Elden Ring DLC: Danes Footwork vs Dryleaf Arts

In Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Tarnished can now embrace martial arts combat with the introduction of two new Hand-to-Hand weapons: Dryleaf Arts and Dane’s Footwork. This is great news for players who favor the Monk playstyle, as these additions significantly enhance its combat potential. But when comparing Danes Footwork vs Dryleaf Arts, which one stands out as the superior choice? This guide will not only show you how to obtain both weapons but also help you build the most effective setups for each.

How To Get Dryleaf Arts?

As soon as you enter the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, you'll find yourself in the Scadu Altus region. Your first task is to locate the Highroad Cross Site of Grace, where you’ll come across two key items: a sign that reads May the Best Win and a note called Monk’s Missive.

These clues will direct you eastward to Moorth Ruins, where you’ll reach the Moorth Ruins Site of Grace. There, you'll face Dryleaf Dane, a boss that utilizes martial arts and Holy magic. Be especially cautious of its Palm Blast ability, as it deals high burst damage capable of taking you down instantly. Utilizing precise movement and strategic dodging will be essential to overcoming this fight. Once victorious, Dryleaf Arts and Dane’s Hat will drop as rewards.

How To Get Dane’s Footwork?

Unlike Dryleaf Arts, obtaining Dane’s Footwork requires making significant progress in Shadow of the Erdtree, as this weapon is only available during one of the final boss fights.

During this encounter, you will face Miquella’s Followers, including Needle Knight Leda and Dryleaf Dane, who you previously fought. Additional enemies will appear depending on your quest progression. After successfully defeating them, you will obtain Dane’s Footwork, along with their gear and a significant amount of Elden Ring Runes.

While Dryleaf Dane will use similar attacks as before, this time it will rely on Dane’s Footwork instead of Dryleaf Arts. The real threat in this battle, however, is Needle Knight Leda’s Needle Piercer ability, which can deal substantial damage when least expected.

For those struggling with this fight, summoning Pureblood Knight Ansbach can help even the odds, preventing you from getting overwhelmed by the multiple enemies present.

Dryleaf Arts Build

The primary advantage of Dryleaf Arts is its versatility, allowing it to be placed in the off-hand while still enabling two-handed moves when necessary. The best way to integrate this weapon into your build depends on your current setup.

• If running a Flame-based build, infusing it with Flame Arts will boost Fire damage and Faith scaling.
• If you prefer a Magic-focused build, infusing it with Magic will enhance Intelligence scaling and Magic damage.

Since most of Dryleaf Arts’ damage comes from Palm Blast, maximizing this ability is crucial. Here’s how you can enhance it:

• Shard of Alexander: Increases Palm Blast damage by 15%.
• Godfrey Icon: Boosts Palm Blast damage by 15% when fully charged.

For added survivability:

• Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Reduces physical damage taken.
• Two-Headed Turtle Talisman: Boosts stamina regeneration, allowing for more frequent Palm Blasts.

Dane’s Footwork Build

While both weapons are excellent for stat stacking, Dane’s Footwork holds an edge due to its unique Ash of War: Dryleaf Whirlwind, which delivers four rapid strikes while also enhancing kick damage. This makes it a top-tier choice for combo builds, particularly those utilizing Arcane.

Key talismans for maximizing Dane’s Footwork include:

• Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Reduces incoming physical damage.
• Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Increases attack power by 13% after multiple successive hits.
• Shattered Stone Talisman (a new DLC item): Boosts kick attacks by an additional 10%, further amplifying the power of Dane’s Footwork.

Pairing these buffs with the enhanced martial arts combat in Shadow of the Erdtree makes Dane’s Footwork an outstanding option for aggressive melee players.

Final Thoughts

When comparing Danes Footwork vs Dryleaf Arts, the choice ultimately depends on your preferred combat style. Dryleaf Arts is more adaptable and benefits from Faith or Intelligence scaling, while Dane’s Footwork excels in fast-paced combos and Arcane builds thanks to Dryleaf Whirlwind. No matter which one you choose, both weapons add an exciting new dimension to Elden Ring's combat system, allowing Tarnished to master true martial arts in Shadow of the Erdtree.

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