Armor in Elden Ring may reduce incoming damage, but it's far from invincible—especially when you’re wielding the right tools. Whether you're challenging heavily-armored knights, dueling in PvP, or facing tanky bosses, some weapons specialize in tearing through tough defenses. This guide explores six powerful weapons known for their ability to shred armor, opening up new tactical possibilities for both PvE and PvP players.
1. Greatsword (Colossal Sword)
The sheer weight and impact of the Greatsword make it one of the best options for cracking armor. As a colossal sword, it deals high poise damage and easily staggers even the most heavily-armored enemies. When two-handed, it can break guard with fewer hits, leaving foes open to devastating follow-ups. Its synergy with Elden Ring Runes is also worth noting—upgrading and infusing it with the right Ashes of War makes it even more brutal.
2. Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade
Introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree, this heavy thrusting weapon combines strike and pierce damage—perfect for dealing with plated foes. Its unique weapon skill, which enhances your next thrust with tremor effects, deals excellent stamina damage through shields and armor alike. It also scales well with Strength, making it ideal for tank-breaking builds that focus on brute force rather than finesse.
3. Great Mace
Don’t let its simplicity fool you—the Great Mace is devastating against armored enemies. Thanks to its strike damage type, it has a natural advantage over foes clad in metal. When buffed with high Strength and paired with stamina-draining Ashes of War like Flaming Strike or Lion’s Claw, it becomes a wrecking ball in both PvE and PvP. It also synergizes well with consumable Elden Ring Items like Fire Grease for bonus effectiveness.
4. Ruins Greatsword
This colossal sword emits gravitational energy, but its real strength lies in overwhelming force. It not only delivers incredible stagger potential but also excels at smashing through guards and poise. The weapon skill, Wave of Destruction, has a wide AoE and crushes groups of enemies with heavy armor. If you’re investing your Elden Ring Runes into a Strength-heavy build, this is one of the top-tier options for armor destruction.
5. Nightrider Glaive
A halberd with great reach and a deceptively fast moveset, the Nightrider Glaive is excellent at applying pressure. Infused with a heavy or quality build, it becomes a stamina-draining menace. Its consistent poise damage chips away at armor quickly, and it handles both shielded and armored foes well. For players who enjoy mobility with reach and breaking power, this weapon stands out.
6. Dragon Slayer’s Crescent Axe
This axe delivers raw strength with each swing. Though slightly slower than some of its peers, the Crescent Axe compensates with its high stagger potential. Its natural affinity for strike damage means that it excels in close-quarters duels with heavy enemies. It becomes even more formidable when enhanced by Elden Ring Items like weapon buffs and incantations that increase physical damage output.
If you’ve been struggling against tough opponents in Elden Ring, switching to an armor-breaking weapon can dramatically improve your effectiveness. These six choices provide a strong foundation for builds focused on poise damage, stamina drain, and breaking through defenses. Investing your Elden Ring Runes wisely into these weapons, alongside support from key Elden Ring Items, can turn you into a nightmare for any armored foe, whether they’re AI or real players.
Whether you're forging your first tank-busting build or fine-tuning a PvP loadout, these weapons are among the most reliable for cracking even the thickest defenses.
Armor in Elden Ring may reduce incoming damage, but it's far from invincible—especially when you’re wielding the right tools. Whether you're challenging heavily-armored knights, dueling in PvP, or facing tanky bosses, some weapons specialize in tearing through tough defenses. This guide explores six powerful weapons known for their ability to shred armor, opening up new tactical possibilities for both PvE and PvP players.
1. Greatsword (Colossal Sword)
The sheer weight and impact of the Greatsword make it one of the best options for cracking armor. As a colossal sword, it deals high poise damage and easily staggers even the most heavily-armored enemies. When two-handed, it can break guard with fewer hits, leaving foes open to devastating follow-ups. Its synergy with Elden Ring Runes is also worth noting—upgrading and infusing it with the right Ashes of War makes it even more brutal.
2. Dragon Slayer’s Cragblade
Introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree, this heavy thrusting weapon combines strike and pierce damage—perfect for dealing with plated foes. Its unique weapon skill, which enhances your next thrust with tremor effects, deals excellent stamina damage through shields and armor alike. It also scales well with Strength, making it ideal for tank-breaking builds that focus on brute force rather than finesse.
3. Great Mace
Don’t let its simplicity fool you—the Great Mace is devastating against armored enemies. Thanks to its strike damage type, it has a natural advantage over foes clad in metal. When buffed with high Strength and paired with stamina-draining Ashes of War like Flaming Strike or Lion’s Claw, it becomes a wrecking ball in both PvE and PvP. It also synergizes well with consumable Elden Ring Items like Fire Grease for bonus effectiveness.
4. Ruins Greatsword
This colossal sword emits gravitational energy, but its real strength lies in overwhelming force. It not only delivers incredible stagger potential but also excels at smashing through guards and poise. The weapon skill, Wave of Destruction, has a wide AoE and crushes groups of enemies with heavy armor. If you’re investing your Elden Ring Runes into a Strength-heavy build, this is one of the top-tier options for armor destruction.
5. Nightrider Glaive
A halberd with great reach and a deceptively fast moveset, the Nightrider Glaive is excellent at applying pressure. Infused with a heavy or quality build, it becomes a stamina-draining menace. Its consistent poise damage chips away at armor quickly, and it handles both shielded and armored foes well. For players who enjoy mobility with reach and breaking power, this weapon stands out.
6. Dragon Slayer’s Crescent Axe
This axe delivers raw strength with each swing. Though slightly slower than some of its peers, the Crescent Axe compensates with its high stagger potential. Its natural affinity for strike damage means that it excels in close-quarters duels with heavy enemies. It becomes even more formidable when enhanced by Elden Ring Items like weapon buffs and incantations that increase physical damage output.
If you’ve been struggling against tough opponents in Elden Ring, switching to an armor-breaking weapon can dramatically improve your effectiveness. These six choices provide a strong foundation for builds focused on poise damage, stamina drain, and breaking through defenses. Investing your Elden Ring Runes wisely into these weapons, alongside support from key Elden Ring Items, can turn you into a nightmare for any armored foe, whether they’re AI or real players.
Whether you're forging your first tank-busting build or fine-tuning a PvP loadout, these weapons are among the most reliable for cracking even the thickest defenses.