As a devoted Elden Ring fan with over 250 hours of playtime, I‘ve tested every weapon class extensively. And while most players flock to the infamous Rivers of Blood or Blasphemous Blade builds, I believe whips represent one of the most underutilized and undertuned weapons available.
Properly wielding a whip requires patience, positioning, and practice. But those willing to master these intricate tools of war will unleash devastating statuses and staggering strikes from range.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my top five whip selections based on months of in-game testing and research. You‘ll discover locations, statistical comparisons, scaling breakdowns, and upgrade paths for all featured whips. I‘ll also provide actionable tips to harness the true potential of whips in both PvE and PvP combat.
Let‘s crack into it!
A Brief History of Whips in Soulsborne
Before analyzing Elden Ring‘s whips, it helps to understand the weapon‘s history within FromSoftware‘s games. Whips have recurred across the Soulsborne genre as an unconventional choice,popularized by their unique playstyle.
Whips first appeared in the Painted World of Ariamis in 2009‘s Demon‘s Souls. The "Rune" and "Blade" whip variants offered early Souls players an alternative to traditional melee options. However, their limited range and slow attack speed prevented whips from finding a true niche.
The original Dark Souls gave whips minor improvements via the Notched and Guardian Tail. Both sported slightly better reach and new special attacks to help build status effects. But restrictive stat requirements continued limiting their adopters.
In Dark Souls 2, FromSoftware doubled down by introducing five distinct whips. The most coveted was the Old Whip, dealing bleed and strong poison buildup. While good in theory, buggy hit detection and broken status values rendered even this whip mediocre.
Bloodborne and Dark Souls 3 represented a modern renaissance for whips. Newly quickened attacks, widened arcs, and deadly rapid strikes established whips as lethal in skilled hands. The Threaded Cane and Rose of Ariandel perfectly epitomized this elevated potential.
Elden Ring amalgamates past Soulsborne experiments into a definitive evolution of the whip class. Let‘s explore why I believe Elden Ring has finally made whips highly viable and downright deadly weapons when mastered.
What Makes a Top Tier Whip?
When grading Elden Ring‘s whips, I considered several critical factors based on my extensive hours of testing:
- Damage Output – Raw physical/elemental damage capabilities
- Speed – Attack animation speed and recovery time
- Range – Distance whips can effectively strike from
- Scaling – Weapon improvement via attribute leveling
- Skills – Special skills and abilities
- Passives – Innate bleed or frost accumulation
- Requirements – Attribute levels needed to wield
- Availability – How early whips can be retrieved
Based on these criteria, the following five whips represent the cream of the crop available in the Lands Between. Let‘s crack into the details!
#1 Urumi – Fastest Slicing Whip
Location: Dropped from a corpse in Elphael Brace of the Haligtree
The Urumi‘s rapid slashing perfect epitomizes the "cracking whip" fantasy. Wielders rain precise cuts upon enemies using the Urumi‘s signature bladed design. What truly elevates the Urumi is its versatile moveset blending whip strikes and impaling thrust attacks.
Compared to bulkier whips, the Urumi sports a featherweight 3 units burden. Its excellent Dexterity scaling and negligible Strength requirements also render this weapon accessible early for agile builds.
Let‘s analyze the numerical details proving the potency of Urumi‘s blistering barrages:
Attack Power:
Physical – 127
Magic – 0
Fire – 16
Lightning – 16
Holy – 16
Critical Hit – 100
Guard Penetration – 15
Weapon Skill: Kick – A standard kick that temporarily breaks enemy guard. Useful primarily in PvP.
Scaling:
Strength – E
Dexterity – C
Requirements:
Strength – 10
Dexterity – 19
In practice, I‘ve used the Urumi to annihilate difficult Crucible Knight and Misbegotten Warrior duo fights. Even bulky armor wearers fall quickly to repeated bleed buildup from the Urumi‘s versatile moveset. Swift horizontal strikes also keep groups of enemies consistently hemorrhaging HP.
If you‘re searching for a lightweight, early available whip that emphasizes nimble aggression, the Urumi is second to none.
Tip: Infuse with Occult affinity and boost Arcane to obliterate foes with rapidly accumulating bleed status!
#2 Hoslow‘s Petal Whip – Bloodletting Flora
Location: Obtained by defeating Juno Hoslow invasion in Mountaintops of the Giants
Don‘t let Hoslow‘s gorgeous gilding distract you…this decorative whip will swiftly flay adversaries with lethal bloodletting blossoms. Hundreds of micro-blades adorn each segment, delivering both rapid hemorrhaging strikes and clarifying beauty.
Hoslow‘s modest starting damage belies its true strength – achieving S tier bleed buildup at +25 upgrades. This allows the Petal Whip to shred health bars while avoiding substantial enemy defenses. Its extended reach also lets wielders evade and retaliate simultaneously.
Let‘s examine the key stats cementing this flowered flogger as an S rank choice:
Attack Power:
Physical – 226
Magic – 15
Fire – 15
Lightning – 15
Holy – 15
Critical Hit – 100
Guard Penetration – 15
Weapon Skill: Kick – Briefly breaks stance and interrupts attacks. Ideal against block turtles in PvP.
Scaling:
Strength – D
Dexterity – D
Requirements:
Strength – 10
Dexterity – 20
I‘ve demolished PvE content from a safe distance using Hoslow‘s gaze and punish tactics. Quick rolls into an L2 bleed combo shreds overconfident Hosts. Dual-wielding can quickly overwhelm gank squads with relentless bleed pops.
For lethal ranged bleed application, no whip compares to Hoslow‘s blossoming braids.
Tip: Carry Blood Grease to boost bleed buildup against resistant enemies!
#3 Magma Whip Candlestick – Bewitching Firelash
Location: Reward from Patches after completing Volcano Manor quest. Speak to Patches in manor to receive.
This cheeky candlestick disguises lethal surprise – searing tendrils awaiting a single flick to spread chaos. Deploying the unique Ash of War unveils the Magma Whip‘s true incendiary identity.
Standard strikes already invoke potent magical flames. But the deceptively titled "Sea of Magma" skill wrecks clustered adversaries through spiraling eruptions surrounding the player. FP efficiency and low requirements allow easy access for low-level pyromancers.
Let‘s examine the Magma Whip Candlestick by the illuminated numbers:
Attack Power:
Phyiscal – 72
Magic – 7
Fire – 22
Lightning – 10
Holy – 36
Critical Hit – 100
Guard Penetration – 10
Weapon Skill: Sea of Magma – Summons circle of raining flame orbs around caster. Highly effective against groups.
Scaling:
Strength – E
Dexterity – D
Faith – D
Requirements:
Strength – 8
Dexterity – 16
Faith – 18
The Candlestick‘s unique skill proves invaluable when swarmed by groups or to catch fleeing cowards. I used two +10 Magma Whips to bully even Malenia with endless Immolation Tinder crits.
Pyromancers seeking fiery whips should ignite some chaos with the Magma Whip Candlestick.
Tip: Boost potency further with the Flame, Grant Me Strength sorcery!
#4 Thorned Whip – Barbarous Bloodbraid
Location: Looted from a Fire Monk below Mt. Gelmir Hero‘s Grave
This gnarling knot of thorns excels at hindering vision before flaying fragile skin. Continual lashes rapidly lacerate tissue as sanguine adornments paint fresh scars. Foes attempting reprisal will meet only endless blood accompanied by the kiss of Christ.
Befitting its vicious appearance, the Thorned Whip empowers cruelty through sadistic rapid strikes. Quick swings compound bleeding status while brief staggering windows empower critical follow-ups. Catch rolls or counter attacks using the balanced Thorned Whip.
Let‘s breakdown the Thorned Whip specs:
Attack Power:
Physical – 226
Magic – 15
Fire – 15
Lightning – 15
Holy – 15
Critical Hit – 100
Guard Penetration – 15
Weapon Skill: Kick – Temporarily breaks enemy stance. Opens riposte opportunities.
Scaling:
Strength – E
Dexterity – C
Requirements:
Strength – 8
Dexterity – 16
I‘ve used the Thorned Whip successfully to crush sentry groups in Fort Sol and Farum Azula. Rapid bleed application forces enemies to play passive while regressing HP. Be wary of parrying in PvP – skilled duelists will exploit whiffs.
For those seeking purely physical punishment, embrace the Thorned Whip.
Tip: Use Raptor of the Mists Ash of War to offset slow recovery!
#5 Giant‘s Red Braid – Giantdad‘s Scourge
Location: Crafted by transposing "Remembrance of the Fire Giant" boss soul at Roundtable Hold.
What list would be complete without the whip of Giants? This weapon unleashes the legendary strength of the Fire Giant in broad, heavy lashes. Slow strikes build continuously until this braided brand fans raging flames across the room.
While speed falls short of lighter whips, the Giant‘s Red Braids compensates with raw power and fiery chaos. Even heavily armored foes melt rapidly against sustained flame barrages. FP efficiently supplements continuous aggression as well.
Let‘s examine the fiery might contained within the Red Braid:
Attack Power:
Physical – 224
Magic – 12
Fire – 26
Lightning – 12
Holy – 12
Critical Hit – 100
Guard Penetration – 15
Weapon Skill: Flame Dance – Perform broad circular whip strikes to generate explosions across a wide area. Highly effective against groups.
Scaling:
Strength – D
Dexterity – D
Faith – D
Requirements:
Strength – 18
Dexterity – 12
Faith – 21
The Red Braid proves lethal in Legacy Dungeons and tight corridors. Wall splashing firestorms pressure groups while shield breaking heavy strikes set up visceral attacks. I used dual Giant‘s Red Braids to steadily crumble even Maliketh, the Black Blade.
For those desiring the highest strength and fire damage from their whip, Giant‘s Red Braid delivers.
Tip: Boost fire damage even further with Flame Grant Me Strength incantation!
Mastering Whips – Advanced Combat Tips
Now that you know Elden Ring‘s best whips and where to obtain them, I‘ll share advanced tactics to truly master whip warfare:
- Punish Overextensions – Bait overeager attacks then retaliate from range using whips‘ long reach
- Apply Status Rapidly – Frost and bleed accumulate quickly – use whip speed to force opponents passive
- Mix Up Timings – Alternate delayed and instant attacks to catch rolls or counter damage
- Use Running/Rolling Attacks – Excellent roll/run catch abilities keep mobile targets locked down
- Dual Wield for Max Damage – Power stance moveset shreds HP bars through sheer aggression
- Vary Approach Angles – Strike from unexpected heights using whip jump attacks and platforming
- Parry Bait Strategically – Some weapons cannot withstand whips‘ flurries – but beware parry kings
- Strike and Evade – Inflict damage within whips‘ long range then retreat and reposition
- Practice Spacing Relentlessly – Perfectly positioned whip strikes completely negate any enemy offense
Truly excelling with whips requires perseverance, creativity, and razor sharp reflexes. But those embracing the challenge will access unmatched zone control and oppressive pressure potential.
I hope this guide has shed light on whips being viable, diverse weapons when used thoughtfully. Let me know which whips you‘re finding success with! I plan to continually update my catalog of creatively cruel lashes.
May your explorations across the Lands Between remain intriguing and treacherous!
