The Shadow of the Erdree DLC has introduced a vast array of weapons to the world of Elden Ring. With so many new armaments to be discovered across the Shadow Realm, it can be difficult for players to know where to spend their hard-earned runes and smithing stones.
There are 103 new weapons, many with unique qualities, stylish animations, and impressive damage output when fully upgraded. Some are better geared towards PvE, proving useful against the DLC's tough new bosses. Others provide unique advantages in PvP encounters, catching rival players off-guard with fast animations and unpredictable move-sets. Among the new options, these are the best ones to upgrade as soon as the Tarnished gets the chance.
All New DLC Weapons in Shadow of the Erdtree
There are more than a hundred Shadow of the Erdtree new weapons, many of which belong to one of eight completely new weapon types.
12 Red Bear's Claw
The Claws Of A Powerful Rune Bear
- Dropped by the Red Bear in the Northern Nameless Mausoleum.
The 
Red Bear's Claw allows players to embody the quick and deadly spirit of the Rune Bear. It is a Beast Claw weapon, an offshoot of the Fist weapon class. Unlike most Fist weapons, it scales primarily with strength, allowing Strength builds to get up close and personal with their foes.
The move set is full of rapid slashes and quick pounces. This erratic movement is particularly effective when dueling other players, who are likely to panic when caught in a flurry of attacks. When fully upgraded, the Red Bear's Claw deals 254 points of base damage and maintains its 45 points of Bleed build-up.
11 Backhand Blade
The Standard Backhand Blade
- Found beside a grave in the Gravesite Plain area.
The standard 
Backhand Blade is found near the first site of grace in the Shadow Realm. Upgrading this weapon is a great way to enter the DLC with one of the new weapon types. It features two blades, so two-handing the weapon doubles the damage output.
The running light attack is fast and covers a lot of ground, catching enemies rolling away and starting fights from a safe distance. The unique Blind Spot Ash of War is quick and deadly, dashing behind an opponent and delivering a deadly slashing attack. It's best suited to Dex builds, achieving S scaling when Keen. The fully upgraded base damage is 257 points.
10 Death Knight's Longhaft Axe
Strike Like Lightning From A Distance
- Dropped by Death Knight Boss at the Scorpion River Catacombs.
The 
Death Knight's Longhaft Axe is a powerful Greataxe with a deadly Blinkbolt Ash of War that rapidly closes the distance between the user and their opponent. It has innate lightning damage, which is great for Strength/Faith players who use lightning sorceries.
8 Soulslikes With The Most Weapons
These Soulslike games feature excellent weapon variety, creating rewarding exploration and allowing for vastly-different repeat playthroughs.
The axe is a unique weapon, so it requires Somber smithing stones to upgrade. It scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Faith, and when fully upgraded, it deals 276 points of physical damage, and 178 points of lightning damage. The long reach of the attacks can deliver devastating strikes while maintaining a safe distance.
9 Greatsword of Solitude
Mighty Blade With A Solid Guard
- Dropped by the Blackgaol Knight Boss in the Western Nameless Mausoleum.
The 
Greatsword of Solitude is a powerful Strength weapon, notable for its heavy attack power and defensive capabilities. As a unique weapon, it requires Somber Smithing Stones to upgrade, and the Ash of War cannot be changed. However, this isn't a problem. The Solitary Moon Slash deals heavy ranged damage, with a secondary strike that staggers enemies and catches them off guard.
When fully upgraded, it has A-scaling with Strength, and deals 294 points of base damage. It also has 89% physical damage negation, which can be enhanced further with the Deflecting Hardtear Crystal Tear and Greatshield Talisman. This makes the Guard-Counter an effective move in combat.
8 Flowerstone Gavel
Powerful Lightning Debuff
- Dropped by the Dragon Communion Priestess at the end of her Questline, which begins at the Grand Alter of Dragon Communion.
The 
Flowerstone Gavel is a powerful and unique hammer weapon that is reinforced with Somber Smithing Stones. Its move-set is similar to most hammers in Elden Ring, but it has a deadly Ash of War that delivers lightning from above. This attack also delivers a debuff, making the target weaker to lightning damage.
The fully upgraded weapon does 294 points of physical damage. It scales best with Strength, but also scales well with Dexterity and Arcane. It is found relatively late in the DLC's story, so it's often overshadowed by main boss weapons and earlier unlocks, but this hammer can be deadly in the right hands.
7 Bonny Butchering Knife
An Upgrade On The Standard Butchering Knife
- Found on a corpse in the Bonny Village.
Visually, the 
Bonny Butchering Knife is the same as the base game's counterpart, but this Greataxe has a unique Ash of War. The Hone Blade ability allows successful attacks to recover the user's HP. Pairing this skill with Malenia's Great Rune will make damage trades far less taxing on health.
It is a unique weapon, so Somber Smithing Stones will enhance the damage. The fully upgraded output is 328 points, with B scaling in Strength and D scaling in Dexterity. The move-set and damage are identical to the standard Butchering Knife. It's a traditional Soulsborne weapon with a distinctive healing ability that sets it apart.
6 Repeating Crossbow
Deliver Massive Damage Quickly
- Found South of Moorth Ruins, close to the Ghostflame Dragon.
The 
Repeating Crossbow is a ranged weapon that can fire multiple bolts in quick succession thanks to its unique Ash of War. Even with standard bolts, this crossbow can be fatal, but using infused ammunition is where this Repeating Fire skill shines. As a unique weapon, the Ash of War is unchangeable.
Whether it's explosive, fire, or lightning bolts for impressive attack power, or perhaps status-effect bolts infused with sleep, frost, or poison, delivering many successive hits is always beneficial. When fully upgraded, attacks deal 181 points of physical base damage.
5 Black Steel Greathammer
The Only Unique Guard Counter
- Dropped by the Black Knight at the Church of Consolation.
This powerful weapon is found pretty early in the DLC, making it a great choice for Strength/Faith characters to use throughout their journey in the Realm of Shadow. The move-set is similar to most Great Hammers, but it has a unique guard counter that strikes the ground, dealing heavy Holy damage in a wide area in front of the player.
The 
Black Steel Greathammer has some impressive numbers when fully upgraded. At standard infusion, it deals 343 points of physical damage. However, it shines best when infused with Flame Art, dealing heavy physical and fire damage, while maintaining the counterattack's strong Holy damage.
4 Dragon Hunter's Great Katana
The Bane Of Dragons
- Dropped by the Ancient Dragon-Man in the Dragon's Pit.
The 
Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana is part of a new weapon class, the Great Katana. It's a unique weapon that requires Somber stones to upgrade, and the Dragonwound Slash Ash of War can't change. The blade has 55 points of bleed build-u p and, since it's made of Gravel Stone, is especially effective against dragons.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree: Great Katana Build Guide
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC's Great Katana weapon type is a good option for Strength and Dexterity users, and here is the best build for it.
The fully upgraded weapon does a massive 372 points of physical damage, making it one of the more sought-after weapons in PvP. The jumping Ash of War is good for evading low attacks and countering with heavy damage. The vertical attack range makes it perfect for larger PvE enemies and dragons who are above the ground and hard to hit.
3 Milady
Powerful With The Right Ash Of War
- Found in a chest in a tower at Castle Ensis.
- Wing Stance Ash of War: found in another chest in Castle Ensis.
As a member of the new Light Greatsword class, the 
Milady is a rapid blade with an impressive range. It is best paired with the Wing Stance Ash of War, where the player assumes a stance, before lunging forward and delivering a blinding combo of slashes. This skill, alongside a quick move-set, makes the Milady a ruthless contender among the new armaments.
The quick attacks make it useful for inflicting status effects such as bleeding, poison, or frostbite. It scales best with Dexterity and pairs well with items that reward quick successive attacks, such as the Rotted Wing Insignia, or Thorny Cracked Tear.