In the vast and brutal world of Elden Ring, there are countless ways to dispatch your foes. While the most straightforward method is often just hitting them very, very hard, the truly creative Tarnished know that status effects are where the real fun begins. Among these, Frostbite stands out as a particularly chilling and potent ally. Once triggered, it doesn't just deal a percentage of the enemy's maximum health as damage; it also weakens their defenses, reducing damage absorption and crippling their stamina regeneration for a full 30 seconds. It's like giving your opponent a bad case of brain freeze while you go in for the kill. As of 2026, the selection of native Frostbite weapons remains a curated list compared to more common afflictions like Bleed, but the top contenders are absolute powerhouses, capable of freezing the Lands Between solid.

Let's be honest, some weapons are more about the vibe than the viability. Kicking off our frosty tour is the Ghostflame Torch. Technically, it's a weapon. In practice, it's a glorified glow stick. With requirements of 10 Strength, 10 Dexterity, and 14 Intelligence, it's not demanding, but you'd be a brave soul indeed to try and bonk a Crucible Knight with it. It does cause 65 Frost buildup per hit, which is... something. Its real claim to fame is its unique, pale spectral light, making it perfect for spooky selfies in catacombs. You'll find it in Nokron, Eternal City, but be warned: miss the drop and you're starting your climb from the bottom of the crater all over again. A frosty lesson in platforming patience.

Next up is a weapon that proves good things come in small, pointy packages. The Frozen Needle is an early-game treasure for the discerning duelist. Don't let its modest damage fool you. Its true power lies in its heavy attacks, which launch a projectile of pure frost. This gives melee-focused builds a precious ranged option without needing to invest in magic stats. It's a lifesaver against pesky, flying enemies or for finishing off a foe who's trying to heal. The catch? It's guarded in the Kingsrealm Ruins by one of the game's most universally despised enemies: the Royal Revenant. Our advice? Bring a wide-area healing spell. Lots of healing.

As we move into mid-game territory, the weapons start to get seriously flashy. The Dragonscale Blade looks like just another katana, but its Weapon Skill, Ice Lightning Sword, is a spectacle. It unleashes a flurry of attacks that culminates in summoning a lightning bolt from the heavens. The aftermath imbues the blade with both Frost buildup and lightning damage, making you a walking storm. The downside? You have to venture into the dreaded Lake of Rot and defeat the Dragonkin Soldier there. A small price to pay for such a cool (and shocking) weapon.

Now for something truly macabre. Dropped by a Tibia Mariner near Castle Sol, Helphen's Steeple is a greatsword that looks like it was forged in a nightmare. It deals a balanced mix of Physical and Magic damage, perfect for Strength/Intelligence hybrids. Here's the twist: it has no innate Frost. You must activate its Weapon Skill, Ruinous Ghostflame, to unlock its true potential. Once you do, it gains a massive buff, adding 110 Magic damage and a whopping 80 Frost buildup to its strikes. It's a weapon of controlled, devastating outbursts.

Ah, the Royal Greatsword. This colossal blade is the weapon of choice for Blaidd, the Half-Wolf, and obtaining it is a bittersweet moment in any Tarnished's journey. With high requirements (26 Str, 18 Dex, 22 Int), it's a stat-hungry beast. Its payoff is the incredible Wolf's Assault skill, which launches you through the air for a devastating slam that explodes with Frost and Magic damage. To claim it, you must complete Ranni's questline and face Blaidd at its conclusion. It's a somber duty, but the weapon is a fitting tribute to a loyal friend.

The Zamor Curved Sword brings elegance to the frostbite game. This curved greatsword has fun, spinning attack animations and solid innate Frost buildup. Its star feature, however, is the Zamor Ice Storm weapon skill. It creates a swirling vortex of ice around you, applying Frostbite at an alarming rate. The best part? You don't need the 36 Intelligence required for the spell version. You can find it exactly where logic dictates: on the corpse of a Zamor Warrior in the Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave. Predictably deadly.

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC introduced some wonderfully weird arsenals, and the Chilling Perfume Bottle is a prime example. This tool-weapon sprays a cloud of perfumed frost powder, applying Frostbite from a safe(ish) distance. Its genius lies in its synergy; pair it with a Fire Perfume Bottle, and you can repeatedly reset the Frostbite status for massive damage bursts. It's a support weapon that turns you into a walking chemical warfare unit. Find it in the Lamenter's Gaol, accessible via the long, scenic route through the Land of Shadow.

Another formidable newcomer from the Land of Shadow is the Putrescence Cleaver. This Greataxe demands dedication, with high Strength and Arcane requirements. At max upgrade, it scales with both, rewarding a specialized build. Its Spinning Guillotine skill is a sight to behold, a whirlwind of axe strikes that inflicts Frostbite rapidly while dealing heavy damage to anything unfortunate enough to be nearby. It's a brutal, efficient tool for clearing rooms or shredding boss health bars.

Don't let its ordinary appearance fool you. The Dragon Halberd is a master of disguise. By itself, it's just a halberd. But use its Spinning Slash skill, and a miracle happens. This unique, faster version of the skill imbues the weapon with the same icy lightning effect as the Dragonscale Blade, granting it Frost buildup and bonus lightning damage. It's a versatile weapon that transforms on command. The best part? It's much easier to obtain than its katana cousin, dropping from a Dragonkin Soldier in the Siofra River.

We've saved some of the best for last. The Icerind Hatchet is a legend in its own right. This Dexterity-based axe comes with built-in Frostbite and, more importantly, the iconic Hoarfrost Stomp weapon skill. Yes, it was famously nerfed from its launch-day state of "reality-breaking," but it settled into a perfectly powerful "boss-melting" tier. It remains an exceptional tool for applying Frostbite to multiple enemies or ensuring consistent hits on large targets. The cherry on top? You can grab it super early in Liurnia of the Lakes, inside a chest in the Temple Quarter. It's the gift that keeps on giving, from your first steps in Liurnia to the steps of the Erdtree itself.

The Frostbite Finale

So, there you have it, a tour of the coolest tools in the box. From the humble, glowing torch to the earth-shattering greatswords, Frostbite offers a versatile and powerful playstyle. Remember, the true strength of frost isn't just in the initial burst of damage; it's in the 30-second window of vulnerability you create. In 2026, these weapons continue to be top-tier choices for any Tarnished looking to add a little chill to their conquest. Now go forth, and let them feel the freeze! ❄️⚔️