Elden Ring DLC Best Arcane Weapons (Builds) Tier List in Shadow of the Erdree (1.12.3)

Welcome back to our column of Elden Ring DLC Best Weapons! In today's tier list, we're covering the top 15 Arcane weapons in the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree after patch 1.12.3, including picks from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. If a weapon is featured here, it's a top-tier choice for Arcane builds. We will rank these weapons from the S tier down to the C tier, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses.

Elden Ring Arcane Tier List - Top 15 Best Arcane Weapons (Builds) Ranked in SotF

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring introduced several new arcane-scaling weapons that have significantly enhanced the potential of arcane-focused builds. Among these, the Death Ritual Spear, Eleonora's Poleblade, and Siluria's Tree stand out for their exceptional bleed and arcane damage output. These Elden Ring weapons, when combined with the new Death Sorcery spells and abilities, allow players to create builds that maximize the Arcane stat, leading to devastating bleed and status effect buildups. The DLC has expanded the arsenal available to players, making arcane builds more versatile and powerful than ever before. To explore the most effective arcane weapons and builds, check out our detailed article "Elden Ring new best highest damage arcane weapon tier list in Shadow of the Erdtree.

1. Bandit's Curved Sword & Scavenger's Curved Sword (S Tier)

The Bandit's Curved Sword and Scavenger's Curved Sword are the apex of Arcane weapons. When used together in a dual-wield setup with Seppuku, they are incredibly potent. These swords excel in a bleed build, maximizing Arcane to around 80. Spam jump attacks to unleash devastating damage, making this combo one of the strongest in the game. The setup may be cumbersome, involving buffing before each fight, but the results are unequivocally worth it. The Bandit's Curved Sword benefits high-level players, while the Scavenger's Curved Sword is better at lower stats, offering flexibility in any build.

2. Bloodfiend's Arm (S Tier)

The Bloodfiend's Arm is a colossal weapon with a simplistic moveset that focuses on heavy and jump attacks. Despite its post-nerf status, it's still one of the best weapons in the game. By maximizing Arcane and using it in a blood build, you can achieve enormous bleed buildup and damage. Each heavy attack delivers significant bleed buildup, making it a straightforward and highly effective weapon. Whether you're buffing it with Royal Knight’s Resolve or just unleashing heavy attacks, the Bloodfiend's Arm remains a top-tier choice due to its sheer power and simplicity.

3. Marais Executioner's Sword (S Tier)

The Marais Executioner's Sword outclasses similar weapons like the Regalia of Eochaid. Its corkscrew spin attack deals massive damage and stagger potential, making it a boss killer. The heavy-hitting attacks combined with Arcane scaling provide incredible DPS. The only downside is the need to channel the Ash of War, but its burst damage remains top-tier. This weapon excels in creating stagger opportunities, allowing you to capitalize on critical hits or follow up with another powerful Ash of War attack.

4. Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear (S Tier)

Despite a nerf to its Bloodboon Ritual, Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear remains powerful. The large AoE and bleed damage can still deal comical amounts of damage if you get the full combo off. While it's more challenging to use against DLC bosses, its reliable great spear attacks and range make it a solid choice. The spear excels in heavy buffing playstyles, offering immense damage in the right hands. The range of the Ash of War allows for safe execution, making it viable even in the toughest fights.

5. Eleonora's Poleblade (A Tier)

Eleonora's Poleblade is a versatile twinblade with physical, fire, and bleed damage. Its unique Ash of War allows for quick successive hits. Power stance them for effective jump attacks or rely on the Ash of War for high damage output. It’s a flexible and effective weapon. The dash-forward combo can be awkward, but the twinblade's rapid attack speed compensates for it. Buffing the weapon can further enhance its damage, making it a formidable choice for any Arcane build.

6. Bloody Helice (A Tier)

The Bloody Helice is a heavy thrusting sword with great bleed buildup and stagger potential. Its Ash of War provides invincibility frames and a powerful follow-up attack. This weapon excels in counterplay, making it ideal for punishing bosses and creating new attack windows. The heavy thrust attacks can deal significant Counterattack damage, especially when paired with the right talismans. Its ability to evade and strike back makes it a reliable weapon for skilled players.

7. Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword (A Tier)

This colossal sword is unique due to its physical and magic damage. The Ash of War thrusts forward with significant range and damage. Despite its awkward scaling with Arcane, the thrust attack opens up new opportunities for punishing bosses, making it a top-tier colossal sword. The weapon's strength lies in its ability to combine heavy physical hits with magic damage, providing versatility in combat. The Ash of War's thrust can close gaps quickly, making it easier to land hits on elusive targets.

8. Bloodfiend's Fork (B Tier)

The Bloodfiend's Fork is a spear with natural bleed and Arcane scaling. It’s infusible and buffable, making it versatile. While its moveset is a bit slow, it remains competitive with other top-tier spears. However, the setup for maximum effectiveness can be cumbersome. The spear's bleed buildup is impressive, and its ability to be infused and buffed allows for various build possibilities. Despite its slower attacks, it can deal consistent damage over time, making it a reliable weapon in prolonged fights.

9. Rivers of Blood (B Tier)

Rivers of Blood has seen better days but remains viable due to the new Ansback armor set, which boosts blood skills. Its Ash of War has long range and can deal respectable DPS if used correctly. Despite being nerfed, it’s still effective with the right setup. The weapon's ability to hit enemies from a distance while dealing bleed damage makes it useful in many encounters. Properly timing the Ash of War can lead to significant damage output, especially against groups of enemies.

10. Regalia of Eochaid (B Tier)

The Regalia of Eochaid has a unique corkscrew Ash of War but is outclassed by the Marais Executioner's Sword. Its lower AR as a straight sword limits its overall DPS. However, in power stance, it remains a solid choice for those who prefer straight swords. The weapon's Ash of War can be used to deal successive hits, making it useful for wearing down tougher enemies. While not the strongest option, it offers a unique playstyle that can be effective in the right hands.

11. Reduvia (B Tier)

Reduvia is a dagger with quick successive hits and bleed buildup. Its Ash of War allows for medium-range blood shots. While the dagger’s range and lack of poise are drawbacks, its high DPS potential makes it viable for certain playstyles. The standing light combo is particularly effective, allowing for rapid attacks that build up bleed quickly. Reduvia's versatility in both melee and ranged combat makes it a valuable addition to any Arcane build.

12. Morgott's Cursed Sword (B Tier)

Morgott's Cursed Sword is a great curved sword with a potent Ash of War combo. It deals explosive Arcane fire damage and can stagger enemies. However, its bleed buildup and successive hits are not as effective against DLC bosses' quick combos. The weapon's range and unique playstyle offer interesting combat options, but its raw damage and effectiveness are limited by the fast-paced nature of many boss fights. It shines in scenarios where enemies can be staggered and punished repeatedly.

13. Flower Stone Gavel (C Tier)

The Flower Stone Gavel is a hammer with Pierce damage and a unique lightning bolt Ash of War. While its damage is good, it lacks synergy with typical lightning builds that focus on Faith. It’s mainly a good Ash of War spammer but needs rebalancing for better performance. The hammer's strength lies in its Ash of War, which can be charged for increased damage. However, the lack of base lightning damage and the need to juggle multiple stats make it a less optimal choice.

14. Poison Hand (C Tier)

The Poison Hand can be used directly or indirectly for an AR boost when a poison proc occurs. Its unique Palm Strike Ash of War applies deadly poison quickly. While it’s a solid weapon and a useful off-hand AR booster, it’s not exceptional. The weapon's ability to instantly apply poison makes it useful in specific builds, but its overall damage and effectiveness are limited compared to other Arcane weapons. It works best as a support tool rather than a primary weapon.

15. Grave Scythe (C Tier)

The Grave Scythe is an incredible weapon with bleed buildup when infused with Bloodflame. However, it scales with Dexterity rather than Arcane, so it’s not included in this list. It’s worth mentioning for its effectiveness in bleed builds. The scythe's fast successive hits and ability to be buffed make it a powerful choice for Dexterity-focused builds, providing reliable bleed damage and solid overall performance.