The katana has always been a staple weapon in FromSoftware RPGs like Demon Souls or the Dark Souls series, and it's no surprise that they continued the trend in Elden Ring. It is not an exaggeration to say that many of the katanas in Elden Ring are the ultimate weapons that can help you throughout the game. With unique abilities and hack and slash gameplay, katanas are amazing weapons that will really make you want to tear your opponents to pieces. Join me as we take a look at the eight best katanas in the entire Elden Ring.
8. Uchigatana (preferably with a Dexterity or Strength build)
Location of Uchigatana
The Uchigatana is definitely the easiest katana you'll find in Elden Ring, but it's certainly not a bad weapon. The beauty of this katana is that it can be found in the catacombs of those touched by death early on or you can start with it as the first weapon in the samurai class. This weapon can also be infused with your favorite War Ashes. With its damage and the fact that you can reload it with Ashes of War, the Uchigatana is a weapon that can help you throughout the game.
Like most katanas, the uchigatana inflicts blood loss on its opponents, but it has an ability called "Reveal". With Unsheth, the player can sheath their sword and launch a basic or powerful slash at their opponents. A simple yet effective weapon, the Uchigatana is definitely a viable option for players. Unfortunately, it lacks the uniqueness and style of the other weapons further down the list, but I recommend using it until you find a better one that you like.
The good of Uchigatana
- It can be enriched with your favorite war ashes.
- You can place power with other katanas.
- It comes with the ability to retreat (a light attack deals 15 balance damage and a heavy attack deals 30 balance damage).
- causing blood loss
How to get the Uchigatana
- Starting weapon for the Samurai class
- Go to the death-touched catacombs in Limgrave
- Move the lever down and go through the previously locked door into another hallway.
- The uchigatana will be on a corpse hanging on the edge of the platform.
All the details about Uchigatana:Ring of Elden Wiki![[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.gamersdecide.com/sites/default/files/authors/u161140/top8katana-uchigatana-article5.jpg "[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (3)")
An image of a player performing the Uchigatana
7. Nagakiba (preferably with a Dex version)
Lage de Nagakiba
Like the uchigatana, the nagakiba is a very common katana compared to many on this list. Can be infused with your favorite ashes of war and inflicts blood loss. In addition to the ability called "Piercing Fang", which is an unblockable stab, Nagakiba is widely used.
One difference that may interest some players is Nagakiba's range. Compared to katanas like the uchigatana, the nagakiba is quite long and gives you a bit more reach to finish off enemies. This makes it very useful when it comes to PvP situations, as its length allows it to roll around and trap opponents. I recommend trying this weapon out, but you'll probably find the katanas further down the list to be much more effective.
The good of Nagakiba
- It can be enriched with your favorite war ashes.
- It has a unique R2 attack that hits very far due to Nagakiba's long range.
- He comes equipped with the Fang Ash of War piercing, which allows you to perform an unblockable Piercing Strike.
How to get to Nagakiba
- This weapon drops from Bloody Finger Hunter Yura
- Kill Yura at his camp near the Seaside Ruins free location or follow his quest line
All the details about Nagakiba:Ring of Elden Wiki![[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.gamersdecide.com/sites/default/files/authors/u161140/top8katana-nagakiba-article5.jpg "[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (6)")
An image of a player with Nagakiba
6. Dragonscale Blade (preferably with a Dex build)
Dragon Scale Blade Location
Unlike the previous two weapons, Dragonscale Blade is not an ordinary katana. Of course, like most katanas, Dragonscale Blade mostly scales with Dex, but it doesn't cause blood loss. Instead, Dragonscale Blade has a unique ability called Frostbolt Storm, which when activated shoots a bolt of lightning directly in front of you, imbuing your blade with ice. The frost build is as fast as the blood loss build of many common katanas and will slow down enemies.
This weapon is a bit hard to get, as you have to take on a Dragon Kin soldier in the Lake of Rot to get the Dragonscale Blade. A fight with magic shouldn't be that hard, but if you play without magic, this fight will end up being a bit more difficult for you. Overall, this weapon is great for PvE due to the intense ice buildup and damage it deals to bosses and other enemies. In PvP, this katana is a bit slow with its special ability. If you can't take it out in combat, your katana has no passive builds at all, which is an extreme disadvantage.
What's so good about the dragon scale sword?
- It comes with the Ice Lightning Storm ability that summons lightning at your feet and infuses your weapon with ice.
- This weapon deals 10% extra damage to Ancient Dragons and 20% extra damage to Normal Dragons.
How to get the dragon scale blade
- Go to the Nokstella Waterfall Basin Bounty location and head southwest until you reach an elevator (it should be in the area where the evil shadow spawned).
- From there you have to get to Lago da Rot
- Inside the Lake of Rot in the southern area you will find a Dragonkin Soldier
- Defeating the Dragonkin Soldier will reward you with Dragonscale Blade
All details about Dragonscale Blade:Ring of Elden Wiki![[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (9)](https://i0.wp.com/www.gamersdecide.com/sites/default/files/authors/u161140/top8katana-dragonscaleblade-article5.jpg "[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (9)")
An image of Dragonscale Blade
5. Serpentbone Blade (preferably with a Dex build)
snake bone blade position
Like the Dragonscale Blade, the Serpentbone Blade achieves a B in Dexterity and inflicts no blood loss. Instead, it causes a buildup of deadly poison. Deadly Poison lasts one third as long as normal poison, but deals double damage per tick. You can easily find this katana by completing some assassination quests given to you by Lady Tanith in Volcano Manor.
This weapon shines in both PvE and PvP due to its buildup of poison. Deadly poison is particularly effective on bosses and deals a lot of damage very quickly. Although it contains less poison than normal, it is processed very quickly, making it an even greater threat than if it just caused normal poison to build up. Similarly, in PvP, this effect will quickly drain your opponents' health, and unless you give them time to reverse the effect, you'll have the advantage in combat.
What's so good about Serpentbone Blade?
- Causes buildup of deadly poison.
- It features an R2 double stab technique, and when pressed once, the R2 ability activates talismans that increase damage for consecutive attacks.
How to get the snake bone blade
- Go to Volcano Manner and accept Tanith's invitation to become Bloody Finger.
- He will then send you on a raid and kill the spotted guy.
- After completing the order for the second card, you will receive the Serpent Bone Blade
Full details about Serpentbone Blade:Ring of Elden Wiki![[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (12)](https://i0.wp.com/www.gamersdecide.com/sites/default/files/authors/u161140/top8katana-dragonboneblade-article5.jpg "[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (12)")
An image of a player holding the Serpent Bone Sword
4. Meteoric Ore Blade (best to use with a Strength or Intelligence build)
Meteoric Ore Blade Location
The Meteoric Ore Blade is one of two katanas I recommend for casters. When fully upgraded, this katana scores a C for both Strength and Intelligence, making it a good weapon for any power caster. This weapon causes blood loss like many katanas, but differs in both its R2 attack and special ability.
Meteoric Ore Blade's special ability called "Gravitas" damages and stuns enemies while pulling them back. This allows you to land a few hits on enemies that were previously out of range. In addition to its special ability, the Meteoric Ore Blade also has a powerful downward slash for an R2 attack, as opposed to the normal thrust of most katanas. In general, this weapon is perfect for PvE situations, but other katanas on the list are probably more useful in PvP situations.
Das Tolle an Meteoric Ore Blade
- intelligence scale
- causing blood loss
- It comes with the Gravitas ability that pulls in enemies while dealing damage to them.
How to get the Meteoric Oreblade?
- Head to the Caelid Landmark Ruins, located on the southwestern edge of Caelid
- In the northwestern part of the ruins is an underground area filled with tombs and enemy shrimp.
- Head to the back of this area and open a chest containing the Meteoric Ore Blade.
All the details about Meteoric Ore Blade:Ring of Elden Wiki![[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (15)](https://i0.wp.com/www.gamersdecide.com/sites/default/files/authors/u161140/top8katanas-meteoricoreblade-article5.jpg "[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (15)")
An image of the Meteor Ore Blade
3. Malenia's hand (preferably with a Dex version)
Malenia's Hand Location
The Hand of Malenia is a very late-breaking weapon that can only be obtained after killing Malenia. I would recommend taking it for NG+ as it is a very powerful katana. Malenia's Hand is not much stronger than other katanas in terms of physical attacks, and unsurprisingly, this weapon inflicts blood loss on its opponents. This weapon would probably be much higher on the list, but its signature is absolutely insane.
The Hand of Malenia features the Dance of the Waterfowl ability, which allows players to leap into the air and unleash a barrage of blows at the enemy. Repeat input allows up to two consecutive bursts. This ability is amazing in both PvE and PvP if you use it correctly due to its base damage and fast blood loss rate. Anyone who has fought Malenia will know how painful this moveset is because it is identical to the one she uses to shoot most players. If you can master the rhythm of the waterfowl dance, you become extremely dangerous to anything that gets in your way.
What good is Malenia's hand?
- causing blood loss
- Malenia's Hand has the Dance of the Waterfowl ability, which allows you to leap into the air and pounce on your opponent, unleashing a barrage of slashes with up to two consecutive attacks on repeat entry.
How to get Malenia's hand
- Drive to Haligtree and go through the whole area.
- Once you reach the Haligtree Roots bounty location, go down the ladder directly in front of you and you will reach their boss fight.
- Defeat Malenia and exchange her souvenir for Malenia's Hand
All the details about the Hand of Malenia:Ring of Elden Wiki![[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (18)](https://i0.wp.com/www.gamersdecide.com/sites/default/files/authors/u161140/top8katana-handofmalenia-article5.jpg "[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (18)")
An image of a player using the Hand of Malenia's Waterfowl Dance ability
2. Moon Veil (best with a Dex and Intelligence build)
moon veil location
Similar to the Meteoric Ore Blade, this weapon is perfect for casters looking for a good intelligence-based katana. As usual, this katana causes blood loss, but the base damage of this weapon is a big part of why it deserves to be the number two katana. When fully upgraded, Moon Veil deals just under 500 damage, which is well above most other katanas on this list. Even more impressive than the damage is Moonveil's special ability called Transient Moonlight.
With this Transient Moonlight, the player sheaths their sword and performs a basic slash that fires a short-range horizontal wave of light, or a heavy attack that emits a long-range vertical light wave. This ability deals a lot of damage to enemies, and the vertical slash can stun most mid-level enemies. If you wait until the enemy is directly overhead, hit them with your sword and the wave of light, dealing even more damage to your opponent.
Das Tolle an Moonveil
- It has an ability called Transient Moonlight that allows you to sheath your sword and emit two different waves of light depending on which attack you choose.
- causing blood loss
how to get moon veil
- Head to Caelid and the Gael Tunnel in the cliffs on the western edge of Caelid
- Fight your way through the Gael Tunnel and kill the Magma Wyrm boss.
- If you kill the Magma Wyrm, you will get the Moon Veil Katana.
All the details about Moonveil:Ring of Elden Wiki![[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (21)](https://i0.wp.com/www.gamersdecide.com/sites/default/files/authors/u161140/top8katanas-moonveil-article5.jpg "[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (21)")
An image of a player using Moonveil's Transient Moonlight ability
1. Rivers of Blood (preferably with a bleed or build)
location of the rivers of blood
What else could claim the number one katana title other than The Rivers of Blood? This weapon is simply amazing and is even considered the weapon with the highest blood loss in the game. The Rivers of Blood katana deals physical and fire damage while passively inflicting blood loss like most katanas. In terms of base damage, Rivers of Blood doesn't beat many of the other katanas, only coming in at around 350.
However, the damage from his basic attacks doesn't matter much if you mainly use his crazy special ability called "Corpse Piler", which allows the player to unleash up to six blood attacks in a row, well beyond the range of the katana. By the end of these attacks, you will have bled your target at least once, and the moveset will stun most low to medium level enemies. As one of the best weapons and katanas in the game, this weapon is a must have for all players as it excels in both PvP and PvE.
What's so good about Rivers of Blood?
- Deals physical and fire damage.
- causing blood loss
- The Corpse Stacker's signature ability allows players to perform up to six attacks in a row using cursed blood (deals physical and fire damage and causes more accumulated blood loss than indicated on the weapon).
How to get rivers of blood
- Climb to the top of the Giant Mountains and head to the Church of Tranquility
- Once you arrive, you will be ambushed by the Bloody Okina Finger.
- Kill Okina to get the Rivers of Blood katana.
All the details about the Rivers of Blood:Ring of Elden Wiki![[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (24)](https://i0.wp.com/www.gamersdecide.com/sites/default/files/authors/u161140/top8katana-riversofblood-article5.jpg "[Top 8] Best Elden Ring Katanas That Are Powerful (Ranked) (24)")
An image of the Rivers of Blood location
You may also be interested in:
- Elden Ring Best Dual Weapon Weapons
- The best shields in Elden Ring and how to get them
- The best Elden Ring souvenirs and how to get them
- Elden Ring Best Dex Weapons
- Elden Ring Best Bleeding Weapons
FAQs
What is the highest damage katana in Elden Ring? ›
Like most katanas, the Uchigatana also inflicts bleed build-up (or Hemorrhage). Combine this with the blade's quick strikes and the fact the majority of enemies and bosses in Elden Ring are weak to bleed, and you've easily got yourself one of the deadliest weapons in the game.
What is the best katanas in Elden Ring? ›The Rivers of Blood Katana is considered to be one of Elden Ring's deadliest Katana. This S Tier weapon has a reputation for slicing down enemies with brutality. Rivers of Blood is the only Katana that is mostly based on Arcane, Strength, and Dexterity. E, D, and D are the ratings for this katana.
What's the most powerful weapon in Elden Ring? ›- Moonveil.
- Banished Knight's Halberd.
- Reduvia.
- Cipher Pata.
- Bloodhound's Fang.
- Grafted Blade Greatsword.
- Dark Moon Greatsword.
- Sword of Night and Flame.
- Vigor: 12.
- Mind: 11.
- Endurance: 13.
- Strength: 12.
- Dexterity: 15.
- Intelligence: 9.
- Faith: 8.
- Arcane: 8.
Best early to mid-game curved sword in Elden Ring - Magma Blade. The Magma Blade is one of Elden Ring's best swords period, curved or not. It deals heavy damage to begin with, and its unique skill slashes while spewing magma, which is enough to even make short work of bosses. The trouble is you have to grind to get it.
Which Uchigatana is better Elden Ring? ›Uchigatana: Surprisingly, the starter Uchigatana is arguably the best katana in the entire game. It's quick, light, and, like other katanas stacks Bleed—which tends to dispatch bosses relatively quickly.
What is the best katana? ›- O-Kissaki Deep Sori Shinogi-Zukuri Handmade Clay Tempered 1095 Steel Samurai Katana Sword - $869.99.
- Gyaku-Kobuse Clay Tempered 1095 High Carbon Steel + Folded Steel Samurai Katana Sword - $740.00.
In Elden Ring, no Intelligence/Dexterity hybrid is complete without the Moonveil Katana, arguably the best Int-based weapon in Elden Ring.
What is the most broken sword in Elden Ring? ›While any weapon in Elden Ring can eventually be turned into something truly powerful, I think the Sword of Night and Flame might just be the most “broken” weapon in the game at the moment. This sword's incredible ability allows you to unleash either a sweeping fire attack or a devastating magic beam.
What are the fastest swords in Elden Ring? ›Reduvia (Dagger)
Daggers in Elden Ring can be somewhat tricky to use effectively. While they are the fastest blade weapons, they tend to lack the range and attack power of other melee options. That said, daggers can still deal quick damage with the right build and land an effective backstab for big damage.
Where is Moonveil katana? ›
Moonveil can be obtained by defeating the boss at the end of the dungeon Gael Tunnel, which is located in Eastern Limgrave right on the border of Caelid.
Is Wakizashi good Elden Ring? ›The Wakizashi is the dagger version of Elden Ring's Katana and is a great weapon for both dual-wielders and any kind of Dexterity build.
How do I get Nagakiba? ›The quickest way to get the weapon is to kill Yura, who will drop the sword upon his death. You can first find him under some rubble to the south of Agheel Lake. For those who don't want to kill him in cold blood, you are also able to get the Nagakiba by completing Yura's questline.
Is Samurai good in Elden Ring? ›The samurai class also has high dexterity, endurance, and strength. These features make it a perfect starting class for both veterans and new players. If you decide to go for the Samurai build in Elden Ring, you will start the game at level 9. You will also have access to different weapons from the start of the game.
What are the 8 katanas in Elden Ring? ›- 8/8 Uchigatana.
- 7/8 Nagakiba.
- 6/8 Moonveil Katana.
- 5/8 Serpentbone Blade.
- 4/8 Meteoric Ore Blade Katana.
- 3/8 Dragonscale Blade.
- 2/8 Rivers Of Blood Katana.
- 1/8 Hand Of Malenia.
Uchigatana is the bread and butter of dex weapons in the game. This weapon is very simple as it is quite fast in terms of attack speed, provides a bleed status effect and can cause hemmorrhage. The weapon is very easy to obtain.
Is upgrading Uchigatana worth it? ›Although it has low base damage when compared to the other katanas, the Hiltless and the Magic Sword "Makoto", the Uchigatana has potentially better scaling when upgraded down the various upgrade paths, making it the best katana to use for higher level dexterity builds.
Is blood Uchigatana good? ›Worth it. Bleed is effective on so many bosses and foes. Yes, blood does a 10% hit per proc.It is unrivaled by anything else except maybe magic.
What are the 3 katanas? ›Tachi, Katana: over 60.6 cm (more than two shaku) Wakizashi: between 30.3 and 60.6 cm (between one and two shaku) Tantō, Aikuchi: under 30.3 cm (less than one shaku)
What is the deadliest katana? ›There are still Masamune blades in existence today with the most infamous perhaps being the Honjō Masamune katana. Passed from shōgun to shōgun throughout the centuries, the blade eventually ended up in the hands of its final owner Tokugawa Iemasa.
Which katana is the strongest? ›
Many will point to the Meteoric Ore Blade as the most powerful Katana because it deals marginally higher damage, but there's a reason the Moonveil Katana is slightly better.
What is the best legendary sword in Elden Ring? ›The best weapon in Elden Ring for Strength/Intelligence builds is the Starscourge Greatsword. Not only does this weapon deal incredible physical damage, but its weapon art also allows the user to pull enemies in with gravity magic, then perform a devastating magic attack.
What is the second best katana in Elden Ring? ›The Rivers of Blood Katana is the second most popular sword in the Elden Ring community. According to several players on Reddit, if any sword deserves a nerf for fair play, it is the Rivers of Blood. This sword is so strong that it quickly drains a chunk from your enemy's health bar with a bleeding effect.
Is rivers of blood the best Katana Elden Ring? ›The Rivers of Blood katana is the best sword for a bleed build, either two-handed or dual wielded with another katana. For the first half of the game you'll likely be making do with the Uchigatana, which you can find in Limgrave (or start with if you pick the samurai class).
Is Uchigatana worth upgrading Elden Ring? ›The Uchigatana is the first and simplest of the katana weapons in Elden Ring, but it's tremendously powerful in its own right. This weapon has become the go-to early-game blade for many an Elden Ring player.
Is quality Uchigatana good Elden Ring? ›2/14 Uchigatana
It's no secret that Katanas in Elden Ring were sprinkled with a dash of favoritism, as most of them are overpowered or simply well-balanced compared to other weapons. The Uchigatana is no exception. In fact, it's quite possibly the most powerful starting weapon in the game.
4) Uchigatana
This is perhaps one of the most trustworthy weapons to use till the very late game. Apart from the fact that the weapon has the bleed status effect as passive, the weapon is extremely fast. There are some really good Ashes of War to pair with it as well, to make it even stronger.
Weapons. Of all the katanas in the game, the Uchigatana, Nagakiba, and Hand Of Malenia are the best for pure Dexterity builds. The Uchigatana is a starting weapon, with a second obtainable within minutes of starting the game. This is a fantastic weapon, arguably one of the best in the entire game.