Elden Ring: Two Standout Weapons and Why They Dominate
If you're deciding what to build around-or just looking to optimize your current setup-here's why these two weapons deserve serious attention.
Spear of the Impaler: Power, Range, and Torrent Supremacy
Why It's Special
The Spear of the Impaler immediately distinguishes itself with one defining feature:
its charged heavy attack throws the spear at no FP cost.
That alone sets it apart from most projectile-based weapons in the game. No FP requirement means:
No reliance on Mind investment
No flask micromanagement
No tradeoff between melee pressure and ranged utility
It delivers consistent ranged punishment while remaining a true melee weapon.
Charged Heavy: Free Pressure at Range
The charged heavy throw has several practical advantages:
Excellent range for punishing retreating enemies
Strong posture damage at distance
Safe pressure tool during boss recovery windows
In PvE, this makes many encounters more manageable. Boss backing off? Throw it. Flying enemy? Throw it. Dangerous AoE phase? Create distance and throw it.
The fact that this costs zero FP makes it spammable in drawn-out fights-something most Ashes of War cannot claim.
Torrent Synergy: A Mounted Combat Monster
Where the Spear of the Impaler truly shines is mounted combat.
While riding Torrent:
You can charge and throw safely.
You can maintain mobility while dealing heavy posture damage.
You avoid many ground-based boss mechanics.
Against large field bosses in the DLC, this weapon becomes extremely efficient. The combination of mobility and ranged pressure makes it one of the strongest mounted options available.
If you enjoy open-field combat, this weapon feels tailor-made for that playstyle.
Ideal Build Direction
To maximize the Spear of the Impaler:
Prioritize its primary scaling stat (typically Strength or hybrid scaling depending on infusion).
Use talismans that enhance charged attacks.
Pair with stamina management tools for sustained pressure.
It rewards deliberate spacing and intelligent positioning more than frantic aggression.
Backhand Blades: Flow, Speed, and Style
A Moveset That Feels Effortless
Backhand Blades are the opposite philosophy: speed, fluidity, and relentless forward momentum.
Their core strengths include:
Extremely strong running attacks
Smooth, flowing light attack chains
Fast recovery windows
Strong scaling across multiple builds (Dex, Cold, Bleed, etc.)
The weapon simply feels good to use-and that matters.
Running Attacks: Aggression Wins
One of the strongest aspects of Backhand Blades is the running attack.
It:
Closes distance quickly
Deals strong damage
Chains cleanly into follow-up pressure
In boss fights, this allows you to:
Punish after dodging wide swings
Stay glued to enemies
Maintain consistent DPS uptime
Aggressive players will feel at home immediately.
Flexible Infusion Options
Backhand Blades scale well across multiple paths:
Pure Dexterity for clean physical damage
Cold infusion for frostbite buildup
Bleed builds for rapid hemorrhage triggers
Elemental infusions for specialized setups
This flexibility makes it easy to adapt to enemy resistances or personal preference.
Few weapons in the DLC feel this customizable without sacrificing performance.
Animation Advantages: Subtle but Powerful
An underrated strength: several attacks feature partial crouch animations.
This means:
Certain boss swings can whiff over you mid-attack.
You can avoid chip damage without fully disengaging.
You sometimes gain "free" pressure windows.
It's not something you plan around-but when it happens, it feels incredible. It's the kind of mechanical edge that rewards confident aggression.
Which Should You Choose?
It comes down to playstyle.
Choose Spear of the Impaler if:
You value spacing and control.
You like mounted combat.
You want ranged utility without FP investment.
You prefer calculated punishment over constant aggression.
Choose Backhand Blades if:
You love fast, fluid combat.
You prioritize mobility and running attacks.
You enjoy experimenting with status builds.
You want high DPS uptime and stylish animations.
Final Verdict
Both weapons represent the best of Elden Ring's DLC design philosophy: powerful, expressive, and mechanically distinct.
The Spear of the Impaler offers control and buy Elden Ring Runes dominance from mid-range-especially on Torrent-while Backhand Blades deliver one of the smoothest and most satisfying melee experiences in the game.
Neither is just strong-they're fun. And in a game built on challenge and mastery, that's what truly makes a weapon unforgettable.