Elden Ring DLC Best Martial Arts Weapons & Builds – Top 3 Hand-to-Hand Builds in Shadow of the Erdtree

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring has been a major update that has expanded the combat options of players in exciting new directions. One of the most anticipated additions is the introduction of the Martial Arts Weapon class, which allows players to take their hand-to-hand combat skills to the next level. This new weapon class focuses on quick strikes, powerful kicks, and Elden Ring Runes dynamic combos that give players the ability to engage in fluid, fast-paced close-quarters combat. The martial arts playstyle, reminiscent of kung fu and other martial arts styles, is not only visually stunning but also strategically deep, providing a fresh challenge for both PvE and PvP players alike.

Among the new martial arts weapons introduced in the DLC, several stand out for their unique abilities, diverse playstyle potential, and synergy with various builds. Whether you’re interested in dealing massive physical damage, inflicting status effects like poison and frost, or maximizing your bleed potential, Shadow of the Erdtree offers exciting opportunities for hand-to-hand combat enthusiasts. Below, we explore the top three martial arts weapons and builds, providing players with detailed setups and strategies for the best kung fu-inspired combat in Elden Ring.

1. Dryleaf Arts – The Frost-Focused Fighter

The Dryleaf Arts are a new and exciting addition to Elden Ring’s martial arts weaponry in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. These hand-to-hand weapons are fast, efficient, and capable of inflicting devastating frostbite, making them particularly effective in PvE combat. The Dryleaf Arts are acquired by defeating the NPC Dry Leaf Dane at the Mor ruins, which is unlocked after using the "May the best win" emote, offering players a unique challenge to obtain them.

Weapon Characteristics: The Dryleaf Arts are known for their quick moveset and ability to inflict frostbite when infused with cold. Frostbite reduces an enemy’s health over time, and when paired with the right build, it can significantly boost damage output. Although the Dryleaf Arts have a relatively short range compared to other weapons, their fast, consecutive attacks make up for this drawback by slightly moving the player forward with each strike. This mobility helps mitigate the limited range, especially when engaging in boss fights or against agile enemies. The weapon’s power is further amplified when combined with talismans like Millicent's Prosthesis and Winged Sword Insignia, both of which increase attack power with consecutive hits.

Key Synergies: The Dryleaf Arts are especially potent when paired with Palm Blast, an Ash of War that releases a shockwave of energy for significant damage. To optimize damage output, players should equip talismans like Shard of Alexander and Godfrey Icon, both of which boost the effectiveness of Ash of War abilities, making the Palm Blast even more devastating.

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: The Dryleaf Arts build excels in fast combos, rapidly inflicting frostbite and staggering enemies. Use the weapon’s quick strikes to chain together rapid attacks, and follow up with Palm Blast when needed for extra damage. By using guard counters, players can break enemy stances and set up critical strikes. Inflicting frostbite not only weakens enemies but also boosts overall damage, making this build effective in both PvE and PvP settings.

2. Poisoned Hand – The Poisonous Practitioner

The Poisoned Hand is another formidable martial arts weapon introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, known for its ability to stack poison on enemies. This fist weapon is particularly deadly in prolonged fights, as its Ash of War applies poison instantly, causing the enemy to suffer damage over time. The Poisoned Hand is ideal for players who prefer a damage-over-time strategy that wears down enemies slowly, especially in boss fights or tough encounters.

Weapon Characteristics: The unique Ash of War for the Poisoned Hand weapon ensures that poison procs immediately on enemies, allowing players to focus on delivering additional attacks rather than worrying about building up the status effect. The weapon’s heavy attacks are excellent for staggering enemies and setting up powerful critical hits. The Exaltation of Rot talisman works well with this build, boosting attack power while the enemy is poisoned or afflicted with rot.

Key Synergies: The Mushroom Crown is another valuable talisman for this build, increasing resistance to poison while enhancing the potency of poison damage. Additionally, Blade of Mercy and Dagger Talisman increase critical damage, making it possible to finish off enemies quickly once they’ve been poisoned.

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: Use the Poisoned Hand's Ash of War to instantly proc poison on enemies and stack the damage over time. Equip talismans to enhance poison damage and critical hit capabilities, making the build effective for sustained damage in both PvE and PvP. Focus on heavy attacks to stagger enemies and land powerful critical hits. This build shines when used against tough bosses like Radahn, where poison damage can take a significant toll over time.

3. Dane's Blood Footwork – The Bleeding Master

Dane's Blood Footwork is one of the most unique and powerful martial arts weapons in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. This weapon is designed to maximize bleed buildup, making it ideal for players who want to capitalize on rapid status procs and devastating damage from bleeding effects. When paired with Dryleaf Arts in the off-hand, this build creates a dynamic combination of hand and foot strikes, making it perfect for multi-hit combos and aggressive playstyles.

Weapon Characteristics: The Dane's Blood Footwork weapon excels at inflicting bleed damage quickly, making it one of the most potent weapons for high DPS. The Dryleaf Whirlwind Ash of War creates a multi-hit aerial attack that deals significant damage and stagger, especially useful in both boss and mob fights. The synergy between bleed effects and the stagger potential of this weapon makes it ideal for quick, aggressive combat.

Key Synergies: The Lord of Blood’s Exultation talisman is crucial for this build, as it boosts attack power when an enemy is affected by bleed. Additionally, the Shattered Stone Talisman increases the damage of kicking and stomping skills, which enhances the power of the Dane’s Blood Footwork weapon and its unique attacks.

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 Exultation, 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: This build is all about maximizing bleed procs and dealing massive damage through rapid multi-hit combos. Use the Dryleaf Whirlwind to deal AoE damage and stagger enemies, making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Focus on inflicting bleed quickly, and capitalize on the Lord of Blood’s Exultation to boost your damage. Buff your character with Golden Vow and Flame Grant Me Strength to

best place to buy elden ring items maximize attack power, and Bloodflame Blade to add extra damage.