Elden Ring Tips: 8 Secrets Behind Hidden Weapon Skills
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2025 1:49 am
Elden Ring is known for its deep combat mechanics and vast arsenal of weapons, but many players overlook a fascinating layer of the game — hidden weapon skills. These are Ashes of War, secret properties, or passive abilities embedded in specific weapons that aren't always clearly documented. Whether you’re running a high-Faith build or rocking a strength-based two-hander, uncovering these secrets can completely shift your strategy.
Here are 8 secrets behind hidden weapon skills in Elden Ring that even experienced players might miss:
1. Unique Weapon Skills Can’t Be Swapped — And That’s Intentional
Some weapons come with a built-in skill that can’t be replaced by Ashes of War. For instance, the Blasphemous Blade has the Taker’s Flames skill, which deals fire damage and restores HP. These are exclusive for a reason: they’re tightly tied to the weapon’s lore and balance. If you’re using a weapon like this, lean into its strengths instead of trying to modify it.
2. Dual-Wielding Can Unlock Unique Move Sets
When you power-stance two of the same weapon type — say, twin straight swords or curved blades — the move set changes completely. What many players don’t realize is that certain dual-wield setups unlock different combos, some of which deal higher stagger or bleed buildup. This trick is particularly useful in both PvE and PvP, where catching enemies off-guard is crucial.
3. Charged Weapon Skills Can Be Extended or Buffed
Some Ashes of War, like Flaming Strike or Sword Dance, can actually be enhanced by charging them or combining them with buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength or Golden Vow. Test different combinations — even something as simple as using an item like Physick Flask can subtly increase the power or duration of your weapon skill.
4. Invisible Weapons Still Retain Their Skills
Certain cosmetic effects, like the Concealing Veil or using magic to make weapons invisible, don’t remove the functionality of their Ashes of War. This has led to unique PvP builds where players swing invisible swords with full skills active. It’s not just stylish — it’s strategic, especially in ambush builds or invasions.
5. Skill Scaling Varies by Infusion Type
Changing your weapon’s infusion using an Ash of War affects more than just physical stats — it also influences the scaling and strength of the attached skill. For example, applying a Heavy infusion boosts strength scaling, but may reduce a skill’s elemental output. Tuning your weapon to your stat spread can significantly boost performance.
6. Some Skills Interact Differently Based on Enemy Type
Skills like Carian Grandeur or Bloodblade aren’t just flashy; they can behave differently depending on enemy type. Undead enemies, for instance, are often more vulnerable to Holy-based skills, while armored foes can be staggered more easily with thrust-type Ashes. Experiment with loadouts in different zones to maximize efficiency.
7. Hidden Skills Trigger at Specific HP Thresholds
Weapons such as the Rivers of Blood or Regalia of Eochaid scale differently once your health drops below certain points, often due to hidden mechanics or synergy with Talismans like the Red-Feathered Branchsword. When your build is optimized around these conditions, you can turn a dire situation into a lethal one.
8. Weapon Skills Can Influence Rune Farming Efficiency
Certain skills — like Hoarfrost Stomp or Sacred Blade — are excellent for clearing groups of enemies quickly. This makes them invaluable for farming areas like Mohgwyn Palace or the Haligtree outskirts. If you're looking to buy Elden Ring runes Xbox players often talk about using these skills to maximize output per minute. Likewise, Buy Elden Ring items PS5 users often target weapon skills that are good at wave-clearing to pair with their farming builds.
Hidden weapon skills are part of what makes Elden Ring such a rewarding experience. Whether you’re experimenting with new builds or optimizing your rune farming, digging into these lesser-known mechanics can completely change how you play. Don't just focus on raw stats — understanding how each skill interacts with the environment, enemies, and your own stats is the key to becoming a true Tarnished champion.
If you're struggling to unlock the potential of your gear, revisit your favorite weapons and see what secrets they might be hiding. You might just discover your next favorite build.
Here are 8 secrets behind hidden weapon skills in Elden Ring that even experienced players might miss:
1. Unique Weapon Skills Can’t Be Swapped — And That’s Intentional
Some weapons come with a built-in skill that can’t be replaced by Ashes of War. For instance, the Blasphemous Blade has the Taker’s Flames skill, which deals fire damage and restores HP. These are exclusive for a reason: they’re tightly tied to the weapon’s lore and balance. If you’re using a weapon like this, lean into its strengths instead of trying to modify it.
2. Dual-Wielding Can Unlock Unique Move Sets
When you power-stance two of the same weapon type — say, twin straight swords or curved blades — the move set changes completely. What many players don’t realize is that certain dual-wield setups unlock different combos, some of which deal higher stagger or bleed buildup. This trick is particularly useful in both PvE and PvP, where catching enemies off-guard is crucial.
3. Charged Weapon Skills Can Be Extended or Buffed
Some Ashes of War, like Flaming Strike or Sword Dance, can actually be enhanced by charging them or combining them with buffs like Flame, Grant Me Strength or Golden Vow. Test different combinations — even something as simple as using an item like Physick Flask can subtly increase the power or duration of your weapon skill.
4. Invisible Weapons Still Retain Their Skills
Certain cosmetic effects, like the Concealing Veil or using magic to make weapons invisible, don’t remove the functionality of their Ashes of War. This has led to unique PvP builds where players swing invisible swords with full skills active. It’s not just stylish — it’s strategic, especially in ambush builds or invasions.
5. Skill Scaling Varies by Infusion Type
Changing your weapon’s infusion using an Ash of War affects more than just physical stats — it also influences the scaling and strength of the attached skill. For example, applying a Heavy infusion boosts strength scaling, but may reduce a skill’s elemental output. Tuning your weapon to your stat spread can significantly boost performance.
6. Some Skills Interact Differently Based on Enemy Type
Skills like Carian Grandeur or Bloodblade aren’t just flashy; they can behave differently depending on enemy type. Undead enemies, for instance, are often more vulnerable to Holy-based skills, while armored foes can be staggered more easily with thrust-type Ashes. Experiment with loadouts in different zones to maximize efficiency.
7. Hidden Skills Trigger at Specific HP Thresholds
Weapons such as the Rivers of Blood or Regalia of Eochaid scale differently once your health drops below certain points, often due to hidden mechanics or synergy with Talismans like the Red-Feathered Branchsword. When your build is optimized around these conditions, you can turn a dire situation into a lethal one.
8. Weapon Skills Can Influence Rune Farming Efficiency
Certain skills — like Hoarfrost Stomp or Sacred Blade — are excellent for clearing groups of enemies quickly. This makes them invaluable for farming areas like Mohgwyn Palace or the Haligtree outskirts. If you're looking to buy Elden Ring runes Xbox players often talk about using these skills to maximize output per minute. Likewise, Buy Elden Ring items PS5 users often target weapon skills that are good at wave-clearing to pair with their farming builds.
Hidden weapon skills are part of what makes Elden Ring such a rewarding experience. Whether you’re experimenting with new builds or optimizing your rune farming, digging into these lesser-known mechanics can completely change how you play. Don't just focus on raw stats — understanding how each skill interacts with the environment, enemies, and your own stats is the key to becoming a true Tarnished champion.
If you're struggling to unlock the potential of your gear, revisit your favorite weapons and see what secrets they might be hiding. You might just discover your next favorite build.