Elden Ring Bastard Sword vs Claymore: Which Greatsword Is Better

Choosing the right weapon early in Elden Ring can significantly impact your survival across the Lands Between. Two of the most popular starting greatswords, the Bastard Sword and the Claymore, offer reliable damage and accessible stat requirements for melee builds. Deciding which option best fits your playstyle requires comparing their movesets, reach, and combat versatility.

Moveset Differences and Combat Utility

The primary distinction between these two weapons lies in their heavy attack animations. The Bastard Sword utilizes standard horizontal sweeps for both light and heavy attacks, which work exceptionally well for crowd control against grouped enemies. In contrast, the Claymore features a long-range thrusting heavy attack that provides unmatched direct reach and counter-damage potential.

This thrust attack allows players to stay safe while poking enemies from a distance. Navigating tight corridors becomes much easier with thrusting attacks since wide slashing swings often bounce off narrow stone walls.

Reach and Scaling Efficiency

In terms of physical weapon length, the Claymore slightly outpaces the Bastard Sword, offering better overall range during combat encounters. This extra reach helps players land hits during boss fights without needing to stand dangerously close to incoming attacks. However, the Bastard Sword boasts slightly lower stat requirements, making it an accessible option for fresh characters focusing on early survivability.

Both weapons scale primarily with Strength and Dexterity, allowing them to fit into Quality or pure Strength builds seamlessly. When upgraded along standard paths, their overall damage output remains nearly identical throughout the game.

Skill Flexibility and Ashes of War

By default, the Bastard Sword comes equipped with the Stamp (Upward Cut) skill, providing strong stance-breaking capability. The Claymore features the Lion's Claw skill initially, which deals heavy poise damage while granting hyper-armor during execution. Since both are standard armaments, players can easily swap these skills using the Ashes of War system.

This customization flexibility means both swords can adapt to elemental infusions or specialized combat skills. Players can infuse either blade with Heavy, Keen, or Quality affinities depending on their core attribute investments.

Which Greatsword Should You Pick?

If you prefer a classic weapon with exceptional reach and a superior poking heavy attack, the Claymore remains the top recommendation for most players. Its unique moveset versatility provides a clear advantage in both player-versus-environment combat and player-versus-player duels. The thrusting attacks make spacing far more forgiving against aggressive bosses.

On the other hand, the Bastard Sword serves as a dependable workhorse for players who want a solid weapon earlier in their journey. It delivers reliable sweeping strikes that clear out minions quickly without demanding heavy stat investment. Ultimately, testing both movesets will help you determine which weapon feels best in your hands.