Traversing the Lands Between is no simple task; from the red, undead-infested hills of Caelid to the twisting, maze-like roots of Miquella’s Haligtree, players can expect to be met with enemies of all shapes, sizes, and difficulties, at any time. 

As such, it’s absolutely necessary to be equipped with the best weapon possible, as early as possible. If the quick-slashing katana is your weapon of choice, read on for an in-depth breakdown on the best katanas available in Elden Ring, and how to find them.

#8. Meteoric Ore Blade

Two-handing the Meteoric Ore Blade inflicts more damage on enemies

As one of the earliest obtainable katanas on our list, it can be tempting to gravitate towards the Meteoric Ore Blade. This katana cannot be infused with Ashes of War, as it already holds its own weapon skill: Gravitas. While Gravitas can be handy in close-range combat, use of this skill can easily backfire, as it creates a gravity well that pulls all surrounding enemies in close to the player, which can result in quickly being overrun if the player isn’t ready for the onslaught.

The Meteoric Ore Blade has the shortest length of all of Elden Ring’s katanas, making it difficult to battle through groups of enemies without taking some hefty damage. Its heavy attack is one of the weapon’s redeeming qualities, and the weapon can be upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones.

How to get Meteoric Ore Blade:

How to get Meteoric Ore Blade. Start at 0:32.

Meteoric Ore Blade full details:

• Attack: Phy 112, Mag 72, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
• Requires: Str 15, Dex 14, Int 18
• Scaling: Str D, Dex E, Int D
• Weapon Skill: Gravitas, costs 13 FP
• Weight: 7.5
• Causes Blood loss buildup (50)

 #7. Serpentbone Blade

The Serpentbone Blade: a deadly cut-ana

Another impressive katana that can be found in Caelid is the Serpentbone Blade, which is by far the coolest-looking weapon on our list. This is another weapon that cannot be infused with Ashes of War, because of its Double Slash weapon skill. 

The Serpentbone Blade’s longer range combined with its poison buildup and speed of attack makes it a formidable choice, and it can be improved using Smithing Stones. 

How to get Serpentbone Blade:

How to get Serpentbone Blade. Start at 1:23.

Serpentbone Blade full details:

• Attack: Phy 120, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
• Requires: Str 11, Dex 22
• Scaling: Str E, Dex C
• Weapon Skill: Double Slash, costs 6 (-3) FP
• Weight: 6
• Causes Poison buildup (66)

#6. Dragonscale Blade 

When you’re about to merk some knights but realize you forgot to put on deodorant

As the name would suggest, the Dragonscale Blade grants players the ability to deal an extra 20% damage against Dragon type enemies, and +10% damage against Ancient Dragon type enemies; keep in mind, though, that since Dragon enemies typically have a higher resistance to the Slash damage that katanas inflict, these bonuses don’t end up being super helpful. 

Though the Dragonscale Blade cannot be infused with Ashes of War because of its Ice Lightning Sword weapon skill, the skill is effective enough in combat that the ability to assign a different Ash of War isn’t missed. Somber Smithing Stones can be used to upgrade the Dragonscale Blade.

How to get Dragonscale Blade:

How to get Dragonscale Blade. Start at 0:08.

Dragonscale Blade full details:

• Attack: Phy 110, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
• Requires: Str 12, Dex 20
• Scaling: Str D, Dex C
• Weapon Skill: Ice Lightning Sword, costs 25 FP
• Weight: 5.5
• When using the Ice Lightning Sword skill, does additional lightning damage (160), and Frostbite buildup (60), for 45 seconds

 #5. Uchigatana

Better stock up on tampax. Uchigatana causes blood loss!

Uchigatana is probably one of Elden Ring’s most versatile weapons, and can be obtained extremely early in the game - if you choose the samurai class, this is your starter weapon!

Players can stick with the Unsheathe weapon skill that the Uchigatana carries, or apply their favorite Ash of War to truly make the weapon their own. The Uchigatana can be upgraded using Smithing Stones and can also be honed with a Whetblade, scaling it however the player prefers.

How to get Uchigatana:

How to get Uchigatana. Start at 0:40.

Uchigatana full details:

• Attack: Phy 115, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
• Requires: Str 11, Dex 15
• Scaling: Str D, Dex D
• Weapon Skill: Unsheathe, costs 10 FP for light attack release, 15 FP for heavy attack
• Weight: 5.5
• Causes Blood loss buildup (45)

#4. Nagakiba

Size might not be everything…but a little extra length never hurt anyone

Coming in at our number four spot is a katana eerily similar to Uchigatana, known as Nagakiba. This katana is an extremely versatile weapon; it can be infused with different Ashes of War, as well as upgraded using a Whetblade. 

Nagakiba offers the longest range of any katana, but, as most of us know, size isn’t everything! While its length combined with its versatility makes it a decent choice of weapon, Nagakiba pales in comparison to the abilities of the top three katanas. 

How to get Nagakiba:

How to get Nagakiba. Start at 0:15.

Nagakiba full details:

• Attack: Phy 115, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
• Requires: Str 18, Dex 22
• Scaling: Str D, Dex C
• Weapon Skill: Unsheathe, costs 10 FP for light attack release, 15 FP for heavy attack (does come with Piercing Fang Ash of War equipped, which can be removed for the weapon’s default skill)
• Weight: 7
• Causes Blood loss buildup (45)

#3. Hand of Malenia

Defeating Malenia earns you a lot more than brownie points

Coming in at number three is my personal favorite from the list, the Hand of Malenia. This weapon has the highest wield requirement on our list; players will need 48 Dexterity to wield this katana, which works out surprisingly well, as it isn’t obtainable until quite late in the game. 

To obtain the Hand of Malenia, players must defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella, which is no simple task. Upon her defeat, and bringing her Remembrance to the Roundtable Hold, players can unlock this katana. Waterfowl Dance, its weapon skill, is nearly as useful in slaying enemies as it was frustrating being on the receiving end. The Hand of Malenia can be upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones.

How to get Hand of Malenia:

How to get Hand of Malenia. Start at 0:33.

Hand of Malenia full details:

• Attack: Phy 117, Mag 0, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
• Requires: Str 16, Dex 48
• Scaling: Str E, Dex C
• Weapon Skill: Waterfowl Dance, costs 12 (-9) FP
• Weight: 7
• Causes Blood loss buildup (50)

#2. Moonveil 

Taking “mooning” to a whole new level

The number two spot belongs to Moonveil. It should be mentioned that this weapon and our top katana are both extremely powerful, and offer their own unique weapon skills; player preference might very well be the deciding factor between the top two katanas. 

Moonveil cannot be infused with Ashes of War due to its Transient Moonlight weapon skill, which allows the player to draw the blade quickly in an instant Slash attack and follow up with a second slash, both firing off waves of light that inflict additional damage upon enemies. Somber Smithing Stones can be used to upgrade Moonveil.

How to get Moonveil: 

How to get Moonveil. Start at 0:36.

Moonveil full details:

• Attack: Phy 73, Mag 87, Fire 0, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
• Requires: Str 12, Dex 18, Int 23
• Scaling: Str E, Dex D, Int C
• Weapon Skill: Transient Moonlight, costs 15 FP for light attack release, 20 FP for heavy attack 
• Weight: 6.5
• Causes Blood loss buildup (50)

#1. Rivers of Blood 

What’s more terrifying than a Jason Voorhees look-a-like wielding a bloody katana? Absolutely nothing

Those of you who have been exploring the Lands Between for a while are probably not surprised to see Rivers of Blood taking the top spot. Even after a few patches, this katana is still almost too powerful (but that’s why we love it, right!?) 

Rivers of Blood holds the Corpse Piler weapon skill - which is unique to this weapon, and quite fittingly named - that allows players to successively deal up to six hits on surrounding enemies. Each slash of the sword leaves behind a trail of blood, increasing its effective range. On top of that, every strike on an enemy deals both physical and fire damage, in addition to Blood loss buildup. To put it simply: Rivers of Blood is nearly unstoppable.

How to get Rivers of Blood:

How to get Rivers of Blood. Start at 0:45.

Rivers of Blood full details:

• Attack: Phy 76, Mag 0, Fire 76, Lgt 0, Holy 0, Crit 100
• Requires: Str 12, Dex 18, Arc 20
• Scaling: Str E, Dex D, Arc D
• Weapon Skill: Corpse Piler, costs 17 FP
• Weight: 6.5
• Causes Blood loss buildup (50)

You may also be interested in:

• Elden Ring Best Weapons for Dual Wield
• Elden Ring Best Shields and How To Get Them
• Elden Ring Best Keepsakes and How To Get Them
• Elden Ring Best Dex Weapons
• Elden Ring Best Bleed Weapons