If you like your swords curved, Elden Ring has an excellent range of Curved Swords. They are highly efficient at decimating enemies with their flurry of slashing combos, which can even outpace Katanas. However, some Curved Swords in Elden Ring are significantly better than others. To help you out, we’ve curated a list of the 10 best Curved Swords in Elden Ring!
Thanks to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC announcement, players are once again flocking into the beloved RPG, and for those looking for new melee weapons, they prove to be an excellent pick. The return of Powerstancing has also made these lightweight weapons extremely fun to use. With that said, let’s dive right into the guide!
Scavenger’s Curved Sword
- Requirements: 9 Strength, 14 Dexterity
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Dexterity D
- Damage Type: Slash
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
- Location: Lies on a corpse in Mt. Gelmir near the Grafted Scion
There’s more to the Scavenger’s Curved Sword’s average damage than meets the eye. Bleed being one of the best status effects in the game, this weapon’s built-in Bleed passive easily warrants its place as the best Curved Sword in Elden Ring. To further improve the efficacy of this already deadly weapon, imbue it with the Occult Affinity for the meter to fill quickly .
Plus, regardless of the recent nerf to powerstancing builds that improve status effects, it’s safe to say the Scavenger’s Curved Sword is nerf-proof. Once dual wielded with another of its type or a Bandit’s Blood Curved Sword, you can quickly demolish bosses, like Malenia, that are weak to bleed. A jump-heavy attack will almost always trigger the effect.
The only real downside to this weapon is the fact that there’s only one of its type per playthrough. Plus, you will only get it if you’ve reached Mt. Gelmir, where it lies on a corpse near the Grafted Scion.
Wing of Astel
- Requirements: 7 Strength, 17 Dexterity, 20 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity D, Intelligence D
- Damage Type: Slash
- Unique Skill: Nebula
- Location: Southern ruins in Uhl Palace Ruins
One of the best Curved Sword is the Wing of Astel. Since it’s crafted from a relic of Astel, the Naturalborn of the Void, it is easily the best-looking Curved Sword. This also gives the weapon some unique special attacks.
One of it being the charged heavy that fires Magic projectiles for those hard-to-reach targets. The other is the deadly Weapon Skill Nebula that scatters exploding stars in a fan-shaped area. Whether it’s a pure Int build or Dex/Int built, you’ll still get the most out of this weapon. However, it’s a chore to get it as it sits in a chest atop the ruins in southern Uhl Palace Ruins.
Bandit’s Curved Sword
- Requirements: 11 Strength, 13 Dexterity
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Dexterity D
- Damage Type: Slash
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
- Location: Dropped by Skeletal Bandits in Limgrave and Altus Plateau
Of the Curved Swords that lack unique gimmicks, Bandit’s Curved Swords take the cake. Weighing in at 5, it’s the heaviest of all, but it also makes it the king of attack ratings. What’s more, the Bandit’s Curved has the longest reach, which is one of the main downsides of this group.
Having said that, the only viable way to incorporate into your build is to dual-wield Blood infused Bandit’s Curved Swords. However, it’s a rare drop from Skeletal Bandits, making it quite a pain to acquire. It’s also worth noting that these are consistently outperformed by the Occult Scavenger’s Curved Sword, making it only practical till you’re left with the better option.
Beastman’s Curved Sword
- Requirements: 13 Strength, 11 Dexterity
- Base Scaling: Strength C, Dexterity E
- Damage Type: Slash
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
- Location: Dropped by Azula Beastman in Crumbling Farum Azula
Next up is the Beastman’s Curved Sword, an interesting weapon type in Elden Ring. It scales primarily with Strength and is among the top contends for base physical damage. The Beastman’s Curved Sword also comes with unique jump attacks, incorporating spinning slashes into its combo. As such, you’re better off two-handing one instead of dual wielding it.
We recommend using the Heavy infusion with this weapon for maximum damage output since it gains an A-scaling once fully upgraded. Unfortunately, taking this into a New Game Plus playthrough is better since it’s acquired in the Crumbling Farum Azula – an endgame zone – from the Azula Beastman. Moreover, this is a rare drop; it will be a while before you end up with one.
Magma Blade
- Requirements: 9 Strength, 15 Dexterity, 16 Faith
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Dexterity D, Faith D
- Damage Type: Slash
- Weapon Skill: Magma Shower
- Location: Dropped by Man-Serpent in the Volcano Manor
As the name suggests, the Magma Blade has much to do with fire. The Magma Blade primarily scales with Strength, Dexterity and Faith, making it better suited to a New Game Plus or beyond playthrough. This is especially true as some Curved Swords will outperform it with the Fire infusion.
The only thing worth looking at is the Weapon Skill, which operates similarly to Spinning Slash but is distinct in that it creates magma pools. This can leave a nasty burn on the enemies, and it more than compensates for the Magma Blade’s short reach. The 1% drop rate, however, makes it excruciatingly painful to farm from the Man-Serpent in the Volcano Manor.
Flowing Curved Sword
- Requirements: 9 Strength, 17 Dexterity
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Dexterity D
- Damage Type: Slash
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
- Location: Inside a carriage in the Consecrated Snowfield
Fitting its name, the Flowing Curved Sword has a unique moveset with its strong attack, incorporating a rhythmic dance that flows together. The weapon also has a graceful design, similar to flowing water, thus complementing its name. Scaling primarily with Dexterity, the Flowing Curved Sword also deals incredible damage if you crank up your Dexterity.
Unfortunately, only one is available per playthrough near the endgame zone. From the Inner Consecrated Snowfield site of grace, go south until you come across a carriage pulled by two Trolls. Inside the carriage is a chest where the Flowing Curved Sword waits for you. It’s also worth knowing that two Night Cavalries guard the carriage once night falls.
Eclipse Shotel
- Requirements: 9 Strength, 14 Dexterity, 30 Faith
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity D, Faith D
- Damage Type: Slash
- Unique Skill: Death Flare
- Location: Inside a church in Castle Sol
The Eclipse Shotel scales primarily scales with Dexterity and Faith and is exclusively reserved for PVP. If you’ve just entered Castle Sol, you’ll find it beside the church altar after going up the stair. As one of the Legendary Armaments, it also has a cool look to it, which is reminiscent of a solar eclipse.
However, there’s only a little going for the Eclipse Shotel besides the fact that it deals damage through Shields. Additionally, this is a one-of-a-kind weapon that offers the Death Blight ailment with its weapon skill, Death Flare. However, since enemies are immune to this status effect, this weapon is better suited for PVP as Death Blight build-up instantly kills the opponent.
Nox Flowing Sword
- Requirements: 8 Strength, 15 Dexterity
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity D
- Damage Type: Slash
- Weapon Skill: Flowing Form
- Location: Dropped by Nox Swordstress & Nox Priest in Sellia, Town of Sorcery
The Nox Flowing Sword is another weapon that is aimed at PVP use. Damage-wise, the Nox Flowing Sword is your run-of-the-mill Shotel. What’s interesting, though, is the weapon skill, Flowing Form, which turns the weapon into a whip that swings out far and wide. Since it’s a Shotel at heart, it can also pierce through shields.
All this makes up for an excellent PVP weapon, and in specific scenarios, PVE where the situation calls for Flowing Form. To get it, you must beat the Nox duo boss in Caelid. As such, players can acquire it early by using the trapped chest in Dragon-Burnt Ruins to land in the blasted continent of Caelid.
God-Serpent’s Curved Sword
- Requirements: 13 Strength, 9 Dexterity
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Dexterity E
- Damage Type: Slash
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
- Location: Located in the Ruin-Strewn Precipice
It’s heavy, which leads to the fat roll debuff, and lacks the punch despite the sturdy design, so why even use the God-Serpent’s Curved Sword? The only real reason is the in-built leech effect that makes it particularly useful for level clearing. In fact, you don’t even have to use it; just have it strapped to your back, and the effect will still trigger every time you get a kill.
Plus, for Strength build, it’s an excellent alternative to the Beastman’s Curved Sword as it’s acquired relatively early in the Ruin-Strewn Precipice – a shortcut to the Altus Plateau. Since you’re always playing aggressively when dual-handing Curved Swords, this weapon can keep your health pool in check, but keep your eyes peeled for your overall weight.
Mantis Blade
- Requirements: 10 Strength, 12 Dexterity
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Dexterity D
- Damage Type: Slash
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Slash
- Location: Dropped by Lesser Cemetery Shades in Gelmir Hero Grave
The shortest Curved Sword is the Mantis Blade, making it one of the worst in its group. Since it’s also one of the heaviest and has average scaling, this reinforces why it’s the worst. The only helpful attribute of the Mantis Blade is the unique strong attack that temporarily unfolds the weapon for extended reach. And the impressive display is similar to the snappy hands of a mantis, hence the Mantis Blade.
Not only is it obtained pretty late in the game, but it’s also not worth getting unless you’re a completionist. To get the Mantis Blade in Elden Ring, you must farm the Lesser Cemetery Shade in Gelmir Hero Grave. In case you weren’t aware, Gelmir Hero Grave is one of the more challenging catacombs of Elden Ring.
Final Thoughts
This wraps our list of the best Curved Swords in Elden Ring. If you’re one of those players that have picked Elden Ring once more due to the upcoming DLC, give these weapons a go. Plus, powerstancing them can lead to some exciting and fun-to-play builds.
That said, do you prefer swift melee weapons like Curved Swords or mowing down foes using Colossal Swords. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
