Elden Ring - Throwing Blades

Free ranged chip damage is the entire pitch here, since every attack throws a dagger that returns instantly at zero FP, and the only real question is whether that belongs in the off-hand.

Combat

Pros

• Every attack is a ranged projectile costing zero FP, and the dagger reappears in hand instantly, with no ammunition and no consumables.
• Two-handing equips a second dagger, because the weapon is naturally paired.
• It keeps melee mechanics that ranged options normally lose. Guarding, ripostes, backstabs and guard counters all work at melee range, and its unique guard counter backsteps and then throws.
• Unlike Torches and Perfume Bottles, it has full affinity support, with Keen at +25 reaching S Dexterity, Occult reaching A Arcane and Heavy reaching A Strength.

Cons

• It stands alone in its class, so there is no in-class upgrade path or alternative.
• Damage is low, 67 physical at +0 and only 151 at max Standard, while even the weakest whip reaches 245.
• Poise and stamina damage is low as well, 60 at max Standard and 66 on Keen.
• Damage falls off with distance.

Builds

Dexterity is the stat.

• Standard at +25 gives the highest base attack rating at 151, with D Strength and B Dexterity, so plain Standard is the damage answer, while Keen reaches S Dexterity but only 121 base and pulls ahead only at very high Dexterity.
• Occult is the Arcane route at A Arcane and 123 base, and Heavy reaches A Strength at 129, but with a 5 Strength requirement there is no reason to buy Strength for it.
• The next big damage gain is not a stat at all, since the Smithing Talisman raises its projectile damage at the cost of a talisman slot rather than levels.

Best Weapons

Weapon	Image	Attack	Weight	Str	Dex	Int	Fai	Arc	Why Take It
Smithscript Dagger		67	1.5	5	11	11	11	-	Smithscript Dagger gives a free ranged attack that still backstabs, ripostes, guards and guard-counters at melee range, with projectile damage raised by the Smithing Talisman. It deals 67 physical at base and 151 at max upgrade with C Dexterity, so its best use is off-hand stance pressure while an enemy is mid-combo. It comes with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

Notes

• The Arrow's Reach Talisman does not extend the throw range and only softens the damage falloff.
• Ashes of War that grant a weapon buff cannot be applied, and the dagger cannot be enchanted with magic, greased or buffed with consumables.

All Throwing Blades

Name	Image	Physical	Magic	Fire	Light	Holy	Crit. Boost	Weight	Str.	Dex.	Int.	Fai.	Arc.	Sell Price	Skill
Smithscript Dagger		67 35.0	0 20.0	0 20.0	0 20.0	0 20.0	100 15	1.5	E 5	C 11	E 11	E 11	0	500	Piercing Throw