Look, the Lands Between was already a nightmare. Then FromSoftware dropped us into the Land of Shadow, and suddenly, that +10 Rivers of Blood you spent forty hours perfecting feels about as effective as a wet noodle. It’s a classic move. You step through the cocoon, meet a guy in a giant flaming basket, and realize the rules have changed.
The biggest mistake I see people making with Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree weapons is sticking to the old reliables. I get it. The Blasphemous Blade is comfy. But the DLC isn't just an expansion; it’s a hardware upgrade. If you aren't messing with the eight new weapon categories, you’re basically playing the game with one hand tied behind your back. We aren't just talking about higher numbers here. We’re talking about entirely new ways to move, dodge, and make gods bleed.
The Light Greatsword Obsession (And Why It’s Justified)
Everyone is talking about Milady. It’s the poster child for the "Light Greatsword" class, and honestly, it deserves the hype. If you go to Castle Ensis—which you probably should, unless you like wandering aimlessly through Gravesite Plain—you'll find it in a tower.
It’s fast. Like, "did I just play Devil May Cry?" fast.
The moveset is a fluid dance of slashes and stabs that makes the standard claymore look like a rusty garden tool. But here’s what people miss: the scaling is incredibly flexible. You can slap a Keen affinity on it for a Dex build, or go Magic if you’re a glintstone nerd. The real magic happens when you find the Wing Stance Ash of War. It gives you this elegant leap-into-thrust move that covers half a football field of distance. It’s pure style, but it actually breaks stances too.
Then there’s Rellana’s Twin Blades. You get these from the Remembrance of the Twin Moon Knight. They are a stat nightmare—needing Strength, Dex, Intelligence, and Faith—but if you’ve got the points, they are ridiculous. You get magic on one side, fire on the other. It’s like the Sword of Night and Flame’s cooler, more athletic younger sibling.
Stop Sleeping on the Backhand Blades
I’ve seen so many players walk right past the small stone coffin north of the Scorched Ruins. Big mistake. Huge. That’s where the basic Backhand Blade sits.
This weapon class is a game-changer for one reason: Blind Spot.
The default Ash of War lets you dash to the side and stab an enemy in the ribs in one motion. It’s an iframe-heavy move that makes shield-carrying knights look like absolute idiots. You don’t even need to roll half the time. You just L2 your way through their "unbreakable" defense.
For the more specialized players, there’s the Smithscript Cirque. You find these in the Ruined Forge of Starfall Past. They’re basically chakrams you can throw. If you’re tired of chasing down those annoying teleporting mages, just chuck a giant circular blade at their head. It costs zero FP to throw them with a heavy attack. Zero.
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The Bloodfiend's Arm Drama
We have to talk about the "Chicken Leg." That’s what the community calls the Bloodfiend's Arm. It’s a Colossal Weapon dropped by the Bloodfiends in Prospect Town.
Shortly after launch, this thing was broken. Not "oh, this is strong" broken, but "I just killed the final boss in thirty seconds" broken. It had Arcane scaling that sent its bleed buildup into the stratosphere.
FromSoftware eventually stepped in with Patch 1.12.3. They toned down the Arcane scaling and the status buildup on the heavy attack. Most people saw "nerf" and put it back in the chest.
That was a mistake.
Even after the patch, the Bloodfiend’s Arm is a monster. If you build for Occult or Blood affinity, you’re still looking at massive bleed procs. The heavy attack has a unique "blood splash" effect that deals extra stance damage. You can still stagger-lock bosses. You just have to actually try a little bit now. It went from "cheating" to just "really, really good."
Martial Arts and the Power of These Hands
Dryleaf Arts. It sounds like a tea shop, but it’s actually the coolest thing in the DLC. You get it by tracking down a silent monk named Dryleaf Dane at the Moorth Ruins.
You have to use the "May the Best Win" gesture to challenge him. It’s very anime.
Once you win, you get the ability to fight with bare fists and kicks. The range is terrible—obviously, you’re punching a guy with a fifteen-foot spear—but the speed is insane. If you use the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia or Milicent’s Prosthesis, the damage ramps up so fast it’ll make your head spin.
The real secret? Slap the Poison Flower Blooms Twice Ash of War on it. You do a big flying kick that causes a rot explosion if the enemy is already poisoned or rotting. It’s a niche setup, but when it lands, it’s the most satisfying thing in the game.
Messmer’s Spear: A Statistical Headache
The Spear of the Impaler is the "cool kid" weapon of the DLC. It’s what Messmer uses to turn you into a shish kebab. To get it, you trade his Remembrance at the Roundtable Hold.
It’s a Great Spear. It looks amazing. It has a unique heavy attack where you literally throw the spear and it explodes in a ball of fire.
But here’s the nuance: it’s a demanding mistress. It requires 35 Dexterity and 18 Faith. A lot of players find the R1 (light attack) moveset a bit boring—it’s just a lot of poking. The real value is in the Ash of War, Messmer’s Assault. It’s a multi-hit combo that ends in a massive AOE of fire spears erupting from the ground.
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Is it the "best" weapon? Probably not for every situation. But for clearing out mobs or styling on invaders, it’s top-tier. Just don’t expect it to out-DPS a dedicated bleed build on a high-HP boss.
Practical Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re just starting the DLC or you’re stuck on a boss, stop banging your head against the wall with your base-game gear.
- Go to Gravesite Plain. Head north from the Scorched Ruins and grab the Backhand Blade. Even if you don't use it as your main, keep it in a slot for enemies with annoying shields.
- Hit Castle Ensis. Don't even go deep into the dungeon. Just find the tower with Milady. It’s the best "all-rounder" weapon in the expansion.
- Collect Scadutree Fragments. I cannot stress this enough. No weapon—not even a +25 Bloodfiend's Arm—will save you if your Scadutree blessing level is low. The damage scaling in the Land of Shadow is tied to those fragments, not just your weapon level.
- Experiment with Throwing. If you find any "Smithscript" weapon, try the heavy attack. Being able to poke enemies from a distance without using FP or arrows is a massive quality-of-life upgrade for exploration.
The meta for Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree weapons is still shifting as people discover weird synergies with the new talismans, like the Two-Handed Sword Talisman or the Smithing Talisman. Don't get married to one build. This DLC was designed to make you uncomfortable, so lean into it. Swap your katana for a thrusting shield. Swap your staff for a perfume bottle. The Land of Shadow is meant to be conquered with new toys.