In the unforgiving world of Elden Ring, sometimes the best defense is a really long, pointy offense held at a safe distance. 🤺 That's where spears come in, the unsung heroes for Tarnished who like to keep their enemies at arm's length—or rather, spear-length. Their incredible reach and the unique ability to attack while keeping a shield raised make them a top-tier choice for both cautious newcomers and seasoned duelists. Whether you're methodically picking apart a dungeon boss or keeping an invader just out of reach in PvP, a good spear can be your best friend. Forget just poking; the right spear can sweep crowds, inflict nasty status effects, or even be thrown and magically return! Let's dive into the pointy end of the arsenal and see which spears are worth your Smithing Stones in 2026.

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🥉 The Early Game Pokes (Good for a Minute)

These are the spears you'll likely trip over first. They're serviceable, but let's be real, you'll outgrow them faster than you can say "Margit."

  • Spear, Short Spear, & Iron Spear: The basic trio. They get the job done early on but share a fatal flaw: terrible range. The Iron and Short Spear are practically twins in shortness, while the regular Spear is only a smidge better. You can find them from Patches, Exile Soldiers, or the Twin Maiden Husks, but consider them training wheels.

🥈 Solid & Situational Contenders

These spears have their niche. They might not be the absolute meta, but they offer something special for specific builds or situations.

  • Celebrant's Rib-Rake: Talk about a stat-saver! This quirky rake only needs 8 Strength to wield, making it a dream for pure casters or arcane builds who want a backup poke. Its secret? The Barbaric Roar skill, a melee buff you gotta shout out before the fight gets messy. Farm it from the dancing Celebrants in the Altus Plateau's Windmill Village. It's a party trick with a point.

  • Swift Spear: The dexterity darling! Found early in the DLC areas north of the Pillar Path Waypoint, this spear scales beautifully with Dex, potentially hitting an S rating when Keen-infused. Its starting Impaling Thrust is fine, but the fun begins when you swap in your favorite Ash of War. A swift choice for a swift build.

  • Smithscript Spear: This DLC addition is for the Tarnished who can't decide between melee and ranged. You can throw it, and it boomerangs right back! 🤯 Found in the Ruined Forge of Starfall Past, its damage isn't top-tier and it asks for Int/Faith, but the utility of a returning projectile spear is undeniably cool.

  • Torchpole: It's ugly, it can't be infused, and its damage is meh... but it's on fire! 🔥 The third-longest spear in the game, it's fantastic for setting beasts (dogs, finger creepers) ablaze, triggering a handy stun animation. Farm it from the torch guards in Stormveil Castle when you need a fiery reach advantage.

  • Bloodfiend's Fork: A solid early DLC option for the Arcane enthusiasts. This fork naturally causes blood loss and its starting Barbaric Roar can be swapped out. Hunt down the Bloodfiends near the Ruined Forge Lava Intake (east of Ellac Greatbridge) and pray to RNGesus for a drop. Pop on that Silver Scarab Talisman to help your luck!

🥇 The S-Tier Poke Masters

These are the spears you build around. The ones that can carry you through the entire Lands Between and beyond.

  • Pike: The longest weapon in the entire game. Period. This isn't just about having a range advantage; it's about having the range advantage. Found in Stormveil Castle's heavily guarded courtyard, its length combined with the ability to infuse Ashes of War makes it a PvP menace and a PvE safety net. Sometimes, the simple solution is the best one.

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  • Spiked Spear: Don't let the simple name fool you. This spear packs a punch with the third-highest base damage of all spears and comes with built-in bleed. Its secret weapon? A heavy attack that sweeps horizontally to hit groups, a rare trait among thrust-happy spears. Farm it from Marionette Soldiers (try near the Converted Tower in Liurnia) and infuse it to your heart's content for a devastating bleed or quality build.

  • Cross-Naginata: A fan-favorite for a reason. This beauty mixes slashes and thrusts in its combos, has fantastic range (4th longest), builds up bleed naturally, and accepts Ashes of War. It's the complete package. Find it in the Gael Tunnel, in a cavern menaced by a Giant Land Octopus. Once you master its move-set, you'll feel unstoppable.

  • Partisan: The early-game treasure. Why is it so good so soon? That horizontal heavy sweep again! It cleaves through groups of weaker enemies like butter, a game-changer in crowded areas. While other spears have this move, the Partisan can be snagged the earliest from Leyndell or Cuckoo Knights. It’s the spear that teaches you that sometimes, you need to swing wide.

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💎 Final Verdict

So, which pointy stick reigns supreme? It depends on your journey:

  • For Raw Range & Control: The Pike is your undisputed champion. Nothing out-pokes it.

  • For Bleed & Versatility: The Cross-Naginata offers the best blend of range, moveset, and blood loss.

  • For Early Game Dominance: Grab the Partisan. Its crowd-control sweep is a gift that keeps on giving.

  • For Pure Novelty & Fun: The Smithscript Spear with its throw-and-return mechanic is just a blast to use.

Remember, Tarnished, a spear in hand is worth two rolls away. Choose your length, choose your effect, and go poke something until it stops moving. Happy hunting! 🗡️✨