We tested 20 Elden Ring greatswords at 40 STR / 40 DEX. See the definitive AR ranking, split damage analysis, and best-in-class picks for your quality build.
Quick Take: We ran 20 Elden Ring greatswords through the Ghostern Weapon Calculator at 40 STR / 40 DEX. The Claymore tops the pure physical category, while the Death’s Poker dominates split damage. See the full ranking and interactive calculator below.
โ๏ธ Why This Tier List Matters
Not all Attack Rating (AR) is created equal. A weapon with 700 AR might hit like a wet noodle if its damage is split across three types and the enemy has high resistances. This tier list uses data from our Elden Ring Weapon Calculator to give you the raw numbersโbut we also break down the practical performance against common PvE and PvP defenses.
Build Assumptions: 40 Strength / 40 Dexterity (the “Quality” soft cap). Weapons are assumed at +25 Standard or +10 Somber. No temporary buffs or talismans.
๐งฎ Test Your Own Stats
Use our full calculator to see AR for any weapon at your exact stats.
๐ The Definitive Greatsword AR Ranking (40/40 Quality)
Weapons are sorted by Total AR. The “Effective Tier” accounts for split damage penalties against typical late-game defenses (~25% absorption across the board).
๐ Key Insights & Winner Picks
๐ Best Pure Physical: Claymore (598 AR)
The Claymore isn’t just a memeโit’s mathematically excellent. At 40/40, it out-damages almost every other infusable greatsword. Its thrusting R2 also provides versatility. If you want one greatsword for the entire game, this is it.
โ๏ธ Best Split Damage (With Caveat): Death’s Poker (571 AR)
Death’s Poker shows 571 total AR, but 256 of that is Magic damage. Against enemies with low magic defense (e.g., many bosses in Liurnia), it will shred. Against high magic resistance foes (e.g., Rennala), the Claymore will perform better. Always check enemy defenses!
๐ฐ The “Trap” Weapon: Dark Moon Greatsword
The DMGS is an iconic weapon, but its AR at 40/40 quality is underwhelming because it scales primarily with Intelligence. If you’re not investing in INT, you’re leaving massive damage on the table. Use our calculator to see the difference at 60 INT!
โ Why Split Damage Can Be Deceiving
In Elden Ring, damage is calculated per type. If an enemy has 100 physical defense and 100 magic defense, a weapon with 400 physical AR will do more damage than a weapon with 250 physical + 250 magic AR, even though the latter has higher total AR (500 vs 400). This is because defenses apply to each damage type separately.
Rule of Thumb: Against high-defense bosses (e.g., Fire Giant, Placidusax), pure physical almost always wins. Against squishier targets or PvP opponents with low resistances, split damage can shine.
๐ก Pro Tip: Optimize Your Own Build
Don’t blindly follow tier lists. Your personal stats, talismans, and playstyle matter more. Use our Elden Ring Weapon Calculator to input your exact numbers and see the true AR for your unique character.
๐งฉ More Tools for Tarnished
- ๐น Elden Ring Font Generator โ Create epic title text for your build videos.
- ๐น Elden Ring Health Bar Generator โ Make custom boss memes.
- ๐น Dark Souls Damage Calculator โ Simulate true damage against enemies.
- ๐น Elden Ring Wallpapers โ Download 4K wallpapers for your desktop.
Data calculated using the Ghostern Elden Ring Weapon Calculator. Last updated: April 2026.
