Best Light Weapons in Elden Ring

Looking for the best light weapons in Elden Ring? These weapons are perfect for keeping your rolls light and optimizing a dual-wield or Dexterity build. Typically, the lightest weapons include Daggers, Whips, Fists, and Claws, followed by Light Thrusting Swords and Light Bows. There are also lightweight Katanas that offer the Bleed build-up capabilities of daggers but with greater reach.

Join us as we delve into some of the best light weapons available for both early and late-game in Elden Ring.

Reduvia

• Weight: 2.5

• Damage Type: Slash, Pierce

• Requirements: Strength 5, Dexterity 13, Arcane 13

• Attribute Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity D, Arcane D

• Weapon Skill: Reduvia Blood Blade

• Attack Power: Physical 79, Critical 110

• Passives: Causes blood loss buildup (50)

The Reduvia is an excellent early-game weapon. With a passive Blood Loss build-up of 50, it can deal significant damage with the right moveset. Its special Weapon Skill, the Reduvia Blood Blade, fires rapid slashes of cursed blood at enemies, causing additional Blood Loss build-up. The projectiles cannot be parried (if used with sufficient FP) and also deal 6 stance damage per slash. This skill was buffed in patches 1.07 and 1.08, increasing its attack power, damage detection, and range.

How to Get the Reduvia: Defeat Bloody Finger Nerijus outside of Murkwater Cave in Limgrave. Summon Yura at the spawn point to assist in the combat.

Wing of Astel

• Weight: 2.5

• Damage Type: Slash

• Requirements: Strength 7, Dexterity 17, Intelligence 20

• Attribute Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity D, Intelligence D

• Weapon Skill: Nebula

• Attack Power: Physical 65, Magic 78, Critical 100

Although classed as a Curved Sword, the Wing of Astel is very light and has excellent Intelligence scaling. Its Nebula Weapon Skill allows the player to summon an astral cloud of stars that explode in a powerful AOE, delivering an additional 20% damage to gravity-type enemies. The stars deal 13 stance damage each and cannot be parried. Patches 1.07 and 1.08 further increased Nebula's attack power.

How to Get the Wing of Astel: Found in Nokstella, Eternal City, above the Uhl Palace Ruins. Loot the chest on top of the wall guarded by a large bug with gravity attacks.

Black Knife

• Weight: 2.0

• Damage Type: Slash/Pierce

• Requirements: Strength 8, Dexterity 12, Faith 18

• Attribute Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity D, Faith D

• Weapon Skill: Blade of Death

• Attack Power: Physical 66, Holy 65, Critical 110

The Black Knife is a top Dagger choice, especially for Faith builds. Its Blade of Death Weapon Skill fires projectiles that deliver Holy damage, scale with Faith, and reduce the enemy's max HP by 10% for 15 seconds. It also delivers 10 stance damage and cannot be parried. Patch 1.07 increased the duration of the max HP reduction.

How to Get the Black Knife: Defeat the Black Knife Assassin at the Sainted Hero's Grave in Altus Plateau.

Glintstone Kris

• Weight: 1.5

• Damage Type: Slash/Pierce

• Requirements: Strength 5, Dexterity 12, Intelligence 16

• Attribute Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity D, Intelligence D

• Weapon Skill: Glintstone Dart

• Attack Power: Physical 57, Magic 68, Critical 110

The Glintstone Kris is a Dagger that excels in Glintstone Sorcery. Its Glintstone Dart Weapon Skill fires a projectile with surprising reach and deals Magic damage. The skill can be followed up with a lunge attack. Patches 1.07 and 1.08 increased the skill's range, speed, and attack power.

How to Get the Glintstone Kris: Complete Sellen's questline and side with her in the fight against Witch-Hunter Jerren.

Raptor Talons

• Weight: 1.5

• Damage Type: Slash/Pierce

• Requirements: Strength 6, Dexterity 14

• Attribute Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity C

• Weapon Skill: Quickstep

• Attack Power: Physical 86, Critical 110

• Passives: Causes blood loss buildup (60)

The Raptor Talons are an excellent Claw option with a passive Bleed build-up value of 60. The Quickstep skill allows quick dodging and evasion with invulnerability frames at a low FP cost (3 FP). Patch 1.08 improved their attack speed and recovery time.

How to Get the Raptor Talons: Looted from Sage's Cave in western Altus Plateau, behind several illusory walls.

Frozen Needle

• Weight: 2.5

• Damage Type: Standard/Pierce

• Requirements: Strength 11, Dexterity 18

• Attribute Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity D

• Weapon Skill: Impaling Thrust

• Attack Power: Physical 99, Critical 100

• Passives: Frost build-up (60)

The Frozen Needle is a light Thrusting Sword with a passive Frost build-up of 60. Its unique heavy attack emits an ice projectile at no FP cost. The Impaling Thrust skill deals up to 33 stance damage and can zip in and out of close combat.

How to Get the Frozen Needle: Found in a chest within Kingsrealm Ruins in western Liurnia, hidden by a false wall on the ground.

These light weapons can help you keep your rolls nimble and your enemies on their toes. Whether you're looking to dominate early-game or find new strategies for late-game, these choices offer a range of playstyles and builds to suit your needs in Elden Ring.