Summary
- Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC introduces new Hand-to-Hand Arts that let players fight like anime characters.
- The DLC includes eight fresh weapon types, expanding on the base game's arsenal and providing additional armor sets.
- Fans have mixed reactions to the DLC's difficulty, with some finding the bosses overtuned and others enjoying the fun new combat styles.
A new weapon in FromSoftware's critically acclaimed Elden Ring is giving players the opportunity to fight like the characters of an action-packed martial arts anime. Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, the RPG's first and last expansion, released on June 21.
Aside from introducing a vast new region called the Land of Shadow and a storyline centered around one of Elden Ring's most mysterious characters, Shadow of the Erdtree provides players with additional armor sets and weapons. The DLC expands on the base game's already diverse pool of equipment with eight fresh weapon types: Beast Claws, Great Katanas, Hand-to-Hand Arts, Light Greatswords, Perfume Bottles, Reverse-Hand Swords, Throwing Blades, and Thrusting Shields. One of these weapon classes, the Hand-to-Hand Arts, allows players to fight like anime characters.
In a recent post on the Elden Ring subreddit, user themadman502 shared a video of their character finishing off an enemy with an anime-style kick that would not look out of place in a series like Dragon Ball. They were able to fight like this thanks to Shadow of the Erdtree's new Dryleaf Arts, one of two Hand-to-Hand Arts that were added with the DLC. Commenting on themadman502's post, one community member said that using Dryleaf Arts against bosses was not optimal due to the moveset's limited range and poise damage. Despite the weapon's flaws, the commenter revealed that they equipped Dryleaf Arts against regular enemies because it was fun.
Both Dryleaf Arts and Shadow of the Erdtree's second Hand-to-Hand Art, Dane's Footwork, can be obtained from a character named Dryleaf Dane. The monk is among the new NPCs introduced in the Elden Ring DLC, many of whom have entered the Land of Shadow to follow in the footsteps of Miquella the Kind. Miquella is the brother of fellow demigod Malenia, widely recognized as one of Elden Ring's toughest bosses, and he is also the creator of the game’s dreaded Haligtree area.
Elden Ring New Hand-to-Hand Arts
- Dryleaf Arts
- Dane's Footwork
Much like FromSoftware's past Soulslike experiences, Elden Ring is known for being a hard game to overcome. Some gamers have complained about Shadow of the Erdtree's difficulty, with veterans even describing the expansion's bosses as being “overtuned.” Elden Ring publisher Bandai Namco has advised players to level up their Scadutree Blessing, which is a DLC-exclusive mechanic that increases player damage and decreases damage received.
Prior to the expansion's release, Elden Ring game director and FromSoftware president, Hidetaka Miyazaki, claimed that Shadow of the Erdtree would challenge even experienced players. He explained in an interview that the DLC was balanced around the assumption that players had progressed far into the base game.
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. And BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to date. Hidetaka Miyazaki - President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls.
George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made. He lives with the lovely Parris in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Metascore
- 96
- How Long To Beat
- 58 Hours
