Elden Ring: Best Cold Weapons

Frostbite or Cold damage in Elden Ring is quite underrated; a lot of players think the Cold will never bother anyone anyway and flock to the nearest meta tactics available. But if they just give it a bit of tweaking, then weapons that have innate Frostbite buildup or have the Cold prefix can hit two birds with one stone.

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That's because Frostbite in Elden Ring will not only deal percentage damage but will also slow down any target who has been debilitated with the status effect. Essentially, this combines offense and defense into one strong package. So the next time players find themselves having spare points for Intelligence or just want some chill gameplay, then these Cold weapons are certainly cool.

Updated on June 17th, 2024, by Vlad Mazanko: In preparation for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC launch, many players have repeatedly finished Elden Ring, trying to find the most powerful combinations of character builds, weapons, and skills. Cold or Frost weapons remain one of the best choices in the base game, allowing players to quickly eliminate even the toughest enemies. Therefore, more Cold and Frost weapons have been included in this list so that players can enter the upcoming expansion at maximum power.

17 Freezing Pot

Not Really A Weapon, But Shouldn't Be Overlooked

• Frost Buildup: 380

The Freezing Pot's damage is borderline pathetic, so players aren't recommended to rely on this one too much for DPS. Where it can excel is with its Frost buildup, which is quite useful against bosses who are susceptible to Cold damage or Frostbite.

And who could forget that this is one of the most viable cheese tactics against Malenia? If players throw a Freezing Pot at her during her windup for the Waterfowl Dance, the move is as good as canceled (depending on the timing). That's why it's always a good idea to carry one in the inventory or to reserve the materials for it.

16 Clayman's Harpoon

A Rare Weapon With One Of The Highest Frostbite Buildups

Clayman's Harpoon might be a bit difficult to find since players need to follow Ranni's quest in order to reach a sustainable farming area for the spear. Still, it's a worthy grind since the weapon is not just great for hybrid magic builds but also for those who want good Frostbite buildup or Cold Damage.

The weapon scales with both Strength and Intelligence, making it also great for battlemage hybrids. In-game, it has one of the highest Frostbite buildup values at 105. Players can also infuse it with a Glintstone Pebble Ash of War for a surprising potential for stun locking.

15 Bandit's Curved Sword

Great Frostbite Effects But Extremely Short Range

The Bandit's Curved Sword might be a starter weapon, but it scales well into the late-game, particularly if players infuse it with Cold damage. Like the Clayman's Harpoon, it also has one of the highest Frostbite values in the game at 105. Combined with the light and fast swings, players will be triggering Frostbite in no time.

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That makes the Bandit's Curved Sword viable for both PvE and PvP. The range might be deceptive, however. It's shorter than it looks due to the curved edge, so players will need to position themselves a bit closer to their targets.

14 Beastman's Curved Sword

Great Looks Combined With A Robust Moveset

Yet another Curved Sword, the Beastman's Curved Sword is also tied with the previous two weapons for the highest Frostbite number. It's a bit trickier to use due to its shape, but when built right and with the right Ash of War, players can turn this into a main weapon.

The scaling favors Strength-Intelligence hybrids, which makes it distinct compared to the Bandit's Curved Sword. When power-stanced, the weapon also has a good move set that can catch PvP players off-guard. It's worth noting that there are other viable and overpowered infusions for this word, not just Cold, making it versatile.

13 Royal Greatsword

A Great-Looking Greatsword With A Devastating Frost-Building Skill

A colossal sword, and one of the most gorgeously designed weapons in the game, wielded by none other than Blaidd the Half-Wolf. This epic weapon earns its spot on the list primarily due to its devastating Skill, Wolf's Assault. Sadly, players won't be able to enhance it for Frostbite buildup with every hit. However, the Royal Greatsword's unique Skill deals Frost buildup twice: first on weapon hit, and then with a finishing explosion, with 160 buildup total.

While its numbers aren't the highest available, the Royal Greatsword's Skill, which damages twice, somewhat compensates for its very slow animations. It still requires mastering though. Despite its weight, this weapon remains potent for inflicting Frost, offering great damage and scaling.

12 Cleanrot Knight's Sword

Thrusting Sword With A Great Range

The Cleanrot Knight's Sword is a Thrusting Sword, making it fast and long, ideal for building up Frostbite quickly. But among all the Thrusting Swords in the game, this one has the clear advantage,since it's the longest in its class. Its damage might not be high, but its speed and range more than make up for that.

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One-handed, it's a beautiful, elegant weapon requiring talent and skill. Two-handed, it becomes an almost mindless spam instrument to bring down even the toughest foes quickly. The choice is up to the player. Finally, if players power-stance this sword, they can inflict Frostbite effortlessly.

11 Frozen Needle

The Name And Look Of This One Speak For Themselves

The Frozen Needle in Elden Ring is quite a niche weapon since players can't infuse it with an Ash of War or change its prefix. One glance at its name, and it's apparent what this weapon does. Those who wield it only want it to trigger Frostbite and not much else. Still, for a one-trick-pony of a weapon, the Frozen Needle is still a viable Cold weapon.

It's great for battlemage builds who also put points in Dexterity. Dexterity, after all, increases the speed of spellcasting, so this weapon will fit right into certain playstyles. As far as weapon class goes, Thrusting Swords also have it good since they utilize their full range in most attacks.

10 Antspur Rapier

It's All About Applying Status Effects As Fast As Possible

The scaling on a Cold Antspur Rapier is a hot mess, but players will want to look past that because this thrusting sword inflicts Rot damage. If players infuse it with Cold, then it's double the trouble for any target since the Antspur Rapier is a relatively fast weapon.

Even better, players can dual wield this with the Frozen Needle in the off-hand slot and powerstance with the thrust attacks for an even faster Frostbite buildup. If the enemies don't outright die, then they'll not only be slowed but they'll also be poisoned by Rot. Players might have to sacrifice some damage numbers for these lovely status effects, however.

9 Icerind Hatchet

Easy To Find, With Lots Of Utility

The Icerind Hatchet's appearance alone suggests it belongs on this list. While it causes moderate Frost buildup like many other weapons, and lacks additional elemental damage, its Weapon Skill, Hoarfrost Stomp, truly sets it apart. Despite all the nerfs since launch, it remains effective for damaging multiple enemies at once with approximately 180 Frost buildup. It excels against larger foes and bosses, often inflicting Frostbite on vulnerable enemies in a single use.

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Moreover, the Icerind Hatchet boasts a faster moveset compared to typical axes, and deals extra damage against Dragons and Ancient Dragons. It's easily obtainable early in the game, once players reach Liurnia.

8 Rotten Battle Hammer

Deadly Buildups And Decent High-Damage Combos In One Package

The Rotten Battle Hammer in Elden Ring comes equipped with a lovely serving of Rot like the Antspur Rapier. That means it's already begging to be infused with a Cold prefix, further making the weapon's moves even more devastating. Because once players convert this one to Cold, it receives one of the highest Frostbite buildup numbers in the game.

The scaling can be tricky, but Strength-Intelligence hybrids are not uncommon in Elden Ring. In fact, some weapons even encourage these kinds of stat splits. Regardless, certain Great Hammer Ashes of War can ensure that players trigger both Rot and Frostbite in just one Weapon Skill cast or combo.