Elden Ring: Mastering Backhand Blades
What Are Backhand Blades?
Backhand Blades are weapons wielded with the blade facing opposite the direction of the wielder's thumb. This reversed grip isn't just cosmetic-it directly influences how these weapons behave in combat. Their attacks emphasize quick slashes, tight arcs, and deceptive timing, making them excellent for catching enemies off guard.
A defining feature of Backhand Blades is that they are naturally paired weapons. When you attempt to two-hand them, your character instead equips a second, identical blade in the off-hand. This grants automatic dual-wielding without needing to find or equip a second weapon, making them immediately efficient and easy to build around.
Combat Identity: Speed, Pressure, and Evasion
Backhand Blades excel at close-range pressure. Their light weight and rapid attack animations allow players to chain hits together, punish openings, and disengage quickly. They are especially effective against slower enemies or humanoid foes who struggle to keep up with relentless aggression.
While they don't offer the raw stagger power of great weapons, Backhand Blades compensate with mobility. Their moveset naturally encourages dodging, repositioning, and attacking from unexpected angles. This makes them ideal for players who prefer an agile, reactive playstyle rather than trading blows head-on.
Unique Skills: Blind Spot and Swift Slash
Two standout skills define the Backhand Blade weapon class:
Blind Spot
Blind Spot allows the player to shift position rapidly, often slipping just outside an enemy's attack before retaliating. This skill is perfect for evasive combat, letting you avoid damage while staying within striking distance. It shines in both PvE and PvP, where repositioning can decide the outcome of a fight.
Swift Slash
Swift Slash focuses on burst speed and aggression. It delivers a fast, decisive attack that can close gaps or punish vulnerable enemies. This skill pairs well with high Dexterity builds and rewards players who can read enemy patterns and strike at the right moment.
These skills are unique to Backhand Blades, reinforcing their identity as weapons built around movement, precision, and tempo control.
Ashes of War and Build Flexibility
One of the biggest strengths of Backhand Blades is their compatibility with a wide range of Ashes of War. Players can modify their Skills or Damage Types to better suit their build, whether that means leaning into physical damage, elemental effects, or status buildup like Bleed or Poison.
This flexibility makes Backhand Blades viable across multiple playstyles. Dexterity-focused builds benefit most naturally, but hybrid setups-such as Dexterity/Arcane for status effects-can also perform extremely well. Experimenting with Ashes of War is highly encouraged, as small changes can dramatically alter how the weapon feels in combat.
Why Use Backhand Blades?
From a gameplay perspective, Backhand Blades offer:
Automatic dual-wielding when two-handed
High attack speed and mobility
Unique, movement-focused weapon skills
Strong synergy with Ashes of War and status effects
From a promotional standpoint, they represent Elden Ring's commitment to diverse weapon design. Backhand Blades reward skillful play and creativity, making them especially appealing to players who enjoy mastering unconventional mechanics.
Final Thoughts
Backhand Blades are not beginner crutches-they're precision tools. In the hands of a confident player, they can feel incredibly powerful, stylish, and cheap Elden Ring Runes satisfying. If you enjoy fast-paced combat, clever positioning, and experimenting with builds, Backhand Blades are one of the most exciting weapon classes Elden Ring has to offer.