Let me tell you, fellow Tarnished, navigating the Lands Between is no walk in the park. You need every advantage you can get, and in my countless hours of adventuring, I've come to swear by one weapon class above all others: Thrusting Swords. Their speed, their piercing attacks, and that sweet, sweet counter-attack potential are simply unmatched. It's like they say, the best defense is a good, precise offense. Timing is everything, and with these nimble blades, you can dance around your foes, punishing their every mistake. What truly sets them apart, though, is the feint mechanic. Being able to cancel a charged heavy attack into a dodge? That's a game-changer. It lets you stay aggressive without committing to a potentially fatal mistake.

The Contenders: From Noble Flair to Frozen Magic

Over the years, I've tested them all. Here's my personal breakdown of the standout thrusting swords as of 2026.

Noble's Estoc: All Style, Little Substance?

First up is the Noble's Estoc. Honestly, getting this one feels like a bit of a flex. You have to farm those Wandering Nobles with the fancy feathered caps in Limgrave, Raya Lucaria, or the Altus Plateau. The drop rate? Let's just say RNGesus isn't always kind. Is it worth the grind? Meh, not really. It's a flashier, slightly lighter version of the standard Estoc (3.5 weight). Its unique selling point is an R2 that's a slashing attack instead of a thrust, which is handy against certain enemies. It scales mainly with DEX, with a dash of STR. But at the end of the day, it's mostly about aesthetics. If you never find it, you're not missing out on a game-changer.

Frozen Needle: The Icy Feint Master

Now, the Frozen Needle is where things get interesting. Found behind a nasty Royal Revenant in the Kingsrealm Ruins, this feather-light weapon (only 2.5 weight) is a Somber upgrade path gem. It's a DEX scaler with a fantastic gimmick: its R2 and feint attacks fire a mid-range icy projectile. This is perfect for kiting and controlling space. It also has a base (60) Frostbite buildup. The real pro-tip? Power-stance it with a fire-infused thrusting sword in your off-hand. You can proc Frostbite for massive damage, reset it with fire, and do it all over again. It's a vicious cycle for your enemies.

Cleanrot Knight's Sword: The Reliable Workhorse

If you want the most well-rounded option, look no further than the Cleanrot Knight's Sword. Farmable from a single Lesser Cleanrot Knight right outside the Prayer Room in the Haligtree, this sword is the definition of reliable. It boasts the best heavy attack scaling and the longest reach in its class. At 4.0 weight, it's solid, and because it can be infused with any Ash of War, the customization is through the roof. It's a quality weapon (scales with STR and DEX) and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. It's not the most exciting choice, but it's a safe bet that will never let you down.

Rogier's Rapier: The Early Game MVP

For newcomers, Rogier's Rapier is an absolute godsend. After you beat Godrick the Grafted, good old Rogier at the Roundtable Hold just hands it to you. And get this—it comes pre-upgraded to +8! This is a huge deal in the early game, letting you experience high-tier thrusting sword power without spending a single Smithing Stone. It's a DEX weapon with a somewhat high requirement, but manageable. Its unique R2 is a rapid double-thrust, great for building up status effects. While its 110 critical damage is just okay, it comes pre-equipped with one of the best Ashes in the game: Glintblade Phalanx. This thing is a total package for the early-to-mid game.

Estoc: The Versatile Classic

Don't sleep on the base Estoc. It's a starting weapon for the Prisoner class and can be bought from merchants. This 4.5-weight DEX-leaning sword is famous for its unique heavy attack: a powerful slashing strike. This makes it incredibly versatile, allowing you to handle enemies resistant to piercing damage. It has great range and damage, but its critical hits are subpar. Therefore, it shines in builds that focus on relentless aggression and combo strings rather than parry-and-riposte tactics. It's a straightforward, powerful tool.

Rapier: The Parry King

The humble Rapier is the lightest of the bunch at 2.5 weight and can be bought from the Twin Maiden Husks super early. Its claim to fame? A monstrous 130 critical damage rating, one of the highest in the entire game. This weapon begs to be used in a parry-focused build. Pair it with a good shield or the Parry skill, and you'll be ripping bosses apart with visceral ripostes. It comes with Impaling Thrust by default, which complements its style. Sure, its reach is short and its base damage is only decent, but if you're a master of timing, this is your weapon.

Antspur Rapier: The Status Effect Monster

This one's a fan-favorite for a darn good reason. The Antspur Rapier inflicts Scarlet Rot and can still be infused with Ashes of War. You get it from defeating Maleigh Marais in the Shaded Castle (along with his snazzy mask and robe). The potential here is insane. With the right setup, you can theoretically stack Scarlet Rot, Bleed, and Poison on a single weapon. In practice, focusing on two status effects (like Rot and Bleed) is usually more efficient than trying to juggle all three. This weapon is the cornerstone of some of the most oppressive status-builds in the game.

Carian Sorcery Sword: The Mage's Dream (Shadow of the Erdtree)

Finally, we have the revolutionary Carian Sorcery Sword from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Found early in Castle Ensis, this needle-like weapon is a game-changer for spellblades. Its strong attacks don't just poke—they cast the sorcery you have equipped in your memory slot! It's the ultimate weapon for melee sorcerers, finally giving magic builds serious short-range viability. The animation of switching grips to cast staff-based sorceries is just the cherry on top. It can't be infused, but it doesn't need to be. It's a whole new playstyle in one elegant package.

Weapon	Primary Scaling	Key Feature	Best For
Noble's Estoc	DEX	Slashing R2, Style	Collectors / Fashion Souls
Frozen Needle	DEX	Icy Projectile, Feints	Kiting & Frostbite Combos
Cleanrot Knight's	STR/DEX	Longest Reach, Infusable	Reliable, Well-Rounded Play
Rogier's Rapier	DEX	Free +8, Glintblade Phalanx	Early Game Power Spike
Estoc	DEX	Versatile Slashing Heavy	General Aggression
Rapier	DEX	130 Critical Damage	Parry & Riposte Specialists
Antspur Rapier	DEX/ARC	Scarlet Rot + Infusable	Status Effect Builds
Carian Sorcery Sword	INT	Casts Sorceries	Melee Sorcerer Hybrids

So, there you have it. Whether you're a nimble duelist, a status-inflicting menace, or a sorcerer who likes to get up close and personal, there's a thrusting sword with your name on it in the Lands Between. Pick your favorite, master its rhythm, and go show those demigods what you're made of. After all, a skilled Tarnished with a rapier is a force to be reckoned with. Don't just take my word for it—go out there and find your pointy truth! :crossed_swords: