A Comprehensive Analysis of Underrated Weapons in Elden Ring

In the expansive and intricate world of Elden Ring, players are presented with a myriad of weapon choices, each offering unique advantages and playstyles. While some weapons, like the Greatsword or Starscourge Greatsword, often capture the limelight, other weapons, despite their intriguing qualities, remain overshadowed. This article explores some of these underrated weapons, analyzing their strengths and limitations to help players make informed decisions about their arsenal.

1. Troll's Golden Sword

Overview: The Troll's Golden Sword is a weapon designed for strength builds, characterized by its impressive scaling and solid base damage. It can be found near the Erdtree-looking-at-Hill Site of Grace, specifically inside a carriage chest.

Strengths:

• Good Scaling: The sword benefits from high scaling with strength, making it Elden Ring Runes a viable option for players who focus on building their strength stat.
• Buffable: It can be enhanced with consumables and spells, allowing players to customize its performance according to their needs.

Weaknesses:

• Limited Impact: Despite its solid scaling, the Troll's Golden Sword struggles to make a significant impact compared to other swords. It is overshadowed by more potent options like the Greatsword, Grafted Blade Greatsword, and Starscourge Greatsword.
• Competition with Top-Tier Swords: In a weapon category replete with exceptional swords, the Troll's Golden Sword often fails to stand out. Its damage output and overall performance are outclassed by these higher-tier alternatives.

2. Pest's Glaive

Overview: The Pest's Glaive, found on the bodies of defeated Lesser Kindreds of Rot in Caelid, is a halberd designed for dexterity builds. It features a fast attack speed and can be enhanced with special Ashes of War.

Strengths:

• Dexterity Scaling: It scales well with dexterity, making it a suitable choice for players who focus on dexterity builds.
• Fast Attacks: The glaive's swift lower attacks can be effective in combat, especially against enemies susceptible to quick strikes.

Weaknesses:

• Weaker Compared to Other Halberds: Despite its stylish appearance, the Pest's Glaive falls short in terms of damage output compared to other halberds in the game. It is outperformed by stronger options that offer better utility and damage.
• Limited Usefulness: For most players, the Pest's Glaive remains a less appealing choice due to its inability to compete with more powerful halberds.

3. Vulgar Militia Shotel

Overview: The Vulgar Militia Shotel is one of the two weapons dropped by Vulgar Militiamen scattered across the Lands Between. It offers decent range and the ability to bypass enemy shields.

Strengths:

• Shield Penetration: The Shotel's ability to bypass shields makes it a useful weapon for dealing with enemies who rely heavily on shield defense.
• Dexterity Scaling: With good dexterity scaling, it is a solid option for dexterity-focused builds.

Weaknesses:

• Inferior to Alternatives: Compared to the Vulgar Militia Saw, which inflicts blood loss and deals more damage, the Shotel falls short in terms of overall effectiveness. The Shotel is generally less favored due to its lower damage output and lack of additional benefits.
• Better Options Available: For dexterity players, there are more effective weapon choices that offer superior damage and utility.

4. Eclipse Shotel

Overview: The Eclipse Shotel is a faith-based weapon found in Castle Sol in the Mountaintop of the Giants region. It is a legendary armament known for its weapon art and deathblight infliction.

Strengths:

• Stance Breaking: The Shotel's weapon art is effective at breaking enemy stances, which can be advantageous in PvP situations.
• Deathblight Infliction: It has the potential to inflict deathblight on enemies, although this effect is mostly relevant in PvP.

Weaknesses:

• Low Damage Output: Despite its legendary status, the Eclipse Shotel fails to deliver the damage output of other weapons. Its performance is lackluster compared to more powerful alternatives.
• Limited Effectiveness: The deathblight effect is only impactful against other players in PvP scenarios. Most enemies in Elden Ring are not affected by this status, reducing the weapon's overall utility.

5. Family Heads

Overview: The Family Heads is a peculiar flail wielded by Necromancer Garris. It features heads resembling the necromancer's family, adding a morbid touch to its appearance. Found in Sage's Cave in the Altus Plateau, it is dropped upon defeating Garris.

Strengths:

• Unique Aesthetic: The Family Heads flail has a unique and eerie design, making it stand out visually.
• Familial Rancor: Its weapon art, Familial Rancor, summons spirits that attack nearby enemies, offering a distinct attack method.

Weaknesses:

• Low Damage and Scaling: The flail suffers from low damage output, poor range, and inadequate scaling, making it less effective in combat.
• Inferior to Other Options: For players interested in a dexterity and intelligence build, the Family Heads flail is outperformed by more effective weapon options with superior attributes.

Conclusion

While Elden Ring offers a plethora of weapon choices, some weapons, despite their unique characteristics and potential, remain underutilized or overshadowed by more powerful alternatives. Weapons like cheap Elden Ring Items the Troll's Golden Sword, Pest's Glaive, Vulgar Militia Shotel, Eclipse Shotel, and Family Heads each have their own distinct attributes but face limitations that affect their overall viability.

Understanding these limitations allows players to make informed decisions about their weapon choices and adapt their strategies accordingly. Whether you're seeking a weapon for its aesthetic appeal, its potential in specific builds, or simply to diversify your arsenal, it's essential to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each option. By doing so, players can enhance their Elden Ring experience and navigate the challenging world of the Lands Between with greater confidence.