I’m going to show you why claws are the best weapon in Elden Ring. We go through all the different weapons in a weapon category, exploring their pros and cons to help you make better decisions about why you might use them or not in your build. Before we get into the weapons themselves, let’s first go through the pros and cons of this weapon group and the play styles I think most people will use when wielding claws.

Pros of Using Claws

1. Extremely Fast Attack Speed: Claws are possibly the fastest attacking weapons in Elden Ring. Their exceptionally rapid attack speed allows you to hit enemies quickly and often, which is particularly advantageous for building up attack power with items like the Rotten Wing Sword Insignia or for applying status effects more easily, even after the status effect nerf from several patches ago.
2. Paired Weaponry: Claws are always paired, meaning you can use two claws even though you only have one equipped. This feature not only helps in maintaining a lighter equip load but also allows you to buff both weapons simultaneously if you use buffs like Bloodflame Blade, Lightning Armament, or Scholar’s Armament. Both weapons will benefit from the increased attack rating, making your assaults more effective.
3. Lightweight: Claws are among the lightest weapons in the game, with weights ranging from 1.5 to 3. This low weight allows for faster movement and rolling, providing a significant advantage in combat where agility is crucial.
4. Effective Dual Wield Move Set: The dual wield move set of claws is excellent, allowing for rapid strikes and an effective combat style. This, combined with their decent crit rating (110 for most claws), makes them a formidable choice for players who prefer a fast, aggressive play style.
5. Native Status Effects: All claws come with native status effects, such as bleed or poison. This feature can be particularly useful for quickly whittling down an enemy’s health over time, adding an extra layer of damage to your attacks.

Cons of Using Claws

1. Low Attack Rating: Claws generally have a lower attack rating compared to many other weapons, though this isn’t the lowest in the game. This lower attack power can be a disadvantage when facing enemies with high health or defense.
2. Nerfed Dual Wield Status Effects: The effectiveness of dual wield status effects has been reduced in previous patches, meaning you won’t be able to apply these effects as quickly as before. This nerf impacts the overall utility of paired claws.
3. Short Reach: Claws have a relatively short reach compared to many other weapons. This can make it challenging to hit enemies from a distance and requires you to stay close to your target, which can be risky.
4. Low Stance Damage: Claws don’t excel at breaking enemy stances, making it harder to stagger opponents and capitalize on critical hits. This can be a disadvantage in fights where stance breaking is crucial.

Common Play Styles with Claws

Most players who use claws will likely incorporate them into a hybrid build, combining spellcasting with dual wielding claws. This allows you to buff your claws and cast spells for additional damage or utility. The paired nature of claws encourages dual wielding, focusing on rapid attacks to build up status effects or attack power.

Detailed Look at Each Claw

1. Hookclaws

Stats:

• Weight: 2
• Requirements: 8 Strength, 14 Dexterity
• Pros: Longest claws, light weight, native bleed buildup, early acquisition in Stormveil Castle
• Cons: Lower damage compared to other claws (except Raptor’s Talons)

Best Infusions:

• Fire and Lightning: 532 attack rating
• Magic: 527 attack rating
• Sacred and Flame Art: 505 attack rating

Recommended Build: Use with Flaming Strike set to Flame Art to buff both weapons with fire, enhancing their attack rating. This setup also benefits from high Faith, allowing effective incantation use. Utilize talismans like the Rotten Wing Sword Insignia and Fire Scorpion Charm for additional damage boosts. Aim for 51 poise to trade hits without interruption.

2. Bloodhound Claws

Stats:

• Weight: 3
• Requirements: 10 Strength, 15 Dexterity
• Pros: Good for strength-based builds, native bleed buildup, some damage bypasses shields
• Cons: Second shortest claws, later acquisition in Volcano Manor

Best Infusions:

• Fire, Lightning, and Magic: 549 attack rating
• Sacred and Flame Art: 528 attack rating

Recommended Build: Use a heavy infusion to leverage the weapon’s strength scaling and buff with Bloodflame Blade for additional bleed buildup. Combine with Endure to tank hits while triggering Hemorrhage and boosting attack power with talismans like Lord of Blood’s Exultation and the Rotten Wing Sword Insignia.

3. Venomous Fang

Stats:

• Weight: 2.5
• Requirements: 9 Strength, 9 Dexterity
• Pros: Native deadly poison buildup, lowest stat requirements, highest attack rating among claws
• Cons: Shortest claws, lowest crit rating

Best Infusions:

• Magic: 576 attack rating
• Fire and Lightning: 575 attack rating
• Sacred and Flame Art: 545 attack rating

Recommended Build: Opt for a blood infusion to enhance Arcane scaling and impact poison buildup. Bleed is generally more useful than poison, even the deadly variant. Use Endure to tank hits and maintain continuous attacks. Employ talismans like the Rotten Wing Sword Insignia and Lord of Blood’s Exultation for increased attack power.

4. Raptor Talons

Stats:

• Weight: 1.5
• Requirements: 6 Strength, 14 Dexterity
• Pros: Unique heavy attack, lightest claws, higher jump attack damage, native bleed buildup
• Cons: Lowest attack rating

Best Infusions:

• Fire and Lightning: 518 attack rating
• Magic: 511 attack rating
• Sacred and Flame Art: 478 attack rating

Recommended Build: Utilize in a jump attack build with items like the Claw Talisman and Raptor’s Black Feathers to boost jump attack damage. Combine with Royal Knight’s Resolve for additional damage. Use the Sacrificial Axe in the offhand for FP refunds on kills, and the Ritual Sword Talisman for more damage when at full health.

Conclusion

In conclusion, claws are an exceptionally good weapon group in Elden Ring. Their high attack speed, paired nature, lightweight, and native status effects make them a versatile and powerful choice for many builds. While they do have some drawbacks, such as lower attack rating and shorter reach, their advantages often outweigh these downsides. Whether you’re looking to rapidly apply status effects, capitalize on quick strikes, or build a hybrid spellcasting and melee character, claws can be a deadly addition to your arsenal.

Stay tuned to MMOexp.com as we continue to explore different types of weapons, including fists, spellcasting tools, and bows. In the meantime, we’ll be offering Buy Elden Ring Items. Happy hunting in the Lands Between!