ELD.gg Ultimate Weapon Customization: A Guide to Whetblades and Affinities in Elden Ring

 

In the vast and mysterious world of Elden Ring, there are countless tools and Elden Ring Runes mechanics available to help players carve their path through The Lands Between. Among the most important—but sometimes overlooked—are Whetblades, special Key Items that grant you unprecedented control over your weapons. These ancient tools empower you to tailor your weapon’s affinity, directly influencing how your damage scales with your stats and, in some cases, adding elemental or status effects to your attacks.

Whether you favor the brute strength of a colossal greatsword or the elegant precision of a curved blade, Whetblades offer the flexibility to align your weaponry with your build. Mastering them is key to maximizing your damage potential and customizing your playstyle. In this guide, we’ll delve deep into the role Whetblades play in Elden Ring, how they affect weapon affinities, and why no Tarnished should ignore their power.

What Are Whetblades in Elden Ring?

Whetblades are unique items found throughout Elden Ring. Unlike typical upgrade materials, they don’t enhance your weapon’s base damage or improve its scaling directly. Instead, they expand your ability to modify weapons by changing their affinity—a system that determines how a weapon scales with your stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane) and, in some cases, what type of additional damage (Fire, Magic, Holy, etc.) it deals.

For example, applying the Blood affinity to a weapon will:

Increase its Hemorrhage (Bleed) buildup, causing devastating blood loss damage when the gauge fills.

Modify its stat scaling, usually favoring Arcane for damage bonuses.

Each affinity can radically alter your weapon’s performance. The freedom to switch affinities thanks to Whetblades gives you the power to:

Adapt your weapon to your stat investment.

Tackle enemies with specific weaknesses.

Experiment with different builds on the fly.

Why Whetblades Are So Important

Without Whetblades, you’re restricted to default affinity options when applying Ashes of War. This limits your ability to customize your weapons, forcing you into certain playstyles or weapon choices that might not align with your preferred build.

Whetblades remove these limitations. By collecting all six Whetblades scattered across The Lands Between, you unlock every affinity option available for your weapons. Whether you’re experimenting with a Dexterity-Faith hybrid build or going all-in on Arcane status effects, Whetblades open the door to limitless possibilities.

Tips for Mastering Whetblades and Affinities

Experiment with Combinations: Don’t hesitate to try different Ashes of War and affinities on various weapons. Some combinations can create powerful synergies that fit your playstyle perfectly.

Adapt to Boss Weaknesses: If you’re struggling with a particular boss, switching affinities to exploit weaknesses (Holy against undead, Lightning against dragons) can make a huge difference.

Mind the Trade-offs: Some affinities increase one type of scaling while reducing others. For example, Keen boosts Dexterity scaling but lowers Strength scaling and base damage. Consider how your stats complement these changes.

Synergize with Status Builds: The Black Whetblade’s Blood affinity works wonders for Arcane builds focused on Bleed damage. Combining this with Bleed-focused weapons or spells can result in explosive damage.

Conclusion: Whetblades Are Key to Weapon Mastery in Elden Ring

In Elden Ring, few things are as satisfying as forging the perfect weapon. Whetblades are the tools that make this possible. They grant you the freedom to shape your arsenal, whether you’re wielding massive Strength-based weapons, nimble Dexterity blades, or devastating elemental instruments of destruction.

Collect all six Whetblades to unlock the full range of weapon affinities and give yourself the power to adapt, strategize, and buy Elden Ring Items dominate every encounter The Lands Between has to offer. No matter what build you choose, mastering Whetblades ensures your weapons will always be as versatile and deadly as you are.