Looking back on my countless journeys through the Lands Between, I remember the first time I truly felt like a master of the battlefield. It wasn't with a colossal greatsword or a sorcerer's staff; it was when I embraced the whirlwind of death that is the twinblade. These elegant, dual-ended weapons are the very essence of stylish carnage. While whips are useful for keeping foes at a distance, nothing compares to the raw speed, fluid power, and sheer spectacle of a twinblade. In my hands, they became extensions of my will, unleashing devastating combos that turned even the most fearsome demigods into confetti. Whether I was pirouetting through a mob of demihumans or performing a lethal dance around a colossal boss, the twinblade was my instrument of both victory and artistry.
But as any seasoned Tarnished knows, not all twinblades are created equal. Over the years, I've tested them all—from the humble beginnings in Limgrave to the desperate struggles in the Ashen Capital. Some excel with brutal physical force, others weave holy light or cursed blood into their strikes. Choosing the right companion for your journey is paramount. So, let me share my personal chronicle of these magnificent weapons, ranked from my reliable early-game partner to the ultimate pinnacle of dual-bladed perfection.
6. Twinblade: The Humble Foundation
Every legend has a beginning, and mine started with the simple, unadorned Twinblade. I found it early, nestled within the Dragon-Burnt Ruins of Limgrave, a gift for the curious and the brave. This weapon has no fancy tricks—no innate bleed, no holy smiting, no elemental flair. It's a testament to pure, unadulterated skill and velocity. In those early days, it taught me the fundamentals: spacing, timing, and the rhythm of the twinblade's unique moveset. With diligent upgrades, this trusty tool carried me through Stormveil Castle and beyond. It’s the perfect canvas upon which to paint your own combat style using Ashes of War. For any new aspirant to the twinblade arts, this is where your odyssey must start.
5. Gargoyle's Black Blades: The Holy Executioner
When the catacombs grew thick with restless dead and the air hummed with profane magic, I sought a weapon of purification. The Gargoyle's Black Blades answered that call. This is no lightweight dancer's tool; it's a heavy, deliberate instrument of holy wrath. It cleaves through enemies dealing both physical and sacred damage, making it exceptionally effective against Those Who Live in Death and other beings vulnerable to holiness. Its true glory, however, lies in its unique skill, the Corpse Wax Cutter. Activating it, I became a spinning maestro of devastation, each rotation releasing a wave of destructive energy that could punish foes from a distance. Claiming this weapon was a trial itself, requiring me to best the formidable Black Blade Kindred—a duel that truly tested my mettle.
4. Twinned Knight Swords: The Elegant Reach
Elegance and reach define the Twinned Knight Swords. Forged from two distinct blades merged into a single, graceful weapon, it boasts one of the longest reaches among its kin. Wielding it felt like commanding a zone of denial, whispering to enemies, "Stay back." To master its finesse, I needed 18 Dexterity and 16 Strength. Like the basic Twinblade, it lacks innate status effects, but its extended range makes it a phenomenal platform for customizable Ashes of War. I recall finding this beautiful weapon in the golden expanse of the Altus Plateau, where its sleek design seemed perfectly at home amidst the erdtree's glow. It’s the weapon of a disciplined duelist who values precision and space.
3. Godskin Peeler: The Spinning Menace
Some weapons have a name that tells you everything you need to know. The Godskin Peeler is one of them. Its menacing, ornate design hints at its purpose: to meticulously strip away the health of anything foolish enough to stand before it. Requiring 17 Strength and a notable 22 Dexterity, it demands investment but repays it with ferocious damage. The true joy of this weapon is its spinning heavy attack—a whirlwind of slicing steel that can devastate groups and stun-lock larger bosses. To claim this prize, I had to confront the terrifying Godskin Apostle in the haunting Windmill Village. That battle was a frantic dance of its own, but emerging victorious with this twinblade in hand was a milestone I’ll never forget.
2. Gargoyle's Twinblade: The Brutal Force
When subtlety fails, overwhelming force prevails. For those moments, I turned to the Gargoyle's Twinblade. This is the heavyweight champion of the category, trading the typical blistering speed for raw, concussive power with each swing. It deals substantial physical damage supplemented by holy damage, making it another excellent choice for purging the unclean. Its weight is palpable; every attack feels deliberate and impactful. To add this beast to my arsenal, I faced one of the most daunting challenges: the twin Valiant Gargoyle bosses. Surviving that tag-team battle of attrition was a testament to endurance, and the massive twinblade I wrested from them felt like a trophy worthy of the struggle.
1. Eleonora's Poleblade: The Pinnacle of Artistry
And now, we reach the masterpiece. In all my travels, no weapon has harmonized damage, style, and sheer fun as perfectly as Eleonora's Poleblade. It is the lightest of the elite twinblades, a scarlet and silver whirlwind of death. It doesn't just cut; it burns and bleeds. Scaling with both Dexterity and Arcane, it masterfully blends physical damage, devastating fire damage, and rapid blood loss buildup. Its versatility is unmatched. Yet, its crowning achievement is the Bloodblade Dance skill. Activating it, my character would erupt into a blinding, rapid-series of spins and slashes, culminating in a graceful, lethal leap. It felt less like a weapon skill and more like performing a deadly ballet. To earn this privilege, I had to defeat its original owner, the formidable Eleonora, Violet Bloody Finger. That duel was a mirror match of flashing red and silver, and winning it felt like inheriting a legacy. For any Tarnished seeking the ultimate expression of the twinblade's potential, your quest ends here.