If you're diving into Elden Ring and want to get a serious edge early on, you'll be glad to know that several powerful weapons are accessible well before you hit level 20. While the game rewards exploration and experimentation, it also hides some incredible tools of destruction in places you'd least expect. Whether you're a melee warrior or a spell-slinging mage, these hidden weapons can help define your build long before you take down your first major boss.

Here are 9 hidden weapons you can grab early—some are tucked away in dangerous areas, but all are obtainable with careful navigation, strategy, and maybe a few deaths along the way.

1. Uchigatana – Deathtouched Catacombs

This classic katana is a favorite for Dex-based builds. Found in the Deathtouched Catacombs in Limgrave, it delivers Bleed buildup with every strike. It's ideal for players who want to apply pressure in boss fights and PvP alike. With its fast moveset and strong scaling, it pairs well with many early Elden Ring Items for Bleed-focused builds.

2. Twinblade – Dragon-Burnt Ruins

If you love the idea of spinning through enemies with dual-ended blades, the Twinblade is a must. Hidden in a chest in the Dragon-Burnt Ruins (Limgrave), this weapon offers aggressive combos and is perfect for players planning a Dex/Faith or Dex/Strength hybrid. Just be careful not to open the trap chest nearby, which teleports you to a much deadlier zone.

3. Great Épée – Callu Baptismal Church

This thrusting weapon is found near the Callu Baptismal Church in southern Limgrave. The Great Épée boasts impressive range and poise damage, making it excellent for early-game crowd control. Its sweeping heavy attacks also make it more versatile than most rapiers.

4. Morning Star – Weeping Peninsula

Though it doesn’t look like much, the Morning Star causes Bleed damage and can be found in a chest on a carriage along the road south of the Bridge of Sacrifice. Bleed weapons are incredibly valuable in the early game and remain relevant even late. For new players wondering whether to buy Elden Ring runes or explore first, this weapon is a perfect reason to choose exploration.

5. Flail – Gatefront Ruins

Often overlooked, the Flail is found in a chest in the Gatefront Ruins. It causes Bleed buildup and has a unique spinning heavy attack that can break enemy guards. For early game dungeon-crawling and rune farming, this is a solid choice with minimal stat investment.

6. Clawmark Seal – Beastial Sanctum Route

While technically not a weapon in the traditional sense, this seal is essential for Strength/Faith builds. If you make the journey to the Beastial Sanctum (via a hidden teleporter in Limgrave), you can begin a questline that grants access to this unique item early. It scales with Strength, making it perfect for hybrid builds that utilize incantations. Combine it with other Elden Ring Items like Flame Sling for great early-game versatility.

7. Serpent-God’s Curved Sword – Ruin-Strewn Precipice

If you're willing to take the longer, more treacherous route to Altus Plateau, this sword is your reward. Found in the Ruin-Strewn Precipice, it passively restores health when enemies are defeated—a huge advantage in the early game where flask management is tight.

8. Misericorde – Stormveil Castle

Before taking on Godrick, sneak through Stormveil Castle’s side path to find this dagger. It has the highest Critical stat in the game, making it ideal for backstab-focused players. It also works well with a stealthy playstyle, especially if you enjoy chaining criticals on unaware enemies.

9. Reduvia – Defeat Bloody Finger Nerijus

After being invaded near Murkwater Cave, Bloody Finger Hunter Yura helps you defeat Nerijus. Your reward? The Reduvia dagger—a Bleed weapon that scales well and comes with a ranged Blood Blade skill. It's a devastating early-game choice, especially for players looking to burst down enemies quickly.

These nine weapons aren’t just good—they’re game-changers if found early. Elden Ring rewards those who veer off the beaten path, and grabbing even one of these can dramatically alter your experience. Whether you're stockpiling Elden Ring Items or debating if you should buy Elden Ring runes to boost your progress, never underestimate the value of a well-placed early weapon.

So, grab your torch, check your map, and start hunting. The Lands Between are full of secrets—and these weapons are just the beginning.