Summary
- Elden Ring introduces a wide array of dexterity weapons, allowing players to create powerful build options with fast and agile attacks.
- The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC offers new weapon choices such as Hand-to-Hand Art weapons, Spears, and Katanas, enhancing dexterity playstyles.
- Players can find powerful dexterity weapons like the Backhand Blade and Sword of Night, with high dexterity scaling and unique abilities for versatile combat.
Dexterity has always been a major aspect of FromSoftware's Soulsborne games as an aspect that players can create a build around. Elden Ring is no exception, with a multitude of dexterity weapons for players to find and progress throughout the Lands Between with. Usually possessing fast and agile attacks, some dexterity weapons are notorious for how powerful they are. The recent DLC Shadow of the Erdtree has introduced even more options that also prove strong.
As per usual for dexterity, Shadow of the Erdtree brought forth new katanas, spears, and curved blades, trademarks for such builds. However, some newer inductions were made, such as the new martial arts weaponry. This has given dexterity players a wide array of choices for powerful armaments they can wield.
Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree: 10 New Weapons You Should Upgrade
Shadow of the Erdtree has brought many new weapons to Elden Ring, and these are the best ones for the Tarnished to upgrade first.
12 Dryleaf Arts/Dane's Footwork
Who Needs Weapons?
- Obtained: From Dryleaf Dane
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice introduced the notion of unarmed attacks as a valid way of dealing damage. Shadow of the Erdtree continues this by introducing the Hand-to-Hand Art weapons.
Dryleaf Arts and Dane's Footwork are statistically the same, but are different in the way they deal damage: the first via punches, the second via kicks. Both can deal high amounts of damage, and can achieve a B in dexterity scaling when fully upgraded. The Ash of War can also deal extreme damage. It grants the player hyper armor when charging it up, then causing an explosion that is sure to severely harm, or even kill, foes.
11 Swift Spear
A Fast Spear With High Dexterity Scaling
- Obtained: Southeast from the Castle Front Site of Grace along the main road.
Spears often belong to dexterity playstyles, as they are quick weapons with a long reach. The Swift Spear may be the epitome of this in Shadow of the Erdtree, being a fast and agile spear that can deal great damage.
The notable aspect of the Swift Spear is its scaling, as it can achieve an S in dexterity scaling when infused as a keen weapon. Buffing this weapon will also lead to swift defeats of enemies.
10 Great Katana
A True Dexterity Weapon For Versatility
- Obtained: At the lake in northern Gravesite Plain near the Ghostflame Dragon.
As is the case with most katanas, the Great Katana builds up blood loss on the target. It also has a longer reach, and can reach a B in dexterity scaling when infused as a quality or keen weapon.
The strength of the Great Katana is its versatility. It works with different builds via the numerous buffs and infusions in Elden Ring, as well as the different Ashes of War available.
9 Star-Lined Sword
Turning Elden Ring Into Sekiro
- Obtained: From Demi-Human Queen Marigga
Weapon arts have become more flashy over the years in these games, and the Star-Lined Sword's Ash of War would be right at home in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The sword reaches a B in dexterity scaling when upgraded, making it a perfectly capable weapon on its own.
However, the Ash of War gets the spotlight, executing a number of attacks in a flashy sequence that is sure to harshly damage an enemy (if they're still alive afterward). The weapon is strong, even without the inherent blood loss buildup it can deal to foes. It's a powerful acquisition in any dexterity playthrough.
8 Dancing Blade Of Ranah
Terrorize Foes With Graceful Attacks
- Obtained: From the Dancer of Ranah at the Southern Nameless Mausoleum.
Dancing has found prominence in FromSoft's souls games, with Shadow of the Erdtree once again featuring such a theme. Even with upgrading, the Dancing Blade of Ranah has a B in dexterity scaling, which improves to A once at +10.
The weapon can deal a high amount of damage on its own, with the Ash of War slicing through enemies with no impunity. With an incredible number of fast, unending attacks, taking out opponents becomes a breeze.
7 Sword Of Night
A New Frayed Blade
- Obtained: After giving Jolan an Iris of Occultation after Ymir's questline.
In Soulsborne games, a katana is often valuable for dexterity builds, and the Sword of Night is a new addition of this type in Shadow of the Erdtree. With a B in dexterity scaling when fully upgraded, it can dish out harsh punishment to enemies.
The Ash of War is the main reason players will want this weapon. It has two variants, a light and heavy attack combo. The light attack on the Ash of War executes a combo that will easily take out foes. The heavy attack variant does the same combo, but with AoEs on every swing, making for a worthwhile weapon.
6 Rakshasa's Great Katana
A New Addition To Bleed Builds
- Obtained: From Rakshasa in the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum.
Katanas have become notorious for their use in blood loss builds, and Rakshasa's Great Katana is another addition to this playstyle. Rakshasa's Great Katana not only causes blood loss, but it is also longer, since it is a Great Katana instead of a regular Katana. This allows it to reach farther than its base game counterparts.
Speaking of its reach, the Ash of War works wonders against enemies. It can take out groups of foes, while also doing a lot of poise damage. The Ash of War also doesn't cost much FP or stamina. The weapon does strong damage in general, not to mention its B in dexterity scaling when upgraded fully.
5 Falx
Become A Long Arm Centipede
- Obtained: From Hornsent in the Shadow Keep, the Ancient Ruins of Rauh, or Enir-Ilim.
Curved swords have always been more of a dexterity weapon in FromSoft's Souls games, and the Falx further continues this tradition in Shadow of the Erdtree. The weapon is a strong choice for dexterity builds. It has B scaling when upgraded, and deals fine damage.
The Ash of War is where things get interesting, as it can obliterate opponents. It starts with a slash attack with both blades, then continues into a multitude of hits that hack away the health of whatever enemy is on the receiving end.
4 Claws Of Night
A Surprisingly Hard-Hitting Weapon
- Obtained: From Swordhand of Night Anna.
Claws were always a strong weapon type in Elden Ring, used in bleed builds due to how fast they can strike. The Claws of Night also attack fast, as well as causing blood loss as usual for claw weapons.
They can hit hard, melting through boss healthbars. The Ash of War does extreme damage, throwing the claws in a shotgun-like blast in front of the player. This can deal with numerous foes quickly, or take out a good chunk out of a boss's health when used in close quarters.
3 Milady
A Unique Mix Of Slashes And Thrusts
- Obtained: In Castle Ensis.
In the base game of Elden Ring, the best dexterity weapons were limited to smaller and shorter weapons. Shadow of the Erdtree introduced new weapon types, among which were light greatswords. Milady is one of these.
The weapon achieves a B in dexterity scaling with different infusions when upgraded fully. Keen scaling grants a huge amount of damage, with the weapon comprised of different attack styles. The Ash of War is also a worthwhile ability. It can deal strong damage via a flurry of attacks, or a thrusting attack.