Daggers in Elden Ring might look small enough to spread butter with, but in the right hands, they turn bosses into confetti. What they lack in reach, they make up for in raw critical power. Whether you’re a backstab artist, a parry fanatic, or just enjoy sprinting at someone like a caffeinated raccoon, choosing the right dagger can make or break your build.
Critical damage in Elden Ring comes into play during backstabs, ripostes, and certain skill-triggered moments. And while every dagger has a decent crit multiplier, some are purpose-built to humiliate enemies in a single precise strike.
Let’s break down the best of them.
Best Daggers for Critical Damage
1. Misericorde
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Critical | 140 |
| Scaling | STR D / DEX C |
| Location | Stormveil Castle (in an armory near the Grafted Scion hall) |
The Misericorde is the undisputed king of critical damage. It’s so good that even people who hate daggers keep one tucked in their pocket for emergency parries. With a critical stat of 140 (the highest in the game), it turns every successful riposte into a mini cutscene of regret for your opponent.
It scales nicely with Dexterity, and you can slap on any Ash of War you like. Golden Parry or Flame of the Redmanes pair beautifully here if you’re a counterattack specialist.
Why it shines: Ridiculous crits, versatile infusion options, and it looks like something a knight would use to settle a personal debt.
2. Black Knife
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Critical | 110 |
| Skill | Blade of Death |
| Scaling | STR E / DEX C / FAI D |
| Location | Dropped by Black Knife Assassin (Sainted Hero’s Grave) |
The Black Knife is a hybrid weapon with both style and substance. Its Blade of Death skill unleashes a ranged slash that reduces enemy max HP and chips away over time. It’s not the raw crit monster that the Misericorde is, but it makes up for it with utility and Faith scaling.
If you’re running a Dex/Faith build, this dagger hits a sweet spot. Plus, the silent, smoky blade animation is one of the most intimidating sights in the Lands Between.
Why it shines: Stylish, deadly, and practical. Think of it as the cool cousin who always wins family arguments.
3. Reduvia
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Critical | 109 |
| Skill | Reduvia Blood Blade |
| Scaling | STR E / DEX D / ARC C |
| Location | Dropped by Bloody Finger Nerijus (north of Murkwater Cave) |
The Reduvia is perfect for bleed enthusiasts. While its base critical isn’t as high as the Misericorde’s, its bleed buildup makes each crit even more devastating. Combine that with fast slashes and a ranged blood projectile, and you’ve got a tool that’s equally deadly up close or from a distance.
When dual-wielded, Reduvia’s blood blades feel like cheating, especially when buffed with Seppuku or Lord of Blood’s Exultation.
Why it shines: Bleed builds thrive with it, and it turns PvP duels into blood-soaked poetry.
4. Ivory Sickle
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Critical | 130 |
| Scaling | STR E / DEX C |
| Location | Dropped by Albinaurics in the Consecrated Snowfield |
An underrated pick. The Ivory Sickle has a deceptively high critical rating and fast recovery time between hits. It’s not flashy, but it’s an excellent secondary weapon for players who like to sneak around and perform backstabs.
It’s also lighter than most daggers, which is great for those of us who panic roll a little too often.
Why it shines: High crit, low weight, and a great option for stealth-focused Tarnished.
5. Parrying Dagger
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Critical | 110 |
| Skill | Parry |
| Scaling | STR E / DEX C |
| Location | Dropped by assassins and found near Stormveil Castle gates |
The Parrying Dagger isn’t about brute force, it’s about timing. When you get that perfect parry and follow up with a Misericorde riposte, it’s pure satisfaction. On its own, it’s decent, but when used in the off-hand with a crit weapon, it unlocks a whole playstyle.
Why it shines: Encourages reactive, skillful gameplay, and rewards you with flashy finishers.
Honorable Mentions
- Crystal Knife: Slightly lower crit power, but fun for magic builds.
- Scorpion’s Stinger: Inflicts Scarlet Rot, which makes it devastating in longer boss fights.
- Cinquedea: Better for Strength-hybrid builds and Faith users using Beast incantations.
How to Maximise Critical Damage
- Boost Dexterity or Arcane: Depending on your dagger choice, these will enhance damage scaling.
- Use Talismans: The Dagger Talisman boosts critical hits, and Lord of Blood’s Exultation amps bleed damage.
- Add Bleed or Frost infusions: Extra damage over time makes your crits deadlier.
- Practise parrying: Ripostes scale directly with your weapon’s crit stat, and nothing feels better than one-shotting a knight who thought they had you.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Daggers in Elden Ring are proof that size isn’t everything. In the hands of a confident player, they turn encounters into stylish executions. The Misericorde remains the ultimate choice for raw critical damage, but the Reduvia and Black Knife both carve their own niche for bleed and Faith users.
Once you master parries, backstabs, and the art of rolling just behind an enemy at the right moment, you’ll start wondering why you ever bothered lugging around a colossal sword in the first place.
