Shadow of the Erdtree New Weapon Types - Elden Ring Guide - IGN (2024)

Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will not only feature a lot of new weapons to find and try out, but brand new weapon types as well. These will include new variants of existing weapons like swords and shields, as well as new weapons altogether.

In an interview with Famitsu, the creative director of the game confirmed that there will be eight new weapon types to find in the DLC, as well as many additions to existing weapon types.

Below you'll find a list of all confirmed new weapon types that will be available in the Land of Shadow that cannot be found in the base game.

• Thrusting Shields
• Hand-to-hand Arts
• Throwing Weapons
• Reverse-hand Swords
• Perfume Bottles
• Beast Claws
• Light Greatswords
• Great Katanas

Thrusting Shields

First seen in the Shadow of the Erdtree story trailer, the Thrusting Shields are a new variant of large shields that can be used to attack and defend equally, providing a new type of playstyle for two-handing shields that had a much more limited use in the base game. With the Thrusting Shield, you'll be able to perform lunging stabs with the shield that can deal considerable damage, while always being ready to block an incoming attack - or have it on standby performing a shield's regular function in tandem with another weapon in the other hand.

Hand-to-hand Arts

A new variant of the Fist Weapons is now devoid of any actual weapon at all, instead using the character's own fists and feet as lethal weapons. The Hand-to-hand Arts variant which include martial arts like the Dryleaf Arts boasts a quicker and varied moveset including quick combos and staggering combo finishers, as well as Weapon Skills that can employ flying kicks to deal heavy damage against foes.

Throwing Weapons

A new type of Dagger weapon has the unique ability to throw your equipped weapon rather than perform slashing attacks with it, and will automatically appear back in your hands. With Throwing Weapons, you'll be able to dance out of melee range while hampering, staggering, and finishing off opponents before they can reach you while tossing daggers in one or both hands.

Reverse-hand Swords

This new variant of Swords are wielded in a reverse-grip style, and can be used for rapid slashing and dashing attacks. Unlike regular dual wielding however, each Reverse-hand Sword can be dual-wielded instead of held in two hands, allowing you to block with them where other dual wielded blades could not. These blades, like the curved Backhand Blades, also boast a rapid Weapon Skill that combines the backstep with a follow-up slice to the side to flank and attack enemies from their unprotected sides.

Perfume Bottles

Initially only used as reusable Tools and Consumables in the base game of Elden Ring, you can now equip and wield Perfume Bottles indefinitely in your hand. These compact bottles held between fingers can fling out sparks of different elemental types, dealing frost or fire on command, and provide a new moveset that allows you to deal powerful dashing attacks, or huge charged strong attacks that spread explosions all around you.

Great Katanas

Confirmed by the Miyazaki in the aforementioned interview, there will be a new katana variant called the Great Katanas. Also known as Odachi, Great Katanas are historically much larger than a katana blade, making it a greatsword in its own right to parallel the western Zweihander, and the perfect anti-cavalry weapon. While the base game featured Bloody Finger Hunter Yura's Nagakiba with an extended blade, the odachi class of weapon appears to have its own moveset and is likely much slower than a traditional katana weapon in Elden Ring, while dealing much more damage in a single swing.

Light Greatswords

Another new large greatsword weapon variant are new Light Greatswords which boast long but thin blades able to be deftly wielded with a surprising amount of reach, and have quicker swings at the cost of slightly slower startups. Weapons like Milady, are able to perform long combo attacks, even when countering an enemy attack with a Guard Counter to slash several times. It's Weapon Skill creates a new stance from which you'll be able to employ many more combo attacks, including a leaping dive attack, or a quick combo slice.

Beast Claws

Much like the Hand-to-hand weapons, the Beast Claws are a new variant of Claw Weapons that have completely new attack movesets allowing for rapid mobility and movement. These claws, like the Bear Claws, can quickly lunge, dash, and perform powerful jumping slashes to tear opponents apart before they can react. Their rapid swings are much more pronounced and even exaggerated compared to regular fist weapons, which you'll need to be mindful of as you unleash a flurry of swipes.