How does weapon scaling work in Elden Ring

Weapon scaling ensures that Elden Ring players can reach the full potential of their swords, hammers, bows, arrows, and more.

The majority of weapons scale with certain stats or attributes. The more points assigned to those specific attributes means the more powerful the weapon will become.

Each weapon in the game has its own base stats. That makes the scaling feature a bonus stat in a sense. On a weapon's details page, there is a plus sign near the attributes that can be upgraded by scaling with a certain stat.

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Understanding weapon scaling in Elden Ring

The best way to understand weapon scaling in the new FromSoftware title is through an example. Looking at any weapon's screen in Elden Ring will show its stats and how scaling can affect it.

There is a section labeled "Attack Power." This shows the type of damage the weapon does, whether it is Physical, Magic, Fire, Lightning, or Holy. It also lists what base damage is for a critical hit.

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A look at the basic Dagger's stat page in Elden Ring (Image via FromSoftware Inc.)

Next to the type base damage of a weapon is a plus sign and a separate number. The base damage can only be changed by upgrading with Smithing Stones at an anvil or Blacksmith.

The second number is the bonus damage done by scaling. Under the "Attack Power" section is an "Attribute Scaling" section. This is where players can see what attributes will make the weapon more powerful.

The attributes are Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. A letter grade will be given next to the stats that are used to scale. The better the grade, the better the attribute powers up the weapon.

Another example of a weapon's stat page with Attack Power and Attribute Scaling (Image via FromSoftware Inc.)

If that is the weapon a player intends to use for a long time in Elden Ring, it would be best to level up the attributes that scale it. If there is a Strength grade of E, then the weapon's additional damage number will go up with increased Strength.

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That boost will be minor since the grade is not the best. If it has a grade of A, however, then expect an increase of the Strength stat to majorly buff the scaling damage of the weapon in question.

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