How to Change Weapon in Elden Ring: A Step-by-Step Guide
As a Tarnished, it’s essential to adapt and switch between different weapons in Elden Ring to counter various enemies, boss fights, and strategies. Mastering weapon swapping will increase your survivability, efficiency, and overall gameplay experience. This article will cover the mechanics and techniques on How to Change Weapon in Elden Ring, providing a comprehensive guide to help you become a more effective adventurer.
Basic Weapon Changing
To change your weapon in Elden Ring, follow these steps:
Step 1: Enter Inventory Menu (default key: M) by opening the Esc menu or clicking the equipment icon on the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Step 2: Choose the Weapon Menu. You’ll find it near the top-left corner, just below the "Manage Ashes" button. Click on the Arm tab, and it will expand, revealing all the weapons you’ve unlocked.
Step 3: Select the desired weapon by clicking on the weapon image or by using the weapon slots assigned to the keys (explained later).
Step 4: Confirm the selection by clicking the Switch button. Your equipped weapon will update, reflecting the changes.
Basic Tips:
- Only equipped weapons can be changed. The inventory menu lists all acquired weapons, not just those currently equipped.
- Keep an eye on your inventory space; exceeding the available slots will trigger a reminder to free up space before equipping more weapons.
Assigning Weapon Slots
To speed up the weapon-changing process, Elden Ring allows you to assign favorite weapons to customizable slots. Assigning weapons to slots replaces the need for manual browsing through the weapon menu, saving time in intense moments.
To Assign Weapons to Slots:
Step 1: While in the inventory menu (default key: M), select the weapon you want to assign. Hover over the weapon slot on the left side ( slots 1-9) and hold the primary mouse button. The Assign prompt will appear.
Step 2: Release the mouse button to confirm assignment. This slot will now be assigned to the chosen weapon, accessible through its assigned slot key (default keys are F1-F9, with F5-F7 being the last three assignments).
Common Weapons: Assign them Strategically
Strategically assign your go-to weapons for different combat scenarios:
• Longsword (slot 1): All-purpose fighting.
• Curved Sword (slot 2): Aggressive damage output.
• Crossbow (slot 3): Distance-based crowd control.
• Bow (slot 4): Long-range precision attack.
Combat-Specific Tips:
- During intense battles, use quick-swappable slot assignments for rapid changes. Assign your trusty starter weapons to high-priority slots (1-4) for ease of access.
- Practice exotic weapon skills assigned to specific weapon slots; they can change the complexion of combat, especially for surprise attacks.
- Always keep a backup weapon set ready; situations can become chaotic, making it imperative to adapt swiftly.
Mastering Combat Strategies with Weapon Swapping
Once you’ve learned the fundamental mechanics of changing weapons in Elden Ring, develop strategies to dominate various environments and enemies.
• Adaptive Combat Styles: Switch weapons to:
- Heavy Ranged vs. Light Ranged to address damage, crowd control, or single-target effects.
- Slashing vs. Piercing to bypass shields, deflect projectiles, or exploit openings.
- Melee vs. Ranged to disengage from an enemy while keeping distance.
Tips for Boss Battles:
• Pay attention to boss behaviors, timing attacks, and adapting weapon selection accordingly.
• Prioritize the most effective weapon in your repertoire; don’t be afraid to switch and adjust on the fly.
Practice Makes Perfect
As with any skill in Elden Ring, mastery of weapon changing requires repetition and fine-tuning. Experiment with different weapon sets, test combat strategies, and observe the effects. This journey will help you develop essential reflexes, making switching between weapons an integral part of your arsenal.
By the time you reach this stage of your adventure, you will have a better understanding of the intricacies of switching weapons in Elden Ring. Remember, adapting your combat approach, using available strategies, and practicing smartly will guarantee success as you navigate the Lands Between.
Bonus Tips for Effective Weapon Switching:
• Keep essential tools handy by designating specific weapon slots for reliable utility items, such as a trusty shield, grappling hook, or special effects.
• Reserve space for experimenting with new weapon combinations by occasionally freeing up inventory space by selling items or managing your stash wisely.
• Stay attuned to the environment, adapting weapon choices based on terrain obstacles, enemy placements, or unexpected surprises.
In the end, your proficiency with weapon switching in Elden Ring will set you on a path toward mastery over the Lands Between. Through careful planning, strategic swapping, and strategic execution, you’ll grow as an adventurer, ensuring a captivating journey filled with discovery, challenge, and triumph.
Conclusion
Elden Ring offers a seamless and intuitive experience for managing weapons, ensuring you always have the perfect tool for the task at hand. With this guide, you should now possess the foundational knowledge to transition between weapon sets with confidence. Harness this newfound flexibility to confront the challenges within the world, and always be ready to adapt in the never-ending quest to become a Tarnished legend!
