as it has inherent scarlet rot build-up and can be infused with other status effects.
Whirling Blades
The backhand blades are a new category of weapon added in theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC. Even though there are only three weapons in this category, they’re worth checking out for their flowing combo attacks and mobility skills.
The Backhand Blades allow players to close the distance on enemies instantly with the blind spot and quick slash ashes of war. The Smithscript Cirque even allows players to throw it from range, keeping up damage when backing off in combat.
Legacy Of Dane
The martial arts combos of the new hand-to-hand weapons were a much-hyped feature of theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC. There are only two weapons in this category, but the flashy palm and foot combos of each one are worth experimenting with.
Players have to get up close and personal to use them effectively, but the weapons both have fast R1 combos with relativelyhigh stagger potentialthat lets players boss around smaller enemies.
Fists Of Fury
Fist weapons offer a visceral choice for damage output inElden Ring. The attack patterns are more straightforward punches than the martial arts of hand-to-hand weapons, but they come out quickly and chain quickly too.
While most fist weapons require the player to stand in the face of enemies, the Pata from theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC offers these attacks with an added bit of reach. Weapons like the Star Fist are another popular choice for status buildup, with fast attacks, inherent bleed buildup, and the ability to infuse the weapon with other statuses on top.
