UPDATE: We’ve introduced two interactive maps in this Dryleaf Arts build guide to assist you in locating all the necessary items.
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree: The Comprehensive Dryleaf Arts Build Guide
Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has brought more than 100 new weapons into the game, featuring eight different weapon types, which opens up expansive possibilities for experimentation. While many weapons are entertaining to wield yet lack effectiveness against the challenging enemies in the Realm of Shadow, Dryleaf Arts stands out as a weapon that combines enjoyment with genuine power in boss encounters.
One of the two available Hand-to-Hand weapons, Dryleaf Arts transforms combat into a boxing-like experience, allowing players to effectively punch their foes into submission. With the right loadout and a hint of Bleed, this weapon offers a unique blend of fun and potency without an overwhelming sense of cheese. Below, we present our Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Dryleaf Arts build for you to explore.
To enhance your journey in finding the mentioned items throughout this guide, we have included two interactive maps for both The Lands Between and the new DLC area, Land of Shadow.
Item Locations for the Dryleaf Arts Build
Discover all items required for the Dryleaf Arts build in The Lands Between:
Now, here’s where you’ll find the necessary items for a Dryleaf Arts build in the Land of Shadow:
Optimal Dryleaf Arts Build in Elden Ring
Dryleaf Arts, one of the latest additions in Elden Ring’s DLC, is distinct from traditional Fists and Claw weapons, enabling players to engage enemies with a martial-arts approach that is both thrilling and effective.
When crafting your build around Dryleaf Arts, consider several approaches: Strength/Dexterity builds can utilize a Heavy or Keen Ash of War for optimal performance; Intelligence builds may benefit from a Cold Ash of War to increase Frostbite buildup; and Dexterity/Arcane builds can take advantage of Bleed for quick damage accumulation.
Here, we’ll walk you through everything needed for a Dryleaf Arts Bleed build in Shadow of the Erdtree.
Developing Your Elden Ring Hand-to-Hand Build: Stats and Class
As you establish the foundations for this build, keep the following points in mind. Firstly, any starting class is suitable since the Dryleaf Arts weapon, being DLC content, renders initial class choice less critical.
For optimal stat distribution as you progress through the late-game content and DLC, consider the following recommendations:
- Vigor: 55+
- Mind: 30
- Endurance: 30+
- Strength: 12
- Dexterity: 50+
- Intelligence: 17
- Faith: 20+
- Arcane: 45
Feel free to adjust these stats according to your playstyle; for instance, a Vigor level of 50-55 can suffice, while aiming for 60 might improve your survivability against fatal strikes in the DLC area. Utilize items like the Crimson Seed Talisman or Crimson Amber Medallion to temporarily boost this as necessary.
Endurance should ideally exceed 30 to accommodate the stamina-intensive nature of Dryleaf Arts. Your Faith stat can be kept at 20, especially with the Two-Fingers Heirloom Talisman for an additional 5 Faith.
While Strength and Intelligence are lesser priorities, it is essential to maintain 17 Intelligence for the Golden Order Seal. With a +25 Dryleaf Arts, the weapon will scale with Dexterity and benefit from Bleed through Arcane. Once comfortable with your Vigor, Mind, and Endurance setups, focus remaining runes on Dexterity and Arcane.
Remember the soft caps for Arcane at 25/45/60; leveling beyond 45 may only be worthwhile for higher Rune Levels. Additionally, for Dexterity, aim for around 20/60/80 as a guideline. If you’re at a lower Rune Level, have confidence—previous builds with 50 Dexterity and 20 Arcane yielded over 2500 damage using the Palm Blast Ash of War against foes like the Tree Sentinel.
For those preferring a playstyle without Bleed, prioritize Dexterity but consider investing in Strength to maximize your Hand-to-Hand weapon’s potential.
Weapon Choices for Elden Ring Hand-to-Hand Build
Your primary focus in the Elden Ring Hand-to-Hand build is Dryleaf Arts, a martial weapon acquired from Dryleaf Dane early in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
You should also incorporate a Sacred Seal into your build for applying buffs during critical encounters. Since it’s used for buffs, the specific seal doesn’t require heavy upgrades—however, a fully upgraded Golden Order Seal is the optimal choice for this setup.
Testing various seals and their effects against the Tree Sentinel while employing the Palm Blast skill confirmed that the Golden Order Seal outperformed others with a damage output exceeding 3000 when utilizing the Golden Vow buff, compared to 2500-2600 with the Finger Seal.
This build allows for a balanced Equip Load, so it’s advisable to select a secondary Dexterity weapon with a ranged skill or Ash of War for moments that call for retreat and ranged combat. I previously recommended the Fallingstar Beast Jaw, which scales with Dexterity and features the effective Gravity Bolt skill. More recently, I’ve favored the Rivers of Blood, which, while not a direct ranged weapon, provides excellent reach while aligning with both Dexterity and Arcane.
Other suitable choices include secondary weapons like the Milady with a ranged Ash of War, or any katana or light greatsword that fits your style. Throwing weapons like the Smithscript Cirque with C scaling at +25 are also viable options.
Consider other Ashes of War as alternatives, without imposing elemental affinities, including Vacuum Slice, Storm Blade, and Beast’s Roar.
Preferred Ashes of War for Elden Ring Hand-to-Hand Build
As we pursue a Dryleaf Arts Bleed build, ensure your chosen Ash of War complements a Bleed affinity for optimal Arcane scaling.
My personal favorite has been Palm Blast, which, while requiring a loading time, delivers significant area damage. Although its range initially seems limited, it exceeds expectations and can interrupt foes like the Tree Sentinel.
The Dryleaf Whirlwind is another viable Ash of War option, delivering rapid, repeated kicks while being efficient in both FP usage and Bleed trigger speed, making it well-suited for this martial-arts themed build.
Consider incorporating roars like Beast’s Roar, obtainable by presenting four Deathroot to Gurranq, for versatility in ranged damage.
Essential Talismans for Elden Ring Hand-to-Hand Build
The Talismans in this Dryleaf Arts Bleed build align closely with standard Bleed strategies. Below are the essential ones to consider:
- Lord of Blood’s Exultation – boosts attack power when blood loss occurs nearby.
- Millicent’s Prosthesis – increases dexterity and attack power with successive strikes.
- Rotten Winged Sword Insignia – ideal if your Dexterity reaches 60, significantly enhancing attack power through successive hits.
- Two-Headed Turtle Talisman – enhances stamina recovery, crucial for a stamina-intensive build.
- Two Fingers Heirloom – a great tool to raise Faith by 5, conserving valuable Rune Levels.
- Shard of Alexander – if focused on utilizing skills frequently, this Talisman enhances skill attack power by 15%.
- Claw Talisman – enhances jump attacks for players keen on that playstyle.
- Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman – provides physical damage reduction, invaluable for close combat scenarios.
Your core Talismans should be Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Millicent’s Prosthesis (or Rotten Winged Sword Insignia), and the Two-Headed Turtle Talisman. Feel free to experiment within your fourth slot or trade the Turtle Talisman for other damage-enhancing or damage-negating options depending on your opponent.
Incantations for Elden Ring Hand-to-Hand Build
Using Incantations in this build is optional. Dryleaf Arts can function effectively on its own; however, if you seek additional damage or defensive capabilities before challenging enemies, consider equipping the Golden Order Seal along with a couple of spells.
Our focus remains on two buff Incantations, but with five memory slots available, you may also incorporate other Incantations like Divine Fortification or Golden Lightning Fortification for elemental damage resistance.
The recommended buff Incantations are:
- Golden Vow – boosts both attack power and defense for the caster and allies.
- Flame, Grant Me Strength – raises physical and fire-affinity attack strength.
Golden Vow serves as our primary Incantation, aligning perfectly with the Golden Order Seal to significantly enhance both attack and defense. Although Flame, Grant Me Strength is more suited to fire weapons, it also provides a useful boost to physical attacks.
Armor and Gear for Elden Ring Hand-to-Hand Build
Armor in Elden Ring often trends towards aesthetics rather than purely defensive attributes, and this build follows suit.
The White Mask headpiece is essential for any Bleed-oriented build, amplifying attack power when blood loss is nearby. Nevertheless, the impact of this buff is modest, allowing for customization to suit your character’s appearance without compromising effectiveness.
Dryleaf Dane’s armor is visually fitting for this build, though I ultimately preferred the Champion Set (accessible from the Merchant in southern Caelid) for its striking appearance while engaging in melee combat across the Lands Between.
That wraps up our comprehensive guide for the Dryleaf Arts Bleed build! To delve deeper into the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, explore how to acquire all Map Fragments, obtain an anti-dragon katana, and strategize against Furnace Golems.
