Elden Ring Katana Tier List

If you’re an Elden Ring player who enjoys collecting weapons (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t), you’ll want to make sure that your inventory is well-stocked with legendary katanas. These rare and powerful pieces of weaponry are among the finest in the game, and will likely be in high demand with other players looking for a slice of that sweet, sweet DPS.

If you like weapons and armour with a distinct Japanese flair, then the Samurai class is the one for you. Not only can you wield the Uchigatana, but it’s also quite easy to reach max level thanks to the early game Land of Reeds set. Even if you choose to play a Fighter or Mage, there are plenty of katanas to collect as you quest through the land of Elden Ring.

S-Tier

Nagakiba

In the case of the Uchigatana, its overall ranking is primarily based on its high speed and reach. The Nagakiba easily matches these properties, but also surpasses them with a longer range. This gives it an edge in PvP encounters, as well as the rare ability among katanas to outdistance some other weapon types that are usually superior in one-on-one fights.

Rivers of Blood

After a long wait, the long-awaited Rivers of Blood update is here! And it’s great. This brand new weapon is starting off with some pretty good stats, but is only going to get better with age — as long as you continue to use it. But that’s not all: anyone who uses this katana has the ability to deal massive amounts of damage with a unique new skill called ‘Rivers of Blood’.

Hand of Malenia

Here’s why the Hand of Malenia is the most powerful weapon in Blade and Soul. What makes this weapon so popular? Its reach, for one. The Nagakiba, another blade weapon with powerful abilities, has a shorter reach. That’s not to say that the Nagakiba isn’t awesome. In fact, it’s fantastic. But few swords have a reach as long—or as deadly—as the Hand of Malenia.

Uchigatana

It’s a great katana, noticeably lighter than other katanas and quick enough to get the job done. You can upgrade it with regular Smithing Stones if you want to make it even better. But the Uchigatana is special because of what it does for your Faith stat. When Faith is above 30, your attacks and spells cause more damage, which makes boss fights much easier to finish quickly.

C-Tier

Serpentbone Blade

The Serpentbone katana is a bit of a special case. It has its place on the list, but that place can be hard to find. Due to the trade-off from Bleed to Poison when upgrading it, the Serpentbone blade is not recommended for general use as a bleed weapon. However, if you build your character around using poison, you will love this weapon, as it does more damage than any other sword in the game under these circumstances.

B-Tier

Dragonscale Blade

The Dragonscale Blade is a fine weapon — but it only shines in certain situations. Its base stats are decent, but the Sword Skill and Magic Attack are lacking; however, like the Blade Meteoric Ore, the weapon art (especially the lighting effect) is downright stunning.

Meteoric Ore Blade

Elden Ring Meteoric Ore Blade is not a great weapon. The base stats are fine, but the ‘Gravitas’ ability — which deals damage to enemies within range and pulls them towards you — is simply lacking in power. It slow casting speed and requires too much precision to truly be effective, especially on normal mode. The AoE mechanic isn’t great either — it doesn’t feel right with high katana builds, that’s for sure.

A-Tier

Moonveil Katana

Moonveil Katana sits at the awkward crossroads of being both one of the best weapons and worst weapons in the game. Its unique ability, Transient Moonlight, allows for genuinely stunning combos — but it’s a glass cannon that, if you’re not careful, will break before you know it. The other option is to go with a more reliable weapon like Swordmaster’s Crest or Demonic Flameblade instead.