Elden Ring's Limgrave: A Treasure Trove of Early-Game Power Weapons in 2026

In the unforgiving Lands Between of Elden Ring, survival hinges not just on skill, but on the right tools for the job. Years after its initial release and the monumental Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, the game's starting region, Limgrave, continues to be a proving ground where new Tarnished can find powerful armaments to shape their journey. While its rolling hills and misty forests may seem deceptively tranquil, this vast territory is home to monstrous creatures and, more importantly, a surprising array of formidable weapons. But are these early finds merely stepping stones, or can they truly carry a player from humble beginnings to conquering demigods? The answer lies in knowing where to look and how to leverage each weapon's unique strengths.

For players drawn to a swift, aggressive playstyle reminiscent of certain clawed comic book heroes, the Hookclaws offer a perfect entry point. This weapon's primary advantage is its blistering attack speed, allowing for stylish, rapid combos that efficiently build up the devastating Blood Loss status effect. While its base physical damage is modest, its versatility more than compensates. Paired with the Quickstep skill, it enables hit-and-run tactics that can dismantle larger foes. For those seeking extra utility, a Cold infusion can add Frostbite buildup, creating a potent dual-status threat. Found on a corpse in Stormveil Castle's wine cellar, the Hookclaws are a missable but highly rewarding early-game prize for dexterous warriors.

On the opposite end of the spectrum lies the brutal Brick Hammer. This colossal weapon excels at shattering enemy defenses with immense physical and poise damage. Its standout feature is its exceptional scaling potential, being one of the few weapons capable of reaching an S rank in Strength scaling, while still accommodating Dexterity or Arcane builds. Despite its intimidating weight, it's surprisingly efficient for its damage class. Acquiring it requires some exploration in Stormveil Castle, involving a Rusty Key and a climb to a corpse overlooking the Wine Cellar. For Strength purists, it's a weapon that can legitimately last an entire playthrough.

The Lance has seen a resurgence in popularity following the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, which highlighted the power of defensive, thrust-oriented playstyles. As one of the earliest obtainable greatspears, it allows players to maintain a safe distance while poking enemies from behind the safety of a greatshield. This strategy can trivialize many early boss encounters. Found atop a ruin southwest of the Deathtouched Catacombs, it requires a clever jump from a nearby cliff. Veterans will recognize it from previous FromSoftware titles, and in Elden Ring, it serves as a uniquely infusible greatspear, offering build flexibility.

For those committed to overwhelming force, the Golem's Halberd is a staggering option. Its colossal weight and strength requirement make it a niche choice, but each swing delivers catastrophic damage and immense poise break. It can stagger foes and damage armor with ease. The earliest chance to farm it is from the Golems on the Limgrave Tower Bridge, accessible from Stormveil Castle—a daunting but potentially rune-rich challenge for new players. Its default Charge Forth skill is uniquely powerful for its class and should not be replaced.

Embodying the grim reaper fantasy, the Grave Scythe is a rare and potent weapon category. Beyond its menacing aesthetic and Blood Loss buildup, it offers concrete benefits: a +35 Vitality boost and a hidden 40% shield ignore on standard attacks. This makes it exceptionally effective against turtle-style enemies. The catch? It has a notoriously low drop rate from Skeleton Mages near graveyards, with the best farming spots being around Summonwater Village and the Lake-Facing Cliffs.

Often overlooked, fist weapons like the Caestus offer a uniquely aggressive brawler style. Lightweight with fast attacks and strong scaling, they demand players stay in an enemy's face to compensate for their short reach. The Caestus comes with the Endure skill, granting 45% damage absorption and increased poise, perfect for trading blows. It can be purchased from Gatekeeper Gostoc in Stormveil Castle for 800 runes, but only after defeating Godrick or finding the Rusty Key.

A classic spear with a loyal following, the Partisan combines reach with a versatile moveset featuring both thrusts and sweeps. Its balanced scaling makes it a great fit for Strength, Dexterity, or even Arcane builds. However, obtaining it early is a test of patience, as it only drops from a specific heavy Godrick Knight in the Gatefront Ruins at a very low rate. Boosting Discovery via Arcane or Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot is highly recommended for this grind.

For assassins and critical-hit specialists, no weapon compares to the Miséricorde dagger. With a critical damage rating of 140—the highest in the game—it turns stance breaks into fight-ending moments. An un-upgraded version can deal 650-750 damage on a critical hit. It's conveniently found in a locked room in Stormveil Castle, requiring just one Stonesword Key to claim this essential tool for any build focusing on ripostes and backstabs.

Perhaps the most efficient early-game power spike comes from the Banished Knight's Halberd +8. Acquiring a weapon pre-upgraded to +8 saves invaluable early-game Smithing Stones. This halberd boasts excellent reach, a thrust attack, and solid damage. When infused with Occult, it scales to A-rank with Arcane. While it can drop from Banished Knights, the guaranteed +8 version is a quest reward from defeating Edgar the Revenger at the Revenger's Shack in Limgrave.

Finally, the elegant Warhawk's Talon is a straight sword with a unique moveset, perfect for Dexterity builds. Its main drawback is the lack of passive bleed, but its style and speed are compelling. The challenge is acquisition: it has a mere 2% drop rate from the Warhawks in Stormveil Castle, best farmed near the Rampart Tower Site of Grace. It's a weapon earned through perseverance.

In summary, Limgrave in 2026 remains a foundational region packed with viable end-game weapons. The key for new Tarnished is to match their preferred combat style with the right early treasure.

Weapon	Category	Key Strength	Location / How to Get
Hookclaws	Claws	Rapid Blood Loss buildup, fast attacks	Stormveil Castle Wine Cellar (on a corpse)
Brick Hammer	Colossal Weapon	S-rank Strength scaling, high poise damage	Stormveil Castle (requires Rusty Key)
Lance	Greatspear	Long reach, great for shield-poking	Ruin southwest of Deathtouched Catacombs (jump required)
Golem's Halberd	Colossal Weapon	Extremely high damage per swing	Farm from Golems on Limgrave Tower Bridge
Grave Scythe	Reaper	Blood Loss & shield-piercing attacks	Low drop from Skeleton Mages near graveyards
Caestus	Fist	Fast, lightweight, comes with Endure skill	Purchase from Gatekeeper Gostoc (Stormveil) for 800 runes
Partisan	Spear	Versatile moveset with sweeps and thrusts	Very low drop from heavy Godrick Knight (Gatefront)
Miséricorde	Dagger	Best critical damage (140 rating) in the game	Stormveil Castle locked room (1 Stonesword Key)
Banished Knight's Halberd +8	Halberd	Pre-upgraded to +8, saves resources	Quest reward from Edgar the Revenger
Warhawk's Talon	Straight Sword	Unique moveset, good for Dexterity	2% drop from Warhawks in Stormveil Castle

The journey through the Lands Between is perilous, but as countless Tarnished have proven since the game's release, a powerful start in Limgrave can make all the difference. Will you choose the swift fury of the Hookclaws, the overwhelming power of the Golem's Halberd, or the precise lethality of the Miséricorde? The choice, as always, is yours.