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In Shadow of the Erdtree, Elden Ring is getting eight new weapon categories. Some of these new weapons unlock completely new movesets that have never been seen in the game before except on certain enemies and bosses. Others, like the Shadow of the Erdtree Great Katana weapon type, are almost like modifications on base game weapon types – or, in this case, enlarged and empowered versions of the base game weapon types.

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Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Backhand Blade Feature SOTE
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The Great Katana weapon type is comprised of a few armaments, but the basic Great Katana is the earliest that players can find in the Gravesite Plain. This guide goes into detail on what the Great Katana moveset and skills look like, what you need to equip and use it, and how to find the Great Katana location in Shadow of the Erdtree.

Great Katana Overview: Stat Requirements, Effects, & Skill

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Great Katana Item Description

Long katana with a long, heavy blade.

A weapon unique to warriors of the Land of Reeds.

Designed for aggression, this armament requires the wielder to throw their entire body into swinging it.

The slashing attacks of its honed edge incite Blood Loss.

In Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Great Katana is a new weapon of the eponymous Great Katana weapon type, a new weapon category in the DLC. Similar to the Washing Pole from Dark Souls, the Great Katana is an extremely long, thin, and elegantly brutal weapon. It's best to wield this with both hands – though it doesn't necessarily have high stat requirements, it's so big that it just doesn't look quite right in one hand.

Despite its size, its moveset is graceful and extremely fast. Strong attacks grant sweeping Cleaves, while Light attacks are better for taking on a single target with over-the-head strikes.

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Elden Ring Greatjar Helmet Location Belurat Gaol
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The Great Katana can be upgraded using Smithing Stones to +25, and can benefit from spell-based and consumable weapon buffs.

Great Katana Stat Requirements

STR

DEX

INT

FAITH

ARC

14

18

0

0

0

Great Katana Damage & Scaling

Scaling (Base)

Scaling (+10/+25)

STR

D

STR

D

DEX

D

DEX

C

Great Katana Weapon Skill: Overhead Stance

The Great Katana Ash of War is Overhead Stance, which can be changed. This Weapon Skill has two ways to follow-up – a Light Attack will release a sudden slash while stepping forward, while a Heavy Attack will cause your character to slam the Great Katana down three times on the enemy's head.

The Light Attack follow-up for this weapon skill costs 8 FP, while the Heavy Attack follow-up costs 12 FP.

A skill that starts with the blade held high in a ready stance.

Execute a normal attack from this stance to step forward and slash downward, or a strong attack to deliver a series of downward slashes.

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Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Beast Claw Radahn
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Where To Find Great Katana Location

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Great Katana Location Gravesite Plain

To get the Great Katana in Shadow of the Erdtree, you must head north from the Three-Path Cross site of grace, where you meet Hornsent and Freyja, until you see a lake with what appears to be a dragon sleeping in the middle of it.

This is a Ghostflame dragon, and unless you know exactly how to deal with Elden Ring's dragons, it's best to just snatch this item and run.

The Great Katana is located on a body literally right next to this slumbering, grisly dragon. Carefully ride Torrent until you are close, dismount, and enter Stealth by pressing down on the left analog stick.

Walk up to the body to pick up the Great Katana, and hope that you didn't wake up the dragon. Either way, mount back up and ride away as fast as you can – preferably back to a site of grace so that you can reset enemies and transport back to Roundtable Hold for upgrades.