All New Weapon Types in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

The Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC represents the most significant weapon expansion since the base game’s launch, introducing eight completely new weapon archetypes that fundamentally change combat dynamics. From our analysis of the preview footage, these additions aren’t mere reskins but introduce genuine innovation to FromSoftware’s combat system.

Players can anticipate mastering Light Greatswords, Great Katanas, Reverse-hand Swords, Throwing Weapons, Perfume Bottles, Thrusting Shields, Dryleaf Arts (hand-to-hand combat), and Beast Claws. This expansion dramatically increases build variety and offers fresh solutions to the Lands Between’s most challenging encounters.

Beyond the new categories, approximately 100 additional weapons will enhance both existing and new weapon types, ensuring veterans and newcomers alike have compelling reasons to experiment with different playstyles throughout their journey.

Light Greatswords occupy a strategic middle ground between standard greatswords and straight swords, featuring significantly reduced weight while maintaining impressive reach. Their combat rhythm emphasizes extended combo sequences rather than single heavy strikes, making them ideal for aggressive players who maintain constant pressure.

These weapons exhibit faster recovery between attacks compared to traditional greatswords, though their initial swing animation requires slightly more commitment. This trade-off rewards players who master attack timing and positioning rather than relying on brute force.

The showcased Milady weapon demonstrates the archetype’s versatility with an Ash of War that offers both mobility and burst damage options. The leaping plunge attack creates distance-closing opportunities, while the quick combo slice provides rapid damage against staggered opponents.

Strategic Insight: Light Greatswords excel against agile enemies and in situations where you need to control space while maintaining offensive momentum. Their Guard Counter capability makes them particularly effective for players who prefer reactive rather than predictive combat styles.

Great Katanas represent the Elden Ring interpretation of historical Odachi swords, featuring substantially extended reach and wider blades that enhance both damage output and hitbox coverage. These weapons demand higher strength requirements while maintaining the dexterity scaling that defines the katana family.

Expect significantly slower attack speed compared to standard katanas, with each swing carrying substantial poise damage and stance-breaking potential. The trade-off between speed and impact creates a distinct rhythm that veteran katana users will need to master.

The inherent bleed accumulation remains consistent with other katana variants, making Great Katanas particularly effective against health-sponge enemies and bosses vulnerable to hemorrhage effects.

Build Optimization: These weapons likely benefit from hybrid strength-dexterity builds, with their extended range making them excellent for spacing control in both PvE and PvP scenarios. The slower moveset requires precise timing but rewards players with superior crowd control capabilities.

Reverse-hand Swords introduce a completely novel grip style that fundamentally alters attack animations and combat flow. This reverse grip enables unexpected attack angles that can catch experienced PvP opponents off-guard while providing unique solutions to specific PvE encounters.

The combat pattern features rapid initial slashes followed by repositioning dash attacks, creating natural combo extensions that maintain offensive pressure. The inherent mobility built into the moveset makes these weapons ideal for hit-and-run tactics.

Notably, these weapons incorporate built-in blocking capability despite their aggressive appearance, suggesting they function as single weapons that are always dual-wielded for maximum versatility.

Advanced Technique: Master the timing between initial slashes and dash attacks to create unpredictable assault patterns. The blocking function allows for seamless transitions between offense and defense without weapon swapping.

Throwing Weapons expand Elden Ring’s ranged combat options beyond bows and spells, offering quicker deployment and different damage types. These tools fill crucial utility roles for melee-focused builds that need occasional distance engagement.

From the preview footage, these weapons appear to have minimal recovery animation, allowing seamless integration into melee combos as spacing tools or finishers.

Tactical Application: Use throwing weapons to pull enemies individually in group situations, apply status effects from safety, or finish off low-health targets without committing to a full approach.

Common Mistake: Don’t treat these as primary damage sources—their value lies in utility and combo extension rather than raw damage output.

Perfume Bottles represent one of Elden Ring’s most innovative weapon concepts, functioning as reusable consumable items rather than traditional weapons. This suggests they operate on a different resource system, potentially using FP or a new mechanic entirely.

These tools likely create area-of-effect attacks or status applications, providing support capabilities for co-op play or specialized solo strategies.

Strategic Deployment: These will likely excel in situations requiring crowd control or when you need to apply multiple status effects simultaneously.

Optimization Tip: If these scale with arcane (as perfumes did in the base game), they could become cornerstone tools for status effect builds focused on poison, rot, or sleep strategies.

The Shadow of the Erdtree weapon expansion addresses specific combat niches that were underserved in the base game. Light Greatswords provide the missing link between speed and power, while Great Katanas offer a heavier alternative for dex-focused builds.

Weapon Selection Priority: Choose based on your existing stat investment—strength builds should prioritize Light Greatswords, while dex builds will find Great Katanas more accessible.

Common Pitfall: Avoid spreading stats too thin trying to use every new weapon type. Specialize in 2-3 complementary categories that align with your playstyle.

For advanced players, consider how these new weapons interact with existing talismans and armor sets. The reverse-hand swords, for example, might benefit from equipment that enhances quick attacks or reduces stamina consumption during dodges.

Remember that mastering any new weapon type requires understanding its unique rhythm and optimal engagement ranges. Spend time in safer areas practicing combos before taking new weapons into critical encounters.

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