Elden Ring, FromSoftware's sprawling open-world masterpiece, offers a diverse range of combat styles. While not explicitly labeled "martial arts," several skills and weapon arts evoke the grace and power of various martial traditions. This guide explores the locations where you can acquire these skills, focusing on those that most closely resemble martial arts techniques.
This guide will not detail the location of every single weapon, but rather focus on weapons and skills that strongly embody martial arts principles. Finding the weapons themselves is part of the Elden Ring experience and the thrill of exploration. This will focus on the acquisition of martial arts-esque skills and abilities.
Where to Find Martial Arts-Style Weapons and Skills in Elden Ring?
Many weapons in Elden Ring lend themselves to a martial arts approach, emphasizing speed, precision, and skillful maneuvering over brute force. The key isn't just the weapon itself, but also the ashes of war you equip to them. These ashes imbue weapons with powerful special attacks.
1. Focusing on Dexterity-Based Weapons:
Martial arts often rely on speed and agility. Therefore, weapons that scale primarily with Dexterity are ideal starting points for building a character specializing in this style. Look for katanas, whips, and daggers. These weapons are typically found throughout the Lands Between, often from defeated enemies or within chests. Specific locations are too numerous to list here, as the beauty of exploration is key to their discovery.
2. The Importance of Ashes of War:
The Ashes of War system allows significant customization. You'll want to search for Ashes of War that complement a fluid, quick, and precise fighting style. Some Ashes of War may give your weapon a special attack reminiscent of specific martial arts techniques (e.g., a swift kick or a powerful spinning attack). You'll find these Ashes of War scattered throughout the game world, often in locations where powerful enemies reside, or discovered through exploration and investigation.
3. What about specific martial arts styles?
While Elden Ring doesn't explicitly mirror specific real-world martial arts, certain weapon arts and playstyles evoke them. For example:
- Fast, precise strikes with a katana and a quick Ash of War: This could be likened to Kenjutsu or Iaido.
- A sweeping, wide-ranging weapon art with a staff or spear: This might resemble certain aspects of Kung Fu or other staff-based martial arts.
- A focus on parrying and counter-attacks: This emulates the defensive and opportunistic nature of many martial arts.
4. Are there specific areas with a higher concentration of these weapons?
While no single area is dedicated to "martial arts" weapons, certain regions might yield a higher concentration of Dexterity-scaling weapons:
- Caelid: This area, despite its harsh environment, offers a range of unique weapons.
- Liurnia of the Lakes: This region often contains elegantly designed weaponry.
- Mountaintops of the Giants: This snowy region has some unique weapons.
5. How do I improve my martial arts skills in Elden Ring?
Improving your martial arts-style character in Elden Ring is about more than just the weapons and Ashes of War. Focus on these aspects:
- Dexterity: Prioritize this stat to improve your attack speed and critical hit chance.
- Mind: A higher Mind stat will allow you to cast more spells and use more Ashes of War.
- Vigor: Vitality is important for survival in combat.
- Equipment: Choose lighter armor to maintain agility.
6. What are some recommended martial arts builds?
Elden Ring's flexible build system allows for creativity. A successful martial arts build depends on your preferred playstyle and the specific weapons you use. Experiment with different weapon and Ash of War combinations to find the build that best suits your preferences. There is no single "best" build.
Remember, exploration is key to discovering the many secrets Elden Ring holds. Experiment with different weapons and Ashes of War to find the perfect combination for your ideal martial arts-inspired character. Good luck, Tarnished!
