The introduction of Smithscript Weapons in Elden Ring's acclaimed Shadow of the Erdtree expansion marked a pivotal evolution in the game's combat philosophy. These unique armaments, throwable versions of traditional weapons that magically return to the wielder's hand, fundamentally reshaped how players engage with foes. They effectively blur the line between melee and ranged combat, offering thrilling new strategies for transitioning between close-quarters brawls and mid-range skirmishes. In the vast and perilous world of the Land of Shadow, these weapons stand out not merely for their raw power, but for the creative tactical depth they provide. Based on their versatility, unique mechanics, and overall effectiveness in the ever-evolving meta of 2026, here is a comprehensive look at the Smithscript arsenal.

🥊 The Golem Fist

Hewn from the fractured rock of a fallen forge golem, the Golem Fist is a colossal, slow-moving marvel. As a Smithscript weapon, it provides a powerful ranged melee option with the distinct advantage of requiring no FP to throw. Its primary drawback is its sluggish speed, a weakness savvy players mitigate with talismans like the Smithing Talisman and Axe Talisman to boost its range and damage output. Dual-wielding these fists allows for a devastating one-two punch, throwing both in rapid succession. While it can be infused with any Ash of War, its native skill, Endure, perfectly complements a tanky, resilient playstyle, allowing the user to weather enemy assaults while preparing their own rocky retribution.

🪓 The Smithscript Axe

This is a curious weapon with a unique damage profile: it hits harder the closer the target is to the thrower. It functions like a regular axe for light attacks but can only be thrown using a strong attack or a jumping attack. This makes it a solid choice for close combat, with the throwing capability serving as an excellent tool for catching enemies off-guard or finishing them off. The Arrow's Reach Talisman can reduce its damage falloff at range, though it won't extend the maximum throw distance. Its default Wild Strikes skill is effective up close, but many players find greater success imbuing it with Raptor of the Mists, enhancing its potent jumping strong attack throws for evasive, high-damage maneuvers.

🛡️ The Smithscript Shield

Defense becomes offense with the Smithscript Shield. Adorned with Smithscript power, it's a capable parrying tool that also packs a surprising ranged punch. Its weapon skill, Discus Hurl, allows the user to throw the shield. Once airborne, it hovers briefly before homing in on its target, making it a fantastically versatile option for lighter, more agile builds. The speed of the Discus Hurl makes it an excellent poking tool from a distance, whittling down enemy health while the user closes in. Although a balance patch in late 2024 reduced its damage slightly, it remains a top-tier choice for its seamless blend of defensive utility and offensive pressure.

🗡️ The Smithscript Dagger

Reimagining the dagger archetype, the Smithscript Dagger functions as a throwing dagger for all its attacks. Remarkably, despite its primary ranged function, it retains the ability to perform critical hits like backstabs and ripostes when in melee range. Its innate skill, Piercing Throw, allows it to be thrown farther and pierce through multiple enemies in a line. For even greater area denial, many players opt to imbue it with the Scattershot Throw Ash of War, which conjures and fans out multiple dagger copies in a single throw, creating a wall of blades that is exceptionally difficult for foes to avoid.

🏹 The Smithscript Spear

Boasting one of the longest ranges among Smithscript weapons, the Smithscript Spear excels at impaling foes from a safe distance. It can be used conventionally like a regular spear, but its strong attacks throw it with pinpoint accuracy. This makes it phenomenally effective on horseback, a perfect companion for traversing and dominating the expansive open fields of the Land of Shadow. Its default Impaling Thrust skill is great for breaking guards. However, pairing it with the Phantom Slash Ash of War unlocks its true potential, creating a phantasmal double that executes a joint lunge, often followed by a powerful throwing attack to close the gap decisively.

🌙 The Claws of Night

An elegant and deadly weapon, the Claws of Night allows the user to launch all three claws simultaneously with a strong attack. They feature a unique retreating slash maneuver: holding the heavy attack button while dodging causes the wielder to backstep while throwing the claws, creating excellent space and pressure. These claws cannot be infused with other Ashes of War, but they don't need to be—their built-in Scattershot Throw is incredibly potent. It conjures multiple copies of the claws to throw in a wide fan, dealing significant poise damage. This capability, especially when followed up with another throw, makes the Claws of Night extremely formidable in Player versus Player encounters.

🔨 The Smithscript Greathammer

This weapon is a devastating ranged alternative to the classic greathammer. The Smithscript Greathammer is wonderfully adaptable; its standard melee strikes hit as hard as any regular greathammer, but the spinning wind-up animation before the throw adds both style and substance. While its default Endure skill is useful for trading hits, the ultimate Ash of War for this weapon is Waves of Darkness. Activating it just before the spinning throw creates a persistent area-of-effect that damages and staggers enemies, making the already destructive throw utterly catastrophic for groups or single targets alike.

⭕ The Smithscript Cirque

Perhaps the most versatile and deadly of them all, the Smithscript Cirque is a lethal backhand blade that flies in a curved, unpredictable trajectory. Its standard melee combat is effective, but its associated Ash of War, Blind Spot, is a game-changer—allowing the user to slip around enemies and strike them from vulnerable angles. Mastering its curves is key:

• Standing or horseback throws curve to the left.

• Running or jumping throws arc upwards.

The weapon's incredibly fast return speed after being thrown, combined with the deceptive movement of Blind Spot, makes the Smithscript Cirque a nightmare for opponents to predict and counter, securing its place as a top-tier choice for skilled players.

In summary, the Smithscript weapon family from Shadow of the Erdtree has permanently enriched Elden Ring's combat ecosystem. From the slow, tectonic power of the Golem Fist to the graceful, lethal curves of the Smithscript Cirque, each weapon offers a distinct playstyle that rewards creativity and strategic thinking. They prove that in the Lands Between, sometimes the best defense—or the most brilliant offense—is a good throw.