FromSoftware's games have always featured character customization prominently, with a main focus being on players deciding what stats they want to allocate in order to create different builds. Elden Ring is no different, with various stats for players to invest in. One of these stats is Intelligence, which is essential for a magic-focused playstyle. Numerous weapons relating this stat can be found throughout the Lands Between.
Shadow of the Erdtree continued this, with even more magic-aligned weapons for players to find and equip. Naturally, some are better than others, and some are more prominent. Some are weapons that the player will use to physically deal damage to enemies, while others are catalysts through which the Tarnished can conduct magic to harm foes.
Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree: 10 New Weapons You Should Upgrade
Shadow of the Erdtree has brought many new weapons to Elden Ring, and these are the best ones for the Tarnished to upgrade first.
8 Thiollier's Hidden Needle
Can Reach C In Intelligence Scaling, With A Sleep-Inducing Ash Of War
- Obtained at the end of Thioller's questline.
Not every weapon is an obviously large and flashy armament for players to wield. Thiollier's Hidden Needle is a fist weapon, and a small one at that.
It doesn't have much range, given it is a fist weapon. However, it can achieve a respectable C in intelligence scaling via upgrading, proving somewhat useful for magic builds. On top of that, the Ash of War lets the player put enemies to sleep, and the following attack can deal bonus damage to foes who are sleeping.
7 Staff Of The Great Beyond
Able To Cast Sorceries And Incantations
- Obtained from the Remembrance of the Mother of Fingers.
Throughout Elden Ring, players who wanted to cast both sorceries and incantations had to wield two separate weapons to do so: a staff, and a seal. Shadow of the Erdtree introduced the Staff of the Great Beyond, a weapon that allows players to use sorceries and incantations via one weapon. However, the Tarnished must go through a quest to obtain it.
The staff can reach a B in Intelligence scaling when it is upgraded, making for a useful staff alongside its unique ability. It might not be the most powerful staff, but it is one of the most convenient.
6 Smithscript Cirque
Strong Scaling And Strong Damage
- Obtained in the Ruined Forge of Starfall Past.
The Smithscript Cirque that topped the chart in terms of damage when Shadow of the Erdtree first came out. Unfortunately, it has since been nerfed, with a damage reduction.
However, it can still be a viable weapon. It may not be as good, but it is still able to reach a B in Intelligence scaling when upgraded and infused as a magic weapon. The damage can still be worthwhile as well, just not as overpowered as it once was.
5 Maternal Staff
The Highest Scaling Of The New Staves
- Drops from Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers.
With Intelligence builds in Elden Ring, players will catalyst is needed to cast spells. Staves are used for sorceries, with only a couple being introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree.
The Maternal Staff achieves an A in Intelligence scaling when upgraded fully, making it a valuable acquisition for magic builds. The Maternal Staff enhances the new finger sorceries, and is also a good choice for arcane builds as it scales well with the stat.
4 Star-Lined Sword
Low Magic Scaling, But A Powerful Ash Of War
- Obtained from Demi-Human Queen Marigga.
Katanas have always been a popular piece of weaponry to use in FromSoft's games, usually being strong ways to deal damage. Elden Ring's base game was no different. Shadow of the Erdtree introduced even more katanas, one of which is the Star-Lined Sword.
This weapon isn't the best in Intelligence scaling, but it does have a strong Ash of War that plows through enemies (and it's magic-themed). The Ash of War has multiple combos that can continue as long as players have stamina, and the weapon can work well on a spellblade build.
3 Smithscript Axe
A Nerfed, But Still Capable Weapon
- Obtained at Taylew's Ruined Forge.
The Smithscript Axe was once the strongest weapon for Intelligence builds in Shadow of the Erdtree. The weapon was able to reach an absurd attack rating that could demolish foes, but has since been nerfed.
Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree - Best New Axes, Ranked
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However, it isn't an incapable weapon. It can still be a valuable armament to defeat enemies with, but it won't reach the peak it was able to. It is able to reach a C in Intelligence scaling when upgraded and infused as a magic or cold weapon, reaching a higher attack rating when magic-infused. If anyone is willing to revert their Elden Ring updates back, then this weapon will be waiting in all its glory.
2 Carian Thrusting Shield
A Unique Weapon Suited For Magic Builds
- Obtained in the Shadow Keep.
Shadow of the Erdtree introduced completely new weapon types, with thrusting shields being one such example. The Carian Thrusting Shield is one of these new weapons, and can be purposed for intelligence builds.
As standard, it is suited for Strength and Dexterity players, but infused as a cold weapon, and it achieves a C in Intelligence scaling. Better yet, when infused as a magic weapon, it obtains a B in in Intelligence scaling. Aside from the scaling, it can be a strong weapon, able to deal damage and block attacks. Players can also buff this weapon with spells and greases, increasing how powerful it can be.
1 Rellana's Twin Blades
The Sword Of Night And Flame's Older Sibling
- Obtained from the Remembrance of the Twin Moon Knight.
Rellana is one of the more prominent bosses introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree, barring direct access to Scadu Altus. Being magic-themed herself, her Remembrance allows players to obtain her swords, which scale with Intelligence, along with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith.
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Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is home to a plethora of challenging bosses. These, however, are the hardest ones players can face.
As a pair of swords, players attack with both through graceful patterns, making it a fun weapon to use in general. The Ash of War is unique, essentially being a two-for-one. Players can either send out a combo of magic-aligned ranged attacks via a sword, or execute a big faith-based AoE attack, sending fire out from around them, easily defeating groups of enemies.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
- Released
- June 21, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- FromSoftware
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
