Let's be honest - finding the best dexterity weapons in Elden Ring feels like hunting for treasure blindfolded. I remember my first playthrough, dumping points into dex then realizing my +15 broadsword hit like a wet noodle. After 300 hours and seven dex builds (yes, I have a problem), I've tested every katana, spear, and curved sword this brutal world offers. This isn't some algorithm-spit list. It's hard-earned knowledge from someone who's died to Malenia more times than I've eaten hot meals.
What Actually Makes a Great Dex Weapon?
Dexterity weapons aren't just about scaling stats. I learned this the hard way when I upgraded the Serpentbone Blade expecting godhood only to find its moveset clunky as hell. Here's what matters:
Scaling Potential: That "S" dex scaling at +25? Chef's kiss. But watch out - some weapons like Moonveil peak early then fizzle.
Moveset Fluidity: The Guardian's Swordspear doesn't get enough love. Its R1 combos flow like water compared to the jarring halberd animations.
Critical Multipliers: My Uchigatana backstabs regularly hit 2K at RL150. Worth considering if you parry.
Bleed/Frost Potential: Rivers of Blood got nerfed? Sure. Still melts bosses in NG+ with the right setup. Don't let elitists shame you.
A little secret? The "best" dexterity weapon in Elden Ring depends entirely on your playstyle. Are you aggressive? Defensive? Do you enjoy making bosses bleed out in 10 seconds? Let's break it down.
Top Tier Dex Weapons: The Elite Five
These are the weapons I keep coming back to across multiple playthroughs. Forget the flavor-of-the-month picks - these deliver consistently.
Hand of Malenia
| Damage (Max Upgrade) | Physical: 247 | Bleed: 120 |
| Scaling | Dex S-scaling at +10 |
| Weight | 11.0 (Medium load friendly) |
| Requirements | Str 16 | Dex 48 |
| Unique Trait | Waterfowl Dance (Malenia's anime move) |
Why It Slaps: Waterfowl Dance isn't just flashy - it shreds poise and applies bleed like crazy. Poise-breaks Fire Giant in two activations. Feels like cheating sometimes.
Pros
- Highest range of any katana
- Staggers bosses stupidly fast
- Dex scaling makes damage soar past 700 AR
Cons
- Requires beating the hardest boss (good luck)
- Heavy FP consumption (35 per activation)
- Leaves you wide open if you whiff
How to Get It:
- Reach Haligtree Roots site of grace (painful journey)
- Defeat Malenia (average attempt count: 73)
- Trade her Remembrance at Roundtable Hold
After finally beating her on my 89th try (yes I counted), this weapon became my permanent right hand. It trivializes Malenia rematches - poetic justice.
Guardian's Swordspear
| Damage (Max Upgrade) | Physical: 298 | No innate status |
| Scaling | Dex A-scaling at +25 |
| Weight | 8.5 (Light roll compatible) |
| Requirements | Str 17 | Dex 16 |
| Hidden Gem | Thrusting R2 counters shield turtles |
Why It's Underrated: Found this early while farming Erdtree Guardians. Didn't expect much but holy hell - the moveset combines spear pokes with sweeping halberd attacks. Perfect for crowded dungeons.
Pros
- Insane attack speed for its class
- Works with any ash of war (I love Sword Dance)
- Minimal stat investment
Cons
- Random drop (prepare to farm)
- Shorter range than actual spears
- No built-in bleed/frost
How to Get It:
- Kill Erdtree Guardians (best spots: Capital Outskirts or Deeproot Depths)
- Pray to RNGesus (average 2% drop rate)
- Use Silver Fowl Foot if impatient
This carried my RL1 run. Slap Keen affinity and watch it outdamage "meta" weapons. Shhh - don't tell the Rivers of Blood fanboys.
Dex Weapons Tier List (Objective Rankings)
Based on PvE effectiveness, PvP viability, and fun factor. Fight me in comments.
| Weapon | Class | Early Game | End Game | PVP Viability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand of Malenia | Katana | ✘ (Late game) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Guardian's Swordspear | Halberd | ★★★☆☆ (If lucky) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Rivers of Blood | Katana | ✘ (Mountaintops) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ (After nerfs) |
| Bloodhound's Fang | Curved GS | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Godskin Peeler | Twinblade | ★★★☆☆ (Volcano Manor) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Essential Ash of War Pairings
Choosing the right skill can make mediocre weapons god-tier. Here are my lab-tested favorites:
- Sword Dance (Dex Scaling): Turns spears into meat grinders. Try on Cross-Naginata.
- Double Slash (Bleed Builds): Better than Corpse Piler on status builds. Insane DPS.
- Thunderbolt (Ranged Option): My go-to for annoying flyers. Scales purely with dex.
- Bloodhound Step (Cheese Mode): Makes Malenia's Waterfowl survivable. Feels dirty but works.
Changed my entire playstyle when I put Thunderbolt on a Keen Uchigatana. Suddenly dragons weren't terrifying - just lightning piñatas.
Must-Have Talismans for Dex Builds
| Talisman | Effect | Location | Synergy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millicent's Prosthesis | +5 Dex & consecutive attack boost | Kill Millicent (ouch) | Fast weapons like claws |
| Rotten Winged Sword | Massive attack boost after hits | Millicent's quest end | Multi-hit weapons (twinblades) |
| Lord of Blood's Exultation | 20% attack on bleed | Leyndell Catacombs | Rivers of Blood / Katanas |
| Dragoncrest Greatshield | Huge physical defense | Elphael Brace | Squishy dex builds |
Notice how most require completing quests? Yeah, FromSoft loves making us work. Millicent's Prosthesis alone gives +5 dex - basically free levels.
Situational Dex Weapons You Shouldn't Ignore
Sometimes niche beats meta. These deserve honorable mentions:
Bolt of Gransax
That lightning snipe? Brutal in PvP. Requires 40 dex but hits like a ballistic missile. Found in Leyndell pre-ash. Missable if you progress too far!
Scavenger's Curved Sword
Innate bleed with wild dual-wield moves. Farm it early in Mt. Gelmir. Powerstance these with bleed infusion and watch health bars vanish.
Dex Build Stat Allocation Guide
Where to put points at different levels (personal recommendations):
| Level Range | Dex Priority | Vigor Minimum | Essential Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-40 | Meet weapon reqs only | 30-35 | Endurance for medium roll |
| 40-80 | Push to 55-60 | 40 | Mind if using weapon skills |
| 80-150 | Max to 80 (soft cap) | 50-60 | Arcane if bleed build |
Biggest mistake I made? Ignoring vigor. No, 20 vigor isn't enough against Radahn's meteor. Get at least 40 before focusing on dex.
FAQ: Real Answers to Dex Weapon Questions
What's the easiest best dexterity weapon to get early?
Bloodhound's Fang. Get it in Limgrave by defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil. Carries you till endgame. Upgrade with Somber stones.
Are katanas the best dex weapons in Elden Ring?
For bleed? Absolutely. For pure damage? Guardian's Swordspear outdamages most katanas. Katanas win in versatility though.
Is Rivers of Blood still top tier after nerfs?
For PvE? Still melts bosses. For PvP? Corpse Piler is dodgeable now. Requires smarter play but viable. Don't expect 1.07 glory days.
Should I go pure dex or dex/arc?
Pure dex hits harder per strike. Dex/arc procs bleed faster. Against Malenia? Bleed wins. Against Radagon? Pure physical. Have both setups ready.
What's the fastest attacking dex weapon?
Daggers (like Parrying Dagger) or claws. But range sucks. Best balance? Whips or thrusting swords. Noble's Estoc carried me through narrow dungeons.
Final Straight Talk
Chasing the mythical "best dexterity weapon in Elden Ring" misses the point. I've used every contender extensively. Hand of Malenia dominates lategame but requires beating a boss harder than my college calculus final. Guardian's Swordspear outperforms expectations if you get lucky with drops. Rivers of Blood remains stupid fun despite nerfs.
Here's my unpopular opinion: The "best" dex weapon is the one whose moveset clicks with your brain. I gave Moonveil 20 hours before admitting I hate delay spells. Switched to dual Scavenger's Curved Swords and finally enjoyed the game.
Experiment. Upgrade multiple weapons. Any dex weapon at +25 with proper build will shred. Except the Cane Sword. That thing's a meme.