Elden Ring: Get the Best Somber Weapons for Early & Mid-Game

Elden Ring, a game where even the trees might kill you if you’re not careful. But fear not, Tarnished! Whether you’re taking your first tentative steps into the Lands Between or you’re a hardened veteran, we’re about to explore some of the most powerful special armaments you can find.

While regular weapons offer flexibility with interchangeable Ashes of War, they also demand a whopping 12 regular Smithing Stones per 3 upgrade levels. Somber weapons, on the other hand, need just one Somber Stone per level and come with unique skills that can’t be found elsewhere – from devastating blood attacks and holy explosions to gravity-bending slams and moonlight beams. These special weapons, hidden in crumbling ruins, guarded by overzealous bosses, or casually chilling in a chest you’ve sprinted past 12 times, are your ticket to turning “You Died” into “Enemy Felled.” Let’s dive into the best early and mid-game Somber weapons that’ll make your playthrough feel less like a masochistic slog and more like the power fantasy you deserve.

Early Game Somber Weapons (Limgrave, Weeping Peninsula, Caelid outskirts)

The early game areas might feel overwhelming at first, but they’re packed with powerful Somber weapons just waiting to be discovered. From Limgrave’s rolling plains to the gloomy shores of the Weeping Peninsula, and even the scarlet-rotted edges of Caelid, here are the special armaments worth risking life and limb for. Each of these weapons can carry you well into the mid-game, and some might even become your trusted companion all the way to the Elden Throne.

Bloodhound’s Fang

Location: Defeat Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in Limgrave’s Forlorn Hound Evergaol – dont’t forget, that you can summon Blaidd to help you fight Darriwil for an easy victory.
Stats: STR/DEX scaling, innate bleed.
Requirements: STR 18, DEX 17
Skill: Bloodhound’s Finesse (perform an upward slash followed by a backward somersault, with the option to follow up with a powerful dash attack).
Why: This curved greatsword hits like a truck, bleeds like a horror movie, and lets you teleport-dodge like a anime protagonist with its skill, Bloodhound’s Finesse. Perfect for Quality builds who want to style on enemies while they die.

Reduvia (Dagger)

Location: Drops from Bloody Finger Nerijus in Limgrave (invasion near Murkwater Cave).
Stats: ARC/DEX scaling, rapid bleed.
Requirements: STR 5, DEX 13, ARC 13
Skill: Reduvia Blood Blade (ranged blood slash).
Why: This little guy spams blood blades like it’s auditioning for Bloodborne 2. Pair it with a shield and watch bosses melt from bleed buildup while you cackle.

Golden Halberd

Location: Drops from the Tree Sentinel in Limgrave.
Stats: STR/FAI scaling, holy damage.
Requirements: STR 30, DEX 14, FAI 12
Skill: Golden Vow (buff attack/defense).
Why: Requires 30 Strength (yikes), but holy damage go BRRRR. Also comes with Golden Vow, a buff that’ll make you feel like a Paladin who just discovered protein shakes. Unfortunately that Tree Sentinel is an early game bully and not easy to come by.

Winged Scythe

Location: Chest in Tombsward Ruins (Weeping Peninsula).
Stats: FAI scaling, holy damage, bleed.
Requirements: STR 16, DEX 16, FAI 24
Skill: Angel’s Wings (leap attack with holy energy).
Why: Faith builds, rejoice! This scythe deals holy damage, inflicts bleed, and its Angel’s Wings skill lets you yeet yourself at enemies like a vengeant choirboy. Bonus: It stops PvP healers, which is just chef’s kiss.

Icerind Hatchet

Location: Chest in Temple Quarter (Liurnia, near Raya Lucaria).
Stats: STR/DEX scaling, frostbite.
Requirements: STR 11, DEX 16
Skill: Hoarfrost Stomp (AOE frost wave, post-nerf but still viable).
Why: Easy to grab, Frostbite + Hoarfrost Stomp = crowd control for days. Post-nerf? Still slaps, because nothing says ‘chill out’ like freezing your enemies solid before smashing them to bits!

Grafted Blade Greatsword

Location: Defeat Leonine Misbegotten in Castle Morne (Weeping Peninsula).
Stats: STR scaling (40 STR required).
Requirements: STR 40
Skill: Oath of Vengeance (temporary stat boost).
Why: It’s a BIG SWORD that buffs ALL YOUR STATS. If you’ve got 40 Strength lying around, this thing turns you into a walking middle finger to difficulty – if you two-hand it 27 Strength is sufficient.

Mid-Game Somber Weapons (Liurnia, Altus Plateau, Caelid, Mt. Gelmir)

Ready to step up your game? These mid-game regions house some of Elden Ring’s most sought-after Somber weapons. Whether you’re exploring Liurnia’s magical academy, braving Caelid’s wasteland, or scaling the heights of Altus Plateau and Mt. Gelmir, these special armaments are worth the journey.

Moonveil Katana

Location: Defeat Magma Wyrm in Gael Tunnel (Caelid).
Stats: INT/DEX scaling, bleed.
Requirements: STR 12, DEX 18, INT 23
Skill: Transient Moonlight (magic projectile slash).
Why: The ultimate INT/DEX weapon. Its Transient Moonlight skill shoots magic slashes faster than a Malenia simp can say “waterfowl dance.”
Once inside the DLC, claim Rellana’s Cameo, and you’ll transform into an almost invincible powerhouse (you can find the “The Moonveil Katana Redemption Build” in our post “New Best Fun Builds – Part III: It’s All About Katanas” if you want to give it a go).

Sword of Night and Flame

Location: Caria Manor (Liurnia), in a locked room.
Stats: INT/FAI scaling.
Requirements: STR 12, DEX 12, INT 24, FAI 24
Skill: Night-and-Flame Stance (comet Azur or flame sweep).
Why: Pre-nerf, this thing was broken. Now? Still a hybrid INT/FAI beast that shoots lasers and fire waves. Perfect for players who can’t decide between Gandalf and a pyromaniac.

Carian Knight’s Sword

Location: North of the Foot of the Four Belfries site of grace (Liurnia), in a wagon.
Stats: INT scaling.
Requirements: STR 10, DEX 10, INT 18
Skill: Carian Grandeur (charged magic slash).
Why: A magic lightsaber with Carian Grandeur, a charged attack that turns you into a budget Morgott. Glintstone nerds, assemble! It blends elegant swordplay with magic, letting you unleash dazzling slashes on your foes!

Godslayer’s Greatsword

Location: Caelid Divine Tower (after defeating Godskin Apostle).
Stats: DEX/FAI scaling, fire damage.
Requirements: STR 20, DEX 22, FAI 20
Skill: The Queen’s Black Flame (AOE black flame sweep).
Why: A colossal sword that swings faster than your dad’s belt. Its black flame skill (The Queen’s Black Flame) coats the blade in dark fire, melts health bars and it looks edgier than a Hot Topic sale.

Meteoric Ore Blade

Location: Found in the Caelid Waypoint Ruins, located in southern Caelid, inside a chest.
Stats: STR/INT scaling, gravity skill.
Requirements: STR 15, DEX 14, INT 18
Skill: Gravitas (pull enemies into AOE).
Why: Gravity magic + bleed + samurai vibes. The Meteoric Ore Blade isn’t just a katana—it’s a statement. High damage, stagger potential, and a badass Gravity Ash of War (Gravitas) make it perfect for slicing through foes like a true cosmic warrior.

Death’s Poker (Greatsword)

Location: Defeat Death Rite Bird in Caelid (nighttime, near Southern Aeonia Swamp).
Stats: INT/DEX scaling, frostbite.
Requirements: STR 15, DEX 17
Skill: Ghostflame Ignition (explosive frost/ghostflame AOE).
Why: Its Ghostflame Ignition skill turns enemies into frostbitten popsicles. It’s like the Fourth of July, but with more screaming. Setting the battlefield on ghostly blue fire while striking down enemies like a spectral reaper is just too cool to pass up!

Blasphemous Blade

Location: Defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy in Volcano Manor (Mt. Gelmir), then trade his Remembrance.
Stats: STR/FAI scaling with solid base damage.
Requirements: STR 22, DEX 15, FAI 21
Skill: Taker’s Flames (launches a wave of fire that heals you on hit).
Why: The Swiss Army knife of greatswords. Hits hard, heals you with both its skill and regular attacks, and the fire wave staggers most enemies while cooking them medium-rare. Probably the most reliable weapon for both exploration and boss fights in the mid-game.

These weapons cater to diverse builds (STR, DEX, INT, FAI) and can carry you through the mid-game with proper upgrades. Prioritize ones that align with your playstyle!

Overall Ratings

To help you decide which weapon suits your playstyle best, let’s break down how these weapons stack up in terms of power, utility, and overall effectiveness.

Bloodhound’s Fang: 9/10
- One of the best melee weapons with bleed, great throughout the game.
Reduvia (Dagger): 8.5/10
- A top-tier Bleed dagger with ranged Blood Blade attacks, great for Arcane builds but lacks raw damage and reach.
Golden Halberd: 8.5/10
- A powerful Strength/Faith halberd with high damage and Golden Vow buffs, but it’s heavy and slow.
Winged Scythe: 8/10
- Dex/Faith scythe with Bleed and anti-heal, strong early but Holy damage weakens in late-game.
Icerind Hatchet: 8.5/10
- A fast Frost weapon with Hoarfrost Stomp, great early but Frostbite-resistant bosses limit its use.
Grafted Blade Greatsword: 8/10
- A massive Strength sword with high damage and Oath of Vengeance buffs, but requires 40 STR and is very heavy.
Moonveil Katana: 9.5/10
- One of the best Intelligence weapons, amazing for stagger, speed, and magic damage.
Sword of Night and Flame: 8.5/10
- Hybrid INT/FAI weapon, great despite nerfs.
Carian Knight’s Sword: 7.5/10
- A solid INT-based melee weapon, but overshadowed by better magic swords.
Godslayer’s Greatsword: 9/10
- Excellent for Faith builds, Black Flame deals high damage over time.
Meteoric Ore Blade: 8/10
- Good for STR/INT hybrid builds, but lacks reach compared to Moonveil.
Death’s Poker: 8/10
- Great for Frost-based AoE attacks, but slow activation limits its effectiveness.
Blasphemous Blade: 9.5/10
- One of the best Faith weapons, great sustain and strong fire damage.

Tips for Collecting

Early Game Focus: Bloodhound’s Fang and Winged Scythe are standout choices due to low stat requirements and high payoff.
Mid-Game Transition: Moonveil and Sword of Night and Flame scale well into late game – and don’t you dare to forget the Blasphemous Blade on the shortlist.
Stat Check: Some weapons (e.g., Golden Halberd, Grafted Blade) require heavy stat investment—plan your build accordingly and think about two-handing the weapon.
Boss Prep: Many weapons require defeating bosses (e.g., Magma Wyrm for Moonveil), so upgrade your gear first.
Somber Smithing Stones: Check out the interactive Elden Ring Map to find out the locations of all Somber Smithing Stones in Elden Ring (select “HIDE ALL” and then “SMITHING STONE”). For an optimized route, you can also look into our article The Ultimate Somber Smithing Stone Highway to +9 Power.

Pro Tips for Aspiring Lords of Chaos

Don’t Spread Stats Thin: Focus on scaling stats for your chosen weapon. Trying to wield the Golden Halberd with 10 Strength? Don’t.
Upgrade, Upgrade, Upgrade: Somber Stones are rare early on. Invest in 1-2 weapons you love.
Boss Cheese: If a weapon requires killing a tough boss (looking at you, Godskin Apostle), summon help or use sleep pots. No shame here.

So there you have it, Tarnished! Whether you’re cleaving through Limgrave with a scythe or blasting lasers in Liurnia, these Somber weapons will turn you from “struggle bus passenger” to “Elden Lord candidate” in no time. Now go forth—and try not to get hugged by a Fingercreeper. 🗡️🔥

Got a favorite Somber weapon we missed? Rant about it in the comments! (But be nice, or Patches will steal your runes.)

Found this guide helpful? There’s plenty more where that came from! Dive into our other Elden Ring Guides & Tips to discover everything from boss strategies to hidden treasures.