Backhand Blades of Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Backhand blades have become an indispensable tool for adventurers seeking to conquer the treacherous realms of Elden Ring. These exquisite weapons combine raw power with exceptional reach, allowing for devastating attacks from both close and mid-range.

Types of Backhand Blades

The Elden Ring arsenal boasts a vast array of backhand blades, each with unique attributes:

• Bloodhound's Fang: A colossal greatsword known for its blood-infused strikes, causing both physical and bleed damage.
• Uchigatana: A sleek and nimble katana with high base damage and the ability to wield the Unsheath skill for lightning-fast attacks.
• Nagakiba: A versatile katana that excels in both close-quarters combat and mid-range thrusts, thanks to its longer reach.
• Hand of Malenia: An iconic greatsword forged from the essence of Malenia, Blade of Miquella. It inflicts scarlet rot with each strike, a devastating ailment that slowly drains enemies' health.
• Rivers of Blood: A remarkable katana that releases a torrent of blood-infused slashes upon activating its innate skill, Corpse Piler.

Crafting and Upgrading

Backhand blades can be acquired through various methods, including:

• Looting: Found hidden within chests, dropped by enemies, or obtained as rewards for completing quests.
• Crafting: Forging at a Smithing Stone requires specific materials and a Smithing Table.
• Upgrading: Enhancing the weapon's properties with Smithing Stones and Ash of Wars, granting improved stats and special abilities.

Weapon Comparison

The following table compares the key attributes of the five backhand blades mentioned above:

Optimal Usage

To maximize the effectiveness of backhand blades, consider the following tips:

• Close-quarters combat: Utilize the shorter blades like Uchigatana and Hand of Malenia for their quick attacks and mobility in confined spaces.
• Mid-range combat: Take advantage of the longer reach of Nagakiba and Bloodhound's Fang to keep enemies at bay and avoid retaliation.
• Special abilities: Leverage the unique abilities of each blade, such as Bleed (Bloodhound's Fang), Scarlet Rot (Hand of Malenia), and Corpse Piler (Rivers of Blood).
• Ash of Wars: Equip Ash of Wars to further enhance the blade's capabilities, such as Bloodflame Blade or Hoarfrost Stomp.

PvE vs. PvP Applications

Backhand blades excel in both Player versus Enemy (PvE) and Player versus Player (PvP) scenarios:

PvE

• Bosses: Backhand blades' reach and damage output make them ideal for taking down challenging bosses, particularly those susceptible to bleeding or Scarlet Rot.
• Area clearing: Their wide hitbox and quick attacks allow for efficient crowd control, clearing out multiple enemies simultaneously.

PvP

• Invasions: The mobility and range of backhand blades make them effective for initiating and withdrawing from combat in PvP invasions.
• Duels: The special abilities of these blades, such as Waterfowl Dance (Hand of Malenia) and Corpse Piler (Rivers of Blood), can turn the tide of battles if timed correctly.

Conclusion

Backhand blades are a versatile and formidable weapon class in Elden Ring, offering a combination of power, reach, and versatility. By mastering the different types of blades and their optimal usage, adventurers can conquer the unforgiving Lands Between with unparalleled efficiency.