With the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Elden Ring introduced a new lineup of dangerous enemies and Elden Ring Runes highly desirable weapons. One of the most sought-after among them is the Fire Knight's Greatsword-a heavy-hitting Strength-focused weapon with strong thematic appeal and endgame viability. While it isn't tied to a questline or boss chest, it can be farmed reliably if you know exactly where to go and who to fight.

This guide breaks down where it drops, how to farm it efficiently, and what to expect from the grind, all in a clear and realistic way.

What Is the Fire Knight's Greatsword?

The Fire Knight's Greatsword is a colossal-style greatsword wielded by elite Fire Knights found in the Shadow Keep area of the DLC. It fits perfectly into fire-themed or Strength/Faith hybrid builds and visually stands out as one of the more imposing DLC weapons.

However, this power comes at a cost: it is a random enemy drop with a low base drop rate, making preparation and efficiency critical.

Drop Source and Drop Rate (Important!)

This weapon only drops from Fire Knights that actively wield the greatsword.

Base drop rate: ~4%

Affected by Discovery: Yes (Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot, Arcane, etc.)

Critical warning:

Do not farm Fire Knights that do not wield the greatsword.

They cannot drop it under any circumstances.

This is the most common mistake players make when attempting to farm this weapon.

Best Farming Location: Shadow Keep Library Route

The most efficient farming spot-based on enemy proximity and reset speed-is inside Shadow Keep, near the library section.

Recommended Route

Rest at the nearby Site of Grace on the first floor of the library.

From the Grace, take the elevator down.

Immediately after exiting the elevator, you'll encounter a Fire Knight wielding the greatsword.

Defeat the knight.

Reset at the Grace and repeat.

Why This Spot Is Optimal

Only one enemy per run (fast resets)

Minimal traversal time

No additional mobs to clear

Consistent access to a valid drop source

If you're planning to grind for a low-percentage drop, this route minimizes frustration and wasted time.

Boosting Your Drop Chances

While the drop rate is low, you can slightly improve your odds with standard farming tools:

Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot - Temporary boost to item discovery

Arcane investment - Passive increase to discovery

Silver Scarab (if available) - Further improves drop chance

That said, even with boosts, this remains a patience-based farm. Expect multiple runs-possibly dozens-before seeing the drop.

Combat Tips for Farming Efficiency

Fire Knights hit hard and can quickly punish careless attempts. To keep runs smooth:

Use fire-resistant armor or talismans

Abuse backstabs or posture breaks

High-poise builds or heavy jump attacks work well

If your build struggles, consider burst damage setups to end the fight quickly

The goal is speed and consistency, not experimentation.

Is the Fire Knight's Greatsword Worth It?

From a gameplay perspective, the weapon is absolutely worth farming if you:

Run a Strength or Strength/Faith build

Enjoy heavy weapons with strong visual identity

Want a DLC-exclusive weapon not tied to bosses

From a promotional standpoint, it exemplifies what Shadow of the Erdtree does best: reward exploration, mastery, and cheap Elden Ring Runes persistence with powerful, lore-rich gear.

Final Thoughts

The Fire Knight's Greatsword isn't meant to be easy to obtain-and that's intentional. With a 4% drop rate, success depends on farming the right enemy in the right location. If you focus on the Fire Knight just off the library elevator in Shadow Keep and optimize your runs, the grind becomes manageable and rewarding.

Go in prepared, stay patient, and eventually, the blade will drop.