Elden Ring DLC Best Martial Arts Weapons & Builds - Top 3 Hand To Hand Builds in SotF

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring introduces a new weapon type: martial arts. These hand-to-hand weapons bring a fresh, dynamic approach to fighting, emphasizing close-quarters combat and powerful special moves. Here we break down the top 3 martial arts weapons and explain how to set up the most powerful hand-to-hand kong fu combat builds with each weapon.

Elden Ring DLC Best Kong Fu Monk Builds - Top 3 Hand To Hand Arts Weapons & Builds in Shadow of the Erdtree

In Elden Ring's DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, the most anticipated addition for many players is the new martial arts weapon class, the hand-to-hand weapons. This weapon class introduces an exciting and dynamic combat style, allowing players to engage enemies with powerful, close-quarters combat techniques. One of the notable weapons in this class is the Dryleaf Arts, which can be upgraded and imbued with elemental effects like frost to maximize damage. Players can also find and use Dane's Footwork, another hand-to-hand weapon that focuses on powerful kicks. These weapons support a variety of builds, including those that leverage intelligence scaling for frost damage or strength for sheer physical power. The hand-to-hand weapon class in Shadow of the Erdtree offers a fresh and highly engaging combat experience for players who enjoy martial arts-inspired gameplay. Here we've sorted out the top 3 best martial arts weapons and builds for thoese who want to Monk Kong Fu kicking bosses in Elden Ring DLC!

1. Dryleaf Arts

The Dryleaf Arts are a new martial arts weapon type introduced in the "Shadow of the Erdtree" DLC for Elden Ring. These fist weapons are acquired by defeating the NPC Dry Leaf Dane at the Mor ruins, which is accessible after using the "May the best win" emote. The Dryleaf Arts are characterized by their fast move set and the ability to inflict frostbite when infused with cold, enhancing their damage output. Despite their short range, the weapons mitigate this drawback by slightly moving the character forward during attacks, making it less noticeable when locked onto enemies. The Dryleaf Arts synergize well with talismans like Millicent's Prosthesis and Winged Sword Insignia, which boost attack power with successive hits. Additionally, the Ash of War "Palm Blast" allows players to deal significant damage through a powerful energy release, particularly when combined with the Shard of Alexander and Godfrey Icon for boosted Ash of War damage. This weapon excels in both PVE and PVP due to its quick, consecutive attacks and ability to break enemy stances with guard counters.

OP Dryleaf Arts Build Setup:

• Weapon: Dryleaf Arts

• Infusion: Cold (for frostbite proc)

• Armor: Dane's Hat, Messmer Soldier Armor, Horned Warrior Gauntlets, Horned Warrior Greaves

• Talismans: Bull-Goat's Talisman, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Millicent's Prosthesis, Shard of Alexander

• Physick: Thorny Cracked Tear (for consecutive hits), Stonebarb Cracked Tear (for stance breaking)

• Buffs and Spells: Golden Vow, Flame, Grant Me Strength, Bloodflame Blade

• Stats (150 Level): 50 Vigor, 29 Mind, 30 Endurance, 35 Strength, 35 Dexterity, 35 Intelligence, 7 Faith, 9 Arcane

• Gameplay Strategy:

  Fast Combos: Utilize the quick move set of the Dryleaf Arts to land multiple hits.

  Frostbite: Inflict frostbite to increase damage dealt to enemies.

  Guard Counters: Use guard counters to break enemy stances and deal heavy damage.

  Ash of War: Utilize Ash of War abilities like Palm Blast for high damage output.

2. Poisoned Hand

The Poisoned Hand weapon is a standout in the "Shadow of the Erdtree" DLC, known for its deadly poison-stacking capabilities. This fist weapon instantly procs deadly poison on most enemies with its unique Ash of War, making it a formidable choice for damage-over-time strategies. When combined with the Exaltation of Rot talisman and the Mushroom Crown, the Poisoned Hand significantly boosts attack power while the enemy is poisoned or afflicted with rot. The weapon's heavy attacks are particularly effective, often staggering enemies and setting them up for powerful critical hits. Additionally, the build can be enhanced with the Blade of Mercy and Dagger Talisman, further increasing the damage of critical attacks. This setup makes the Poisoned Hand not only a tool for sustained damage but also a powerhouse for burst damage through crits. The weapon is especially effective in fights against tough bosses like Radahn, where the ability to stack poison and deliver heavy hits can turn the tide of battle.

OP Poisoned Hand Build Setup:

• Weapon: Poisoned Hand (Right Hand), Dragon Communion Seal (Left Hand)

• Armor: Mushroom Crown, Rakshasa Set

• Talismans: Axe Talisman, Kindred of Rot's Exultation, Dagger Talisman, Blade of Mercy

• Wondrous Physick: Stonebarb Cracked Tear, Spiked Cracked Tear

• Buffs and Spells: Flame, Grant Me Strength, Buffs to enhance poison damage and survivability

• Stats (150 Level): 60 Vigor, 16 Mind, 22 Endurance, 8 Strength, 12 Dexterity, 16 Intelligence, 25 Faith, 70 Arcane

• Gameplay Strategy:

  Proc Poison: Use the Poisoned Hand's Ash of War to instantly proc deadly poison on enemies.

  Stack Buffs: Equip talismans that boost damage when poison or rot is present.

  Heavy Hits: Utilize heavy attacks to stagger enemies and deal massive critical hits.

  Crit Attacks: Finish off staggered enemies with boosted critical attacks.

3. Dane's Blood Footwork

Dane's Blood Footwork is another martial arts weapon introduced in the "Shadow of the Erdtree" DLC, designed to maximize the potential of bleed damage. This weapon is obtained later in the DLC, and its primary strength lies in its ability to inflict bleed status quickly and efficiently. When paired with the Dryleaf Arts in the off-hand, it allows for a unique combination of hand and foot strikes, creating devastating multi-hit combos. The inherent Ash of War, Dryleaf Whirlwind, is a multi-hit aerial attack that deals significant damage and stagger, making it ideal for both crowd control and boss fights. The build benefits greatly from talismans such as the Lord of Blood's Exaltation and the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, which boost attack power with successive hits and bleed procs. Additionally, the Shattered Stone Talisman increases the damage of kicking and stomping skills, further enhancing the weapon's effectiveness. With buffs like Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength, this build can achieve high damage output and maintain excellent survivability, making it a versatile and powerful choice for any encounter.

OP Dane's Blood Footwork Build Setup:

• Weapons: Dane's Blood Footwork (Right Hand), Dryleaf Arts (Left Hand)

• Ash of War: Dryleaf Whirlwind (multi-hit aerial attack)

• Armor: Dane's Hat, Divine Bird Warrior Armor, Tree Sentinel Gauntlets, Tree Sentinel Greaves

• Talismans: Lord of Blood's Exaltation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Shattered Stone Talisman, Shard of Alexander

• Physick: Stonebarb Cracked Tear, Thorny Cracked Tear

• Buffs and Spells: Golden Vow, Flame, Grant Me Strength, Bloodflame Blade, Lord's Heal, Swarm of Flies

• Stats (150 Level): 60 Vigor, 25 Mind, 34 Endurance, 50 Strength, 52 Dexterity, 9 Intelligence, 33 Faith, 45 Arcane

• Gameplay Strategy:

  Bleed Procs: Use Dane's Blood Footwork to inflict bleed on enemies.

  Multi-Hit Combos: Utilize the unique L1 attack for a combination of hand and foot strikes.

  Stagger and Damage: Maximize damage through consecutive hits and stagger potential.

  Buffs: Apply multiple buffs to enhance damage output and survivability.