What Makes Piercing Weapons Special?
Piercing weapons, like spears and rapiers, have a unique attack pattern that focuses on thrusts rather than slashes or blunt hits. This allows them to penetrate armor and strike bosses in weak spots more reliably than wide-swinging weapons.
Personally, I love using rapiers against armored enemies because I can keep my distance and still chip away at their health without getting smashed by every attack. A little tip: pay attention to your positioning. Even the best thrusts won’t land if you’re out of range or the boss keeps moving unpredictably.
Which Bosses Are Weak to Piercing Damage?
Not every boss in Elden Ring benefits from piercing weapons. They’re especially effective against heavily armored foes or those with narrow hitboxes where slashing and blunt weapons struggle. Think of enemies like soldiers with shields or bosses that frequently crouch or twist.
A quick trick to find these weaknesses is to observe the boss’s armor and attack patterns. If a slash or heavy strike seems to glance off, it might be time to switch to a spear or rapier. In my runs, bosses like [insert a couple of common bosses without spoilers] were much more manageable when I focused on thrusting attacks.
How Do You Maximize Piercing Damage?
Piercing weapons shine when you exploit specific weaknesses. Here are a few tips:
Aim for the center or joints: Many bosses have limbs or torso points that take extra damage from thrusts.
Use charged attacks carefully: Holding down the attack button can sometimes pierce shields or stagger certain enemies.
Buff wisely: Items, spells, and talismans that enhance physical or piercing damage can make a big difference.
And here’s a small tip I learned the hard way: sometimes, farming runes before a tough fight lets you upgrade your piercing weapon to its max potential. If you don’t have enough, you can easily buy Elden Ring runes in small amounts to give yourself that extra edge before a boss encounter.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
Yes, piercing weapons aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. They tend to be slower than daggers or straight swords in some situations, and crowd control is weaker because their attacks are more linear. Always consider the type of encounter: if you’re dealing with multiple enemies at once, a wide-swinging sword might save you more headaches.
Also, if you’re looking to optimize your setup without farming endlessly, sites like U4GM can help you acquire specific weapons or upgrade materials. I like to use them when I’ve already explored a zone thoroughly but still need a few items to perfect my build. Remember to use it as a supplement rather than a crutch—part of the fun is learning the boss mechanics yourself.
Should You Switch Between Piercing and Other Weapons?
Absolutely. One of the biggest mistakes I see is players sticking to one weapon type for the whole game. Piercing weapons excel against certain bosses, but other enemies might be better handled with blunt or slashing attacks. Switching based on the enemy type is part of the strategy.
My personal approach is simple: I keep a rapier for armored bosses and a fast sword or axe for general mobs. That way, I rarely feel overpowered—or underpowered—in any given encounter.
Piercing weapons in Elden Ring can turn some of the game’s toughest bosses into manageable fights, but the key is knowing when and how to use them. Focus on exploiting weak points, keep your positioning sharp, and don’t forget to upgrade your weapons. A little preparation—like farming runes or using trusted sources for materials—can make all the difference.
In the end, it’s all about understanding the enemy and adapting your strategy. With piercing weapons in your arsenal, even the most armored boss can be cracked with precision and patience.
Veteran Tips: Elden Ring Guide: How to Defeat the Elden Beast
