Elden Ring Great Katanas

2 min read 05-01-2025

The Lands Between are a brutal place, filled with fearsome beasts and challenging foes. To survive, you need the right tools for the job. And when it comes to stylish and effective combat, few weapons in Elden Ring match the satisfying heft and devastating power of the great katanas. This guide delves into some of the best, exploring their unique strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the perfect blade for your playstyle.

What Makes a Great Katana Great?

Elden Ring's katanas stand out for their exceptional speed and reach, offering a good balance of offensive and defensive capabilities. While they generally have lower durability than other weapon types, this is often offset by their impressive damage output and stylish movesets. Great katanas, in particular, excel at dealing significant damage in a relatively short timeframe, making them ideal for players who prefer aggressive, offensive strategies.

Top Tier Great Katanas: A Closer Look

Several great katanas stand above the rest, each with its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here's a breakdown of some of the most popular choices:

1. Moonveil Katana

Often cited as one of the best weapons in the game, the Moonveil Katana boasts exceptional scaling, particularly in Intelligence. Its unique skill, Transient Moonlight, unleashes a devastating wave of magical energy, perfect for crowd control and dealing massive damage to single targets. The drawback? You'll need to invest heavily in Intelligence to fully utilize its potential.

2. Nagakiba

This colossal katana offers unparalleled reach, allowing you to strike enemies from a safe distance. Its raw damage output is exceptional, making it a formidable weapon, even in the late game. While lacking a unique skill, its raw power compensates, making it a fantastic option for strength builds.

3. Uchigatana

While technically a katana, not a great katana, its early game availability and excellent scaling make it worthy of mention. This weapon serves as an excellent stepping stone for players looking to transition into using great katanas later on in the game. It's a reliable and versatile weapon that can carry you through a significant portion of your journey.

Choosing Your Weapon: Playstyle and Build Considerations

The best great katana for you will ultimately depend on your preferred playstyle and build. Consider these factors when making your choice:

Your primary stat: Do you focus on Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or a hybrid build? Each katana scales differently, so choose one that complements your stat investment.
Your preferred combat style: Are you an aggressive, close-range fighter, or do you prefer to maintain a bit more distance? The Nagakiba's range is a key advantage for more strategic players.
Weapon Arts: The unique weapon arts greatly influence combat. Consider if you want a damage-focused art like Transient Moonlight (Moonveil Katana) or prefer to focus on other aspects.

Ultimately, exploring and experimenting is key. Try different katanas, discover their strengths and weaknesses, and find the perfect blade to carve your path through the Lands Between. Happy hunting, Tarnished!