Best Weapons For Critical Damage In Elden Ring

Best Weapons For Critical Damage In Elden Ring

Highlights

  • Elden Ring offers diverse combat builds with weapons, armor, and spells for unique playstyles.
  • Critical damage builds are potent for delivering fatal blows with weapons like Miséricorde and daggers.
  • Rapier and Executioner’s Greataxe also provide strong critical damage options for different playstyles.

As a seasoned Elden Ring adventurer with countless hours spent traversing its treacherous landscapes and vanquishing formidable foes, I must say that each weapon in this game is as unique as the souls it claims. The Black Knife, steeped in ancient lore and dripping with the blood of gods, is a true testament to the game’s intricate storytelling. Its split damage between Physical and Holy, coupled with its deep-rooted history, makes it a weapon that demands respect.


In Elden Ring, players enjoy a highly adaptable action RPG journey filled with numerous combat options. A rich assortment of weapons, armor, magic, and items, each offering distinct effects and advantages, lets enthusiasts dedicate significant time in crafting their ideal playstyle. An intriguing path to delve into is the critical damage build, empowering gamers to inflict lethal attacks and vanquish even formidable adversaries with a few potent strikes.

In contrast to numerous other action RPGs, the way critical damage works in Elden Ring differs significantly. Rather than depending on a chance for a critical hit, players can execute critical attacks only under particular conditions. The critical damage stat on weapons (often 100) determines the amount of damage these strikes cause, along with the multipliers for critical damage tied to various weapon categories. Daggers have the highest potential for causing critical damage, with a 4.0x multiplier. Other effective weapon categories for these builds include Thrusting Swords, Claws, and Fists; however, there are exceptions. It’s essential to know that Whips, ranged weapons, and spells cannot be used for critical strikes.

1 Miséricorde

The Deadliest Weapon For Critical Hits

Best Weapons For Critical Damage In Elden Ring
Min Scaling Str – E; Dex – D
Max Scaling Str – B or Dex – B
Default Damage 92+0
Max Upgrade Damage 225+0
Weight 2.0
Critical Damage 140
Crit Damage Multiplier 4.0x

Amongst the arsenal in Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree, there’s no contest that the Miséricorde stands out as the ultimate choice for critical damage builds. It boasts the highest critical damage stat among all weapons (and daggers) in these games, amplified by a conventional 4.0x multiplier for maximum impact. With the addition of the Dagger Talisman, which escalates critical hit damage by 17%, and the Blade of Mercy, which enhances attack power by 20% for 20 seconds following a critical strike, this seemingly ordinary blade transforms into a lethal weapon. Even without any Smithing Stones investments or talismans, the Miséricorde is capable of dealing critical hits of 650-750 damage. With optimization for a critical build, its destructive potential can soar to even greater heights.

Furthermore, you’ll find that the Miséricorde is easily accessible near the beginning of the game. Look for it at Stormveil Castle, where a solitary Stonesword Key will help you lift the white mist veil and gain access to a spacious armory. The dagger can be obtained from a deceased body within.

2 Dagger

Easy To Obtain, Simple, And Effective

Best Weapons For Critical Damage In Elden Ring
Min Scaling Str – D; Dex – C
Max Scaling Str – A or Dex – S
Default Damage 74+0
Max Upgrade Damage 181+0
Weight 1.5
Critical Damage 130
Crit Damage Multiplier 4.0x

In Elden Ring, this particular weapon is remarkably easy to acquire and surprisingly powerful for characters focusing on critical damage. Its unassuming design might not catch the eye of every Tarnished following the assassin’s path, but its substantial damage output during critical hits (approximately 600 with an unupgraded Dagger) makes it a formidable option. Moreover, it boasts the lowest Dexterity requirement among all daggers in the game, scaling at S, and is one of the lightest weapons, making it an ideal secondary weapon for critical strikes in almost any build.

Obtaining the Dagger is quite simple: players have two options to acquire it. Firstly, they can buy it from the Twin Maiden Husks located at Roundtable Hold for 400 Runes. Secondly, they can farm it by defeating Highwaymen enemies within Murkwater Cave or Foot Soldiers at a camp east of Warmaster’s Shack.

3 Rapier

When The Dagger Isn’t Elegant Enough

Best Weapons For Critical Damage In Elden Ring
Min Scaling Str – E; Dex – C
Max Scaling Str – B or Dex – A
Default Damage 96+0
Max Upgrade Damage 235+0
Weight 2.5
Critical Damage 130
Crit Damage Multiplier 3.3x

Among all the weapons discussed in Elden Ring, the Rapier is the sole Thrusting Sword and packs quite a punch when it comes to delivering critical strikes. This type of weapon boasts the second-highest critical damage multiplier of 3.3x. When combined with the Rapier’s own critical damage stat, this can lead to critical hits that exceed 550 points, even using the base weapon. The Rapier’s impressive scaling, lightweight nature, and extended reach compared to a Dagger make it an attractive option for players of Tarnished who value agility and consistent critical damage. Despite its straightforward appearance, the Rapier should not be underestimated.

You’ll find that the Rapier can be acquired quite quickly during the initial stages of play. Simply head to the Roundtable Hold and you’ll be able to buy it from the Twin Maiden Husks for a thousand Runes, once you arrive there.

4 Black Knife

A Scenic And Terrifying Ritual Dagger With Rich Lore

Best Weapons For Critical Damage In Elden Ring
Min Scaling Str – E; Dex – D; Fai – D
Max Scaling Str – E; Dex – B; Fai – C
Default Damage 66+65
Max Upgrade Damage 161+159
Weight 2.0
Critical Damage 110
Crit Damage Multiplier 4.0x

Despite having a lower critical damage than the Dagger and Miséricorde, the Black Knife stands out as a versatile assassin’s weapon due to its unique blend of Physical and Holy damage, distinctive appearance, and rich history. Unlike other daggers, this one was used to slay Godwyn the Golden during the Night of the Black Knives, and it carries the potent legacy of the stolen Rune of Death. Its deadly technique, Blade of Death, weakens the target’s total health, making it a formidable weapon in battle.

As a gamer, I should mention that the Black Knife isn’t something you’ll stumble upon early in this adventure. To get my hands on it, I need to make my way to the lofty heights of the Altus Plateau and conquer the formidable Black Knife Assassin who guards the entrance to the Sainted Hero’s Grave.

5 Executioner’s Greataxe

The Most Potent For Critical Hits Among Heavy Weapons

Best Weapons For Critical Damage In Elden Ring
Min Scaling Str – C; Dex – E
Max Scaling Str – A; Dex – B
Default Damage 150+0
Max Upgrade Damage 367+0
Weight 15.0
Critical Damage 130
Crit Damage Multiplier 2.5x

In Elden Ring, although daggers, thrusting swords usually offer better critical hits, the Executioner’s Greataxe stands out because of its higher critical damage stat, surpassing most other weapons except for the Dagger, Rapier, and Miséricorde. Despite having a higher base damage, the Executioner’s Greataxe falls short in direct comparisons due to its lower critical damage multiplier of 2.5x. Without any Smithing Stones or build adjustments, it delivers critical hits averaging around 450 damage. Nevertheless, players seeking a larger weapon with robust critical potential, or those specializing in Strength builds, might find the Executioner’s Greataxe attractive.

Acquiring the Executioner’s Greataxe can be quite a task due to its scarcity. This old, rusted cleaver is usually yielded by Skeletons, who aren’t too common in Elden Ring. To get your hands on it, players will likely have to battle and defeat these skeletal enemies in numerous graveyards scattered across the game.

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2024-08-19 04:34