Today, we're diving into a full Hand-to-Hand build breakdown-focusing on their unique moveset, best Ashes of War, talismans, armor choices Elden Ring Items, stat distribution, and how they perform in both PvP and PvE. Whether you want to meme on gank squads with palm blasts or bully bosses with poise-breaking heavy combos, this build has you covered.

 

Why Hand-to-Hand Weapons Are So Interesting

 

At first glance, you might think Hand-to-Hand weapons are just "fist weapons reskinned." But that couldn't be further from the truth. Their moveset stands apart, especially when you start leaning into the heavy attacks.

 

 Heavy Attacks (R2/RT): These aren't just damage tools-they're poise-breaking monsters. Fully charged, they slam through enemy defenses, opening windows for follow-up combos.

 

 Combos: Storm Stomp into a heavy attack with Dryleaf Arts feels almost unfair. The stomp staggers, the R2 connects, and the damage spikes through the roof.

 

 Aggression: With fast swings, multi-hit strings, and high poise, this weapon class rewards relentless pressure.

 

Simply put, Hand-to-Hand weapons feel like FromSoft's answer to martial arts fantasy in Elden Ring, letting you brawl like a monk straight out of an anime.

 

Ashes of War: Palm Blast vs. Storm Stomp

 

The build shines because of its synergy with certain Ashes of War. Two stand above the rest:

 

1.Storm Stomp

 

 Perfect for 1v1 duels or breaking into small groups.

 Staggers enemies long enough to guarantee a follow-up heavy attack.

 Synergizes amazingly with talismans and poise stacking.

 

2.Palm Blast

 Flashier, riskier, and way more fun in team fights.

 Comes out with high poise, so even if you're getting pressured, you can trade favorably.

 Fantastic for catching opponents off guard, especially around corners or in tight hallways.

 With Shard of Alexander and Godfrey Icon, Palm Blast becomes a mini-nuke.

 

Verdict: Storm Stomp for consistency, Palm Blast for entertainment value. Swap between them depending on whether you're hunting solo hosts or invading full squads.

 

Talismans for Maximum Damage

 

Hand-to-Hand builds thrive on multi-hit combos and stagger chains. The right talismans can turn flurries into devastating strings. Here's the ideal loadout:

 

 Shattered Stone Talisman-Boosts damage of kicks, which directly scales with this weapon class.

 

 Rotten Winged Sword Insignia-Increases damage with consecutive attacks; perfect for fast combo strings.

 

 Millicent's Prosthesis-Similar stacking effect while also giving a small Dexterity boost.

 

 Shard of Alexander-Increases Ash of War damage, crucial for Palm Blast setups.

 

Optional swap: Godfrey Icon to buff charged attacks if you're leaning into Storm Stomp + R2 combos.

 

Armor & Fashion

 

Functionally, you can run whatever armor fits your playstyle-but if you're optimizing, there's one standout piece:

 

 Divine Bird Warrior Greaves-They increase kick damage, which makes them directly synergistic with Hand-to-Hand weapons.

 

Since they're gold, most players build their armor fashion around a golden warrior aesthetic. Pair them with heavier chest and helm pieces for poise without sacrificing too much mobility.

 

Stat Distribution

 

One of the perks of Hand-to-Hand weapons is their flexibility. You can run Strength, Dexterity, or even a Quality setup depending on your infusion choice.

 

 Pure Dexterity (Lightning Infusion): Maximizes attack speed and scales beautifully with lightning damage.

 

 Strength/Quality: Good if you want higher raw AR and more weapon variety.

 

 Hybrid Builds: Viable, but less optimal since the weapons shine with specialization.

 

Pure Dexterity with Lightning infusion. It's fast, hits hard, and complements aggressive playstyles.

 

PvP Gameplay: Throwing Hands in the Lands Between

 

This build isn't just viable-it's hilarious. Hand-to-Hand weapons might not have the reach of colossal weapons or the range of sorceries, but they bring an unmatched mix of surprise factor and aggression.

Common PvP Scenarios

 

1v1 Duels:

 Use Storm Stomp to break poise, then immediately follow with a heavy attack.

 The neutral R2 into chase-down roll catches are brutal.

 

Gank Squads:

 Palm Blast becomes the MVP. The poise lets you eat a hit while blowing up groups.

 Corners and tight corridors are your best friend-blast through walls to surprise phantoms.Dragon Breath Spammers & Wizards:

 Endure helps you tank through rot breath or spell spam.

 Once you close the distance, opponents fold under consecutive attacks.

 

Dishonest Rivers of Blood Users:

 Rolling heavies and Storm Stomp combos let you punish spammy katanas.

 Aggression keeps them from setting up their bleed safely.

 

Simply put, people don't expect to get kung-fu'd into the dirt in Elden Ring. That element of surprise wins fights before they even start.

 

PvE Performance: Bosses and Exploration

While PvP showcases the flashiness, Hand-to-Hand weapons hold their own in PvE too.

 

Boss Fights:

 Heavy attacks are excellent at breaking poise, setting up ripostes.

 Aggressive combos shred staggerable bosses.

 

Mob Clearing:

 The weapons' fast multi-hits deal with smaller enemies quickly.

 Palm Blast provides AoE crowd control when mobs swarm.

 

Limitations:

 Shorter range compared to spears, greatswords, or whips.

 Requires you to be in melee range at all times, which can be punishing against dragons and giants.

 

Still, if you want to roleplay as a martial artist dismantling demi-gods with nothing but fists, there's no better option.

 

Advanced Tips & Tricks

 

 Storm Stomp Charged R2: Guaranteed combo for massive burst.

 

 Palm Blast Through Walls: Yes, it works. Abuse it in narrow ruins or catacombs.

 

 Endure + Palm Blast: Tank a hit while winding up the blast, then punish.

 

 Jumping Heavy Attacks: Surprisingly effective for roll-catching and poise damage.

 

 Spacing Matters: Stay close-Hand-to-Hand has poor range, so gap closing is key.

 

Closing Thoughts

 

If you're looking for a fresh way to experience Elden Ring-whether you're diving into PvP invasions or just bullying bosses with your bare fists-this setup is absolutely worth trying.

 

So strap on your Divine Bird Warrior Greaves, throw on some gold armor for style, and get ready to literally throw hands Elden Ring Runes for sale. After all, in the Lands Between, sometimes the best weapon isn't a greatsword or a katana-it's a well-placed palm blast to the face.