In Elden Ring, wielding a weapon two-handed can drastically change how you approach combat. Two-handing a weapon increases its damage output and changes your move set, often opening new opportunities for staggering enemies and dealing heavy hits. While greatswords and colossal weapons are obvious choices for two-handed play, some lesser-known weapons actually shine when wielded this way. Here, I’ll share 27 weapons that work surprisingly well in two-handed mode, perfect for players looking to shake up their builds.

Why Two-Handed Weapons Matter

Two-handing boosts your weapon’s effective strength scaling by 50%, which means that if your build favors Strength, this technique can dramatically increase your damage. Additionally, two-handing frees your off-hand, allowing you to focus on aggressive offense or buffing your weapon.

1-10: Greatswords and Colossal Weapons

Many greatswords, like the Greatsword and the Claymore, are designed with two-handed use in mind. Their wide swings and powerful charged attacks make them devastating when wielded with both hands. Colossal weapons such as the Dragon Slayer’s Greatsword also benefit from two-handed damage boosts and have stagger potential that can break enemy poise.

11-20: Unexpected Candidates

Surprisingly, some medium-weight weapons like the Flail and the Bastard Sword perform better two-handed, as the increased damage offsets their otherwise average scaling. Even some katanas, while typically used one-handed with a shield or a parry dagger, can dish out heavy damage two-handed, especially when paired with buffs.

21-27: Unique and Special Weapons

Unique weapons such as the Black Knight Sword and the Sword of Night and Flame show incredible power in two-handed mode. Their unique skill animations and strong damage scaling make two-handing a viable option for maximizing output. Additionally, some curved greatswords, often overlooked for two-handing, become surprisingly effective when used this way due to their mix of speed and power.

Optimizing Two-Handed Builds

To get the most from two-handing, you want to invest heavily in Strength or Dexterity, depending on your weapon’s scaling. Two-handing amplifies Strength scaling by 50%, so weapons with good Strength scaling become more deadly. This makes power-leveling your Strength stat crucial, and if you’re looking for the best site to buy Elden Ring Runes, it can help you farm and level faster.

Buffs and Enhancements

Pair your two-handed weapon with buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength, or Magic Grease to maximize damage output. These buffs stack well with the raw damage boost from two-handing. Remember, a good build also depends on having reliable gear, so consider checking out the best place to buy Elden Ring items to supplement your arsenal.

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Two-handing isn’t just for the heavy hitters. Experimenting with different weapons in two-handed mode can open up new playstyles and strategies that might surprise you. From colossal swords to some of the more agile weapons, this list of 27 two-handed contenders will give you plenty of options to dominate the Lands Between with strength and skill.