In the perilous Lands Between, a Tarnished's journey is fraught with towering demigods and grotesque horrors. While raw power has its place, the true art of war often lies in a subtler science—the mastery of status effects. FromSoftware's epic, Elden Ring, continues its legacy with a devastating arsenal of weapons designed not just to wound, but to cripple, corrupt, and consume. Whether it's the swift, shocking burst of Frostbite or the relentless, hemorrhagic drain of Bloodloss, applying a status ailment can turn the tide of any battle. The key is finding the right tool for the job; a weapon's moveset and synergy with your build are often more crucial than its raw infliction number. As of 2026, the meta has evolved, but the philosophy remains: knowledge of your foe's weaknesses is half the victory. Let's dive into the armory and uncover the instruments of affliction that can make even the mightiest demigod bite the dust.

12. Barbed Staff-Spear

Talk about a versatile piece of kit! The Barbed Staff-Spear is a real jack-of-all-trades when it comes to applying pressure. This hybrid wonder offers solid Faith scaling, making it a darling for incantation-focused builds. Its unique weapon skill lets you launch Faith-based projectiles, giving you fantastic range options. While it builds up the deadly Hemorrhage (Bleed) effect, its true strength lies in its adaptability. Need to keep your distance? Pew-pew with holy bolts. Forced into a melee scrap? The spear's thrusts will have your foe bleeding out in no time. It’s the perfect weapon for players who like to keep their opponents guessing.

11. Rotten Greataxe

If you want to bring the plague, look no further. The Rotten Greataxe is the cornerstone of any serious Scarlet Rot build, dishing out a whopping 65 Scarlet Rot buildup per swing. Yeah, those swings are slow as molasses, but when they connect, the rot starts spreading pronto. The real kicker? This beast can be infused with Ashes of War, allowing you to specialize it even further for maximum rot application. Just be ready to commit; upgrading this lumbering monstrosity doesn't come cheap. It’s a high-investment, high-reward weapon that says, "I'm not just here to kill you; I'm here to make the very ground you stand on wither."

10. Vyke's War Spear

This spear is mad—literally. Vyke's War Spear is one of the exceedingly rare weapons that can inflict Madness. Against humanoid foes, triggering Madness is a sight to behold, draining their HP and FP significantly. However, let's be real: most bosses and enemies are totally immune to going bonkers. So, what's the real draw? The base 66 Fire damage per hit. That's no joke! The spear's weapon skill, Frenzyflame Thrust, is a fiery, area-denying nightmare in PvP. It's a weapon where the secondary effect (Fire) often outshines its primary, niche gimmick, making it a solid choice for those who like a side of chaos with their combustion.

9. Eleonora's Poleblade

Twinblades and Bleed? Now that's a match made in heaven. Eleonora's Poleblade takes this synergy and cranks it up to eleven. Its unique weapon skill, Bloodblade Dance, is a thing of beauty—a rapid, advancing flurry of strikes that covers distance and fills the bleed meter faster than you can say "hemorrhage." Each hit in the combo applies bleed buildup, making it incredibly efficient at triggering that satisfying health chunk deletion. Plus, it deals bonus Fire damage, giving you coverage against foes resistant to bleed but weak to fire. For any DEX/ARC build, this poleblade isn't just an option; it's often the go-to.

8. Poleblade of the Bud

A glorious addition from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, the Poleblade of the Bud is a Scarlet Rot maestro's dream weapon. To get your hands on this beauty, you'll need to defeat the challenging boss, Romina, Saint of the Bud. The effort is worth it. It uses the fantastic twinblade moveset for applying rot quickly, but the star is its skill, Romina's Purification. This move unleashes a devastating series of wide, spinning slashes that can decimate groups of enemies while layering on massive rot buildup. It's the perfect tool for clearing areas and applying relentless pressure to bosses vulnerable to Scarlet Rot.

7. Frozen Needle

Precision is the name of the game with the Frozen Needle. This thrusting sword is all about speed, allowing you to poke enemies in quick succession to build up Frostbite rapidly. Once Frostbite procs, it not only deals a chunk of damage but also increases all damage the target takes for a short time—a devastating combo. Its main drawback is its single-target focus; trying to fight a horde with this needle is a recipe for disaster. But against a lone, powerful foe like Malenia? It can be an absolute game-changer, freezing them in their tracks and opening them up for a brutal counterattack.

6. Bloodhound's Fang

An early-game treasure that remains relevant even in the endgame, Bloodhound's Fang is a beloved classic. The weapon skill, Bloodhound's Finesse, is incredibly powerful, offering a swift, evasive slash followed by a teleporting heavy attack. This skill not only deals massive damage but also builds up Bleed quickly. It scales beautifully with Dexterity, making it a powerhouse for DEX-focused builds. For any Tarnished starting their journey, finding this weapon can feel like you've hit the jackpot. It teaches you the power of status effects while remaining a reliable and high-damage option throughout the entire game.

5. Antspur Rapier

Found in the grim Shaded Castle, the Antspur Rapier is a deceptively simple-looking weapon with a monstrous potential. By default, it inflicts Scarlet Rot with its rapid thrusts. But here's where it gets really spicy: it's one of the few unique weapons that can still be infused with Ashes of War. This means you can add a second status effect like Bleed or Poison via an affinity. In theory, you could create a weapon that applies Scarlet Rot, Bleed, and Poison simultaneously—a true trifecta of torment. However, FromSoftware has since nerfed the effectiveness of stacking multiple statuses, so focusing on one or two might be more efficient. Still, its flexibility is unmatched.

4. Dark Moon Greatsword

A legendary blade returning from FromSoftware's storied past, the Dark Moon Greatsword is a masterpiece of magical destruction. Its weapon skill, Moonlight Greatsword, unleashes a wave of frigid magic that deals heavy damage and, crucially, builds up Frostbite. This allows you to apply the powerful Frostbite status from a safe distance, a massive advantage against aggressive foes. Once frostbitten, your subsequent moonlight waves and melee strikes will hit even harder. It's the ultimate weapon for an Intelligence build, combining raw sorcerous power with one of the game's most debilitating status effects. A true classic, back and better than ever.

3. Serpentbone Blade

In a world obsessed with katanas that bleed, the Serpentbone Blade brings a venomous twist. This katana specializes in Poison, but not just any poison—it inflicts Lethal Poison. This special variant deals double the damage per tick compared to regular poison, though it lasts a shorter duration. The result is a massive burst of damage-over-time that can melt enemy health bars. Its Double Slash weapon skill is perfect for applying this poison quickly with its multi-hit combo. While it may not have the instant gratification of a bleed proc, the relentless, ticking damage of Lethal Poison makes this blade a terrifying choice for any duelist who prefers a slow, agonizing victory.