Elden Ring Weapon AR Tier List: 20 Greatswords Ranked (40/40 Quality Build)

By Sharjeel, Lead Developer & Founder. Published: October 21, 2024. Last Updated: September 12, 2026.

Looking for the best Elden Ring Greatsword AR? This guide compares selected Greatswords by Attack Rating (AR), scaling, upgrade path, and stat requirements. The goal is to make weapon comparisons easier without treating AR as the only measure of a weapon’s performance.

You can also test your own stat combinations with the Elden Ring Weapon Calculator .

Attack Rating is useful for comparing weapon damage potential, but scaling, damage type, moveset, skills, and build requirements also affect real-world performance.

How This Elden Ring AR Tier List Works

Attack Rating combines a weapon’s base attack power with the bonuses provided by its scaling attributes. The result depends on the weapon, upgrade level, affinity where applicable, and the character’s stats.

Because AR changes with the character build, there is no single Greatsword that is automatically the strongest choice for every player. A weapon that performs well on a Strength build may not be the best option for an Intelligence, Faith, or Dexterity-focused character.

Selected Greatsword AR Comparison

The table below is a practical comparison of several well-known weapons. Values should be treated as comparison examples rather than universal maximum-damage rankings because the final AR depends on the exact character stats and weapon configuration.

Important: The values above are intentionally presented as build-dependent examples. Do not interpret them as fixed universal maximum AR values for every character setup.

Why AR Alone Does Not Determine the Best Greatsword

A higher Attack Rating does not automatically mean a weapon will perform better in every situation. Damage type, attack speed, reach, moveset, weapon skill, stamina use, stat requirements, buffs, and enemy defenses can all affect practical damage.

Greatswords are also different from other weapon categories. For example, Bloodhound’s Fang is classified as a Curved Greatsword, while Sword of Night and Flame is a Straight Sword. They should therefore be compared separately from standard Greatswords.

How to Increase Greatsword AR

1. Meet the weapon requirements: Start with the minimum Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith requirements needed to equip the weapon.
2. Choose a build that matches the weapon: Focus your damage stats around the scaling that matters most for your chosen weapon.
3. Upgrade the weapon: Weapon upgrades can significantly change base attack power and scaling.
4. Consider two-handing Strength weapons: Two-handing increases effective Strength for scaling and requirements.
5. Compare the complete build: Check AR together with talismans, buffs, Ashes of War, damage type, and your intended PvE or PvP use.

Dark Moon Greatsword and Intelligence Builds

The Dark Moon Greatsword is particularly relevant to Intelligence-focused builds because Intelligence contributes to its scaling. At +10, its listed scaling includes Intelligence alongside Strength and Dexterity, making the final AR dependent on the complete character setup.

Rather than declaring one stat spread universally optimal, use the Elden Ring Weapon Calculator to compare the weapon at the exact level and stats you plan to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Greatsword has the highest AR?

There is no single universal answer because AR changes with character stats, upgrades, affinity, two-handing, and the weapon’s scaling. The highest result for one build may not be the highest result for another.

Does two-handing increase Greatsword AR?

Two-handing increases effective Strength by 50% for scaling and weapon requirements, which can increase the AR of Strength-scaling weapons.

Should I choose a weapon only because it has higher AR?

No. AR is useful for comparison, but moveset, range, damage type, weapon skill, stat requirements, and your build can matter just as much in actual combat.

Is Bloodhound’s Fang a Greatsword?

Bloodhound’s Fang belongs to the Curved Greatsword category rather than the standard Greatsword category.

Is Sword of Night and Flame a Greatsword?

No. Sword of Night and Flame is classified as a Straight Sword.

Compare Your Own Elden Ring Weapon Build

Want to see how your stats affect weapon damage? Use the Elden Ring Weapon Calculator to compare weapons and experiment with different attribute combinations.

You can also explore the Elden Ring Health Bar Generator or the Elden Ring Font Generator for gaming and streaming projects.

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