In this Elden Ring guide, we are going to be showing you why curved greatswords are the best weapon in the game, by breaking down their strengths and weaknesses so that you can decide if they should be a part of your build or not.

Elden Ring Curved Greatsword Playstyle

When it comes to the playstyles, we think most people use when using curved greatswords,  they'll either two-hand a single curved greatsword in order to lean into its weapon skill and get fast attacks with R1 or they'll wield curve greatswords in order to use jump attack Max will probably falling back on one of the weapon skills. We don't think you're going to see too many hybrid builds with this weapon group meaning you're not going to see a strength faith Build very frequently, or a strength intelligence,  or dexterity faith, dexterity intelligence. There just aren't too many weapons that lend themselves well to that in our opinion unless you're doing something like the Hellfire Herald build but you're using two infusible curve greatswords, otherwise probably going to stick with strength dexterity from most of these weapons or the stats that they scale natively with leaning into their weapon skill, but you probably won't add too many spells unless they're just Buffs to that. 

Curved Greatsword Pros & Cons

Before we get into the tier list of the Curved Greatsword, first let's take a look at the pros and cons of this weapon group itself as well as the styles of play that we think most people will use while playing one of these weapons:

Pros

Curve swords have a decent amount of reach compared to other weapon types and they attack a bit faster than some of the other heavy weapon groups. Additionally, three of the nine curved greatswords will be able to set status effects natively and five of the nine have unique weapon skills that are available only to them. 

Cons

Their block counters hit at a shorter distance than a lot of other weapon types and many of the best ones in this weapon group are not found until very late into the game.

Elden Ring Best Curved Greatsword Builds Ranked (1.09)

Those things being said, let's jump into the unique curve greatswords ranking now:

No. 1 - Bloodhound's Fang (S Tier)

Bloodhound's Fang shares the default attack of most curved greatswords and deals physical damage, it has an average weight of 11.5  for a curve sword and requires some points in strength and dexterity in order to use. 

Pros:

Higher jump attack multiplier than other curved swords

Can be found very early on in the game by defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil

One of two curved greatswords that have native bleed build-up on hit

Has a fantastic weapon skill in Bloodhound's Finesse

Third longest curved greatsword

Can be buffed with magic or grease despite being non-infusible

Cons:

None

Bloodhound's Fang Build - We strongly recommend making a build with this weapon that leans into the weapon skill as well as jump attacks which are two of the three strongest aspects of the weapon. Don't prioritize bleed as it's not something you will trigger often due to the high damage of the weapon itself, but do remember to use grease and boss fights for increased damage or bleed build-up when needed. The Raptor's Black Feathers work well here further boosting your jump attack damage as does the Claw Talisman, we would also include Shard of Alexander to boost Bloodhounds Finesse damage and the Greenturtle Talisman and or the Green Turtle Shield even if it's just on your back to boost stamina recovery because bloodhound's finesse is a stamina monster.

No. 2 - Morgott's Cursed Sword (S Tier)

Morgott's Cursed Sword shares the default attack of most curved greatswords and deals physical damage. It is the lightest curved greatsword and known ring wing 7.5, and requires some points in Strength and Arcane and a lot of points of dexterity in order to use.

Pros

Lightest curved greatsword

One of 2 curved greatswords with native bleed build-up on hit

Longest curved greatsword

Highest critical multiplier of all curved greatsword

Cons

Can not be found until near the end of the game by defeating Margott

Highest requirements of any curved greatsword

Very low attack rating for a curved greatsword

Very expensive weapon skill FP wise

Morgott's Cursed Sword Build - The Sweet Spot for this weapon is about 50 dexterity and 50 Arcane with dexterity outperforming Arcane in terms of damage but Arcane adding bleed build-up, which you prioritize really depends on whether or not you plan to use the Dragon Communion Seal or to cast incantations, if you do plan on using it you might want to prioritize Arcane after meeting the initial dexterity requirements; if not focusing on dexterity for more damage should probably be the play here. Because of the Native Arcane scaling, Morgott's Cursed Sword makes a great candidate for Dragon Communion Seal pairing and a small assortment of incantations like Flame, Grant Me Strength, Golden VoW, and either Madness and Blood Spells, or Dragon spells since these have lower Faith requirements. However, you could just as easily play this with only the weapon maxing its weapon damage. If you plan to go the hybrid route, focus on Arcane meeting the minimum dexterity requirement of 35 and add enough Faith to cast the incantations you want,  add things like the Fire Scorpion Charm and Ritual Sword Talisman which boosts the damage of fire incantations.

No. 3 - Onyx Lord's Greatsword (A Tier)

Onyx Lord's Greatsword shares the default attack of most greatswords and deals physical and magic damage, and has an average weight of 11.5 for a curved greatsword and requires some points in strike dexterity and some intelligence in order to use.

Pros

Deals +20 damage to gravity-type enemies

611 attack rating at minimum requirements

Solid AOE damage with its weapon skill

Cons

Found much later in the game in the sealed tunnel in the capital outskirts

Weapon skill is quite expensive at 27 FP per use

Onyx Lord's Greatsword Build - The Onyx Lord's Greatsword is an interesting curve sword because it has relatively good damage which is Magic making it the only Curved Greatsword with Native intelligence scaling. It's got an average reach and it deals increased damage to gravity-based enemies like Alabaster Lawrence. Build wise we suggest two-handing this weapon taking advantage of its solid strength scaling and leading into its weapon skill when needed, block counters are not particularly effective with this weapon as it has short range so we don't recommend using a shield with this weapon. Use Shard of Alexander or Warrior Jar Shard and Magic Scorpion Charm for increased repulsion damage, and make sure to use Carian Filigreed Crest and the Sacrificial Axe in your offhand to help with FP management, what's more, ensure you have over 51 poison so that you can tank through some hits while using this weapon skill as it has a long windup.

No. 4 - Zamor Curved Sword (A Tier)

Zamor Curved Sword has a unique R1 chain that spins the character between each strike and increases its damage multiplier even more so than other curved greatswords and deals physical damage. It has an average weight for a curved greatsword and on ring wing 9 and requires some points in strength and dexterity in order to use. 

Pros

Very light curved greatsword

Only curved greatsword with frostbite build up

+10% damage multiplier for R1 attack combos vs. other curved greatsword

Cons

Can not be found until very late in the game in Gaint-Conquering Hero's Grave

Zamor Ice Storm doesn't scale with either strength or dexterity

Shortest curved greatsword in Elden Ring

Zamor Curved Sword Build - The Sweet Spot for this weapon is about 45 strength and 55 dexterity though the weapon skills are good up to 80 with both of these stats making it a good choice for NG Plus. However since there is no way to increase the damage of some more ice storm via scaling, you'll have a hard time on a third playthrough as it takes more and more casts to wipe out your enemies. We recommend two-handing this weapon and leading into its weapon skill by spamming it as much as needed to set frostbite on top enemies and to wipe out groups when outnumbered, or using it in a dual wield setup with something like Bloodhound's Fang for bleed build as well using either weapon skill depending on the boss you are facing.

No.5 - Magma Wyrm's Scalesword (B Tier)

Magma Wyrm's Scalesword shares a unique R2 attack with the Omen Cleaver and deals physical and fire damage. It has a very heavy weight for a curved greatsword in ring wing 15 and requires some points in strength dexterity and faith in order to wield. 

Pros

Magma Guillotine is a devastating weapon skill

Extremely high attack rating for a curved greatsword

Great weapon for New Game Plus

Cons

In the bottom half of curved greatswords in length

R2 attack has a very short range

Very heavy for a curved greatsword

Decent guard boost

Has high initial stats requirements compared to most another curved greatsword

Magma Wyrm's Scalesword Build - The Sweet Spot for this weapon is about 55 strength and 50 Faith with minimum points in dexterity but it scales rather well up to 80 strength and 50 dexterity as well making it a weapon that performs well in New Game Plus and beyond. We recommend making the build leaning into its weapon skill as it's really the best side about this weapon, use Flame, Grant Me Strength, and Golden Vow to buff before the boss fights for increased damage, and use Shard of Alexander over your Jar Shard and Fire Scorpion Charm to further boost your magma gear team damage.

No. 6 - Dismounter (B Tier)

Dismounter shares the default attack of most curved greatswords and deals physical damage, has an average weight for a curved sword in El ring wing 10, and requires some points in strength and dexterity in order to use.

Pros

Second longest curved greatsword

Can be acquired super early in the game by farming the Kaiden Warriors who wield it

One of the lighter curved greatswords

Cons

Lower attack rating than most other curved greatswords

Dismounter Build - Dismounter is the second longest curved greatsword, it has a decent attack rating, it's rather light at 10 weight, and can be found very early on in Elden Ring by farming the Caden Warriors who wield it.  However unlike the Omen Cleaver, magic is the leading damage infusion here followed by Sacred and Flame Art and then fire and lighting just behind that. Keen actually outperforms heavy so you might want to consider this option if you plan to one-hand the weapon with the shield. We don't recommend Magic or sacred and Flea Market even though they have the highest damage since you need to invest several points into strength and dexterity to use this weapon which won't leave you with as many points for fate for intelligence early on. If you decide to use this over the Omen Cleaver either lean into a strong Ash of War or one-hand it with a shield, this one is one of the longest and it makes the best case for it if you insist on a block counter focus build with a curved greatsword.

No. 7 - Beastman's Cleaver (B Tier)

Beastman's Cleaver shares the default attack of most greatswords and deals physical damage, it is the heaviest curved greatswords with 16.5 weight and requires a lot of points in strength and some dexterity in order to use.

Pros

Highest guard boost of all curved greatswords

Highest attack rating of all curved greatswords

Can be acquired very early on of you know how

Cons

Second shortest curved greatsword

Heaviest curved greatswords

Beastman's Cleaver Build - Beastman's Cleaver is the king of curved greatswords when it comes to damage and it has exceptional guard boost as well making it great for blocking and block counters while two-handing it. However it is also the heaviest curved greatsword and has the second shortest reach, so you'll have to consider these things as well. Fire and Lightning take the top spot here with Magic a Distance second and Sacred and Flame aren't coming in third, heavy is miles ahead of Keen in terms of damage which is also coincidentally outperformed by Cold as well making it a decent option. Because this is primarily a strength-based weapon and one that blocks well two-handed, we suggest using it in this manner particularly because it's so heavy and using jump attacks are twos block counters and a solid Ash of War-like wild strikes or sword dance to take out enemies in any manner that is fitting. If you don't like the length of the weapon or it's too heavy, Omen Cleaver is a solid second option.

No. 8 - Omen Cleaver (C Tier)

Omen Cleaver shares a unique R2 attack with a magma worm scale sword and deals physical damage, has an average weight for a curved greatsword of 11.5, and requires some points in strength and dexterity in order to use.

Pros

Upper half of curved greatswords when it comes to length

Canbe farmed relatively early on in Stormveil Castle by farming the Omen there

Second highest attack rating of all curved greatswords

Cons

R2  attack has a very short range

Omen Cleaver Build - The Omen Cleaver is the king of early-game curved greatswords since it's longer than most curved greatswords and has higher attack rating than all but the Beastman's Cleaver. If you like curved greatswords but don't know where to begin, this is a great option as it will be hard to beat later on unless you want a specific weapon skill. The R2 attack of this weapon has a very short range but it can be executed extremely quickly allowing you to spam it at point-blank range easily. Fire and lightning come in first place for damage than magic with sacred and playmark just behind that. Heavy and Keen after these with the cold just behind those. The relatively low requirements for this weapon and its average weight make it possible to play this two-handed or too dual-wielded pair of them utilizing jump attacks. We strongly suggest using the heavy and cold infusions if you're not going for fire or lightning and two handing this weapon with a strong Ash of War like Sword Dance, it often one shots most enemies on the first hit and if not the second hit surely does mean you really need to use the follow-up attack.

No. 9 -Monk's Flameblade (D Tier)

Monk's Flameblade shares the default attack of most curved greatswords and deals physical damage, has an average weight for a curved greatsword in 9, and requires some points in strength and dexterity in order to use. 

Pros

Look badass

Cons

Third shortest curved greatsword

Can not be found until near the end of the game in Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave

Can take a while to farm

Monk's Flameblade Build - Monk's Flameblade has the lowest attack rating of all infusible curved greatswords, it's the third shortest curved greatswords and you cannot find it until near the end of the game. This makes the only real reason to use this weapon because of its cosmetic appearance which is in our opinion one of the best in the game. Fire and lightning take the top spot for damage followed by magic with flame art and sacred being a close third Keen outperforms heavy with cold being just behind that. Consider using this weapon with a cold infusion and a dual wield setup with something like the Bloodhound's Fang in order to rip off huge chunks of Health between frostbite and hemorrhage, though you likely will already have a suitable replacement with Dismounter much earlier on in the game.