Elden Ring BEST Greatswords With Locations

Greatswords are one of the most balanced weapons in Elden Ring that have unique and diverse movesets. If you’re looking for a weapon that is neither as weak as a straight sword nor as slow as a colossal sword, then greatswords might be what you are searching for.

No.	Name	FP Cost	Weight	Sell Price	Physical Attack	Physical Guard
1	Banished Knight’s Greatsword	5 (-8)	10	200	142	68
2	Knight’s Greatsword	5 (-8)	10	200	141	68
3	Flamberge	5 (-8)	10	100	129	69
4	Bastard Sword	5 (-8)	9	100	138	65
5	Blasphemous Blade	30	13.5	100	121	72
6	Sword of Milos	30	10	500	141	68
7	Ordovis’s Greatsword	15	12	1000	107	69
8	Gargoyle’s Greatsword	18	11.5	200	133	71
9	Lordsworn’s Greatsword	5 (-8)	9	100	136	65
10	Darkmoon Greatsword	32	10	1000	82	57
11	Golden Order Greatsword	20 (-20)	10	500	86	55
12	Claymore	20	9	100	138	65
13	Gargoyle’s Blackblade	20	11.5	200	102	60
14	Albaster’s Lord Sword	15	8	500	128	56
15	Mararis Executioner Sword	15	11.5	1000	94	68

Banished Knight’s Greatsword

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	17	9	–	–
Scaling	D	D	–	–

The Banished Knight’s Greatsword is the top choice in Elden Ring’s Best Greatswords, which requires 17 strength and 9 dexterity. I recommend opting for the Hero Class with 16 strength and 9 dexterity to meet most requirements or the Vagabond class for its Longsword and 14 strength, 13 dexterity. Level up your strength, and you’re ready to wield it.

Upgrade and Build Affinity

You can enhance the natural scalings by choosing different build paths like a pure strength build, a pure dexterity build, or even a quality build. In my experience, a quality build with B-scaling in both strength and dexterity through quality ash of war infusions is perfect. 

Related: Elden Ring Carian Greatsword

Weapon Art

• Stamp (Upward Cut) weapon art costs around 5 FP and is highly effective in standing your ground in a low stance, absorbing enemy attacks, and countering with a powerful upward strike.

Location

• To obtain this weapon, farm Banished Knights, common enemies found in Stormveil Castle, Cathedral of Dragon Communion, and Castle Sol.

Knight’s Greatsword

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirements	16	12	–	–
Scaling	D	D	–	–

The Knight’s Greatsword is highly versatile, with a base physical damage 141. In my experience, going with either the Hero class (16 strength and 9 dexterity) or the Vagabond class (14 strength and 13 dexterity) makes meeting the Knight’s Greatsword’s requirements feasible. Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Knight’s Greatsword begins with D scaling in strength and dexterity, but you can boost it to B scaling in dexterity with keen ashes of war and B scaling in both strength and dexterity with quality ashes of war. At +25 smithing stone reinforcement, it’s an excellent fit for pure dexterity and quality builds. Compared to the Banished Knight’s Greatsword, I’ve found it to be more versatile, particularly in its affinity for cold, poison, and blood ashes of war.

Weapon Art

• It features the Stamp (Upward Cut) weapon art at the cost of 5 FP, similar to the Banished Knight’s Greatsword and Lordswon’s Greatsword.

Location

• Any enemy that qualifies as a knight, including Mausoleum Knights, Gold Dragon Cult Knights, Cuckoo Knights, and Banished Knights.

Flamberge

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	15	14	–	–
Scaling	D	C	–	–

The Flamberge, a unique greatsword in Elden Ring, deals pierce damage, making it effective against shielded or armored foes. I suggest starting as a Vagabond since it begins with 14 strength and 13 dexterity, needing only one attribute point for each. Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Flamberge’s scalings can be further enhanced through Smithing Stones reinforcement and various Ashes of War infusions, allowing for different build options. My personal recommendation is to consider infusing it with a blood ash of war for a bleed build. Bleed is highly effective in Elden Ring, and the Flamberge naturally inflicts bleeding.

Weapon Art

• Stamp (Upward Cut) weapon art costs 5 FP and is highly effective in absorbing attacks and countering.

Location

• Inside the Redmane Castle in Caelid.

Bastard Sword

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	16	10	–	–
Scaling	D	D	–	–

The Bastard Sword, one of Elden Ring’s lightest greatswords, joins the ranks of the Claymore and Lordsworn’s Greatsword with a weight of only 9.0 units. Going for the Hero class allows you to swiftly meet the requirements by leveling up dexterity once. Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Bastard Sword can achieve a solid affinity with intelligence and faith if infused with magic or sacred ash of war. You can adjust it to fit strength, dexterity, or quality builds based on your preferred attributes. Reinforcing it with Smithing Stones up to +25 improves its performance

Weapon Art

• Stamp (Upward Cut)

Location

• You can acquire the Bastard Sword by purchasing it from the Nomadic Merchant in the east Weeping Peninsula for 3000 runes.

Blasphemous Blade

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	22	15	–	21
Scaling	D	D	–	D

The Blasphemous Blade poses a relatively heavy stat requirement, including 21 faith. I would recommend going either Prophet (11 strength, 10 dexterity, and 16 faith) or Confessor (12 strength, 12 dexterity, and 14 faith) if you prefer melee weapons over magic. Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Blasphemous Blade comes with a natural scaling of D in all three attributes: strength, dexterity, and faith. You can reinforce it up to +10 using Somber Smithing Stones, but be sure to use stones compatible with your weapon’s current level. At +10 reinforcement, it boasts a C scaling in both dexterity and strength and a B scaling in faith, making it a solid greatsword for incantation users.

Weapon Art

• Taker’s Flame – raises the greatsword, imbues it with blasphemous flames, and fires a giant fireball that drains the HP of those it burns at the cost of 30 FP.

Location

• Obtain this weapon by trading the Remembrance of the Blasphemous (acquired after defeating Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy in Mt. Gelmir) with Enia at Roundtable Hold.

Also read this: Elden Ring Grafted Blade Greatsword

Sword of Milos

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	15	19	–	–
Scaling	D	D	–	–

The Sword of Milos is a unique weapon carved from a giant’s backbone. Its stat requirement is relatively easy to meet compared to other weapons on this list. I recommend choosing Vagabond (14 and 13 dexterity) or Warrior (10 and 16 dexterity) as your starting class, as they cover half the requirements.  Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Sword of Milos comes with a natural stat requirement of D in both strength and dexterity, and it doesn’t support the ash of war infusions. It demands Somber Smithing Stones for upgrades, taking it up to +10 reinforcement. It achieves a C scaling in strength and dexterity, along with a solid base physical damage of 345.

Weapon Art

• Shriek of Milos – it consumes 30 FP to unleash a bone-chilling scream that curses nearby enemies, reducing their damage negation and status resistances, making them vulnerable to various damage types.

Location

• Kill the Dung Eater to get the Sword of Milos. Initially, he is at Roundtable Hold, and progressing through his questline will reallocate to the Subterranean Shunning-Ground, where you can defeat him.

Ordovis’s Greatsword 

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	25	13	–	15
Scaling	C	E	–	D

The Ordovis’s Greatsword belongs to Crucible Knight Ordovis; it weighs 12.0 units, which is the reason for the high strength requirement. Therefore, I would mainly recommend running Confessor (12 strength, 12 dexterity, and 14 faiths), Prophet (11 strength, 10 dexterity, and 16 faith) as well as Wretch (10 strength, 10 dexterity, and 10 faith) as your starting class.

Upgrade and Build Affinity

To strengthen the Ordovis’s Greatsword, you’ll need Somber Smithing Stones, as it can’t be infused with the ash of war. At +10 reinforcement, it reaches an impressive A scaling in strength and a C scaling in faith; hence, I suggest going for a strength-faith hybrid build.

Weapon Art

• Ordovis’s Vortex is a chargeable skill that performs an overhead swing and slams the sword on the ground.

Location

• Defeat Crucible Knight Ordovis in Aurizia Hero’s Grave to get the Ordovi’s Greatsword.

Gargoyle’s Greatsword

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	18	10	–	–
Scaling	B	E	–	–

The Gargoyle’s Greatsword is a very ancient sword used by champions and warriors. Nevertheless, it can be most quickly wielded if you choose the Hero class (16 strength, 9 dexterity) and invest two attribute points into strength and one into dexterity!

Upgrade and Build Affinity

Although the Gargoyle’s Greatsword has the best natural strength scaling I’ve seen in a good while, you cannot infuse it with ashes of war. At only +14 reinforcement with Smithing Stones, the Gargoyle’s Greatsword achieves an A scaling in strength and you should upgrade to +25 only if you want more base physical damage.

Weapon Art

• Vacuum Slice raises the greatsword aloft, outlining it with a layer of literal vacuum before launching it toward the enemy as a blade-like projectile at the cost of 18 FP.

Location

• Valiant Gargoyle in Siofra Aqueduct, an optional boss, drops this magnificent weapon.

Lordsworn’s Greatsword

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	16	10	–	–
Scaling	D	D	–	–

The Lordsworn’s Greatsword is a very common greatsword that you will find wielded by regular Godrick soldiers. Its stat requirements are very light demanding. Choose the Hero class  (16 strength, 9 dexterity), and you can wield this greatsword within the first hour of your playthrough.

Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Lordsworn’s Greatsword allows for infusions with ashes of war, opening up many paths for build fitting despite its low scaling. You can create a quality build with quality ash of war or a pure dexterity build with keen ash of war. Additionally, it can be reinforced up to +25 with Smithing Stones, boasting a critical modifier of 110, which no other greatsword offers.

Weapon Art

• Stamp (Upward Cut).

Location

• Found in the early game, search for a chest behind a large black wagon in the Gatefront Ruins.

Dark Moon Greatsword

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Faith	Intelligence
Requirement	16	11	38	–
Scaling	D	D	–	C

The Dark Moon Greatsword demands heavy 38 faith to equip it. This weapon favors sorcerers, but you can pick any of the following starting classes: Hero, Vagabond, Astrologer, or Prisoner, based on your preference.

Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Dark Moon Greatsword has an excellent scaling in intelligence. Additionally, as a unique weapon, it only supports Somber Smithing Stone reinforcement and cannot undergo Ashes of War infusions. It achieves 200 physical and 240 magic damage and it also retains its natural affinity with inflicting frost buildup.

Weapon Art

• Moonlight Greatsword costs 40 FP and imbues it with increased magic attack and frost buildup. Charging up shoots blade-like moonlight projectiles.

Location

• Follow Ranni’s questline and offer Ranni the Dark Moon Ring to get access to the Cathedral of Manus Celes where you can get this sword.

Golden Order Greatsword

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	16	21	–	18
Scaling	E	D	–	C

The Golden Order Greatsword is imbued with the light of the Elden Ring itself. It is a unique weapon which comes with pierce damage, making it particularly effective against armored opponents. I would highly suggest going for Confessor as it comes with 12 strength, 12 dexterity, and 14 faith that suits its stats.

Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Golden Order Greatsword comes with a natural scaling of E in strength makes it not worthwhile for strength builds but, upgrading it to +10 with Somber Smithing Stones improves its faith scaling to B-tier. Moreover, at +10 reinforcement, it also accomplishes a physical damage of 210 and a holy damage of 252, making it undisputedly the best greatsword for incantation users in the Elden Ring.

Weapon Art

• Establishing Order raises the sword towards the sky and invokes the power of the Elden Ring to release a golden explosion. Repeated inputs will send out waves of golden light

Location

• Acquire this weapon by beating the Misbegotten Crusader boss found in the Cave of the Forlorn.

Claymore

It is not a surprise to see the Claymore make its triumphant return in Elden Ring – it has been a fan favorite weapon for as long as I can remember, and no list of Elden Ring Best Greatswords is complete without it. The Claymore comes with a relatively taxing stat requirement compared to the preceding Banished Knight Greatsword, which is 16 strength and 13 dexterity.

Therefore, if you wish to meet these requirements as soon as possible, I would recommend going Vagabond as it comes with 14 strength and 13 dexterity. It already meets the dexterity requirement of the Claymore, and all you need to do is dump two more attribute points into strength!

Stat	Strength	Dexterity	Intelligence	Faith
Requirement	16	13	–	–
Scaling	E	D	–	–

Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Claymore comes with a natural scaling of D in strength and dexterity, much like the previous Banshed Knight’s Greatsword. However, where it differs from the Banished armament is its versatility with regards to build fitting. While you can go for a pure strength, dexterity or quality build based on its natural scalings, you can also opt for an auxiliary build.

The Claymore, at +25, achieves a C-scaling in both strength and dexterity as well as a D scaling in arcane with both poison and bleed ashes of war. On the other hand, it achieves a C-scaling in both strength and intelligence and a D scaling in dexterity with cold ashes of war. You’ll rarely find such flexibility on any greatsword on this list of Elden Ring Best Greatswords.

Weapon Art and Location

The Claymore, being the unique greatsword that it is, also features its own weapon art, Lion’s Claw. Upon activation, your player, similar to the Redmanes of General Radahn will leap forward and slam down on your enemy, much like a somersault.

Although this weapon art exists as an ash of war, it only naturally occurs on the Claymore. This powerful weapon art costs 20 FP, and I would recommend against changing it. Last but not least, the Claymore can be obtained from Castle Morne in the south end of the Weeping Peninsula – you’ll find it in a chest in one of the northern buildings of the castle.

Mararis Executioner’s Sword

We finally arrive at what is undisputedly the best greatsword to have been discovered in Elden Ring thus far – the Marais Executioner’s Sword, one of the legendary armaments. Furthermore, it is the only greatsword on this list of Elden Ring Best Greatswords that actually features arcane as a stat requirement. Overall, it demands its wielders to approach it with 24 strength, 14 dexterity, and 23 arcane in order to properly use.

Therefore, I recommend Wretch as your starting class in Elden Ring because it starts with 10 strength, 10 dexterity, and 10 arcane, a solid headstart. But if you’re not a fan of the Wretch’s starting kit, you may opt for Bandit instead as it is the second-best class to use in this regard (9 strength, 13 dexterity, and 14 arcane).

Upgrade and Build Affinity

The Marais Executioner’s Sword comes with a natural scaling of C in strength, E in dexterity, and D in arcane, something you will only witness on this specific weapon in the greatsword class. Moreover, these scalings can only be improved through reinforcement via Somber Smithing Stones which upgrade their corresponding weapons to up to +10. Unfortunately, this is the only upgradability that this greatsword is capable of as it does not allow for any ash of war to be infused with it, lacking in versatility.

However, on the bright side, it achieves some pretty high physical and magic damage values at +10 as well as a decent scaling in strength and arcane, meaning you can fit it onto a pure strength or a strength-arcane hybrid build, the first and last this list will ever see.

Weapon Art and Location

The Marais Executioner’s Sword comes with a one-of-a-kind weapon art known as Eochaid’s Dancing Blade, which only costs 15 FP to activate. Your player will imbue the greatsword with magical energy upon activation before flinging it towards your enemy, inflicting consistent damage in a spinning motion.

What’s more is that this weapon art is chargeable, meaning that if you hold down L2/LT before flinging, the attack will have additional reach and duration. Lastly, the Marais Executioner’s Sword is dropped from Elemer of the Briar, a Great Enemy tier optional boss that is found in the Shaded Castle Inner Gate. While it is a tough foe to beat, its reward makes it absolutely worth it, no doubt!