Updated August 30, 2026
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition adds seven new weapons to the Lands Between, but which ones are actually worth using?
The answer depends on what you want from a weapon. Some are excellent early-game pickups, some are built around specific stats, and others are much more specialized. The strongest choice for a fresh character isn't necessarily the same weapon I'd recommend to an experienced player.
This guide ranks all seven Tarnished Edition weapons from worst to best, based on their practical value during a normal playthrough.
The ranking considers early accessibility, moveset, weapon skill, build flexibility, PvE usefulness and how well each weapon fits its intended playstyle rather than simply comparing base Attack Power.
π Table of Contents
- Best Tarnished Edition Weapons Ranked
- How We Ranked the Weapons
- #7 Golden Order Flail
- #6 Ritual Thrusting Shield
- #5 Hefty Scimitar
- #4 Idus Sword
- #3 Reverse-Bladed Sword
- #2 Reed Great Katana
- #1 Leontiel's Greatsword
- Best New Weapon for Beginners
- Best Tarnished Edition Weapon for Dexterity
- Best Tarnished Edition Weapon for Strength
- Best New Weapon for Bleed Builds
- Which Weapon Should You Upgrade First?
- Are the New Weapons Better Than Shadow of the Erdtree Weapons?
- What About the Seven Weapons in the Existing Guide?
- FAQ
Best Tarnished Edition Weapons Ranked
Here's the complete ranking before getting into the individual weapons.
This is a practical ranking, not a universal damage tier list.
A weapon can rank lower overall while being the better choice for a specific build.
For example:
- A Faith character may prefer the Golden Order Flail.
- A Strength-oriented character may get more from the Hefty Scimitar.
- A Dexterity/Bleed character has an excellent reason to choose the Reed Great Katana.
- A player who wants Backhand Blade combat immediately may prefer the Reverse-Bladed Sword.
That's why the sections below focus on who should actually use each weapon.
How We Ranked the Weapons
The seven new weapons are unusually varied.
The Tarnished Edition adds the Reverse-Bladed Sword, Idus Sword, Hefty Scimitar, Reed Great Katana, Ritual Thrusting Shield, Leontiel's Greatsword and Golden Order Flail. They range from early-game weapons that can be obtained with minimal progression to equipment tied to later encounters.
For this ranking, five things matter most.
- Practical PvE performance — Can you comfortably use the weapon against normal enemies, tougher encounters and bosses?
- Accessibility — A weapon that can be obtained early has more value for a fresh character than one locked behind substantial progression.
- Moveset and skill — Elden Ring weapons aren't just damage numbers. Their movesets and skills determine how they actually feel in combat.
- Build compatibility — Does the weapon work naturally with common Strength, Dexterity, Bleed, Faith or hybrid builds?
- Long-term usefulness — A weapon earns a higher ranking when its combat identity remains useful beyond the opening hours.
#7 Golden Order Flail
Tier: C
The Golden Order Flail is the most specialized weapon in the Tarnished Edition lineup.
That doesn't make it bad. It simply means there are fewer situations where I'd recommend it over one of the other six weapons.
The Flail combines physical and Holy damage and is designed around a more specialized Faith-oriented playstyle. It therefore makes considerably more sense when the rest of your build is already supporting those attributes.
Why it ranks #7
The biggest issue is build commitment. The Golden Order Flail asks you to invest into Faith alongside its physical requirements, making it less convenient for a general-purpose physical character. It's much easier to recommend a weapon that works immediately with Strength or Dexterity than one that requires a more specific character concept.
Best for
- Faith builds
- Holy-damage setups
- Golden Order-themed characters
- Players who enjoy specialized weapons
- Experimental builds
When should you choose it?
If you're already planning a Faith character, the Golden Order Flail becomes much more attractive. In that situation, don't worry about its overall ranking. A weapon's personal tier can be much higher when it matches your build.
Verdict
A distinctive specialist weapon, but the least universally useful of the seven.
#6 Ritual Thrusting Shield
Tier: B
The Ritual Thrusting Shield is one of the strangest additions to Tarnished Edition. It's not simply another conventional weapon. It combines offensive attacks with defensive functionality, giving you a fundamentally different approach to melee combat.
That makes it particularly appealing if you're tired of the standard sword-and-shield setup.
Why it ranks #6
Its unusual design is both its biggest strength and its biggest limitation. A conventional weapon will generally be easier to understand and build around. The Ritual Thrusting Shield becomes much more interesting when you deliberately construct your character around its defensive and offensive properties.
Best for
- Defensive melee
- Offensive shield builds
- Experimental characters
- Players who enjoy unusual weapon types
- Players who want to mix attacking and blocking
Who should use it?
Choose it because you want to play around the weapon, not because you expect it to be the most efficient general-purpose weapon. That's an important distinction. The Ritual Thrusting Shield is more of a playstyle weapon than an automatic upgrade over conventional melee options.
Verdict
Extremely interesting, but too specialized for a higher overall ranking.
#5 Hefty Scimitar
Tier: B
The Hefty Scimitar is the straightforward member of the group. Despite its name, it is a Curved Greatsword, making it substantially different from the lightweight weapon its name might suggest.
Its appeal is simple: you get a substantial physical melee weapon that fits naturally into Strength/Dexterity builds.
The weapon is also associated with the new Heavy Knight starting class, although existing characters can obtain it later.
Why it ranks #5
The Hefty Scimitar does almost everything you'd expect from a heavier physical weapon:
- Strong physical damage
- Broad attacks
- Useful reach
- Strength/Dexterity compatibility
- Straightforward PvE gameplay
- Good early-game practicality
The problem isn't that the weapon is weak. It's that the Tarnished Edition gives you several weapons with more distinctive advantages.
Best for
Strength/Dexterity physical builds. It is particularly appealing if you're already playing Heavy Knight or another physical melee character.
Best reason to choose it
If you don't want gimmicks and simply want: big curved weapon + physical damage + straightforward melee — the Hefty Scimitar is a very comfortable choice.
Verdict
Reliable and practical, but less versatile or distinctive than the weapons above it.
#4 Idus Sword
Tier: A
The Idus Sword is one of the most important weapons introduced with Tarnished Edition because it gives players access to a Light Greatsword during the normal base-game progression. It is also the signature weapon of the new Idus Knight class.
That makes it more than just another sword.
Why it ranks #4
The Idus Sword offers:
- Light Greatsword moveset
- Strength/Dexterity scaling
- Manageable weight
- Physical melee damage
- Good reach
- A relatively flexible build path
It occupies a useful middle ground. You get more reach and weight than a conventional sword without committing to the slower feel of a much heavier greatsword.
Where it shines
The Idus Sword is especially good for:
- Dexterity builds
- Quality-style builds
- Light melee characters
- Players who want greatsword reach without excessive weight
- Players who like traditional sword combat with a newer moveset
Its biggest advantage
Versatility. You don't need to build your entire character around a special mechanic. You can equip the weapon, invest in physical stats and simply play. That's why it ranks above the Hefty Scimitar.
Verdict
One of the safest all-purpose weapons in the Tarnished Edition lineup. It may not be the most powerful or unusual weapon, but it's easy to recommend.
#3 Reverse-Bladed Sword
Tier: A
The Reverse-Bladed Sword is arguably the most immediately appealing weapon for players who enjoyed the Backhand Blade style in Shadow of the Erdtree.
Its biggest selling point isn't raw damage. It's how early you can start using the moveset. The weapon can be purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold, making it one of the easiest new weapons to add to an existing or fresh character.
Why it ranks #3
You get:
- Fast attacks
- Mobile combat
- Lightweight equipment
- Dexterity-friendly requirements
- Blind Spot
- Extremely early access
That's a fantastic combination for aggressive players.
Blind Spot makes the difference
The Blind Spot skill is what gives the weapon much of its personality. Instead of simply attacking from directly in front of an enemy, the weapon encourages you to reposition and attack from a different angle.
That makes it especially enjoyable when you understand:
- Dodge timing
- Enemy spacing
- Stamina management
- Punish windows
- Aggressive positioning
Who should use it?
Choose the Reverse-Bladed Sword if your preferred combat loop is: dodge → reposition → attack → disengage → repeat
It is much less appealing if you prefer: block → trade hits → stagger
Its limitation
The weapon's main strength is early access to the Backhand Blade style, rather than automatically being the strongest endgame Dexterity weapon. That's an important distinction. You're getting a combat style unusually early in the Lands Between, which is a major advantage during a fresh playthrough.
Verdict
The best new weapon for fast, aggressive Dexterity combat.
#2 Reed Great Katana
Tier: S
If you're starting a completely new character, the Reed Great Katana is arguably the most practical weapon in the entire Tarnished Edition lineup.
It gives you access to the Great Katana weapon type unusually early, and it comes with native Blood Loss buildup.
Why it ranks #2
The Reed Great Katana combines:
- Great Katana reach
- Strong physical damage
- Native Bleed
- Dexterity compatibility
- A powerful moveset
- Early availability
- Strong boss potential
That's an excellent package.
Why it's so good for a fresh character
You don't need to wait until late-game content to experiment with a Great Katana. The weapon can be collected in Dragonbarrow near Fort Faroth, allowing an adventurous player to reach it relatively early.
That makes it particularly attractive for players planning a fresh Dexterity or Bleed run.
Best for
- Dexterity
- Bleed
- Samurai-style builds
- Aggressive melee
- Players who want reach
- Players who want a powerful early weapon
The key advantage
The Reed Great Katana doesn't force you into a complicated build. You can simply pick it up, meet its requirements and start developing your character around Dexterity. Its native Bleed then gives you another source of pressure against enemies susceptible to Blood Loss.
Why it doesn't take #1
The reason is mostly about identity. The Reed Great Katana is probably the stronger practical recommendation for many fresh characters. But Leontiel's Greatsword offers a more distinctive combat concept for experienced players.
So:
- Best practical fresh-character weapon: Reed Great Katana
- Most distinctive high-end weapon: Leontiel's Greatsword
Verdict
The best all-around new weapon to recommend to a fresh character.
#1 Leontiel's Greatsword
Tier: S+
The Leontiel's Greatsword takes the top spot because it feels like a complete playstyle rather than simply another weapon added to the game.
It is obtained through the new Knight Leontiel encounter after the Radahn progression, making it a later acquisition than the weapons above it.
Why it ranks #1
The weapon combines:
- Strong melee attacks
- Excellent reach
- A distinctive moveset
- Reactive combat
- Evasive options
- Strong boss potential
- A unique identity
This is the kind of weapon that can make an experienced player rethink how they approach encounters.
Who should use it?
It is particularly appealing if you enjoy:
- Reactive combat
- Dodging through attacks
- Counterattacking
- Punishing bosses
- Aggressive positioning
- Weapons with a distinctive identity
The major drawback
Availability. You can't simply pick it up at the beginning of a fresh playthrough. You need to progress through the game far enough to trigger the relevant Leontiel encounter.
That makes it a poor answer to: "What's the best weapon for my first few hours?"
For that question, the Reed Great Katana or Reverse-Bladed Sword makes more sense.
But if the question is: "Which new weapon has the most interesting combat identity?" — Leontiel's Greatsword gets my vote.
Verdict
The best overall Tarnished Edition weapon for experienced players who want a distinctive new playstyle.
Best New Weapon for Beginners
If you're starting a completely new character, I'd narrow the choice to three.
π₯ Reed Great Katana
The strongest combination of:
- Early accessibility
- Reach
- Bleed
- Damage
- Build flexibility
It gives a fresh character a powerful weapon without requiring a complicated setup.
π₯ Reverse-Bladed Sword
Choose this instead if you prefer:
- Fast attacks
- Mobility
- Dexterity
- Backhand Blade combat
- Lightweight equipment
Its Roundtable Hold availability makes it particularly convenient.
π₯ Idus Sword
Choose this if you want:
- A Light Greatsword
- More conventional sword combat
- Strength/Dexterity flexibility
- A lighter alternative to heavier greatswords
Beginner winner
Reed Great Katana gets the overall recommendation. But if you already know that you prefer fast evasive combat, the Reverse-Bladed Sword may be the better choice for you personally.
Best Tarnished Edition Weapon for Dexterity
There are actually two strong answers depending on your build.
Best pure mobile Dexterity weapon: Reverse-Bladed Sword
The Reverse-Bladed Sword is the natural choice if your priority is: speed + mobility + aggressive positioning
Its lightweight design and Blind Spot skill fit that playstyle extremely well.
Best Dexterity/Bleed weapon: Reed Great Katana
If you want: Dexterity + reach + Bleed — choose the Reed Great Katana.
So the practical breakdown is:
Best Tarnished Edition Weapon for Strength
Winner: Hefty Scimitar
The Hefty Scimitar is the most natural choice if your character is built around heavier physical melee.
Its Curved Greatsword identity makes it particularly comfortable for players who want:
- Strength
- Endurance
- Heavy melee
- Sweeping attacks
- Physical damage
It also fits naturally with the Heavy Knight starting package.
If your progression looks something like: Vigor → Endurance → Strength — the Hefty Scimitar makes more sense than the lighter Dexterity-oriented weapons.
Strength verdict
Hefty Scimitar is the clear Tarnished Edition pick for straightforward heavy physical melee.
Best New Weapon for Bleed Builds
Winner: Reed Great Katana
This is the easiest recommendation.
The Reed Great Katana comes with native Blood Loss buildup, making it immediately attractive to Bleed-focused characters.
Its combination of: Great Katana reach + Dexterity + Bleed makes it the standout new weapon for this archetype.
If you're creating a Samurai-style character and want to experiment with the new Tarnished Edition equipment, this is one of the first weapons I'd test.
Which Weapon Should You Upgrade First?
Don't upgrade all seven weapons simply because they're new. Pick the one that matches the character you're actually playing.
Fresh character
- Reed Great Katana — Best overall early investment.
- Reverse-Bladed Sword — Best if you're committed to fast Dexterity combat.
- Idus Sword — Best if you want a Light Greatsword or Quality-style character.
Strength build
- Hefty Scimitar
Faith build
- Golden Order Flail — Only make this your priority if you're actually building around Faith and its specialized mechanics.
Experimental defensive build
- Ritual Thrusting Shield — Its value increases significantly when your entire build is designed around its offensive/defensive hybrid role.
The most important rule
Don't leave your main weapon unupgraded because you're waiting for something theoretically stronger later. A weapon you enjoy using at an appropriate upgrade level is far more useful than a supposedly better weapon sitting at +0.
Are the New Weapons Better Than Shadow of the Erdtree Weapons?
Not automatically.
That isn't really the point of the Tarnished Edition additions. Several of the new weapons bring combat styles or weapon categories associated with later content into the normal Lands Between progression.
The Reverse-Bladed Sword is a great example. Rather than waiting for the Realm of Shadow, you can use the Backhand Blade style much earlier.
The Reed Great Katana similarly lets you experiment with the Great Katana category much earlier than you normally could.
So the real benefit is: more build variety + earlier access + different combat styles rather than: every new weapon = higher damage than existing weapons.
That is also why this ranking focuses on practical use rather than claiming that one weapon has universally superior damage.
What About the Seven Weapons in the Existing Guide?
If you're looking for locations, requirements, base stats and acquisition routes, our existing guide is the better resource:
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition All 7 New Weapons: Locations, Stats & How to Get Them
That article is designed to answer: "Where is this weapon and how do I get it?"
This article answers a different question: "Which of these weapons is actually worth using?"
That distinction is important. You can use the location guide to find a weapon, then return here to decide whether it deserves your Smithing Stones and build investment.
FAQ
What is the best new weapon in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition?
Leontiel's Greatsword is our overall pick because it offers the most distinctive combat identity and is particularly appealing to experienced players. For a fresh character, however, the Reed Great Katana is the more practical recommendation.
What is the best early-game Tarnished Edition weapon?
The Reed Great Katana is the strongest all-around early-game recommendation because of its reach, Dexterity compatibility and native Bleed.
What is the best Dexterity weapon in Tarnished Edition?
For fast, mobile Dexterity combat, choose the Reverse-Bladed Sword. For Dexterity/Bleed, the Reed Great Katana is the better choice.
Is the Reverse-Bladed Sword worth using?
Yes. Its biggest advantage is giving you access to the Backhand Blade combat style very early, along with the Blind Spot skill and a lightweight setup.
Is the Reed Great Katana good?
Yes. Its Great Katana moveset, reach and native Bleed make it one of the strongest practical additions for a fresh character.
Is the Idus Sword good?
Yes. The Idus Sword is an excellent choice if you want a Light Greatsword with a flexible physical melee setup.
Is the Hefty Scimitar better than the Idus Sword?
Not universally. The Hefty Scimitar is better suited to heavier Strength/Dexterity melee, while the Idus Sword is more appropriate for players who want a lighter Light Greatsword style.
Is the Golden Order Flail worth using?
Yes, if you're deliberately building around Faith and its specialized mechanics. For a general-purpose character, the other weapons are easier to recommend.
Which Tarnished Edition weapon is best for Bleed?
The Reed Great Katana is the clear choice because it has native Blood Loss buildup and works naturally with Dexterity/Bleed builds.
Which new weapon should I upgrade first?
For most fresh characters, start with the Reed Great Katana. Dexterity players who prefer faster attacks should consider the Reverse-Bladed Sword, while Strength-oriented characters should consider the Hefty Scimitar.
Are the Tarnished Edition weapons stronger than Shadow of the Erdtree weapons?
Not necessarily. Their major advantage is that they introduce different weapon types and combat styles earlier in the base-game progression.
Do I need a new character to use the new weapons?
No. The new equipment can be obtained during a normal playthrough, so existing characters can experiment with the new weapons as well.
Final Verdict
The seven new Tarnished Edition weapons aren't designed around one universal winner. They give the Lands Between more ways to play.
π Best Overall for Experienced Players
Leontiel's Greatsword — The most distinctive new combat experience and our top overall pick.
π©Έ Best for a Fresh Character
Reed Great Katana — Excellent reach, native Bleed and unusually early availability make it the strongest all-around recommendation for a new playthrough.
⚔️ Best Dexterity Weapon
Reverse-Bladed Sword — The standout choice for fast, evasive Backhand Blade combat.
π‘️ Best Light Greatsword
Idus Sword — A flexible choice for players who want speed, reach and Strength/Dexterity scaling.
πͺ Best Strength/Heavy Melee
Hefty Scimitar — The natural choice for a heavier physical melee character.
π‘️ Best Defensive Hybrid
Ritual Thrusting Shield — The most interesting option for players who want to combine offense and defense.
✨ Best Specialized Faith Weapon
Golden Order Flail — A niche choice that becomes considerably more attractive when the entire character is built around Faith.
The Short Version
If you only want the answer:
- π₯ Fresh character: Reed Great Katana
- ⚔️ Dexterity/mobility: Reverse-Bladed Sword
- π‘️ Light Greatsword: Idus Sword
- πͺ Strength melee: Hefty Scimitar
- π‘️ Defensive hybrid: Ritual Thrusting Shield
- ✨ Faith: Golden Order Flail
- π Experienced-player pick: Leontiel's Greatsword
The most important thing is that "best" depends on what you want the weapon to do.
If you want the safest recommendation for a brand-new character, start with the Reed Great Katana.
If mobility is your priority, grab the Reverse-Bladed Sword.
And if you've already played Elden Ring extensively and want the most distinctive new combat experience, Leontiel's Greatsword is the weapon I'd try first.
π Related Guides
- NPC Invasions: Knight Leontiel & Broken Gold Mask Locations
- Reverse-Bladed Sword Location: How to Get the Backhand Blade Early
- Idus Knight vs Heavy Knight — Best Class, Stats, Weapons & Armor
- All 7 New Weapons: Locations, Stats & How to Get Them
- Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Beginner Guide: Best Starting Class, Early Weapons & What to Do First
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