Frozen Needle is a Thrusting Sword in Elden Ring. The Frozen Needle scales primarily with Strength and Dexterity and is a good Weapon for inflicting frost on enemies.
A razor-thin piercing blade of ice.
Forged by Ijii, the carian Royal Blackmith.
Can inflict frost upon enemies, and launch its blade with a strong attack. The blade immediately regenerates.
Where to Find Frozen Needle in Elden Ring
The Frozen Needle weapon can be found at the following location:
- Kingsrealm Ruins: Found in a chest inside a small room at the end of the underground area in the northeast. Requires defeating of the Royal Revenant boss in order to access the room. [Elden Ring Map here]
Elden Ring Frozen Needle Notes & Tips
- Weapon Skill: Impaling Thrust
- This weapon cannot be infused with Ashes of War
- Can't be enchanted with Magic nor boosted by Consumables.
- Frozen Needle can be upgraded by using Somber Smithing Stones
- The heavy attack fires a short-to-medium range ice projectile that uses no FP. Charged heavy attacks give the projectile increased damage and range. The projectile is not affected by Axe Talisman.
- The feint attack (tap dodge while holding R2) will also shoot out a projectile, and is a very useful tool for spacing and makes up for the short range of the projectile by moving your character backwards.
- Due to the unique nature of the Thrusting Sword powerstance moveset, this weapon makes a very good right hand weapon for dual-wielders
- Because of the unique nature of this weapons R2 move, it remains a very viable option even when using two weapons (Typically R2 becomes overshadowed by the higher damage L1s)
- Frozen Needle's biggest weakness is its low overall damage, so powerstancing can help reduce that deficiency
- The 2nd L1 in the thrusting sword powerstance combo is comprised of a triple hit from the right hand weapon ONLY, which will allow you to proc Frost on enemies faster. This also works as the second L1 out of a roll or backstep.
- In addition, you can buff your left hand weapon with fire, making it possible to instantly reset frost and allow you to apply it again just as quickly
- The left hand thrusting sword is typically used for wide slashing attacks, so it makes most sense to leverage a longer tool for your left sword. Estoc or Cleanrot Knight's Sword make for good option.
- This can give you an extremely wide variety of tools to deal with enemies and make for a fun high-skill weapon set that doesn't rely on strong weapon arts
- Causes Frost buildup:
(60)
- Sell Value:
200
- NOTE: As of Patch 1.08, the speed of Thrusting Swords' crouching attacks has been reduced. Poise damage has also been reduced, but only for PVP.
- NOTE: As of Patch 1.09, the scaling values of this weapon were changed. Please refer to the Upgrades Table of this weapon below.
- Other notes and player tips go here
Moveset & Videos in Elden Ring for Frozen Needle
Frozen Needle PVP Poise Damage Values in Elden Ring
Patch 1.10 adjusted PVP Poise Damage of all Weapons including some Spells and Incantations. Please take note that these adjustments are exclusive to PVP.
One-Handed Attacks
- 1H R1 (1/2/3/4/5/6 Attacks): 108/54/54/54/54/108
- 1H R2 (1/2 Attacks): (108 Projectile)/(108 Projectile)
- 1H Charged R2 (1/2 Attacks): (216 Projectile)/(216 Projectile)
- 1H R1 Jumping: 162
- 1H R2 Jumping: 432
Two-Handed Attacks
- 2H R1 (1/2/3/4/5/6 Attacks): 140.4/70.2/70.2/70.2/70.2/140.4
- 2H R2 (1/2 Attacks): (108 Projectile)/(108 Projectile)
- 2H Charged R2 (1/2 Attacks): (216 Projectile)/(216 Projectile)
- 2H R1 Jumping: 183.6
- 2H R2 Jumping: 480.6
Frozen Needle Upgrades in Elden Ring
Please see the Upgrades page to understand the weapon bolstering process.
Requires regular reinforcement with Somber Smithing Stones
This upgrade can be enchanted with Magic or boosted with Consumables.
Attack Power | Stat Scaling | Passive Effects | Damage Reduction (%) | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frozen Needle | Phy | Mag | Fir | Lit | Hol | Sta | Str | Dex | Int | Fai | Arc | Any | Phy | Mag | Fir | Lit | Hol | Bst | Rst |
Standard | 99 | - | - | - | - | 30 | E | D | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 20 | 10 |
Standard +1 | 113 | - | - | - | - | 33 | E | D | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 20.2 | 10 |
Standard +2 | 127 | - | - | - | - | 36 | E | D | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 20.4 | 10 |
Standard +3 | 142 | - | - | - | - | 39 | E | C | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 20.6 | 10 |
Standard +4 | 156 | - | - | - | - | 42 | D | C | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 20.8 | 10 |
Standard +5 | 170 | - | - | - | - | 45 | D | C | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 21 | 10 |
Standard +6 | 185 | - | - | - | - | 48 | D | C | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 21.2 | 10 |
Standard +7 | 199 | - | - | - | - | 51 | D | C | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 21.4 | 10 |
Standard +8 | 213 | - | - | - | - | 54 | D | C | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 21.6 | 10 |
Standard +9 | 228 | - | - | - | - | 57 | D | C | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 21.8 | 10 |
Standard +10 | 242 | - | - | - | - | 60 | D | B | - | - | - | ![]() |
40 | 40 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 22 | 10 |
- Anonymous
Erdsteel dagger scales with faith so why does this not scale with intelligence?
- Anonymous
This thing should scale with intelligence. If you disagree then why does erdsteel dagger scale with faith? This sword has a magic ice spell, how else would it have its r2?
- Anonymous
Given that there's no int requirement, no magic damage, and no FP cost, I have to assume this sword is just normal ice. "Forged" my butt, Iji just made a weaponized popsicle.
- Anonymous
While this thing has the crazy ability to fire projectiles without using ammo or FP, it is a little lacking in the INT scaling department. Being a magical sword and dealing frost damage, it would make sense for it to scale with intelligence. Dark moon great sword does, so why doesn't this?
- Anonymous
Shame it's a somber weapon, Blood Tax on this would be stupid fun
- Anonymous
This weapon does not have a weapon hit box for heavy/charged heavy attacks, it’s just the projectile. This means close range R2s don’t provide the stagger or poise dmg you would expect. Would be a reasonable and powerful buff to just let the weapon hit the enemy (?).
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Anyways, the projectile does pierce dmg and is affected by spear talisman, but NOT the arrow’s reach talisman.
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Uncharged heavy comes out slightly to the left of your character, while feint (heavy+backstep) comes out to the right of your character. Thus to hit consistently, use regular R2 for enemies moving to your left, while use the backstep move for enemies moving to your right. Charged heavy comes from the middle, and your character will not move when shooting the charged shot.
- Anonymous
Frozen needle is so good if you use it against a rivers of blood user he gets bleed it is so good if you use it against maleina she starts crying it is so good that you become the final boss it is so good that it wasn’t created in created ijii so he can make it
- Anonymous
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i really want to use this but the fact that it does such low damage while being worse at applying frostbite than every other rapier in the game kills it for me
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
so its a magic icicle blade that shoots frost projectiles and does frost buildup that was made by the war counselor of the carian royal family, one of the main magic based factions, but doesn't scale with int??? ong
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
Really fun weapon to play with. I only wish the frost buildup was a bit higher on it. Other thrusting swords get a 105 frost buildup when given the cold affinity. Feel like this one should be at least 80-90 frost buildup.
- Anonymous
super lightweight and reasonable stat requirements. very good early to mid game weapon
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
Cold Estoc +25 does WAY more frost damage than this which is hilarious.
- Anonymous
A reply to an earlier comment states that the ice projectile deals physical (pierce?) damage. If true, this weapon is probably the best thrusting sword for a Blue Dancer Charm build.
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
So you want to do a cold build? All the cold spells and the cold infusions which scale with int? Right on, heres a literal icicle weapon but zero int scaling whatsoever.
- Anonymous
"This upgrade can be enchanted with Magic or boosted with Consumables.", Incorrect.
If you wish to participate in the Elden Ring community as a wiki you're more than welcome but I think most of us will insist you provide factual information.
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This powerstanced with Rogiers Rapier with a cold affinity procs frost super fast and absolutely shreds enemies. Great for the winged sword insignia or milicent's prosthesis and the crystal tear that buffs successive attacks, you feel like a monster.
- Anonymous
L2 then uncharged r2 is a good combo thats has good dps, stance damage and frost build up.
- Anonymous
Using this on my Jellyfish Knight Anjellyne and finding it pretty viable for PVE. The Jellyfish buff helps with the low damage and with greatshield talisman, turtle talisman and shield grease you can turtle your way to victory. Once you proc frostbite use the feint R2 to back up and throw a firepot to reset frostbite. Then repeat.
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Love this thing. If you powerstance it with itself it builds up frost reliably, but if you want you could powerstance with a fire/flame art infused weapon for auto frostbite removal
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Anyone know if the arrow talisman makes the projectile go farther?
- Anonymous
The R2 projectile of this weapon can semi-reliably hit Malenia right as she starts to do her evasion move, at least if you have the right distance. Hits her with freeze and at the same time baits one of just two predictable attack patterns.
Apart from fun factor from the projectiles, cold infused Estoc is superior in every other way. Combined with a Bleed Antspur Rapier and poisonous mist ash of war, you can inflict scarlet rot, poison, frost, and bleed. with the right talismans: Kindred of rot, lord of blood, millicent prosthesis, rotten winged sword = absolutely bonkers damage all the way through ng+7.
Nizar GG on YT has a video on this and it's a great build.
Wish the frozen needle had at least a little bit more AR to balance it out versus other options.
- Anonymous
This weapon reminds me of ice rapier from ds2, but not as good.
- Anonymous
You could powerstance this with Antspur Rapier infuse with bleed and proc Rot, Bleed and Cold by using only two weapons. It could be fun
- Anonymous
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I just wish the frost buildup improved with upgrading. It feels very wrong that cold imbued thrusting swords can out frost the frost rapier.
- Anonymous
It might not be strong, or meta but I still like it :)
Charged heavy stuns Malenia and is my secret tool against her
- Anonymous
Man they really need to “Chill Out” with thrusting swords… Yea? Anyone got my reference…? FOR HONOR?!?
- Anonymous
This is one of only two weapons in the game that give you completely free ranged attacks (the other being Wings of Astel). The damage is fairly low, but that makes sense since it is not a weapon skill; it's merely a free ranged attack. Note that the projectile DOES benefit from two-handing the weapon, especially if you have decent strength, since it scales with strength as well (though primarily with dexterity of course).
Also note that charging the attack almost doubles the damage and takes little time to charge, so definitely do that. The main disadvantage of trying to use this is the enemy must be not have any sideways movement or the attack will miss, even if the enemy is really slow. Mainly it's good for killing very weak enemies without wasting FP, especially if melee combat is too dangerous, like those putrid zombies that try to grab you and bite you.
The projectile applied frostbite to a troll after 7 hits, but stance-broke him after 6. So it does some poise damage and it applies a smallish amount of frostbite build-up.
For damage numbers, I tested it against some trolls in Limgrave, at +2:
85 uncharged, 160 charged with 18 dexterity and 15 strength
95 uncharged, 172 charged with 28 dexterity and 15 strength
- Anonymous
Might not be best damage but it's getting added to my build anyway. A couple extra rolls and a couple extra attacks aren't that hard to pull off in these games and in Elena Ring leveling is way easier. Probably done intentionally for non DS players to become acquainted with the genre more.
Regarding AOW usage I don't use it as my main so it bears no impact on my game play anyway. I use it when I need to use thrust, or when an enemy is weak to frost and thrust.
It's lightweight with fast attacks not much poise damage but come on can't expect that from a needle...
Used right it's awesome as a situational quick switch weapon because it doesn't overweight the character easily having it equipped with other weapons. Definitely a great 2nd slot weapon.
- Anonymous
It's a joke but not funny or just an unfinished work. We don't need 60 build up without arc or int scales. We don't need a frosting weapon without int scale. Also, We don't expect a weapon that cannot be equipped with ashes to have something like impaling thrust.
Could we add that when you do a "feint" with it, it also fires in projectile too? Super fun in PvP, people forget about feints, and if they don't they roll back and get smacked by the projectile anyway
- Anonymous
My first maxed out weapon and I still don’t regret upgrading my toothpick
- Anonymous
Ah, old friend, DS2 was much kinder to you than Elden Ring is
- Anonymous
Wish we had more weapons like this and the Wing of Astel. Strange how this one doesn't have scaling in Int/Magic though.
- Anonymous
its a really fun weapon, was disappointed when i realized it didnt scale with int tho.
- Anonymous
Does anyone know if the damage of the projectile is standard or pierce? Wondering if it would be a good pairing with the spear talisman
- Anonymous
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The heavy attack is also not affected by Godfrey's talisman. Making this weapon incredibly hard to increase in power without body buffs besides raw stats which will only get you so far.
- Anonymous
The projectile also does 60 frost build up or is it greater?
I think this might be the only "free" projectile in the game (i.e. uses stamina and no other resources, ammo, FP etc) - are there any more like this?
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"-and launch its blade with a strong attack. The blade immediately regenerates." Oh hell nah, they done added silver chariot's rapier to the game
- Anonymous
First of all, I don't recommend you keep this as a primary weapon, there are way better rapiers for that job. This however, is one of the best finishers in the game. Keep this in the second slot of your right hand armament, and then when the opponent is one hit away from death and roll spamming away from you, instantly switch to this and hit em with an R2. They NEVER expect the range on this and it's almost always a guaranteed hit if you time it right.
- Anonymous
I really like that the R2 attack fires the projectile while you step forward towards the opponent, the charged R2 fores the projectile while leaving you mostly stationary, and the charge-cancel R2 fires the projectile with a back step. It give you a HUGE amount of flexibility in being able to front attacks and vary attack pacing while applying pressure or backing off. While it may not proc Frostbite as quickly as some others, this ability to keep at an ideal distance pairs brilliantly by allowing you to L2 as soon as it procs to bypass guard and deal heavy damage. Absolutely love this weapon.
- Anonymous
The fact that the feint attack of this rapier shoots the projectile makes this weapon amazing in PvP. Just when an opponent thinks it's safe to rush you, they get quite the surprise.
Of course, the frostbite buildup is lower than rapiers that can be cold-infused, but the pure physical damage and that projectile compared to split damage and no projectile (depending on the ash of war used, of course) makes this superior.
- Anonymous
Can't put AoW on this and Catalyst Hybrids don't exist in ER. As much as I love this game, From has some major jackasses in some of its design teams.
Frozen needle is an extremely great thing for dexterity builds wtih very nice moveset. R2 shot attack is superb counter move after rolling or countering mages attack in PVP or some hard to melee bosses. 60 frostbite is enough anyway, especially since the needle doesn't require any other skill than dexterity. Very quick upgrade as a nice bonus.
Love to play with this rapier and daga(parrying dagger) or buckler for the sake of fantasy main-gauche playstyle
Frozen needle is an extremely great thing for dexterity builds, especially in early game.
60 frostbite is enough anyway, especially since the needle doesn't require any other skill than dexterity and have this moveset with good range attack(roll + R2 and solid counter against mages in PVP). Very fast somber upgrading as a nice bonus.
Love to play with this rapier and daga(parrying dagger) or buckler for the sake of fantasy main-gauche style
- Anonymous
Why on earth does this not scale with Int? It couldn't look more magic if it had glasses and a scar on its forehead.
- Anonymous
Feel this weapon is getting a lot of flak for no real good reason. Doing pure Phys. damage with respectable scaling, and you get free Frostbite buildup with it? Sure other weapons can do more build up faster, but the addition of the R2 projectiles (And the fact you can hit with the weapon and the projectile for even more damage) gives some flexibility to an already flexible moveset. In addition, it being Somber makes it a lot easier to upgrade...You even get it right next to Igi who sells up to Somber 4s.
If you're a caster a Cold infused weapon may be more your speed, but for Dex builds I can see this being a very handy main hand rapier, or you can use it as a swap option to poke at folks with feint projectiles.
- Anonymous
Idk how you guys don't like this weapon. It's stupidly well balanced because it lets you land a LOT of free hits by launching the blade while doing the back hop.
It's just as fun in PvP as it is in PvE. I wouldn't imagine that using it with my shield it just makes me tank thru a lot of crap while poking-to-stagger a lot of people. Rivers of Blood just gets outdamaged because of the stagger and often times you can hit them at the very edge of the R2 launched blade. I love this ****
-Judje
- Anonymous
i dont mind if it stays as a somber weapon, theyre easier to upgrade anyways, but at least change the weapon skill to repeating thrust or something
- Anonymous
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How on earth does the frozen needle have only 60 frost buildup that never increases with upgrades? Meanwhile other rapiers go up to 105 buildup and +25? The Ice projectile does not make up for that.
- Anonymous
Thank God it cannot be infused, so I can use it and never see anyone else with it spamming some bs weapon art with status infusion.
- Anonymous
Kind of ridiculous that the antspur rapier which applies scarlet rot allows you to apply ashes of war for multi status buildup, but this doesn't. I can infuse any other rapier with frost and get almost double the frostbite buildup. Extremely disappointing and its potential is limited by this for no good reason, if the frostbite buildup at least scaled with int or something it would be more interesting than it is currently, and this goes for a lot of pure phys dmg weapons that apply status buildups.
- Anonymous
Heavy attacks shoot little ice shards at the cost of 0 FP. Really cool little sword, would be a lot better if we are allowed to use ash of war on it.
- Anonymous
Unlike Wing of Astel, the Frozen Needle rapier will still shoot its icicle projectile while doing the unique rapier backsteps (Strong attack + hold Dodge).
- Anonymous
I reckon this might work better as a powerstace offhand, since you can still two-hand it if you want the ranged attacks. This allows you to use your mainhand rapier's ash of war instead. Though if you don't tend to spam ash of wars and think impaling thrust is good enough(I think it's a little weak, but under-rated) you can main hand it and stick a buff on your off-hand(eg golden vow, seppuku, grease, assassins gambit)
- Anonymous
People saying it’s shorter than other rapiers are over exaggerating. It’s the same length as the standard rapier and the antspure. It’s not a tiny toothpick.
- Anonymous
I really wished this scaled with int too, it would have been a amazing and cool weapon for frost mages. Not a bad weapon either way, great for fashion souls.
Don't understand of trend of special weapons coming with garbo AoW and you can't even change it
- Anonymous
Literally my favourite weapon from DS2, I just wish it was late game viable </3
- Anonymous
Why this (and other frostbite weapons) don't scale with intelligence?
ಠ_ಠ
- Anonymous
The DS2 Ice Rapier's twin... except it's more of a Danny DeVito to the Ice Rapier's Arnold Schwarzenegger, who got all the good genes.
- Anonymous
Kinda sad how bad this thing is. It’s shorter than other thrusting swords, can’t be infused, and the heavy attack isn’t boosted by an talismans. If this thing would’ve been a foot longer and scaled higher in dex it could’ve been a great weapon.
- Anonymous
the projectile is certainly GOOD, although i don't think it quite makes up for the inability to A: change the ash of war, especially sucks because the default one isnt even unique and isn't particularly good, and B: buff the weapon with spells or change it's affinity. very cool sword, and will likely be incredibly useful in certain builds because of the free ranged option, but has very niche use cases because of it's overall low damage compared to similar weapons.
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Best weapon for safe kiting if you use backstab to cancel heavy attack.
- Anonymous
You're better off using any basic weapon/rapier. The ice spikes cool, but it falls short with anything else. It's a shame that Fromsoftware has trouble balancing unique weapons. It's either super strong crazy, or wasted potential. (Looking at you Sword of N&F, Moonveil, Rivers of Blood) compared to (Gargoyle Twinblade, Crystal Sword, Frozen Needle, Golden Epitaph, etc.)
- Anonymous
This rapier is about a foot shorter than other rapiers. Unfortunately this could've been a lot better and usable. It should've scaled with INT. It shouldn't have been shortened. It's skill should be changeable, or at least have it shoot a spike out for it's skill, which it doesn't do. Would've been cool if it shot spikes on horseback. The rolling attack doesn't shoot either. I actually would've been okay with it taking like 5 fp per shoot. Unfortunately there's a lot of wasted potential here, as with a lot of other weapons.
- Anonymous
I'm so gonna pair this with the Antspur rapier. Power stance bby
- Anonymous
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Seems really cheesy if you can get a good rhythm of R2->A to fire the projectile with a backstep, which you can do more rapidly than standing in place tapping R2.
Sidenote: this looks delicious when paired with the regular "Knight" set from the twin-husks vendor. Slap on a clean silver heater or kite shield for good measure and you become a very clean blue/silver tarnished of frosty doom.
The main selling point is that R2 fires a projectile that requires no resources. You can tap the button to fire them quickly or charge them up for a bit of extra damage, and they also deal frost, so when you do decide to go in for melee, they will both stack frost up for decent burst damage. It's a nice backup weapon if it aligns with your chosen stats and you want some mid-range projectiles from a melee weapon -- but unlike other rapiers, it does not have any extra 'crit', and you will probably miss having the double-stab or double-swipe R2's from the Estoc or normal Rapiers.
- Anonymous
where to find should include that the weapon is hidden under an illusionary floor.
- Anonymous
Zero point to this weapon when you can't put a weapon art on it. What a waste.
- Anonymous
Zero point to this weapon when you can't put a weapon art on it. What a waste.
does the icicle projectile do pierce damage?
1
+10
-1