The Lands Between offer a staggering array of weaponry for every fantasy archetype, from stoic knights to arcane sorcerers. Yet, for those who seek a more visceral, up-close combat style, Elden Ring and its monumental Shadow of the Erdtree expansion provide a compelling suite of fist and claw weapons. These tools, inspired by historical pugilism and martial arts, allow players to embody boxers, wrestlers, and martial arts masters, turning their very hands into instruments of destruction. With the right build and strategy, a character focused on hand-to-hand combat can become one of the most agile and devastating forces in the game.

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Early Game Brawlers: Getting Started

For Tarnished just beginning their journey, several formidable fist and claw weapons are accessible in the early regions of Limgrave and Caelid. Immediately after character creation, players can ride east to the perilous Caelid Wilds. By breaking into Fort Gael dungeon and looting a chest, they can acquire the mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-1 Katar, a punch-dagger styled weapon from the Indian subcontinent that scales well with Dexterity and offers slightly extended reach.

After defeating Margit, the Fell Omen, and gaining entry to Stormveil Castle, two more options become available. The Gatekeeper Gostoc sells the standard mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-2 Caestus, the quintessential Roman boxing glove, while the mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-3 Hookclaws can be found while exploring the castle's depths. For those seeking an early advantage, a daring trip through a secret teleporter north of the Mistwood to the late-game Dragonbarrow area can lead to a merchant selling the mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-4 Spiked Caestus. Both the Hookclaws and Spiked Caestus excel for aggressive players, as both weapons inflict the powerful Hemorrhage status effect, rewarding relentless assault.

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Late Game Powerhouses: Advanced Pugilism

As players progress to the Altus Plateau and beyond, more specialized and powerful hand-to-hand weapons become available. The mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-6 Raptor Talons can be found in the Sage's Cave dungeon, and they synergize perfectly with the Raptor's Set, dealing extra damage on jumping attacks while also causing Hemorrhage. The mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-7 Bloodhound Claws, hidden in the secret passages of Mount Gelmir's Volcano Manor, come pre-equipped with the exceptional Bloodhound's Step skill and can damage enemies through their shields.

In Leyndell, Royal Capital, warriors can claim the mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-8 Star Fist, a brutal Strength-scaling weapon found near a Colosseum that also inflicts Hemorrhage. One of the most unique fist weapons is the mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-9 Veteran's Prosthesis, acquired in the frost-rimed Castle Sol after defeating Commander Niall. This lightning-imbued weapon boasts the longest reach of any fist weapon and features a fun-looking weapon Skill that unleashes a shockwave of wind and a leaping lightning attack.

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Sacred Strikes: Weapons for the Faithful

For Tarnished who channel the power of the Erdtree, two unique fist weapons cater to Faith builds, though they require a long-term investment into the Faith attribute. The mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-11 Cipher Pata, a blade of solidified golden runes, can be found early in a side room near where the Mad Tongue Alberich NPC invades within the Roundtable Hold. It only scales with Faith, weighs nothing, and its skill pierces enemy shields, making it ideal for pure Faith casters.

The mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-12 Grafted Dragon is a trophy from defeating Godrick the Grafted. Unlike other fist weapons, it cannot be dual-wielded. This niche weapon and its flame-bombarding Bear Witness skill works best when paired with other fist weapons or Godrick's own Greataxe for a thematic build.

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War Cries and Evasive Steps: Complementary Ashes of War

The true potential of fist and claw weapons is unlocked with the right Ashes of War. For brawlers, Roar-type skills are unparalleled. After defeating Godfrey, The First Elden Lord, players earn Hoarah Loux's Earthshaker, a devastating area-of-effect slam whose hand-slamming attack animation synergizes perfectly with Elden Ring's fist weapons. Roars like Barbaric Roar and Braggart's Roar boost attack power and alter move-sets, while the Troll's Roar and Beast's Roar skills grant players access to long-range sonic attacks, solving the range limitation of fists. Their power can be boosted if players equip the Roar Medallion talisman.

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For assassins wielding claw weapons, evasion is key. Most claws come with the Quickstep skill, but the Bloodhound's Step Ash of War is a superior version. The Raptor of the Mists skill, designed for the Raptor Talons, offers a defensive option, allowing players to vault over attacks and retaliate with a plunging strike.

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The Ultimate Pugilist: A Shadow of the Erdtree Bleed Build

With the arrival of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, hand-to-hand combat reached new heights. The cornerstone of the modern meta pugilist build is to use the Dryleaf Arts weapon, a new weapon type that embodies martial arts. The goal is to upgrade it to Bleed Dryleaf Arts +25 to maximize its Hemorrhage potential. Its innate skill, Palm Blast, is one of the best new skills in the DLC, an explosive strike that requires 14 FP to cast and can deal around 4000 damage. It can be charged for greater area damage and poise, and it even can be done through walls for tactical eliminations.

The Bleed Dryleaf Arts at +25 scales with Strength (C), Dexterity (C), and Arcane (D), encouraging a quality build focused on rapid, overwhelming strikes. To complete this monstrous build, players should equip a set of talismans that enhance its capabilities:

  • mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-16 Godfrey Icon: Boosts charged skills.

  • mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-17 Lord of Blood's Exultation: Increases attack power when blood loss occurs nearby.

  • mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-18 Ritual Sword Talisman: Raises attack power at full health.

  • mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-19 Shard of Alexander: Greatly boosts the attack power of skills.

The final piece is the mastering-the-fist-a-guide-to-elden-ring-s-pugilist-weapons-and-builds-image-20 Rakshasa Armor, which increases all damage given and taken. In a build designed to obliterate foes before they can react, the defensive penalty becomes negligible, making it perfect for maximizing bleed damage output.

From the humble Caestus to the sublime Dryleaf Arts, Elden Ring offers a deep and rewarding path for those who forsake blades and staves for the raw power of their own fists. Whether you're a roaring barbarian, a faith-driven zealot, a bleeding-edge monk, or a stealthy assassin, there is a hand-to-hand build waiting to leave its mark on the Lands Between and the Land of Shadow. 🥊⚡