Ultimate Weapon Comparison and Analysis

The answer to every question in the form of "What would be the best weapon for an X build?" is in here, check it out!

Introduction / Methodology

I painstakingly hand recorded over 2700 lines of data - each and every weapon's (and shield's) stats AND the stats of each and every different infusion of each of those weapons (and shields) which COULD be infused! (I do not recommend repeating the feat) All of them at max upgrade level so as to facilitate apples-to-apples comparisons, while sitting at the hard cap of 99 in every stat (other than Endurance)

I finished the game with minimal cheating (mostly restoring lost runes) and farmed up all the dropped weapons and armor I could, then I went offline and cheated in all the ones I couldn't get due to bugs, limited number of Rememberances, mutually exclusive items, or simple user error (Dung Eater violated me)
Once I made sure I had EVERY item legitimately obtainable in the game, I cheated again to make them all max level AND max out the character attributes (the absolute max rune level is 713 btw) I only left Endurance at 40 for "weapon swings till 0 stamina" testing
However, this save is for testing purposes ONLY, I do not use it online and I'll restore my clean(er) save if I ever do go online again. Only hack games for the good, m'kay?! :-P

Why did I pick these values? Well 40 Endurance is right about the level of stamina most people would have, or so I figured. 99 isn't that much different than the last soft cap of 80, and people who call 80 the "hard cap" annoy me so I set all my other attributes to the real hard cap out of spite :-P

Why should you trust what I say over anyone else?
Because I always offer you access to the raw data for you to see for yourself.
Which is available here[www.dropbox.com] (This data was recorded with v1.03.2 of Elden Ring)
Since this information was hand recorded, there is always the possibility my finger slipped and eg entered a 45 instead of a 54 and I never noticed or something else like that. I do not believe I made any mistakes, but I am only human so if you find any errors just let me know and I'll re-check the weapon.
That said there are errors in this data on Fromsoft's side and not mine which I try to point out below. I'm sure Fromsoft will get around to fixing them... eventually...
And of course any patch always has the chance of changing something NOT MENTIONED in the patch notes >.>

DPH vs DPSb Pros and Cons

DPH = Damage per Hit
DPS = Damage per Second
DPSb = Damage per Stamina Bar

DPH is easy; our attack power is a direct measure of this value, but DPS is not so easy. DPS requires careful measurement of the time variable - small measurement errors would result in widely varying results. Thus, I have to approximate DPS with DPSb - count the number of swings each weapon takes to fully deplete the stamina bar, then multiply that number of swings by the attack power of one swing. In this way we can control the variables for consistent results; I only used light attack spam (L1?) without any pauses for stamina to regen and from a consistent amount of stamina (40 Endurance worth) without any talismans or other status effects.

Still, there are benefits to one over the other; DPH vs DPS, and I want to make sure you understand the tradeoff in picking one to favor over the other.

DPH Pros:

• Bypasses Damage Negation: Each hit receives a flat damage reduction and then a percentage damage reduction based off the opponent's defenses; the percentage damage reduction will be the same regardless of how many hits you deliver your damage in... but that flat damage reduction? That sees multiple small hits lossing more of their damage than a single large hit would, this also penalizes split damage type weapons eg ones that do Fire AND Physical damage since then the damage negation is applied twice
  
• Weapon Arts and Criticals: Big single hits mean that bigger single hits are bigger too - higher DPH buffs things like weapon skills and parries

DPH Cons:

• Higher Stamina Consumption: A single swing will eat up more of your stamina bar meaning you can't swing as often and doing so could leave you wanting when you need to dodge or block
  
• Slower Status Effect Buildup: Slow swinging weapons often get more buildup per swing, but even so they will not buildup effects as quickly as faster swinging weapons will

Reverse these for high DPSb weapons; they have much lower stamina consumption rates allowing for more swings which in turn cause faster effect buildup, but they suffer from a higher damage negation penalty and lower weapon skill and critical numbers.

So... which is better to focus on?
A: It depends. I think DPSb is generally a better measure of a weapon's worth, but it is really up to personal preference. If you are parrying a lot or really like weapon skills, then maybe you should focus on DPH more. I keep spreadsheets for both in the raw data link, if you don't like the sorting I used for a given section in this guide - go check em out.

Weapon Highlights

All status buildup below is measured from one full stamina bar at 40 Endurance

Blood Venomous Fang (2808 Blood, 2256 Deadly Poison buildup dual-wielded) - The base weapon keeps topping lists because it has the lowest stamina cost per swing resulting in a whooping 20 swings till 0 stamina at 40 Endurance. Only Raptor Talons can match it for efficiency, unfortunately for them this one is just flat out better. With a multiplier like that, at least by the numbers, this is the single largest bleed buildup per stamina you can get, plus you get poison at no extra cost!

Blood Rapier + Blood Antspur Rapier (3510 Blood, 600 Rot buildup) - The Rapier gives you 130% critical damage while the Antspur builds rot and w/e else you feel like infusing it with (just not Cold, that combo is bugged, but lets be honest it's blood for both these weapons isn't it?) Not for scrubs like me who never learned how to parry, if you are going to powerstance something this seems like a good combo to me (UPDATE! I had only tested these as individual weapons previously, but when dual-wielded - rapiers manage to get in 30 pokes per stamina bar! Making them the new reigning champ for blood buildup!)

Rivers of Blood + Cold Uchigatana/Nagakiba (702 Blood, 630 Frost buildup) - The weapon skill of the Rivers of Blood katana is going to get nerfed, but even so this combo allows you to build frost with the off-hand and then reset it with the fire damage from the main-hand giving you two sources of damage bloom - Frost AND Blood (fire damage does NOT negate frost buildup, only the final proc'd effect which would normally give a -20% damage resistance debuff and block further frost buildup. Also, Uchigatana has better damage numbers but shorter range than the Nagakiba)
NOTE! Blood buildup only sees gains on weapons with Arcane scaling, thus the following weapons DO NOT benefit from Arcane investment; aka they'd have the same blood buildup with 10 Arcane as with 99
Other Weapon Types with this same strategy:
Axe: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Forked Hatchet (945, 1155)
Claw: Cold + Fire/Flame Art Raptor Talons (1245, 1365, Cold is better on the right hand here)
Curved Sword: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Scavenger's Curved Sword (498, 630)
Dagger: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Bloodstained Dagger (760, 1155) / Wakizashi (532, 735)
Flail: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Nightrider Flail (520, 635)
Great Hammer: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Great Stars (525, 635)
Greataxe: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Great Omenkiller Cleaver (525, 635)
Greatsword: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Flamberge (525, 635)
Halberd: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Vulgar Militia Saw (525, 635)
Hammer: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Spiked Club (615, 735)
Reaper: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Grave Scythe (525, 635)
Spear: Inquisitor's Girandole + Cold Spiked Spear (475, 525)
Whip: Fire/Flame Art + Cold Hoslow's Petal Whip (625, 735)
NOTE: Instead of Fire/Flame Art you could instead use one of the infusions which still allows buffs (heavy, quality or keen) and then use eg the Bloodflame Blade incantation

Great Stars - Heals you (or your mimic) on every hit, innate bleed buildup, and you can choose to either Cold infuse it OR keep it buffable to give it eg Bloodflame with Heavy/Keen/Quality

Godslayer's Greatsword - Surprisingly good stamina efficiency for a colossal weapon, it also swings like a weapon a size-class smaller than it is. This allows it to get really good damage numbers both in DPH and DPSb and since it is a colossal weapon most of its 2-hand attacks *ought* to be unparryable. Only downside is there is no way to give it bleed buildup

Zamor Curved Sword - Has a unique moveset which allows you to regen stamina WHILE attacking, and gives you access to frost buildup without needing to worry about a split damage penalty nor INT investment. Takes some getting used to since it is unique, but might also catch others off guard in pvp, unfortunately powerstancing it makes it lose the unique moveset - poop

Cipher Pata OR Coded Sword - The only weapons currently which do pure non-physical damage, they also get shield bypassing attacks. Downside is they do VERY little if any staggering

Lion Greatbow - Rivaling the Jar Cannon when used with Radahn's Spear Greatarrows, this "hidden" launcher - ammo interaction could be the hardest hitting ranged non-magical option in game. Only thing the Jar Cannon has over this combo is that its hitting like a truck the moment you can equip it but has ZERO attribute scaling

Blood Fingerprint Stone Shield - Bleed and madness buildup... who even needs a weapon?! Yes, this is a tad bit ridiculous, but people have done this before - wielded nothing but a giant shield and just smashed people into red goo with it. If it works like in previous games, you get constant blocking protection even while "attacking" with it and the only limiting factor is how long your stamina can hold out, you are going to need a LOT of Endurance... (unfortunately Madness only works in PvP and against NPC invaders)

Best Damage-per-Hit & Buffable

Weapon	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Quality Giant-Crusher+25	998	5988
Troll's Hammer+25	962	6734
Prelate's Quality Inferno Crozier+25	960	5760
Bloodhound's Fang+10	944	8496
Quality Duelist Greataxe+25	933	7464
Golem's Quality Halberd+25	927	6489
Quality Greatsword+25	915	6405
Watchdog's Quality Greatsword+25	911	7288
Heavy Giant-Crusher+25	911	5466
Keen Giant-Crusher+25	911	5466
Troll's Golden Quality Sword+25	897	7176
Quality Rotten Greataxe+25	892	7136
Treespear+25	890	7120
Keen Duelist Greataxe+25	887	7096
Prelate's Heavy Inferno Crozier+25	884	5304
Quality Greataxe+25	874	7866
Prelate's Keen Inferno Crozier+25	874	5244
Quality Crescent Moon Axe+25	865	7785
Quality Longhaft Axe+25	865	7785
Beastman's Quality Cleaver+25	860	7740
Keen Greatsword+25	859	6013
Quality Zweihander+25	854	6832
Golem's Keen Halberd+25	853	5971
Quality Great Omenkiller Cleaver+25	850	7650
Keen Rotten Greataxe+25	849	6792
Greatsword+25	849	5943
Prelate's Inferno Crozier+25	847	5082
Watchdog's Keen Greatsword+25	846	6768
Duelist Greataxe+25	845	6760
Golem's Heavy Halberd+25	845	5915
Quality Omen Cleaver+25	844	8440
Heavy Greatsword+25	843	5901
Golem's Halberd+25	841	5887
Quality Brick Hammer+25	837	7533
Giant-Crusher+25	835	5010
Watchdog's Heavy Greatsword+25	831	6648
Banished Knight's Quality Greatsword+25	829	8290
Quality Dismounter+25	829	8290
Quality Rusted Anchor+25	829	8290
Quality Curved Great Club+25	828	7452
Heavy Duelist Greataxe+25	827	6616
Executioner's Quality Greataxe+25	825	7425
Gargoyle's Quality Halberd+25	822	7398
Quality Greathorn Hammer+25	820	7380
Quality Nightrider Glaive+25	818	7362
Quality Battle Hammer+25	817	7353
Troll's Golden Keen Sword+25	817	6536
Guardian's Keen Swordspear+25	813	8943
Monk's Quality Flameblade+25	813	8943
Knight's Quality Greatsword+25	813	7317
Troll's Golden Sword+25	813	6504
Gargoyle's Quality Greatsword+25	810	8100
Quality Glaive+25	810	7290
Quality Great Mace+25	810	7290
Quality Iron Greatsword+25	808	7272
Quality Great Stars+25	807	7263
Quality Claymore+25	805	8050
Rotten Greataxe+25	805	6440
Greataxe+25	797	7173
Celebrant's Quality Skull+25	796	7960
Keen Zweihander+25	796	6368
Quality Grave Scythe+25	794	7940
Beastman's Heavy Cleaver+25	794	7146
Lordsworn's Quality Greatsword+25	793	7930
Gargoyle's Quality Great Axe+25	791	8701
Quality Butchering Knife+25	791	8701
Heavy Rotten Greataxe+25	791	6328
Quality Pickaxe+25	790	7110
Crescent Moon Axe+25	787	7083
Longhaft Axe+25	787	7083
Beastman's Keen Cleaver+25	785	7065
Troll's Golden Heavy Sword+25	785	6280
Watchdog's Greatsword+25	785	6280
Banished Knight's Quality Halberd+25	781	7810
Quality Vulgar Militia Saw+25	781	7810
Omen Cleaver+25	780	7800
Gargoyle's Keen Greatsword+25	779	7790
Keen Greataxe+25	779	7011
Keen Crescent Moon Axe+25	778	7002
Guardian's Quality Swordspear+25	776	8536
Quality Bastard Sword+25	776	7760
Quality Flamberge+25	776	7760
Quality Rotten Battle Hammer+25	776	6984
Quality Lance+25	776	6208
Heavy Greataxe+25	773	6957
Quality Halberd+25	772	7720
Quality Vulgar Militia Shotel+25	771	7710
Keen Brick Hammer+25	771	6939
Executioner's Heavy Greataxe+25	770	6930
Great Omenkiller Cleaver+25	770	6930
Zweihander+25	770	6160
Heavy Rusted Anchor+25	769	7690
Quality Large Club+25	769	6921
Rusted Anchor+25	767	7670
Keen Iron Greatsword+25	766	6894
Heavy Longhaft Axe+25	764	6876
Executioner's Keen Greataxe+25	763	6867
Curved Great Club+25	761	6849
Heavy Brick Hammer+25	761	6849
Keen Longhaft Axe+25	761	6849
Keen Rusted Anchor+25	760	7600
Quality Warped Axe+25	758	7580
Pest's Quality Glaive+25	756	7560
Iron Greatsword+25	756	6804
Heavy Crescent Moon Axe+25	755	6795
Keen Battle Hammer+25	754	6786
Keen Omen Cleaver+25	753	7530
Keen Butchering Knife+25	752	8272
Keen Dismounter+25	752	7520
Gargoyle's Heavy Halberd+25	752	6768
Quality Godskin Stitcher+25	751	7510
Greathorn Hammer+25	750	6750
Great Club+25	749	5243
Gargoyle's Keen Great Axe+25	748	8228
Heavy Iron Greatsword+25	748	6732
Gargoyle's Heavy Greatsword+25	747	7470

Strength (S&A Rank)

S Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Gargoyle's Heavy Great Axe+25	722	7942
*Ruins Greatsword+10	946	7568
Heavy Warped Axe+25	691	6910
Heavy Brick Hammer+25	761	6849
Gargoyle's Heavy Halberd+25	752	6768
Heavy Nightrider Glaive+25	746	6714
Watchdog's Heavy Greatsword+25	831	6648
Heavy Giant-Crusher+25	911	5466

Heavy REMOVES DEX scaling

A Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Heavy Venomous Fang+25	487	9740
Heavy Iron Ball+25	514	9252
Heavy Spiked Caestus+25	493	8874
Heavy Raptor Talons+25	442	8840
Heavy Caestus+25	488	8784
Rogier's Heavy Rapier+25	488	8784
*Ordovis's Greatsword+10	937	8433
Heavy Star Fist+25	525	8400
*Gargoyle's Blood/Poison Great Axe+25	741	8151
Heavy Iron Cleaver+25	667	8004
Beastman's Heavy Curved Sword+25	602	7826
Heavy Rusted Anchor+25	769	7690
*Staff of the Avatar+10	1089	7623
*Cold Brick Hammer+25	845	7605
Heavy Falchion+25	577	7501
Heavy Curved Club+25	625	7500
*Cold Warped Axe+25	748	7480
Gargoyle's Heavy Greatsword+25	747	7470
Serpent-God's Heavy Curved Sword+25	573	7449
Heavy Club+25	568	7384
Heavy Spiked Club+25	611	7332
Heavy Mace+25	610	7320
Heavy Uchigatana+25	610	7320
Heavy Stone Club+25	659	7249
Heavy Bastard Sword+25	720	7200
Heavy Bloodstained Dagger+25	450	7200
Heavy Great Epee+25	652	7172
Gargoyle's Heavy Twinblade+25	651	7161
Heavy Jawbone Axe+25	650	7150
Heavy Lucerne+25	650	7150
Beastman's Heavy Cleaver+25	794	7146
Heavy Broadsword+25	594	7128
Executioner's Heavy Greataxe+25	770	6930
Heavy Halberd+25	688	6880
Clayman's Heavy Harpoon+25	685	6850
Banished Knight's Heavy Halberd+25	681	6810
Heavy Vulgar Militia Saw+25	681	6810
*Blood/Poison Warped Axe+25	675	6750
Heavy Iron Greatsword+25	748	6732
Heavy Great Mace+25	747	6723
Heavy Vulgar Militia Shotel+25	672	6720
*Blood/Poison Brick Hammer+25	744	6696
Heavy Parrying Dagger+25	417	6672
Heavy Great Knife+25	413	6608
Heavy Erdsteel Dagger+25	412	6592
Heavy Dagger+25	411	6576
Heavy Battle Hammer+25	729	6561
Heavy Pickaxe+25	729	6561
Heavy Greathorn Hammer+25	724	6516
Pest's Heavy Glaive+25	645	6450
Heavy Hammer+25	644	6440
Heavy Rotten Battle Hammer+25	714	6426
Heavy Great Stars+25	713	6417
Noble's Heavy Slender Sword+25	526	6312
Heavy Large Club+25	701	6309
Brick Hammer+25	700	6300
Heavy Glaive+25	699	6291
*Cold Giant-Crusher+25	990	5940
Golem's Heavy Halberd+25	845	5915
*Serpent-Hunter+10	738	5904
Heavy Greatsword+25	843	5901
*Blood/Poison Giant-Crusher+25	917	5502
Heavy Chainlink Flail+25	608	5472
Heavy Urumi+25	532	5320
Prelate's Heavy Inferno Crozier+25	884	5304
Heavy Lance+25	662	5296

* = NOT buffable; everything else IS

Dexterity (S&A Rank)

S Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Keen Great Knife+25	463	7408
Keen Dagger+25	455	7280
Keen Parrying Dagger+25	455	7280
Keen Urumi+25	645	6450

A Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Rogier's Keen Rapier+25	551	9918
Keen Raptor Talons+25	489	9780
Keen Rapier+25	527	9486
Guardian's Keen Swordspear+25	813	8943
Keen Hookclaws+25	496	8928
Keen Butchering Knife+25	752	8272
Keen Scimitar+25	589	8246
Flowing Keen Curved Sword+25	600	7800
Keen Lucerne+25	707	7777
Keen Uchigatana+25	639	7668
Keen Cane Sword+25	510	7650
Keen Shotel+25	509	7635
Celebrant's Keen Sickle+25	469	7504
*Blood/Poison Vulgar Militia Shotel+25	736	7360
Warhawk's Keen Talon+25	564	7332
Keen Vulgar Militia Shotel+25	732	7320
Keen Flamberge+25	728	7280
Keen Club+25	557	7241
Keen Short Sword+25	554	7202
Keen Scythe+25	716	7160
Monk's Keen Flamemace+25	645	7095
*Blood/Poison Great Knife+25	442	7072
Keen Forked Hatchet+25	544	7072
Pest's Keen Glaive+25	701	7010
Keen Erdsteel Dagger+25	437	6992
Keen Nagakiba+25	635	6985
Keen Brick Hammer+25	771	6939
Noble's Keen Slender Sword+25	564	6768
Keen Nightrider Glaive+25	747	6723
Gargoyle's Keen Halberd+25	743	6687
Keen Nightrider Flail+25	600	6000
Celebrant's Keen Rib-Rake+25	581	5810
Keen Cross-Naginata+25	685	5480
Keen Giant-Crusher+25	911	5466
Keen Thorned Whip+25	560	5040

* = NOT buffable; everything else IS

Quality (B/B Rank)

ALL of these are buffable

B/B Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Quality Venomous Fang+25	572	11440
Rogier's Quality Rapier+25	578	10404
Quality Antspur Rapier+25	576	10368
Quality Raptor Talons+25	513	10260
Quality Spiked Caestus+25	566	10188
Quality Caestus+25	559	10062
Quality Iron Ball+25	559	10062
Quality Bloodhound Claws+25	558	10044
Quality Katar+25	556	10008
Quality Rapier+25	543	9774
Cleanrot Knight's Quality Sword+25	607	9712
Quality Hookclaws+25	521	9378
Quality Estoc+25	580	9280
Noble's Quality Estoc+25	577	9232
Quality Shamshir+25	655	9170
Quality Star Fist+25	569	9104
Monk's Quality Flameblade+25	813	8943
Celebrant's Quality Cleaver+25	673	8749
Gargoyle's Quality Great Axe+25	791	8701
Quality Butchering Knife+25	791	8701
Quality Scimitar+25	619	8666
Quality Iron Cleaver+25	722	8664
Quality Falchion+25	661	8593
Guardian's Quality Swordspear+25	776	8536
Beastman's Quality Curved Sword+25	654	8502
Quality Uchigatana+25	707	8484
Quality Omen Cleaver+25	844	8440
Quality Warpick+25	601	8414
Quality Spiked Club+25	701	8412
Quality Mace+25	691	8292
Banished Knight's Quality Greatsword+25	829	8290
Quality Dismounter+25	829	8290
Quality Rusted Anchor+25	829	8290
Quality Morning Star+25	684	8208
Quality Lucerne+25	745	8195
Flowing Quality Curved Sword+25	630	8190
Quality Grossmesser+25	682	8184
Quality Club+25	629	8177
Quality Shotel+25	543	8145
Quality Great Epee+25	738	8118
Gargoyle's Quality Greatsword+25	810	8100
Serpent-God's Quality Curved Sword+25	622	8086
Quality Stone Club+25	734	8074
Quality Mantis Blade+25	672	8064
Quality Claymore+25	805	8050
Quality Curved Club+25	668	8016
Celebrant's Quality Skull+25	796	7960
Quality Grave Scythe+25	794	7940
Quality Cane Sword+25	529	7935
Lordsworn's Quality Greatsword+25	793	7930
Quality Greataxe+25	874	7866
Quality Parrying Dagger+25	489	7824
Quality Longsword+25	652	7824
Quality Jawbone Axe+25	711	7821
Banished Knight's Quality Halberd+25	781	7810
Quality Vulgar Militia Saw+25	781	7810
Quality Bloodstained Dagger+25	488	7808
Quality Twinned Knight Swords+25	708	7788
Quality Crescent Moon Axe+25	865	7785
Quality Longhaft Axe+25	865	7785
Quality Bastard Sword+25	776	7760
Quality Flamberge+25	776	7760
Gargoyle's Quality Twinblade+25	705	7755
Quality Erdsteel Dagger+25	484	7744
Quality Broadsword+25	645	7740
Beastman's Quality Cleaver+25	860	7740
Warhawk's Quality Talon+25	595	7735
Quality Sacrificial Axe+25	703	7733
Quality Short Sword+25	594	7722
Quality Halberd+25	772	7720
Quality Wakizashi+25	551	7714
Quality Vulgar Militia Shotel+25	771	7710
Quality Hand Axe+25	638	7656
Quality Great Omenkiller Cleaver+25	850	7650
Quality Great Knife+25	478	7648
Quality Dagger+25	477	7632
Bandit's Quality Curved Sword+25	693	7623
Weathered Quality Straight Sword+25	586	7618
Monk's Quality Flamemace+25	692	7612
Lordsworn's Quality Straight Sword+25	633	7596
Quality Warped Axe+25	758	7580
Quality Battle Axe+25	688	7568
Quality Highland Axe+25	688	7568
Pest's Quality Glaive+25	756	7560
Quality Forked Hatchet+25	581	7553
Quality Godskin Peeler+25	685	7535
Quality Brick Hammer+25	837	7533
Celebrant's Quality Sickle+25	470	7520
Quality Godskin Stitcher+25	751	7510
Quality Nagakiba+25	682	7502
Quality Duelist Greataxe+25	933	7464
Quality Curved Great Club+25	828	7452
Quality Forked Greatsword+25	745	7450
Quality Scythe+25	745	7450
Gargoyle's Quality Halberd+25	822	7398
Quality Greathorn Hammer+25	820	7380
Quality Nightrider Glaive+25	818	7362
Quality Battle Hammer+25	817	7353
Clayman's Quality Harpoon+25	735	7350
Knight's Quality Greatsword+25	813	7317
Scavenger's Quality Curved Sword+25	561	7293
Quality Glaive+25	810	7290
Quality Great Mace+25	810	7290
Watchdog's Quality Greatsword+25	911	7288
Quality Iron Greatsword+25	808	7272
Noble's Quality Slender Sword+25	602	7224
Troll's Golden Quality Sword+25	897	7176
Quality Rotten Greataxe+25	892	7136
Quality Pickaxe+25	790	7110
Quality Rotten Battle Hammer+25	776	6984
Quality Hammer+25	694	6940
Quality Large Club+25	769	6921
Quality Twinblade+25	690	6900
Quality Zweihander+25	854	6832

Quality (B/C Rank)

B/C Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Zamor Curved Sword+10	779	10906
Death's Poker+10	859	9449
Cold Uchigatana+25	772	9264
Monk's Blood/Poison Flameblade+25	808	8888
*Bloodhound's Fang+10	944	8496
Blood/Poison Spiked Club+25	700	8400
Cold Halberd+25	833	8330
Pest's Cold Glaive+25	820	8200
Blood/Poison Uchigatana+25	681	8172
Banished Knight's Blood/Poison Halberd+25	772	7720
Blood/Poison Halberd+25	772	7720
Blood/Poison Vulgar Militia Saw+25	767	7670
Blood/Poison Dagger+25	475	7600
Pest's Blood/Poison Glaive+25	753	7530
Blood/Poison Greathorn Hammer+25	819	7371
Dragon Halberd+10	818	7362

* = buffable

Intelligence (B Rank)

B Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Magic Venomous Fang+25	590	11800
Cold Spiked Caestus+25	624	11232
Rogier's Magic Rapier+25	621	11178
Cold Caestus+25	616	11088
Magic Antspur Rapier+25	615	11070
Magic Raptor Talons+25	532	10640
Magic Rapier+25	579	10422
Magic Spiked Caestus+25	579	10422
Magic Caestus+25	573	10314
Magic Bloodhound Claws+25	557	10026
Sword of Night and Flame+10	835	10020
Crystal Knife+25	626	10016
Magic Hookclaws+25	542	9756
Moonveil+10	811	9732
Wing of Astel+10	689	9646
Cold Falchion+25	734	9542
Onyx Lord's Greatsword+10	939	9390
Magic Shamshir+25	669	9366
Scavenger's Cold Curved Sword+25	717	9321
Monk's Magic Flameblade+25	836	9196
Magic Iron Cleaver+25	751	9012
Magic Butchering Knife+25	812	8932
Magic Falchion+25	683	8879
Gargoyle's Magic Great Axe+25	801	8811
Magic Omen Cleaver+25	879	8790
Cold Dagger+25	548	8768
Beastman's Magic Curved Sword+25	674	8762
Magic Spiked Club+25	724	8688
Magic Scimitar+25	620	8680
Banished Knight's Cold Halberd+25	867	8670
Scavenger's Magic Curved Sword+25	657	8541
Magic Warpick+25	608	8512
Magic Dismounter+25	847	8470
Magic Uchigatana+25	703	8436
Gargoyle's Magic Greatsword+25	843	8430
Magic Bloodstained Dagger+25	526	8416
Magic Stone Club+25	761	8371
Magic Club+25	641	8333
Magic Great Epee+25	753	8283
Magic Curved Club+25	688	8256
Flowing Magic Curved Sword+25	634	8242
Dark Moon Greatsword+10	914	8226
Warhawk's Magic Talon+25	631	8203
Helphen's Steeple+10	907	8163
Magic Great Knife+25	509	8144
Magic Morning Star+25	677	8124
Magic Dagger+25	507	8112
Magic Grossmesser+25	676	8112
Magic Mace+25	675	8100
Magic Parrying Dagger+25	506	8096
Magic Lucerne+25	730	8030
Beastman's Magic Cleaver+25	890	8010
Celebrant's Magic Sickle+25	499	7984
Magic Vulgar Militia Shotel+25	797	7970
Magic Forked Hatchet+25	613	7969
Magic Mantis Blade+25	662	7944
Magic Flamberge+25	793	7930
Magic Short Sword+25	610	7930
Bandit's Magic Curved Sword+25	717	7887
Magic Wakizashi+25	560	7840
Magic Vulgar Militia Saw+25	783	7830
Magic Brick Hammer+25	861	7749
Banished Knight's Magic Halberd+25	772	7720
Magic Scythe+25	770	7700
Magic Longsword+25	641	7692
Watchdog's Magic Greatsword+25	954	7632
Magic Godskin Stitcher+25	761	7610
Cold Brick Hammer+25	845	7605
Magic Warped Axe+25	760	7600
Magic Halberd+25	758	7580
Magic Erdsteel Dagger+25	473	7568
Magic Nagakiba+25	688	7568
Noble's Magic Slender Sword+25	629	7548
Magic Forked Greatsword+25	754	7540
Magic Greathorn Hammer+25	837	7533
Magic Battle Hammer+25	829	7461
Pest's Magic Glaive+25	745	7450
Cold Erdsteel Dagger+25	462	7392
Magic Great Mace+25	821	7389
Magic Great Stars+25	816	7344
Magic Nightrider Glaive+25	815	7335
Gargoyle's Magic Halberd+25	812	7308
Bastard's Stars+10	730	7300
Magic Rotten Battle Hammer+25	810	7290
Magic Glaive+25	795	7155
Clayman's Magic Harpoon+25	708	7080
Magic Nightrider Flail+25	679	6790
Magic Zweihander+25	848	6784
Cold Lance+25	844	6752
Magic Flail+25	659	6590
Magic Chainlink Flail+25	694	6246
Magic Urumi+25	623	6230
Magic Giant-Crusher+25	1019	6114
Magic Lance+25	754	6032
Prelate's Magic Inferno Crozier+25	1002	6012
Magic Cross-Naginata+25	729	5832
Magic Pike+25	663	5304

Faith (A&B Rank)

A Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Cipher Pata+10	507	9126
Coded Sword+10	564	7332

B Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Flame Art/Sacred Antspur Rapier+25	617	11106
Rogier's Flame Art/Sacred Rapier+25	601	10818
Flame Art/Sacred Spiked Caestus+25	588	10584
Flame Art/Sacred Caestus+25	581	10458
Flame Art/Sacred Rapier+25	572	10296
Sword of Night and Flame+10	835	10020
Blade of Calling+10	608	9728
Inseparable Sword+10	961	9610
Flame Art/Sacred Erdsteel Dagger+25	594	9504
Flame Art/Sacred Shamshir+25	675	9450
Magma Wyrm's Scalesword+10	1046	9414
Monk's Flame Art/Sacred Flameblade+25	828	9108
Golden Order Greatsword+10	896	8960
Flame Art/Sacred Spiked Club+25	746	8952
Flame Art/Sacred Falchion+25	682	8866
Scavenger's Flame Art/Sacred Curved Sword+25	681	8853
Gargoyle's Flame Art/Sacred Great Axe+25	804	8844
Flame Art/Sacred Omen Cleaver+25	870	8700
Flame Art/Sacred Uchigatana+25	725	8700
Envoy's Long Horn+10	964	8676
Gargoyle's Flame Art/Sacred Greatsword+25	845	8450
Flame Art/Sacred Bloodstained Dagger+25	527	8432
Flame Art/Sacred Mace+25	702	8424
Flame Art/Sacred Morning Star+25	702	8424
Flame Art/Sacred Club+25	643	8359
Flame Art/Sacred Dismounter+25	832	8320
Flame Art/Sacred Dagger+25	519	8304
Flame Art/Sacred Great Epee+25	751	8261
Warhawk's Flame Art/Sacred Talon+25	633	8229
Flame Art/Sacred Lucerne+25	744	8184
Flame Art/Sacred Short Sword+25	629	8177
Flame Art/Sacred Great Knife+25	511	8176
Flame Art/Sacred Vulgar Militia Shotel+25	813	8130
Blasphemous Blade+10	1014	8112
Flame Art/Sacred Vulgar Militia Saw+25	809	8090
Flame Art/Sacred Parrying Dagger+25	503	8048
Celebrant's Flame Art/Sacred Sickle+25	500	8000
Flame Ar/Sacredt Longsword+25	661	7932
Banished Knight's Flame Art/Sacred Halberd+25	792	7920
Bandit's Flame Art/Sacred Curved Sword+25	712	7832
Flame Art/Sacred Nagakiba+25	707	7777
Cranial Vessel Candlestand+10	972	7776
Flame Art/Sacred Brick Hammer+25	862	7758
Flame Art/Sacred Halberd+25	772	7720
Flame Art/Sacred Greathorn Hammer+25	856	7704
Inquisitor's Girandole+10	855	7695
Staff of the Avatar+10	1089	7623
Flame Art/Sacred Godskin Stitcher+25	761	7610
Clayman's Flame Art/Sacred Harpoon+25	759	7590
Pest's Flame Art/Sacred Glaive+25	759	7590
Noble's Flame Art/Sacred Slender Sword+25	626	7512
Flame Art/Sacred Battle Hammer+25	831	7479
Flame Art/Sacred Nightrider Glaive+25	831	7479
Maliketh's Black Blade+10	1065	7455
Gargoyle's Flame Art/Sacred Halberd+25	828	7452
Flame Art/Sacred Glaive+25	815	7335
Flame Art/Sacred Rotten Battle Hammer+25	808	7272
Giant's Red Braid+10	721	7210
Flame Art/Sacred Nightrider Flail+25	669	6690
Flame Art/Sacred Flail+25	659	6590
Flame Art/Sacred Chainlink Flail+25	698	6282
Flame Art/Sacred Lance+25	774	6192
Flame Art/Sacred Giant-Crusher+25	1018	6108
Flame Art/Sacred Cross-Naginata+25	737	5896

Honorable Mention:
Blasphemous Blade restores 6.5% HP upon defeating an enemy

Arcane (S&A Rank)

S Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
*Ripple Crescent Halberd+25	698	6980
*Ripple Blade+25	621	6831

* = buffable

A Rank (in-game)	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Occult Spiked Club+25	699	8388
Occult Brick Hammer+25	910	8190
Occult Dagger+25	483	7728
Banished Knight's Occult Halberd+25	770	7700
Occult Halberd+25	770	7700
Pest's Occult Glaive+25	750	7500
Occult Great Knife+25	468	7488
Occult Parrying Dagger+25	462	7392
Occult Rotten Battle Hammer+25	783	7047
Occult Erdsteel Dagger+25	242	3872

Occult buffs innate bleed and poison buildup

Infusion Gains

Some weapons gain more AP from infusion than others.
Here are the top performers as compared to the same weapon without infusion.
aka these are the weapons that REALLY do not want to be left as standard
If you want to see more, check the spreadsheet

Strength

• Heavy
  +76 - Heavy Giant-Crusher+25
  +63 - Beastman's Heavy Cleaver+25
  +61 - Heavy Brick Hammer+25
  +59 - Heavy Warped Axe+25
  +58 - Heavy Great Mace+25
  +56 - Heavy Club+25
  +55 - Heavy Large Club+25
  +50 - Heavy Nightrider Glaive+25
  +47 - Gargoyle's Heavy Halberd+25
  +46 - Gargoyle's Heavy Great Axe+25
  +46 - Watchdog's Heavy Greatsword+25
  
  
• Fire
  +160 - Fire Giant-Crusher+25
  +154 - Beastman's Fire Cleaver+25
  +135 - Watchdog's Fire Greatsword+25
  +131 - Fire Brick Hammer+25
  +126 - Fire Great Mace+25
  +126 - Gargoyle's Fire Greatsword+25
  +120 - Fire Large Club+25
  +110 - Prelate's Fire Inferno Crozier+25
  +109 - Fire Nightrider Glaive+25
  +106 - Guardian's Fire Swordspear+25

Dexterity

• Keen
  +137 - Guardian's Keen Swordspear+25
  +97 - Keen Urumi+25
  +77 - Gargoyle's Keen Greatsword+25
  +76 - Keen Giant-Crusher+25
  +72 - Gargoyle's Keen Great Axe+25
  +71 - Keen Brick Hammer+25
  +65 - Keen Warped Axe+25
  +61 - Watchdog's Keen Greatsword+25
  +57 - Keen Great Knife+25
  +55 - Gargoyle's Keen Twinblade+25
  +55 - Keen Vulgar Militia Shotel+25
  
  
• Lightning
  +160 - Lightning Giant-Crusher+25
  +154 - Beastman's Lightning Cleaver+25
  +135 - Watchdog's Lightning Greatsword+25
  +132 - Lightning Warped Axe+25
  +126 - Gargoyle's Lightning Greatsword+25
  +126 - Lightning Great Mace+25
  +125 - Prelate's Lightning Inferno Crozier+25
  +123 - Lightning Brick Hammer+25
  +120 - Lightning Large Club+25
  +109 - Lightning Nightrider Glaive+25

Intelligence

• Magic
  +184 - Magic Giant-Crusher+25
  +169 - Watchdog's Magic Greatsword+25
  +161 - Magic Brick Hammer+25
  +159 - Beastman's Magic Cleaver+25
  +155 - Prelate's Magic Inferno Crozier+25
  +141 - Gargoyle's Magic Greatsword+25
  +133 - Magic Large Club+25
  +132 - Magic Great Mace+25
  +129 - Magic Club+25
  +128 - Magic Warped Axe+25
  
  
• Cold
  +158 - Banished Knight's Cold Halberd+25
  +155 - Cold Giant-Crusher+25
  +155 - Cold Lance+25
  +148 - Cold Greataxe+25
  +145 - Cold Brick Hammer+25
  +143 - Monk's Cold Flameblade+25
  +142 - Troll's Golden Cold Sword+25
  +140 - Cold Curved Great Club+25
  +139 - Prelate's Cold Inferno Crozier+25
  +138 - Cold Glaive+25
  +138 - Cold Mace+25
  +138 - Watchdog's Cold Greatsword+25

Faith

• Sacred / Flame Art
  +205 - Sacred/Flame Art Erdsteel Dagger+25
  +183 - Sacred/Flame Art Giant-Crusher+25
  +162 - Sacred/Flame Art Brick Hammer+25
  +162 - Watchdog's Sacred/Flame Art Greatsword+25
  +155 - Beastman's Sacred/Flame Art Cleaver+25
  +143 - Gargoyle's Sacred/Flame Art Greatsword+25
  +142 - Prelate's Sacred/Flame Art Inferno Crozier+25
  +136 - Sacred/Flame Art Vulgar Militia Shotel+25
  +135 - Sacred/Flame Art Nightrider Glaive+25
  +131 - Sacred/Flame Art Club+25
  +131 - Sacred/Flame Art Great Mace+25

Strength & Dexterity

• Quality
  +163 - Quality Giant-Crusher+25
  +137 - Quality Brick Hammer+25
  +129 - Beastman's Quality Cleaver+25
  +126 - Quality Warped Axe+25
  +126 - Watchdog's Quality Greatsword+25
  +123 - Quality Large Club+25
  +122 - Quality Nightrider Glaive+25
  +121 - Quality Great Mace+25
  +117 - Gargoyle's Quality Halberd+25
  +117 - Quality Club+25
  
  
• Blood / Poison
  +88 - Blood/Poison Duelist Greataxe+25
  +88 - Blood/Poison Rotten Greataxe+25
  +82 - Blood/Poison Giant-Crusher+25
  +82 - Golem's Blood/Poison Halberd+25
  +82 - Prelate's Blood/Poison Inferno Crozier+25
  +81 - Troll's Golden Blood/Poison Sword+25
  +79 - Executioner's Blood/Poison Greataxe+25
  +78 - Blood/Poison Greataxe+25
  +74 - Blood/Poison Battle Hammer+25
  +74 - Blood/Poison Curved Great Club+25
  +74 - Blood/Poison Iron Greatsword+25

Arcane

• Occult
  +237 - Occult Giant-Crusher+25
  +210 - Occult Brick Hammer+25
  +203 - Prelate's Occult Inferno Crozier+25
  +178 - Occult Great Mace+25
  +174 - Occult Warped Axe+25
  +162 - Occult Large Club+25
  +145 - Occult Club+25
  +108 - Gargoyle's Occult Greatsword+25
  +84 - Occult Raptor Talons+25
  +73 - Watchdog's Occult Greatsword+25

Honorable Mentions:
Celebrant's Sickle - Grants 10 runes on landing attacks
Celebrant's Cleaver - Grants 10 runes upon landing attacks
Celebrant's Skull - Grants 20 runes on landing attacks
Celebrant's Rib-Rake - Grants 10 runes upon landing attacks

Cinquedea - Raises potency of Bestial Incantations by 10%
Highland Axe - Roars are enhanced by 7.5%

Sword of Milos - Restores 5 FP upon defeating an enemy
Sacrificial Axe - 4 FP restored upon slaying a foe

Blasphemous Blade - 6.5% HP is restored upon defeating an enemy
Serpent-God's Curved Sword - Restores 5% HP upon slaying an enemy
Greathorn Hammer - 3% HP restored upon defeating an enemy

Butchering Knife - Restores 1% HP when striking an enemy
Great Stars - Restores 1% HP on landing attacks

Pest's Glaive - +2% Non-physical Damage Negation

Criticals

Weapon	AP@99	Critical Multiplier
*Misericorde+25	434	140
*Rapier+25	504	130
*Dagger+25	440	130
*Executioner's Greataxe+25	740	115
Sacred Relic Sword+10	947	110
Morgott's Cursed Sword+10	824	110
Death Ritual Spear+10	798	110
*Lordsworn's Greatsword+25	714	110
*Highland Axe+25	620	110
Blade of Calling+10	608	110
Black Knife+10	600	110
*Lordsworn's Straight Sword+25	571	110
Ornamental Straight Sword+10	565	110
Glintstone Kris+10	555	110
Reduvia+10	542	110
*Noble's Slender Sword+25	537	110
Scorpion's Stinger+10	525	110
*Rogier's Rapier+25	523	110
*Katar+25	492	110
*Bloodhound Claws+25	487	110
*Hookclaws+25	473	110
*Bloodstained Dagger+25	453	110
*Raptor Talons+25	441	110
*Parrying Dagger+25	424	110
*Great Knife+25	406	110
*Erdsteel Dagger+25	389	110

* = buffable

Honorable Mention:
Highland Axe enhances roars by 7.5%

Bleed Buildup

Weapon	AP per Stamina Bar	Status Buildup per Stamina Bar
Blood Venomous Fang+25	11040	2340
Blood Raptor Talons+25	9520	2340
Blood Antspur Rapier+25	10476	2106
Rogier's Blood Rapier+25	10224	2106
Blood Iron Ball+25	10098	2106
Blood Rapier+25	9918	2106
Blood Spiked Caestus+25	9702	2106
Blood Katar+25	9630	2106
Blood Caestus+25	9576	2106
Blood Bloodhound Claws+25	9522	2106
Blood Hookclaws+25	9234	2106
Occult Raptor Talons+25	10500	2000
*Varre's Bouquet+10	4410	1890

These are just the top performers. for more results check the spreadsheet
* = buffable
Blood on an innate bleed weapon does not give more buildup than Blood on any other weapon
Blood on an innate poison weapon DOES buff the poison buildup

Honorable Mentions:
Grave Scythe gives +35 Vitality
Great Stars restores 1% HP on landing attacks
Sword of Milos restores 5 FP upon defeating an enemy

Frost Buildup

Weapon	AP per Stamina Bar	Status Buildup per Stamina Bar
Cold Venomous Fang+25	12400	2100
Cold Raptor Talons+25	10700	2100
Cold Spiked Caestus+25	11232	1890
Rogier's Cold Rapier+25	11232	1890
Cold Caestus+25	11088	1890
Cold Iron Ball+25	10908	1890
Cold Rapier+25	10782	1890
Cold Katar+25	10620	1890
Cold Bloodhound Claws+25	10494	1890
Cold Hookclaws+25	9990	1890

These are just the top performers. for more results check the spreadsheet
Cold usually REDUCES innate blood and poison buildup... just not on daggers
And then there is the bug afflicted Cold Greathorn Hammer
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2789153841

Madness Buildup

Weapon	AP per Stamina Bar	Status Buildup per Stamina Bar
Blood Fingerprint Stone Shield+25	4571	700
Poison Fingerprint Stone Shield+25	4571	700
Vyke's War Spear+10	7000	520

Blood and Poison actually buff the Fingerprint Stone Shield's Madness buildup... but not Occult
Unfortunately Madness only works in PvP and against NPC invaders
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2797086835

Poison Buildup

Weapon	AP per Stamina Bar	Status Buildup per Stamina Bar
Occult Venomous Fang+25	10960	3060
Poison Venomous Fang+25	11040	2720
Poison Raptor Talons+25	9520	2720
Poison Antspur Rapier+25	10476	2448
Rogier's Poison Rapier+25	10224	2448
Poison Iron Ball+25	10098	2448
Poison Rapier+25	9918	2448
Poison Spiked Caestus+25	9702	2448
Poison Katar+25	9630	2448
Poison Caestus+25	9576	2448
Poison Bloodhound Claws+25	9522	2448
Poison Hookclaws+25	9234	2448

These are just the top performers. for more results check the spreadsheet
Poison on an innate bleed weapon DOES buff the blood buildup... but still might not be worth it

Scarlet Rot Buildup

Weapon	AP per Stamina Bar	Status Buildup per Stamina Bar
*Antspur Rapier+25	9630	990
Scorpion's Stinger+10	8400	800
Rotten Crystal Sword+10	9072	600
*Rotten Battle Hammer+25	6426	585
Rotten Crystal Spear+10	6710	550
Rotten Staff+10	6230	525
*Rotten Greataxe+25	6440	520

* = buffable
Blood, Poison, and Occult REDUCE rot buildup on the Antspur Rapier... but not the others... other than the bug afflicted Blood Rotten Greataxe
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2789168065
Likewise; Cold does not reduce rot buildup unlike its behavior with blood... except for the bug afflicted Cold Antspur Rapier
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2788474671

Sleep Buildup

Weapon	AP per Stamina Bar	Status Buildup per Stamina Bar
St Trina's Torch+10	10998	1296
Sword of St. Trina+10	8762	858

Ranged Weapons

Weapon	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Jar Cannon+10	832	3328
Golem Greatbow+10	809	6472
Hand Ballista+25	760	3040
Lion Greatbow+10	693	5544
Greatbow+25	688	5504
Pulley Crossbow+10	588	5292
Erdtree Greatbow+10	583	4664
Pulley Bow+10	420	4620
Horn Bow+25	403	4433
Full Moon Crossbow+10	400	∞
Albinauric Bow+25	395	4345
Longbow+25	378	4158
Erdtree Bow+10	376	4136
Serpent Bow+10	376	4136
Arbalest+25	358	∞
Black Bow+10	353	3883
Heavy Crossbow+25	338	∞
Misbegotten Shortbow+25	315	3465
Light Crossbow+25	310	∞
Composite Bow+25	307	3377
Red Branch Shortbow+25	299	3289
Soldier's Crossbow+25	290	∞
Crepus's Black-key Crossbow+10	288	∞
Shortbow+25	287	3157
Harp Bow+10	271	2981

Sorted by Damage per Hit since ammo isn't unlimited
Ammo damage IS included in the listed attack power
∞ Damage per Stamina Bar = you can never run out of stamina from shooting alone

Honorable Mentions:
Lion Greatbow Radahn's Spears grant this weapon ~200 bonus damage (NOT included in the table)
Serpent Bow gives bonus Poison build-up to arrows

Catalysts

The highlighter was intended to draw attention to where an equal number of levelups were allocated between single-stat catalysts and dual-stat catalysts eg spending 20 points on one attribute could boost it to 30 while spending the same amount on two would leave them both at 20. This is exact for a Wretch, but only approximate for any other class.

However, the orange highlighter just happens to be the last soft cap for most of these catalysts.
The exceptions being:
Frenzied Flame Seal is also 30/45 but since it scales off of 4 attributes it requires quadruple the investment, if you want to use it - probably best to only go for the 30
Prince of Death's Staff despite being a dual-stat catalyst soft caps at 60/80
Demi-Human Queen's Staff actually soft caps at 20/40

Honorable Mentions:
Digger's Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Stonedigger Sorcery by 20%
Azur's Glintstone Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] reduces casting time of all sorceries by ~8%, but consumes ~20% additional FP
Lusat's Glintstone Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] consumes 50% additional FP
Carian Glintstone Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Carian Sword Sorcery by 15%
Carian Glintblade Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Glintblade Sorcery by 15%
Carian Regal Scepter[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Full Moon Sorcery by 10%(?)
Staff of Loss[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Invisibility Sorcery by 30%
Gelmir Glintstone Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Lava Sorcery 15%
Crystal Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Crystalian Sorcery by 10%(?)
Rotten Crystal Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Crystalian Sorcery by 10%(?)
Meteorite Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Gravity Sorcery by 30%
Staff of the Guilty[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Thorn Sorcery by 20%(?)
Prince of Death's Staff[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Death Sorcery by 10%(?)
Golden Order Seal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Fundamentalist Incantations by 10%
Gravel Stone Seal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Dragon Cult Incantations by 15%
Giant's Seal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Giants' Flame Incantations by 20%
Godslayer's Seal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Godslayer Incantations by 10%
Clawmark Seal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Bestial Incantations by 10%
Frenzied Flame Seal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Frenzied Flame Incantations by 20%
Dragon Communion Seal[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com] boosts Dragon Communion Incantations by 15%

Shields

100% Physical Defense w/ highest Guard for lowest STR Requirement possible
aka everything else offers the same or less Guard but requires MORE Strength

Guard	STR Requirement	Shield
90	48	Fingerprint Stone Shield+25
82	44	Visage Shield+10
79	36	Haligtree Crest Greatshield+25
78	34	Golden Greatshield+25
77	30	Dragon Towershield+25
69	16	Brass Shield+25
68	14	Banished Knight's Shield+25
65	12	Blue-Gold Kite Shield+25
63	10	Beast Crest Heater Shield+25
63	10	Eclipse Crest Heater Shield+25

Magic Resistance w/ Highest Resist for lowest STR Requirement possible

Resist%	STR Requirement	Shield
96.2	48	Magic Fingerprint Stone Shield+25
90	32	Magic Eclipse Crest Greatshield+25
89	12	Silver Mirrorshield+10
88.7	10	Carian Knight's Magic Shield+25
71.2	9	Magic Ice Crest Shield+25
65	8	Marred Magic Wooden Shield+25

Fire Resistance w/ Highest Resist for lowest STR Requirement possible

Resist%	STR Requirement	Shield
100	48	Fire/Flame Art Fingerprint Stone Shield+25
87.5	30	Fire/Flame Art Redmane Greatshield+25
73.7	16	Fire/Flame Art Brass Shield+25
71.2	14	Banished Knight's Fire/Flame Art Shield+25
68.7	10	Beastman's Fire/Flame Art Jar-Shield+25
60	8	Man-Serpent's Fire/Flame Art Shield+25

Lightning Resistance w/ Highest Resist for lowest STR Requirement possible

Resist%	STR Requirement	Shield
98.7	48	Lightning Fingerprint Stone Shield+25
76	28	Dragonclaw Shield+10
75	10	Beastman's Lightning Jar-Shield+25
62.5	8	Marred Lightning Wooden Shield+25

Holy Resistance w/ Highest Resist for lowest STR Requirement possible
If you can block with it, it is a shield... don't question it

Resist%	STR Requirement	Shield
98.7	36	Sacred Haligtree Crest Greatshield+25
85	34	Sacred Golden Greatshield+25
82.5	30	Sacred Crossed-Tree Towershield+25
72	26	Gargoyle's Black Halberd+10
70	8	Sacred Sun Realm Shield+25

Honorable Mentions:
Eclipse Crest Greatshield gives +50 Immunity, +50 Robustness & +50 Focus
Icon Shield gives a passive regen of 3 HP/s
Great Turtle Shell boosts stamina recovery speed by 8%
Twinbird Kite Shield boosts attack and defense by 5% while below 20% HP
Spiralhorn Shield gives +50 Immunity, +50 Robustness & +50 Focus
Sentry's Torch reveals enemies that are normally invisible
Beast-Repellent Torch will keep Beast-type enemies passive

Parry Timings

This section is not my own work, it was brought to my attention by 5chneemensch and credited to "Kikbow from Discord."

2nd Source
The data sets mostly agree with one another, it would just appear that this Reddit source was running at ~2x the frame rate of the 1st source

To visualize the disagreement between the two data sets:

Criteria	Startup Ratio	Active Ratio
Carina Retaliation and Golden Parry	2.29	2.15
Buckler Parry	2.29	2.00
Small Shield Parry and Stormwall	1.78	2.00
Dagger Parry	2.18	2.00
Thop Parry	2.36	2.00
Medium Shield and Curved Sword Parry	2.18	2.00
Thrusting Sword and Fist Parry	2.36	2.00

Unparryable Weapons

Weapon	AP@99	AP per Stamina Bar
Godslayer's Greatsword+10	1029	10290
Royal Greatsword+10	1073	8584
Starscourge Greatsword+10	1015	8120
Troll Knight's Sword+10	1014	8112
Dragon Greatclaw+10	966	7728
Staff of the Avatar+10	1089	7623
Ruins Greatsword+10	946	7568
Grafted Blade Greatsword+10	934	7472
Family Heads+10	746	7460
Maliketh's Black Blade+10	1065	7455
Axe of Godfrey+10	917	7336
Bastard's Stars+10	730	7300
Ghiza's Wheel+10	907	7256
Giant's Red Braid+10	721	7210
Envoy's Greathorn+10	1023	7161
Magma Whip Candlestick+10	684	6840
*Duelist Greataxe+25	845	6760
*Troll's Hammer+25	962	6734
*Troll's Golden Sword+25	813	6504
Watchdog's Staff+10	924	6468
*Rotten Greataxe+25	805	6440
*Watchdog's Greatsword+25	785	6280
Fallingstar Beast Jaw+10	1043	6258
Rotten Staff+10	890	6230
*Zweihander+25	770	6160
*Nightrider Flail+25	596	5960
*Greatsword+25	849	5943
*Golem's Halberd+25	841	5887
*Flail+25	580	5800
*Urumi+25	548	5480
*Chainlink Flail+25	599	5391
*Great Club+25	749	5243
*Whip+25	522	5220
*Prelate's Inferno Crozier+25	847	5082
*Giant-Crusher+25	835	5010
*Hoslow's Petal Whip+25	542	4878
*Thorned Whip+25	535	4815

NOTE: Whips and Flails are FULLY unparryable, but only some of a colossal weapon's 2H attacks are unparryable
* = buffable

Enemy Bane Weapons (Unconfirmed)

vs Fallingstar Beast, Onyx Lord, & Alabaster Lord:

• Starscourge Greatsword, Fallingstar Beast Jaw, Onyx Lord's Greatsword, Alabaster Lord's Sword, Bastard's Stars, Meteoric Ore Blade, & Wing of Astel: +30%
  
• Radahn's Spear greatarrows: +20%

vs Undead:

• Holy Water Pots: +400%
  
• Sacred Order Pots: +90%
  
• Golden Epitaph: +30%
  
• Inseparable Sword & Golden Order Greatsword: +20%

vs Dragons, Magma Wyrms & Banished Knights (w/ only half vs Ancient Dragons):

• Dragon Greatclaw, Dragonclaw Shield, & Dragon King's Cragblade: +30%
  
• Bolt of Gransax, Icerind Hatchet, & Dragonscale Blade: +20%
  
• Dragon Halberd & Grafted Dragon: +10%

Source: Reddit User Elitegmr

Other Equipment with Special Effects:
Wiki Source[eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com]
Reddit Source

Conclusion

If you liked this guide, you might also like my other Elden Ring guides:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2765060616
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2785301831
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2797241037

If you have any constructive criticism or helpful comments - I welcome such feedback.
Or if you have any questions I'll do my best to help out.
Otherwise thank you for taking a look at my guide. :)
And remember to rate and favorite this guide if you found it helpful :D

[Drake Ravenwolf]

More changes I need to incorporate at some point:
Small Shield and Medium Shield weapon types:
- Increased the damage negation of some shields when blocking physical attacks.
- Increased the guard strength of some shields.

[Beholder]

i completely agree with your conclusion

[Drake Ravenwolf]

Ya, I've been putting off the updates long enough, I'll work on it. No promises when it'll be ready to publish tho.

[peanut]

When update?

[Pvt. Garfield]

Thank you. This had exactly all of the detail i needed and what the infuriating fextralife wiki completely failed to cover.

[Drake Ravenwolf]

Unincorporated changes from the DLC updates:
-Increased damage of the Whips weapon type, except the "Ulmi" Whip.
-Troll Knight's Sword: increased damage.
-Zamor Curved Sword: increased damage, increased movement distance of some attacks.
-Forked Hatchet: increased damage.
-Albinauric Staff: increased attribute scaling.
-Gelmir Glintstone Staff: increased attribute scaling.
-Prince of Death's Staff: increased attribute scaling.
-Golden Order Seal: increased attribute scaling.
-Clawmark Seal: increased attribute scaling.
-Dragon Communion Seal: increased attribute scaling.

[Drake Ravenwolf]

NOTE: This guide will need to be updated for v1.09 specifically:
-Fixed a bug where the Scarlet rot status buildup was not properly reflected when giving the Antspur Rapier a Cold affinity.
-Fixed a bug where the Scarlet rot status buildup was not properly reflected when giving the Rotten Greataxe a Blood affinity.
-Increased the attribute scaling of the following weapon types: Colossal Sword / Great Axe / Hammer / Flail / Great Hammer / Colossal Weapon
-Increased the damage of Claw weapons.
-Added Holy damage and Faith scaling to the Great Club.

[Drake Ravenwolf]

oh and @99 means at 99 in all stats except for endurance as detailed in the guide

[Drake Ravenwolf]

AP = attack power, that is what the game calls it
Attack Power per stamina bar is then each attack's power per attack multiplied by the number of attacks you can get out of one full stamina bar

[UncleGwen]

What does AP@99 and AP per stamina bar mean? I am trying to figure out what those numbers are actually telling me.