Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree introduces several new weapons to the game in order to try and freshen combat up. Those looking to switch their build up for the DLC are presented with several viable new ones, with weapons such as Light Greatswords and Perfume Bottles offering new combos and Ashes of War to experiment with. The one that has the biggest impact on the flow of combat is the brand-new Dryleaf Arts, a hand-to-hand weapon that effectively turns the player into a martial arts expert. This allows for a fresh take on Elden Ring's combat, and, when combined with the right abilities, can be devastating.

One of the best things about Elden Ring is how it caters to so many different builds. Whether players prefer getting right up close and dealing maximum damage to enemies, using sorcery from a safe distance, or conjuring powerful incantations to deal status effects, the sprawling open-world action RPG covers all bases. Those hoping to experiment with new DLC weapons such as the Dryleaf Arts are in luck, as there is a generous helping of upgrade materials scattered throughout the Land of Shadow to help.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree red sky and mountains north of Grand Altar of Dragon Communion with game logo edit
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Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's Dryleaf Arts Weapon is Well-Hidden

In a move that is typical of FromSoftware, finding the Dryleaf Arts means players will have to undertake a fairly arduous journey. Players must make their way to an NPC known as Dryleaf Dane, a mute monk who can be found at the Moorth Ruins in Scadu Altus. Th map connects most of the DLC areas, but players must first fight through Castle Ensis and its boss, Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, before they can access it (unless they prefer to use a hard-to-find shortcut that cuts out the castle completely).

Finding Dryleaf Dane is only half the journey though, as he will not communicate with the player at all unless they have found two key items: The Monk's Missive, and the 'May the Best Man Win' gesture. These can be found near the Highroad Cross checkpoint. If the player possesses these items, using the gesture will trigger a fight with Dane. He strictly uses Dryleaf Arts as his weapon, along with one relatively slow projectile attack, so players should find him fairly straightforward to overcome, particularly when compared to some of Shadow of the Erdtree's tougher bosses.

The Dryleaf Arts Can Be Used in a Variety of Builds

Defeating Dane will grant the player access to the Dryleaf Arts, which is equipped like any other weapon and can be upgraded in the same way. The weapon itself relies on fast, hard-hitting combos that pummel the enemy, and can decimate health bars pretty quickly. When paired with an element such as cold, the speed of combos allows the status effect to build up quickly and can be used to devastating effect. The Dryleaf Arts also has some pretty handy Ashes of War that are specifically made for use with the weapon, such as Dryleaf Whirlwind, which can really enhance the whole experience.

The Dryleaf Arts has pretty generous stat requirements too, making it an accessible and viable option for most players. Playing the role of a lone monk, highly skilled in martial arts and refusing to use any other weapon while they scour the Lands Between, is a completely new power fantasy that was not possible until now. It's just another example of Elden Ring's incredible versatility. Shadow of the Erdtree manages to elevate Elden Ring to even greater heights, and the new weapons like the Dryleaf Arts ensure its player base will remain high for the foreseeable future.