Straight swords have always been a staple in FromSoftware‘s Soulsborne titles, providing a balanced mix of speed, range and damage. This holds true for Elden Ring as well, with over 15 different straight swords to choose from.
As an avid Elden Ring player with over 500 hours invested, I‘ve tested all these weapons extensively to determine the top 10 straight swords that outclass the rest. Whether you‘re looking for raw damage, unique weapon skills, early game viability or late game power, this list has got you covered.
What Makes Straight Swords So Good in Elden Ring?
Before jumping into the weapons themselves, it‘s important to understand what gives straight swords an edge over other melee weapons in Elden Ring.
Speed and Combo Potential
Straight swords are extremely fast, allowing you to get multiple hits in before the enemy can react. Their movesets also enable excellent combo potential, chaining light and heavy attacks seamlessly. This makes them exceptional at inflicting status effects like bleed, frost or scarlet rot.
Range and Versatility
Despite being one-handed weapons, straight swords have better range than most. Their movesets allow both slash and thrust attacks for tackling different situations. Many of them also come with unique weapon skills that enhance their versatility.
Low Stat Investment
Most straight swords in Elden Ring only need modest attribute investment to wield effectively. This enables them to shine early game before players have dozen of levels under their belt. Their relatively low weight also keeps equip load manageable.
Infusion and Upgrade Potential
A major advantage is that most straight swords allow Ash of War infusions. This lets you customize them by adding effects like bleed, frost or magic damage. Their upgrades only require regular smithing stones which are abundantly available.
Now that you understand why they make such excellent weapons in Elden Ring, let‘s look at the top 10 picks and what makes each one amazing.
1. Lordsworn‘s Straight Sword
Obtainable: Very early (Gatefront Ruins)
Scaling: D/D Strength/Dexterity
Weapon Skill: Square Off
True to its name, this straight sword wielded by Godrick soldiers is an ideal starting weapon for new characters. With only 10 strength and dexterity required, most starting classes can wield this sword right from the get go.
It has no major weaknesses, performs well under infusion, and the Square Off skill allows a nice thrust attack from a low stance. Overall, a superb straight sword till mid game that performs well under infusion.
Verdict: Simple, effective and easy to obtain. The best early game straight sword.
2. Broadsword
Obtainable: Extremely early (Gatefront Ruins)
Scaling: D/D Strength/Dexterity
Weapon Skill: Square Off
Nearly identical to Lordsworn‘s Straight Sword, the Broadsword can be picked up just outside the Stranded Graveyard. With the same stat requirement of 10 strength and dexterity each, this sword proves a mainstay for early to mid game.
It shares the highly effective Square Off skill, works great with infusions and can be buffed with spells/incantations for additional damage. Being lighter allows you to attack faster at the cost of slightly lower base damage.
Verdict: Slightly weaker than Lordsworn‘s but lighter. A top pick for faster attacking builds.
3. Rogier‘s Rapier
Obtainable: Very early (Stormveil Castle)
Scaling: D/D Strength/Dexterity
Weapon Skill: Glintblade Phalanx
While technically more of a thrusting sword than a straight sword, Rogier‘s Rapier plays very similar to straight swords with slightly better critical damage. It can be obtained by rescuing Sorcerer Rogier in Stormveil Castle early game or purchased from the Roundtable Hold.
With the same 10/10 requirement as Lordsworn‘s Straight Sword, it works superbly on dexterity focused builds. The unique Glintblade Phalanx skill shoots multiple magic projectiles to stagger enemies from range.
Verdict: A great fusion of straight sword moveset with thrusting sword damage and range.
4. Shortsword
Obtainable: Extremely early (Gatefront Ruins)
Scaling: E/D Strength/Dexterity
Weapon Skill: Square Off
Possibly the most easily obtained straight sword, Shortswords lie all over Gatefront Ruins and can be purchased extremely cheap from merchants. Identical moveset to Broadsword but slightly shorter range, faster attacks and lower stat investment (only 6 strength needed).
With Square Off for closing gaps and an E/D scaling prioritizing dexterity, it proves one of the best sidearms for spellcasters who want a reliable melee option without heavy investment. Infuses well for auxiliary effects like frost or magic too.
Verdict: The best low investment straight sword for pure mages.
5. Coded Sword
Obtainable: Mid game (Leyndell, Royal Capital)
Scaling: None
Weapon Skill: Unblockable Blade
Here‘s where things get spicy. Coded Sword is a weapon crafted for pure faith builds, requiring only 20 faith and no other stats. It deals pure holy damage that ignores enemy resistances. Plus the Unblockable Blade skill lets you break through even fingerprint stone shield turtles in PvP.
With a respectable 137 critical rating and B faith scaling at max upgrade, Coded Sword proves one of the best sidearms for paladins and preachers wanting a fast holy damage option without compromising incantations.
Verdict: The ultimate sidearm for pure faith builds. Also a great tool against bullgoat abusers in PvP.
6. Carian Knight‘s Sword
Obtainable: Early-Mid Game (West Liurnia)
Scaling: D/D/D Strength/Dexterity/Intelligence
Weapon Skill: Carian Grandeur
Here‘s a straight sword that reinvents itself as a colossal weapon. The Carian Grandeur skill transforms this blade into a gigantic magic claymore for a short duration. Catch any boss or invader by surprise with this hard-hitting gimmick.
With mid level requirements and perfectly even scaling across strength, dexterity & intelligence, it proves one of the most versatile straight swords. Plus the natural magic damage works great with magic or cold infusions. A highly underrated and fun pick.
Verdict: One of the most unique and versatile straight swords that keeps getting better as you upgrade it.
7. Warhawk‘s Talon
Obtainable: Early game (Stormveil Castle)
Scaling: D/C Strength/Dexterity
Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
This claw-like straight sword drops from Stormveil‘s grafted hawk soldiers, packing quite a punch despite its early game availability. With native bleed buildup and great dexterity scaling, it infuses perfectly to inflict hemorrhage rapidly.
The horizontal Spinning Slash lets you catch rolls and evasive opponents in PvP while racking up massive bleed procs. Plus solid base damage with only 10 strength & 16 dexterity required makes it a great sidearm even for mages.
Verdict: The best straight sword for bleed builds early game.
8. Nobles Estoc
Obtainable: Super early (Gatefront Ruins)
Scaling: D/D Strength/Dexterity
Weapon Skill: Sword Dance
Among thrusting swords, Nobles Estoc plays almost identically to straight swords but with superior range and critical damage. It can be looted very early from a carriage in Gatefront Ruins after beating the Grafted Scion boss near Seaside Ruins.
With a 10/18 stat requirement and D strength + dexterity scaling, its moveset and reach make it better than most early straight swords for melee focused characters. The Sword Dance skill lets you spin violently to catch dodgy foes too.
Verdict: Excellent early game mix of straight sword and thrusting sword. Better than actual straight swords for pure melee builds early on.
9. Lazuli Glintstone Sword
Obtainable: Early-Mid Game (Raya Lucaria Academy)
Scaling: D/D Strength/Intelligence
Weapon Skill: Glintblade Phalanx
Here‘s a straight sword that serves as an excellent sidearm for intelligence focused spell blades and battle mages. With low requirements of 12 strength & intelligence each, the Lazuli Glintstone Sword is lootable very early on in the Raya Lucaria Academy legacy dungeon (use Stonesword keys!).
Boasting a rare D/D strength/intelligence scaling and the hard hitting Glintblade Phalanx skill, it reinforces magic focused playstyles superbly. The strong magic damage also infuses well with magic or cold for even better spell sword performance.
Verdict: The best straight sword for battle mages who want to amplify their sorceries with melee.
10. Miquellan Knight‘s Sword
Obtainable: Very late game (Haligtree)
Scaling: D/D/D Strength/Dexterity/Faith
Weapon Skill: Sacred Blade
Despite its late game availability, Miquellan Knight‘s Sword proves exceptional, particularly for melee faith builds. Found in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, it requires modest 11 strength, 11 dexterity and 16 faith to wield.
All its attributes scale equally as you upgrade, making it perfect for paladin type builds. And the Sacred Blade skill shoots a projectile that deals bonus holy damage – excellent against annoying skeletal enemies. Plus solid physical and holy damage output.
Verdict: The best pure physical holy sword for faith builds late game.
Honorable Mentions
While these didn‘t make it to the top 10, here are a few other straight swords worth noting:
- Ornamental Straight Sword – Extremely fun paired straight swords usable right from character creation
- Sword of St. Trina – Capable of inflicting the sleep status in PvE
- Regalia of Eochaid – Has a unique charged corkscrew attack
- Inseparable Sword – Another excellent pick for faith builds
- Bloodhound‘s Fang – Has weapon skill that enhances mobility
Recommended Ashes of War for Straight Swords
Here are some excellent skill customizations you can consider for swords that allow infusion:
- Royal Knight‘s Resolve – Super powerful buff for any melee build
- Bloodhound Step – Extremely strong mobility skill after the nerf
- Flame of the Redmanes – Great against enemies with high poise
- Sacred Blade – Solid holy projectile skill from Sacred affinity
- Chilling Mist – Capable of inflicting strong frost buildup
- Sword Dance – Fun multi-hit spinning skill
The Curved Swords vs Straight Swords Debate
Curved swords are also extremely popular in Elden Ring for their incredible attack speed, bleed capability and evasive movesets. They tend to have lower individual hit damage than straight swords but enable quicker successive strikes.
As such curved swords generally out damage straight swords against slower enemies you can stagger lock. But straight swords are better for poking safely from a distance and facing small fast moving foes.
It ultimately comes down to preference and playstyle – curved swords for aggressive relentless attacking and straight swords for more balanced and adaptable combat. Both are excellent in skilled hands so experiment with each type to see which jives with your combat flow.
Final Verdict: Top 3 Picks
If I had to narrow all these great straight swords down to just 3 ultimate recommendations, they would be:
Early Game: Lordsworn‘s Straight Sword
Spellblade Sidearm: Lazuli Glintstone Sword
Best in Class: Coded Sword
Lordsworn‘s brings raw physical might with excellent infusion options for early game. Lazuli amplifies sorceries powerfully for battlemage builds mid game. And Coded Sword provides a swift holy damage option for faith users that shreds late game.
And there you have it, the 10 best straight swords in Elden Ring with specialized picks for early game, spell-sword sidearms and top tier late game holy damage. No matter what your build or playstyle, equipping one of these trusty blades will serve you excellently through the game!
