Elden Ring Backhand Blade Build – Knight Blade Guide (Shadow of the Erdtree Build)
In thisElden RingBackhand Bladeguide, I’ll be showcasing myKnight Bladebuild. This build is tailored for the very beginning of theDLCand is designed to be effective throughout thebase gameand into theDLC. It utilizes the new weapon type, theBackhand Blade, specifically theBackhand Bladeitself, which lends its name to this weapon category. You can get this weapon early using ourElden Ring Map.
In this Elden Ring Build Guide, I’ll be showing you my Backhand Blade build. This is a Shadow of the Erdtree build that takes place after level 150. If you’ve been looking for a very agile dex build that dashes around defeating enemies then you might want to check this build-out.
We have over 110Elden Ring builds. Each one is meticulously crafted to offer unique playstyles, strategies, and experiences, ensuring there’s something for every adventurer in the Lands Between. Whether you seek the raw power of heavy weapons, the finesse of spellcasting, or the versatility of hybrid builds, our collection has you covered. Explore the depths of the game’s mechanics and unleash your full potential with our diverse array of builds.
I really love theblock counterwith theBackhand Blade. Though it’s not optimized for block countering due to its lowguard boost, it has a satisfying spin attack. If you’re surrounded by enemies and manage to pull off a block counter, you can hit multiple foes. The weapon’s attack chain covers a largeAoE, making it excellent for clearing out groups of smaller enemies.
TheAsh of War:Blindspot, is what truly makes this weapon shine. It costs only 9FP, so you don’t need muchMindto use it frequently.Blindspotallows you to sidestep an attack and strike from behind, with iFrames that let you dodge through attacks and reposition mid-combo. This mechanic is akin to a sidestep or quickstep followed by an attack in one animation, which I really enjoy.
The downside of thisAsh of Waris its high stamina cost. Using it twice in combat can drain your stamina completely if you have an average amount. To address this, I’ve built this setup with a lot of stamina and equipped a talisman for stamina recovery, allowing you to use this ability more often. If you recall, I created a build with theBloody Helicein the base game, which also had a stamina-hungry weapon skill,Dynast’s Finesse. The same principle applies here.
To further enhance stamina recovery, you could use theGreat Turtle Shellin your offhand for its passive stamina recovery effect. While not my favorite fashion choice, it’s effective. You could also equip the Sacrificial Axe forFPregeneration on kills, althoughFPmanagement isn’t a major issue with this build. There are various weapons you could use in your offhand for additional effects.
If you decide to go with theBlue Dancer Charmroute, especially for the base game, I wouldn’t recommend heavy armor. For armor, I use theBlack Knight Set, which you can farm fromBlack Knights. While you don’t have to use this set, I like its style, which complements the blades. The set offers good protection and decent poise at 60, essential since enemies hit hard in thisDLC. This build aims to avoid damage with iFrames, but until you master the weapon skill and enemy patterns, heavier armor is a smart choice.
As you become more proficient and learn enemy attack patterns, you might switch to lighter armor, similar to the base game. However, early in theDLC, heavier armor helps mitigate damage. If you prefer a heavy armor build, you have room for even more protective sets due to the available equip load. While I prioritized fashion by showcasing a new armor set, you could opt for more protection if min-maxing is your goal.
For talismans, I haveMillicent’s ProsthesisandRotten Winged Sword Insigniato boost attack power with rapid attacks. You might not have both, so you can use eitherWinged Sword Insignia,Millicent’s Prosthesis, orRotten Winged Sword Insignia, and maybe addShard of Alexander.
TheBlindspotskill itself doesn’t deal massive damage—it can one-shot regular enemies but isn’t your primary source of damage. Rapid attacks that stack buffs are key for dealing with tougher enemies and bosses. Adjust your talismans based on what you have and prefer.
I also really like theDragoncrest Greatshield Talisman, which I’ll likely include in most of my earlyDLCbuilds because the enemies hit hard, and this talisman helps with survivability. However, a major strategy with this build is learning to avoid getting hit.
As you become more proficient with theBlindspotskill and enemy patterns, consider swapping it out for something that boosts attack power, like theRitual Sword Talismanif you avoid damage, or theCrusade Insignia, which increases damage after killing an enemy.
A new addition is theTwo-Headed Turtle Talisman, which significantly increases stamina recovery speed more than the regularGreen Turtle Talisman. I highly recommend this for many builds, especially if you were using theGreen Turtle Talisman. You can find it in a cave deeper into theDLC—you don’t have to fight anything to get it, just ride through a lot of enemies. We’ll show the location here. You don’t need it immediately, but you’ll likely want to add it eventually. In the meantime, use the regularTurtle Talismanuntil you get it.
For this build, the attributes are as follows:
For theFlask of Wondrous Physick, I use theGreenburst Crystal Tearto boost stamina recovery speed because having more stamina is crucial for this build. More stamina allows continuous action without having to pause.
Additionally, I include theThorny Cracked Tearto increase damage with rapid hits, aligning perfectly with the theme of this build.
RegardingGreat Runes,Radahn’s Great Runeis likely the best choice. It boosts health,FP, and stamina. The extra stamina is essential, and the additionalFPis beneficial since this build doesn’t focus heavily onMind. The health boost provides extra protection, which is helpful when learning new bosses in the DLC, as they are quite challenging.
This setup offers plenty of flexibility and survivability. That wraps up myKnight Bladebuild. I hope you enjoyed this guide. I love this weapon, and it’s arguably my favorite among the early game weapons in the DLC. While I haven’t tested every weapon in the DLC yet, this one stands out. You can acquire it within 30 seconds of entering the DLC, and it’s fantastic. As always, let us know if you have questions or other tips in the comments below. We have a ton more builds coming forElden RingandShadow of the Erdtreeso stay tuned for those. If you need help finding the spells, items, or equipment in this build, and securing some personal objectives, make sure to check theElden Ring Map.
Megidola