In the sprawling, unforgiving world of the Lands Between, a Tarnished's survival often hinges on the weapon in their hand. While katanas flash and spells blaze, there exists a primal, deeply satisfying school of combat: the art of the blunt force trauma. Elden Ring's arsenal of hammers, flails, staves, and colossal clubs offers a distinct playstyle centered on breaking poise, staggering giants, and reducing foes to pulp with sheer, unadulterated force. The introduction of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion further enriched this category, adding new tools of concussive mayhem. For those who find poetry in the thunderous impact of steel on bone, mastering these weapons is a path to glory.

Blunt weapons in Elden Ring are not merely tools; they are statements. They favor the bold, rewarding high Strength and endurance with attacks that can interrupt enemy combos and open them up for critical strikes. While the variety may not be as vast as other weapon classes, each entry is a carefully crafted instrument of destruction, often featuring unique Weapon Skills (Ashes of War) that define their utility. From early-game finds to legendary drops from demigods, here is a comprehensive look at the champions of concussive force.
⚔️ The Early Game Foundation: Accessible Power
Every journey begins with a first step, and for the aspiring blunt-force specialist, there are perfect starting instruments.
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The Large Club: Do not let its rustic appearance fool you. This weapon is the cornerstone of a Strength build, as reliable as a bedrock foundation. Found on a cliff near the Forlorn Hound Evergaol, it is lightweight enough to pair with a greatshield. Its
Barbaric Roarskill is a game-changer, providing a 10% attack buff and transforming heavy attacks into a devastating three-hit combo. It's a weapon that grows with you, viable deep into the mid-game.
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Watchdog's Staff: Discovered in the Road's End Catacombs in western Liurnia, this staff is a gateway to magical bludgeoning. While it only scales to C with Strength, its unique skill,
Sorcery of the Crozier, summons a ring of homing magical orbs. This makes it an excellent choice for Strength/Intelligence hybrids early on, allowing them to pressure enemies from a distance before closing in for the crushing blow.
🩸 The Bleed Brigade: Blunt Force Meets Blood Loss
Some weapons combine raw power with the deadly Blood Loss status effect, making them terrifying against bosses and in player-versus-player (PvP) encounters.
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Great Stars: This spiked great hammer is a versatile workhorse. Found on a treasure wagon in the Altus Plateau, it scales wonderfully with Strength (reaching A with Heavy infusion) and is a favorite for hybrid builds. Its genius lies in its passive effects: it inflicts Blood Loss and restores a small portion of your health with every hit, even on blocked attacks. When paired with the
Endureskill, it allows for aggressive, health-sustaining trades.
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Star Fist: For those who prefer their brutality up close and personal, these spiked iron fists are a piston-driven nightmare. Located in Leyndell, Royal Capital, they excel in Strength builds and rapidly build up Blood Loss. Their true potential is unlocked when dual-wielded, unleashing a flurry of punches that can bleed out foes in seconds. Using
Endureon them turns the wearer into an immovable object, soaking up damage while punching back. -
Hoslow's Petal Whip: A weapon of elegant cruelty, this whip is a scalpel disguised as a cudgel for Dexterity builds. Obtained from Juno Hoslow in the Volcano Manor questline, its linked, petal-shaped blades inflict Blood Loss. Its
Kickskill provides valuable spacing. It's also a solid choice for Dexterity/Arcane or Dexterity/Intelligence hybrids, proving that finesse can be just as brutal as raw strength.
✨ The Hybrid Specialists: Blending Magic with Might
These weapons demand investment in multiple attributes but reward the player with uniquely powerful abilities that blend physical and magical devastation.
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Family Heads: This macabre flail, a drop from Necromancer Garris in Sage's Cave, is perfect for Dexterity/Intelligence builds. Its unchangeable skill,
Familiar Rancor, summons a swarm of vengeful ghostly spirits that relentlessly chase enemies. It allows a spellblade to pressure and control the battlefield from range before moving in with the flail itself. -
Cranial Vessel Candlestand: More a holy braizer than a hammer, this weapon found in the Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave is a Strength/Faith hybrid's dream. Its
Surge of Faithskill calls down a continuous rain of fire that can be chain-cast, devastating groups and melting boss health bars during long openings. -
Fallingstar Beast Jaw: This grotesque and powerful jawbone, dropped by the Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast in Mt. Gelmir, is a gravity-defying anomaly. Ideal for Quality or Intelligence-hybrid builds, its
Gravity Boltskill is arguably one of the best in the game. It deals immense poise damage, capable of staggering most bosses in just three hits and completely shutting down opponents in PvP.
🔥 The Shadow of the Erdtree Contenders: New Legends of Impact
The 2024 DLC introduced fresh challenges and, with them, new tools for crushing resistance.
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Flowerstone Gavel: A standout addition from the Land of Shadow, this gavel is a masterpiece of hybrid versatility. It scales with both Strength and Arcane, and its
Flower Dragonboltskill allows it to function as both a close-quarters mauler and a medium-range lightning catalyst. It represents the evolution of blunt weapon design, offering unprecedented flexibility.
💥 The Titans of Pure Strength: Unmatched Raw Power
For those who wish to invest everything into Strength, these are the ultimate rewards.
- Prelate's Inferno Crozier: A direct descendant of legendary great hammers like Smough's Hammer, this monster is a guaranteed drop from a Fire Prelate in Fort Laiedd. With required 45 Strength, it is a mid-to-late-game powerhouse that achieves A-scaling. Its skill,
Prelate's Charge, transforms the wielder into a human avalanche of flame, carving a burning path through anything foolish enough to stand in the way.
| Weapon | Primary Stat | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Club | Strength | Early-game, Barbaric Roar combo |
New players, Strength foundations |
| Great Stars | Strength | Blood Loss & Health Regain | Sustain-focused, aggressive play |
| Star Fist | Strength | Rapid Blood Loss (Dual-wield) | PvP, burst damage |
| Fallingstar Beast Jaw | Str/Int | Gravity Bolt (High Poise Damage) |
Boss staggering, PvP control |
| Flowerstone Gavel | Str/Arc | Ranged & Melee Hybrid (DLC) | Versatile hybrid builds |
| Prelate's Inferno Crozier | Strength | Prelate's Charge (AOE Fire) |
Pure Strength, area denial |
In 2026, the legacy of these weapons remains untarnished. They represent a fundamental truth in the Lands Between: sometimes, the most sophisticated strategy is to apply a simpler, heavier solution. Whether you're crushing skeletons with a stick, summoning ghosts with severed heads, or calling down meteors with a beast's jaw, the blunt weapon arsenal in Elden Ring provides a profoundly satisfying and powerfully effective path to becoming Elden Lord. Choosing one is not just selecting a tool; it is adopting a philosophy where every problem looks like a nail, and you are the hammer.