Elden Ring’s extensive selection of weaponry gives players a lot to choose from. And while weapons are easy to switch on the fly, it’s nice to have something strong from the very beginning that provides the needed utility to get through the early segments of the game.
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Beyond starting stats and armor, another factor in picking one’s class inElden Ringis the starting weapons that it provides. Many starting weapons are easily obtained later though, so players aren’t barred from certain weapons if they begin the game with a particular build.
Updated Jun 07, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: There is a huge variety of Elden Ring starting class weapons, and each class typically gets access to more than one. The Prophet, for example, has the lackluster Short Spear, but it also has the Finger Seal and the Catch Flame Incantation for high Faith-based damage. Though it’s important to take a starting class' equipment as a whole into account when starting the game, more often than not players end up using a single weapon for the first few hours of Elden Ring. Some weapons, like the aforementioned Finger Seal, are paired with underwhelming armaments, so it’s important to consider each of the Elden Ring starting weapons individually when thinking ofwhich class you want to pick.
15Estoc
While certainly not a bad weapon, Estoc is one that many players find difficult to use. It can only perform thrusting attacks, which are amazing against some enemies, but utterly useless against more than a single opponent at a time. In the right hands, Rapiers can be deadly - but it’s a difficult weapon type to master.
It has a high cost to obtain later at 3,000 runesfrom the Nomadic Merchantin Liurnia of the Lakes. If you plan to play throughElden Ringwith a Rapier build, it’s better to grab it for free at the beginning instead of spending a decent chunk of Runes.
14Short Spear
TheProphetclass is a great starting choice for faith-based builds with great stats, but its starting weapons are in need of an upgrade or a replacement to take on more challenging content.
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Heal is useful — especially if one wishes toforgo health flasksfor more FP charges. It’s the short spear, though, that’s the weakest link in the Prophet’s arsenal. The reach is decent, but low damage and being only melee range makes this loadout sorely lacking in long-range combat options.
13Great Knife
The dexterity andarcane-based Bandit class comeswith everything needed to play a hunter archetype. While at short range, the Great Knife has bleed build-up potential and can be upgraded and infused with Ashes of War. Players can also switch to the buckler to parry if needed.
Other than starting as a Bandit, the only other way to obtain the Great Knife is as a rare drop from demi-humans in the Lakeside Crystal Cave. That said, there are other viable daggerssuch as the Reduvia dagger, which can be obtained fairly early on and has a unique weapon skill.
12Short Sword
The Short Sword is starting equipment for the Astrologer in a kind of counter to the class’s powerful Astrologer’s Staff. The Short Sword is not bad by any means, it just lacks the range and damage output of other melee starting weaponsElden Ringhas on offer.
If you are looking for a Shortsword but don’t want to start as an Astrologer, head east of Summonwater Village in North Limgrave to purchase one from the Nomadic Merchant on the south side of the road leading to the bridge with theMad Pumpkin Head.
11Halberd
Balanced and packed full of vigor to keep players alive, the Vagabond is the perfect starting class for those new to FromSoft’s often unforgiving games. With decent damage and an advantage at medium range, the Halberd covers tanky, melee play but leaves little option for taking out enemies from a proper distance. Plus, it takes a while to swing.
This may not be a downside depending on one’s play style, but those playing the role of a weapons master may set aside these weapons early in favor ofsomething a little flashier. The Halberd can later be acquired from a Merchant just beyond the Limgrave Mad Pumpkin Head bridge.
10Longsword
The Longsword is starting equipment for the Vagabond class, and it works wonders alongside the Vagabond’s 100% damage blocking shield. Thanks to its relatively fast attack animations, all-around balanced stats, range, and ability to be infused, it’s a better melee weapon than many otherElden Ringstarting weapons.
RELATED:Elden Ring: Hardest World Bosses, RankedIf you don’t start as the Vagabond, you’re able to get a longsword for yourself upon unlocking Roundtable Hold. The Twin Maiden husks sit in a room around the corner to the left of the Table of Lost Grace spawn location, who sell the Longsword for 1000 Runes.
9Glintstone Staff
Like the Astrologer, thePrisoner gives an edgeto those wanting to dabble in magic early. And with its superior intelligence stat, it may be a better pick depending on what school of magic one chooses. It has a slightly lower sorcery scaling than the Astrologer’s Staff, but better staffs can be acquired very early in the game no matter which of theElden Ringstarting classes you choose.
The Glintstone Staff can be later found near the Waypoint Ruins dropped by a Noble Sorcerer just to the west of a cluster of gravestones. It also a possible drop from the Sorcerers found at Caria Manor - be sure to equip aSilver-Pickled Fowl Footbefore farming for this staff to quicken things up a bit.
8Finger Seal
The Finger Seal is starting equipment for both the Confessor and the Prophet, and serves as an all-around decent Sacred Seal for much ofElden Ring. The finger seal itself does have decent scaling on its own and could be taken all the way toRadahn and beyond, though it can be replaced with more specifically-targeted Seals early in the game.
The Finger Seal is used to cast Incantations, some of which can be bought from Brother Corhyn, and can also be found at Roundtable Hold for purchase from the Twin Maiden Husks.
7Club
Players choosing theWretch class likely knowthe extra challenge they’ve placed on themselves already. Starting at level 1 with even stats across the board, it’s greater difficulty with greater potential for customization. The Club hits very hard, but its short range makes it a worse choice than some other meleeElden Ringstarting weapons.
That’s not to say the Club is wholly useless, however. It can be infused withAshes of Warand buffed with magic — making it more viable against stronger foes. Players trying out the Wretch know what they’re in for, and the Club’s potential for interrupting enemies (and damage output) can be fully harnessed in the right hands.
6Battle Ax
Packed full of strength, theHeroclass is perfect for those who want to dive blade or shield first into the heat of battle. What comes as the downside to raw power, however, is limited utility. The Great Ax is certainly not a bad weapon, but it’s one that pales in comparison to otherstrength-based weapons.
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It’s worth noting, too, that the battle ax’s Wild Strikes weapon skill is phenomenal for putting down large packs with ease or putting dents into challenging bosses. Seeing asthat Ashes of Warcan be easily found on the Teardrop Scarab between the Stormhill Shack and Castleward Tunnel Site of Gracethough, this weapon is non-essential.
