The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring has introduced a brand new and exciting weapon class: martial arts weapons, also referred to as hand-to-hand weapons. These weapons represent a dynamic and fluid combat system that incorporates close-quarters combat, fast-paced striking, and devastating special moves. For many players, the martial arts weapons provide a fresh way to engage with the game’s already robust combat mechanics, offering high-speed offensive techniques and powerful elemental effects. With this DLC, Elden Ring offers players a truly immersive martial arts experience, from powerful kicks to Elden Ring Runes quick, multi-hit combos.

In this article, we’ll explore the top 3 hand-to-hand martial arts weapons and builds introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Each of these builds combines specific hand-to-hand weapons with strategic buffs, stats, and tactics, offering players the opportunity to kick and punch their way through some of the toughest challenges in the game.

1. Dryleaf Arts – The Frostbite Fury
The Dryleaf Arts are one of the most exciting additions to the martial arts weapon category in Shadow of the Erdtree. These hand-to-hand weapons are unique for their speed, fluid combo attacks, and the ability to inflict frostbite when infused with cold. This allows for excellent synergy with talismans and buffs that enhance successive hits and break enemy stances, making the Dryleaf Arts ideal for both PvE and PvP encounters. The weapon is fast and nimble, enabling players to chain rapid attacks and close the distance quickly, while the frostbite effect adds an additional layer of damage output.

The Dryleaf Arts are obtained by defeating the NPC Dry Leaf Dane in the Mor ruins, a challenge that rewards the player with these powerful hand-to-hand weapons. Their primary advantage lies in their ability to perform quick, repeated strikes while also applying elemental effects. When imbued with cold, the frostbite effect increases the damage dealt by subsequent attacks, making them a formidable choice for players looking for fast-paced, continuous damage.

Optimal Build Setup for Dryleaf Arts:

Weapon: Dryleaf Arts (Primary)
Infusion: Cold (For frostbite proc)
Armor: Dane's Hat, Messmer Soldier Armor, Horned Warrior Gauntlets, Horned Warrior Greaves
Talismans:
Bull-Goat’s Talisman (for increased poise)
Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (boosts successive hit damage)
Millicent’s Prosthesis (increases attack power with successive attacks)
Shard of Alexander (boosts Ash of War damage)
Physick:
Thorny Cracked Tear (boosts successive hit damage)
Stonebarb Cracked Tear (for stance-breaking)
Buffs and Spells:
Golden Vow (increases attack power and defense)
Flame, Grant Me Strength (boosts strength for more damage)
Bloodflame Blade (adds extra fire damage)
Stats (Level 150):
Vigor: 50
Mind: 29
Endurance: 30
Strength: 35
Dexterity: 35
Intelligence: 35
Faith: 7
Arcane: 9
Gameplay Strategy: The Dryleaf Arts’ fast combo potential allows you to unleash a flurry of punches and kicks, inflicting frostbite on enemies, which results in a dramatic increase in damage output. You should focus on staying mobile and dodging while delivering consecutive blows to stack frostbite quickly. With the guard counters, you can break enemy stances and deal significant damage. Combining these tactics with the Palm Blast Ash of War allows you to release a powerful energy burst for high damage, especially when paired with the Shard of Alexander and Godfrey Icon for additional boosts to Ash of War damage.

2. Poisoned Hand – The Venomous Assassin
The Poisoned Hand is another exciting hand-to-hand weapon introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. This weapon stands out due to its ability to proc poison instantly upon hitting enemies with its unique Ash of War. Poison damage is stacked over time, allowing for sustained damage even if you’re not constantly landing blows. This makes the Poisoned Hand an excellent tool for a damage-over-time (DoT) strategy. Players can further enhance the effectiveness of this build by stacking buffs that increase poison damage and exploit the poison status.

One of the key features of the Poisoned Hand is its synergy with rot-related talismans and buffs. The Exaltation of Rot talisman and Mushroom Crown are vital additions to this build, significantly boosting damage when poison or rot is active. With these, you can rack up high amounts of poison damage on enemies and increase your critical hit chance, especially in tough battles against bosses like Radahn.

Optimal Build Setup for Poisoned Hand:

Weapon: Poisoned Hand (Right Hand), Dragon Communion Seal (Left Hand)
Armor: Mushroom Crown, Rakshasa Set
Talismans:
Axe Talisman (increases heavy attack damage)
Kindred of Rot’s Exultation (boosts attack when poison or rot is active)
Dagger Talisman (increases critical attack damage)
Blade of Mercy (boosts critical hit damage)
Wondrous Physick:
Stonebarb Cracked Tear (for stance breaking)
Spiked Cracked Tear (for increased poise)
Buffs and Spells:
Flame, Grant Me Strength (boosts strength for more damage)
Buffs that enhance poison and rot damage
Spells for additional utility (like Lord’s Heal for survivability)
Stats (Level 150):
Vigor: 60
Mind: 16
Endurance: 22
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 16
Faith: 25
Arcane: 70
Gameplay Strategy: The Poisoned Hand build thrives on stacking poison to continuously damage enemies. Use the Ash of War to apply instant poison damage, then focus on hitting enemies with heavy attacks to stagger them and set up for critical hits. Equip talismans that boost your damage while poison is active, and make sure to take advantage of the Mushroom Crown and Kindred of Rot’s Exultation to maximize your damage potential. This build excels in long fights against bosses or high-HP enemies where poison stacking can have a significant impact over time.

3. Dane’s Blood Footwork – The Bleed Specialist
For those who prefer a more aggressive approach with devastating bleed potential, Dane’s Blood Footwork is the perfect weapon choice. This weapon is designed specifically to deal bleed damage efficiently. The ability to inflict bleed quickly through a mix of hand and foot strikes makes it an excellent choice for those who want to tear through enemies with continuous damage.

The Dane's Blood Footwork weapon synergizes with the Dryleaf Arts (in the off-hand) for a combination of hand-to-hand strikes and footwork-based attacks that deliver multi-hit combos. This build also leverages the Ash of War Dryleaf Whirlwind, an aerial multi-hit attack that deals significant damage and stagger to enemies, making it perfect for both crowd control and boss fights.

Optimal Build Setup for Dane’s Blood Footwork:

Weapons: Dane’s Blood Footwork (Right Hand), Dryleaf Arts (Left Hand)
Armor: Dane’s Hat, Divine Bird Warrior Armor, Tree Sentinel Gauntlets, Tree Sentinel Greaves
Talismans:
Lord of Blood’s Exultation (boosts attack power when bleed is active)
Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (boosts attack power with successive hits)
Shattered Stone Talisman (boosts damage from kicking and stomping skills)
Shard of Alexander (boosts Ash of War damage)
Physick:
Stonebarb Cracked Tear (for stance-breaking)
Thorny Cracked Tear (for damage after successive hits)
Buffs and Spells:
Golden Vow (increases attack power and defense)
Flame, Grant Me Strength (boosts strength for more damage)
Bloodflame Blade (adds fire damage to bleed attacks)
Lord’s Heal (for healing during long fights)
Swarm of Flies (for added poison buildup)
Stats (Level 150):
Vigor: 60
Mind: 25
Endurance: 34
Strength: 50
Dexterity: 52
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 33
Arcane: 45
Gameplay Strategy: The Dane’s Blood Footwork build focuses on bleed procs by using a combination of kicks, stomps, and rapid strikes. By using multi-hit combos with the Dryleaf Arts and the Dane’s Blood Footwork, you can bleed enemies quickly and maximize damage output. With the Lord of Blood’s Exultation and Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, you’ll see significant boosts to your attack power whenever bleed triggers, allowing you to cut down even the most resilient enemies. The Dryleaf Whirlwind Ash of War gives you a powerful aerial multi-hit that can stagger and damage enemies at range, while blood-related buffs ensure you’re always dealing extra damage with each attack.

Conclusion
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC brings an exciting new combat style to Elden Ring with the introduction of martial arts weapons. Whether you want to inflict devastating frostbite, stack poison damage, or create massive bleed procs, these new hand-to-hand weapons open up a whole new world of dynamic and thrilling combat possibilities. The top builds covered here offer a range of strategic options, allowing players to experiment with speed, elemental effects, and status ailments to create their ideal hand-to-hand fighter in the world of the Lands Between.

Whichever build you choose, remember that mastering the martial arts style requires not only knowledge of the best weapons but also a deep understanding of timing, positioning, and the right combination of buffs to
Elden Ring Items for sale unlock your true potential in battle. So, get ready to embrace the monk kong fu and kick your way through Elden Ring’s toughest challenges!