Elden Ring: Best Ammunition Types, Ranked

Highlights

Melee and magic are popular in
Elden Ring
, but powerful ammunition for crossbows and bows can be deadly in skilled hands.
Greatbolts like Igon’s Harpoon and Rabbath’s Greatbolt offer extra damage against dragons and explosive magic damage for players.
Various types of arrows, such as Serpent Arrows and St. Trina’s Arrows, offer unique effects like poison buildup and putting foes to sleep.

As a seasoned Elden Ring player with countless hours spent traversing its vast open world, I can confidently say that each ammunition type brings unique strengths to any ranged build. Having experimented with various combinations of weapons and ammo throughout my journey, I’ve come to appreciate the power and versatility of certain bolts more than others.

In Elden Ring, players have multiple options to handle different types of enemies. However, melee weapons and magic are commonly used for swift enemy disposal. It’s often overlooked that crossbows and longbows, considered weaker weapons, can be surprisingly effective with the right ammunition.

In certain scenarios, they might not inflict much direct harm, but they shine in applying specific statuses to adversaries and maintaining a safe distance.

10 Ballista Bolt

A Basic Yet Powerful Greatbolt

Elden Ring: Best Ammunition Types, Ranked

Greatbolts rank among the most powerful ammo options for ranged weapon users. They’re compatible exclusively with the Hand Ballista and Jar Canon; therefore, players seeking to employ these lethal projectiles are constrained by their choice of ranged weapon.

Though the Ballista Bolt isn’t complex with just its capability for inflicting physical harm on enemies, it remains effective against common adversaries that players often come across in the expansive world of Elden Ring.

160 Physical Attack Power
Cannot be crafted but can be purchased from various merchants for 300 Runes.

9 Flaming Bolt

Fire Is a Friend Early Game

At the beginning of your adventure in Elden Ring, employing ranged weapons might seem underpowered. However, you can enhance this experience by exploring diverse ammunition options. For instance, Flaming Bolts, which are compatible with any crossbow in Elden Ring, are an excellent choice to boost your ranged gameplay.

As someone who has spent countless hours honing my skills as a seasoned gamer, I can confidently say that certain ammo types in this game are not to be underestimated. Take this bolt ammo, for instance. At first glance, its name might suggest nothing more than the usual physical damage inflicted by bullets. But let me tell you, from my personal experience, it packs a surprising punch that goes beyond the ordinary.

20 Physical Attack Power
80 Fire Attack Power
Cannot craft Flaming Bolts, but can be purchased from the Nomadic Merchant in South Calelid for 120 Runes.

8 Igon’s Harpoon

Extra Damage To Dragons

In the captivating expansion of “Shadow of the Erdtree,” I came across Igon, a captivating NPC among numerous others. This damaged Drake Warrior boasts an intriguing collection of equipment for players to discover or obtain, allowing them to emulate his distinctive appearance. One of his remarkable creations is none other than Igon’s Harpoons.

Players seeking to slay the numerous dragons found in both the expansion and main campaign of Elden Ring will find these harpoons invaluable. Additionally, these Greatarrows can handle common enemies as well, albeit less effectively since they inflict physical damage.

90 Physical Attack Power
Deals extra damage to dragons
Cannot be crafted but can be purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable for 1000 Runes after giving them Igon’s Bell Bearing.

7 Serpent Arrow

Perfect For The Serpent Bow

Just like venomous snakes, these arrows are ideal for individuals aiming to inflict harmful toxins on their opponents. Few bosses may be vulnerable to poison, but these arrows remain an excellent choice for inflicting both initial physical harm upon impact and the subsequent poison damage.

As a devoted fan, I’d describe it like this: When wielding Serpent Arrows, I can use them with any bow at hand. However, the real magic happens when I equip these arrows with the Serpent Bow. The synergy between the two amplifies the poisoning effect, making it more potent and faster for my enemies to feel its venomous sting.

30 Physical Attack Power
Causes heavy poison buildup (78)
Cannot be crafted but can be purchased from Dragonbarrow’s Isolated Merchant for 120 Runes.

6 Rotbone Bolt

Craftable Bolts Of Scarlet Rot

In Elden Ring, Rotbone Bolts stand out among other ammunition since players can create them using the Nomadic Warrior’s Cookbook instead of buying or discovering them during gameplay.

The Rotbone Bolts are not only simple to manufacture but additionally ideal for players seeking a ranged ammo option to inflict Scarlet Rot on enemies swiftly. Crossbows can be fired rapidly, enabling players to inflict the harmful effects of Scarlet Rot from a distance and make enemies pay the price.

28 Physical Attack Power
Causes Scarlet Rot buildup (55)
Crafted from the Nomadic Warrior’s Cookbook [15] that is purchased from the Nomadic Merchant in southern Caelid for 4,000 Runes.
Crafted with x2 Thin Beast Bones and x1 Aeonian Butterfly.

5 Golem’s Magic Arrow

Arrows Can Do Magic Damage Too

As a gamer, I’ve surely taken a hit from those magical arrows before. They’re the very same projectiles that the colossal Golems scattered throughout the Elden Ring map hurl in my direction.

Golem’s Magic Arrows uniquely specialize in inflicting magical damage on targets, making them particularly effective against enemies weak to such damage. However, when facing opponents resistant to magic or those for whom physical attacks are more suitable, it may be wiser to conserve these arrows.

40 Physical Attack Power
125 Magical Attack Power
Cannot be crafted or purchased. They are occasionally dropped by Magic Golem Archers.

4 St.Trina’s Arrow

Sleeping Is Incredibly Overpowered

Instead of causing massive harm to common adversaries and formidable foes like other build-up effects do, the unexpected star performers are the sleep arrows such as St. Trina’s Arrows.

Using St. Trina’s Arrows, enemies are not only made vulnerable to close assaults due to being put to sleep, but the player can inflict minimal damage during this process. Other craftable items may induce sleep in foes, yet these arrows and similar ammunition are particularly suitable for players preferring to keep a safe distance while dealing more than just putting an enemy to rest.

30 Physical Attack Power
Causes Sleep buildup (96)
Cannot be crafted but can be purchased from various merchants or dropped by Albinauric Archers.

3 Golden Great Arrow

Holy Damage Is No Joke From Afar

In Elden Ring, holy damage stands out as an intriguing type of damage due to its connection with Faith builds. Many gamers opt for this build, focusing on Faith and Strength, to maximize the healing properties of the Erdtree and wield mighty, lethal weapons imbued with holy power.

However, the Golden Great Arrow, which can be used with any bow, allows players to deal an immense amount of holy damage even with a dexterity build. Near the end of Elden Ring, players may feel that holy damage isn’t as powerful against bosses, but that still leaves them plenty of game time to use this ammo.

40 Physical Attack Power
110 Holy Attack Power
Cannot be crafted but can be purchased from the Hermit Merchant at the Hermit Merchant’s Shack for 500 Runes.

2 Rabbath’s Greatbolt

Explosive Magic Greatbolts

In Shadow of the Erdtree, I was thrilled to discover an expanded selection of ammunition types for players. These weren’t just your typical arrows; they had magical properties that affected multiple targets. Rabbath’s Greatbolt was a particular standout for me. Not only did it deal significant physical damage to the enemy it hit, but upon impact, it detonated, unleashing a massive burst of magical damage on not just that foe, but also those unfortunate enough to be nearby.

Rabbath’s Greatbolts are an excellent choice when confronting a horde of adversaries or a sizable boss, as they are particularly effective against magic-vulnerable foes.

50 Physical Attack Power
150 Magical Attack Power
Cannot be crafted but can be purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold after giving them Spellmachinist’s Bell Bearing.

1 Lightning Greatbolt

Lethal Lightning Lasts

For players who strongly prefer ranged weapons in Elden Ring, Lightning Greatbolts are the ammunition type to prioritize. At a distance, these bolts inflict significant lighting damage on enemies.

In Elden Ring, players might be taken aback by the potency of bolts used against formidable foes, as only a few weapons can wield greatbolts to inflict significant damage. Moreover, since an endless supply is at their disposal, the concern of running out is eliminated.

50 Physical Attack Power
150 Lighting Attack Power
Cannot be crafted but can be purchased from the Nomadic Merchant in the East Mountaintops for 500 Runes.

2024-07-17 15:44