When it comes to mastering Elden Ring, knowing your weapon's strengths can mean the difference between a glorious victory and a frustrating defeat. While some players prioritize raw damage or elemental scaling, others prefer a more surgical approach—high critical damage. These weapons shine when executing backstabs, ripostes, or exploiting enemy weaknesses after a perfectly timed parry. If you’re looking to maximize those moments, here are 12 weapons in Elden Ring that deliver exceptional critical damage.
1. Rapier
A favorite among dexterity builds, the standard Rapier is deceptively strong thanks to its 130 base critical rating. It’s lightweight, fast, and perfect for players who favor precise strikes. Its critical output makes it one of the best early-game tools for parrying and counterattacks.
2. Misericorde
Arguably the best weapon in the game for critical hits, the Misericorde boasts an astounding 140 critical rating. It’s easy to overlook because of its short range and low base damage, but when used after a parry or backstab, few weapons can rival its damage spike. An excellent choice for PvP duelists and PvE assassins alike.
3. Estoc
Like the Rapier, the Estoc offers great thrusting attacks with a solid 130 critical stat. It also comes with excellent poise damage, making it slightly more versatile. Players who prefer a balanced thrusting weapon with good critical potential will find the Estoc to be a reliable pick.
4. Dagger
The basic Dagger may not seem impressive at first, but its 130 critical stat makes it ideal for stealth kills and quick ripostes. It pairs well with stealth-focused or bleed-centric builds. For players looking to enhance their early-game experience, this is a budget-friendly but deadly option.
5. Parrying Dagger
Though not usually used for direct offense, the Parrying Dagger allows for quicker parries and follow-up ripostes. Combine it with a high-critical weapon in the main hand for devastating results. It’s a solid secondary weapon for players who want to practice perfect parry timing.
6. Reduvia
Primarily a bleed-focused weapon, Reduvia still maintains a respectable critical damage potential when used for backstabs. It’s fast, scales with Arcane, and is often favored by players who want to pressure enemies while still having riposte power in reserve.
7. Bandit’s Knife
With a 110 critical stat and innate bleed buildup, the Bandit’s Knife becomes even deadlier when enhanced through upgrades. It excels in dual-wield setups or fast bleed builds. Whether you're farming runes or taking on invasions, this knife handles both roles efficiently.
8. Wakizashi
This short katana blends traditional katana animations with dagger-class critical potential. While its critical stat isn’t as high as the Misericorde, it benefits from katana scaling and can be dual-wielded with a Uchigatana for style and substance.
9. Crystal Knife
Not only does it offer decent critical output (110), but it also provides intelligence scaling for spell-focused builds. It’s a good off-hand option for magic users looking to riposte without relying on their staff or seal.
10. Celebrant’s Sickle
While more of a niche pick, this sickle has a decent 110 critical rating and a unique passive that grants runes upon each strike. It’s great for players who want to buy Elden Ring runes but also prefer earning them the traditional way.
11. Great Knife
This weapon scales well with Arcane and Dexterity and has an underrated critical stat of 110. When paired with buffs and consumables, it becomes an excellent tool for backstab-heavy players who enjoy a more rogue-like playstyle.
12. Black Knife
The Black Knife isn’t just good at criticals—it also reduces enemy max HP with each hit. While its critical stat is slightly lower than others on this list, the combination of effects makes it devastating in both PvP and PvE. Perfect for bosses and invaders alike.
Critical-based gameplay in Elden Ring can be incredibly rewarding, especially when you're able to land that perfect parry or sneak behind a powerful enemy. These weapons thrive in the hands of patient, skilled players who time their openings carefully.
If you're looking to experiment with these high-critical builds or want to shortcut some of the grind, many players choose to buy Elden Ring Items or buy Elden Ring runes to get started faster. While not essential, having access to better gear or upgrades early on can help you test out these strategies more effectively.
Whether you're invading other Tarnished or taking down major bosses, there's always room in your arsenal for a weapon that turns one perfect strike into total victory.