In the upcoming Elden Ring DLC, players can expect over 100 new weapons, including eight distinct types: Great Katanas, Jeweled Shields, Throne Weapons, Reverse Grip Swords, Martial Arts Wraps, Light Greatswords, Perfume Bottles, and Beast Claws. Each weapon type brings unique gameplay mechanics and styles, expanding the game's combat diversity. Here's an in-depth look at these new weapons and recommended builds to help you strategize for your early game goals.

1. Great Katana

The Great Katana offers a slower yet powerful playstyle, perfect for players who favor heavy, impactful weapons. Its large movesets and bleed-causing potential make it a formidable choice.

Recommended Build:

Level: 150 (extendable to 200 with Godrick's Great Rune)

Key Stats: Vigor (50-60), Dexterity (80), Mind (20), Endurance (20), Faith (25)

Spells & Talismans: Ritual Sword Talisman, Lord of Blood's Exaltation, Shard of Alexander, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia

Spells: Bloodflame Blade, Golden Vow, Flame, Grant Me Strength

This build maximizes bleed damage with buffs for increased damage output and survivability.

2. Backhand Blade

The Backhand Blade offers a fast and flashy combat style, particularly effective for status effect-heavy builds when dual-wielded. Its "Blind Spot" weapon art allows agile defensive and offensive maneuvers.

Recommended Build:

Primary Stats: Strength (50-60 initially, up to 80 later), Arcane (for enhanced bleed procs)

Spells & Talismans: Blood Flame Blade, Kindred of Rot's Exaltation

Gear: Dual Beastman Curved Swords with Blood Affinity

This build focuses on rapid hits to stack bleed effects quickly.

3. Hand-to-Hand

Hand-to-Hand introduces a versatile martial arts style, combining speed and decent stance break capabilities for nimble, close-quarters combat.

Recommended Build:

Key Stats: Strength (30-40), Dexterity (40-50), Intelligence (40-45)

Spells & Talismans: Prince of Death's Staff (for synergistic spell casting), Magic Shrouding Tier, Intelligence Knot Tier

Spells: Comet, Magic Glintblade, Carian Slicer

This build offers a mix of physical and magical attacks for flexible combat strategies.

4. Throwing Blade

Throwing Blades like the Smithscript Axe and Dagger introduce a ranged combat style within Elden Ring's melee-focused arsenal, providing versatility and supplementary ranged attack options.

Recommended Build:

Primary Stats: Balanced Strength and Dexterity (compatible with quality builds)

Complementary Weapons: Quick axes or hammers for melee options

This build allows for effective ranged attacks while maintaining strong melee capabilities.

5. Beast Claws

The Beast Claws offer a challenging playstyle with dynamic and erratic movesets, including aerial and slam attacks. They excel in PvP scenarios with their unique combat mechanics.

Recommended Build:

Primary Focus: Strength (utilize Godrick's Great Rune for stat boosts)

Key Talismans: Ure's Favor +2, Shard of Alexander

Armor: Omen Set (for maximum tankiness)

Emphasize movement and weapon arts for exploiting enemy weaknesses.

6. Thrusting Shield

The Thrusting Shield combines offense with defense, allowing attacks while remaining guarded. It suits players who prefer a balanced approach to combat, offering protection and counterattacks.

Recommended Build:

Primary Stats: Dexterity (60), Faith (40)

Weapons: Vik's Warspear with Fingerprint Stone Shield

Key Talismans: Great Jar's Arsenal, Clarifying Horn Charm +1

Spells: Golden Vow, Flame Grant Me Strength, Frenzy Burst

Armor: Royal Knight Set with BL's Armor for Focus resistance

This build emphasizes defensive capabilities while enabling powerful counterattacks.

7. Light Greatsword

Anticipated for its blend of speed and power, the Light Greatsword bridges the gap between greatswords and straight swords, offering a versatile combat experience.

Recommended Builds:

Build 1 - High Damage and Speed:

Weapon: Sword of Night and Flame

Key Talismans: Graven-Mass Talisman, Shard of Alexander

Spells: Golden Vow and Flame Grant Me Strength

Armor: Beast Champion Set with Brass Shield

Build 2 - Status Effect Specialist:

Weapon: Antspur Rapier with Sapuku and Poison Affinity

Key Talismans: Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Kindred of Rot's Exaltation

Utilize multiple status effects for strategic combat.

8. Perfume Bottle

The Perfume Bottle introduces a unique mechanism for applying effects through attacks, offering strategic battlefield control akin to certain ashes of war.

Recommended Build:

Primary Stats: Dexterity (60), Intelligence (60)

Weapon: Wing of Asel

Key Talismans: Graven-Mass Talisman, Shard of Alexander

Spells: Comet, Stars of Ruin, Magic Glintblade, Loretta's Mastery

Armor: Twin Sage Glintstone Crown (or Imp Head Cat for fewer drawbacks)

Maximize damage with intelligence-based attacks and weapon arts for offense and defense.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the new weapons in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and recommended builds to suit various playstyles. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your gameplay preferences. Stay tuned for updates on additional weapons and builds.

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