Elden Ring is filled with legendary weapons and powerful gear, but many players overlook some truly underrated options available early in the game. While the big-name weapons often steal the spotlight, there are several lesser-known tools of destruction that, when upgraded, can carry you well into mid-game or even beyond.

If you're someone who prefers experimenting with different builds or wants to find solid alternatives to the meta weapons, this list is for you. These eight underrated weapons can be found early and upgraded quickly, giving you a strong advantage before you even reach the major legacy dungeons.

1. Morning Star (Found in Weeping Peninsula)

This spiked mace may look humble, but its built-in bleed effect is a game changer, especially for early bosses. You can grab it from a chest in a carriage just south of the Weeping Peninsula’s starting area. Upgrade it with basic Smithing Stones, and you’ll be melting through enemies in no time.

2. Great Épée (West Limgrave)

Often overlooked due to its unconventional look, the Great Épée is a thrusting greatsword with surprising reach and speed. Its piercing attacks are great against mounted enemies, and it scales nicely with Strength and Dexterity when upgraded. It’s perfect for players who want something nimble but still heavy-hitting.

3. Claw Weapons (Stormveil Castle)

Claws are fast, fun, and devastating when dual-wielded. You can find the Hookclaws early in Stormveil Castle. They apply bleed rapidly and are excellent for Dex builds. With a little investment in upgrades, they can rival some of the game’s top-tier weapons in PvE and PvP alike.

4. Celebrant’s Cleaver (Dominula, Windmill Village)

Though it doesn’t look like much, the Celebrant’s Cleaver has one of the fastest movesets among axes. It drops from enemies in Windmill Village and scales well with Strength. It also builds up damage quickly in crowd situations. Perfect for aggressive playstyles.

5. Dismounter (Dropped by Mounted Enemies)

This curved greatsword can be found very early by farming mounted Misbegotten warriors. Despite its size, it has a quick swing speed and excellent poise damage. It shines when infused with bleed or frost, and can become a boss-killer with the right upgrades.

6. Nightrider Flail (Night Cavalry, Weeping Peninsula)

Taking down the Night Cavalry early is tough, but the reward is well worth it. The Nightrider Flail deals strike and bleed damage, making it effective against a wide range of enemies. Since it's available early in the game, upgrading it provides a reliable weapon that scales into late-game with proper tuning.

7. Winged Scythe (Tombsward Ruins)

For Faith builds, the Winged Scythe is a fantastic option found early in the Tombsward Ruins. It deals Holy damage, causes bleed buildup, and its weapon art prevents enemies from healing—great against invaders or specific bosses. It’s one of those weapons that feels endgame-ready with only a few upgrades.

8. Spiked Caestus (Roundtable Hold or Patches)

If you’re into brawling, the Spiked Caestus is a fast-striking fist weapon that deals physical and bleed damage. It’s available very early and scales wonderfully with Strength or Dexterity. Infuse it to match your build, upgrade it, and you’ll be punching through enemy defenses with style.

Why Upgrade Early Weapons?

Many of these underrated weapons use standard Smithing Stones, which are more common and easier to farm than Somber Smithing Stones. This makes them ideal choices for early upgrades. Upgrading a weapon just a few levels can significantly increase your damage output and make tough fights much more manageable.

For players looking to fine-tune their builds or experiment with multiple weapon types, it’s often a good idea to diversify early. Whether you're playing on PS5 or Xbox, this can also be a smart time to buy Elden Ring items PS5 or buy Elden Ring runes Xbox to speed up your progress without grinding endlessly.

These weapons may not have flashy introductions or be part of a major questline, but they’re reliable, effective, and often more fun than the so-called “best” weapons everyone talks about. Sometimes, the best way to stand out in the Lands Between is to wield something no one else is using.

So next time you start a new playthrough or respec your build, give one of these early gems a try. You might be surprised at just how far they can take you.