Elden Ring: How to Switch Between Weapon Affinities

[Eurekahedron]

In Elden Ring, weapons aren't just about damage – they come with their own set of affinities that can significantly alter how they perform in combat. Whether you're a fan of raw physical damage, elemental effects, or scaling with your chosen stats, understanding how to switch between weapon affinities is crucial for customizing your build and optimizing your playstyle. If you've ever wondered how to fine-tune your weapon’s affinity, this guide is for you.

What are Weapon Affinities?

Before diving into the process of switching affinities, let's quickly review what they actually are. In Elden Ring, weapons have several possible affinities that can affect scaling, damage types, and elemental properties. These affinities are usually applied by using specific Ashes of War, which allow you to modify your weapon's base damage type (such as physical, fire, magic, etc.) and its stat scaling (like Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, etc.).

For example, a weapon with a "Heavy" affinity will scale better with Strength, while a "Magic" affinity will scale with Intelligence, allowing you to deal magic-based damage. Choosing the right affinity can make a big difference depending on your character's build and the types of enemies you face.

How to Switch Weapon Affinities

Switching between weapon affinities is surprisingly straightforward once you know where to go. Here’s how to do it:

Find a Site of Grace – Like most weapon modifications in Elden Ring, changing your weapon affinity requires access to a Site of Grace. These rest spots are scattered throughout the game world, so you’ll likely come across one in your travels.

Select the Ashes of War – After resting at a Site of Grace, open the menu and navigate to the “Ashes of War” option. Here you can see a list of all the Ashes of War you've collected so far. Some Ashes of War modify weapon affinities, while others add unique weapon skills.

Choose Your Weapon – Once you’ve selected the weapon you want to modify, you’ll be presented with a list of available affinities. You can switch between affinities that affect the scaling and damage of the weapon. If you’re aiming for a specific playstyle – like focusing on elemental damage or boosting a particular stat – select the affinity that aligns with your goals.

Apply and Confirm – After choosing your desired affinity, you can apply the change. Keep in mind that some affinities may require you to have a specific type of Ash of War or meet certain stat requirements.

One key point to remember is that not all weapons can be changed to every affinity. Some weapons come with a fixed affinity or may only support certain types of affinities based on their class. For instance, a sword may not be compatible with a "Flame" affinity, but a greatsword might.

Tips for Selecting the Right Affinity

Now that you know how to switch affinities, here are a few tips on choosing the right one for your build:

Focus on Stat Scaling: If you’re playing a Strength-based character, go for a “Heavy” or “Colossal” affinity, which increases Strength scaling. For Dexterity builds, try an affinity like “Keen” or “Quality,” which improves Dexterity scaling.

Elemental Affinities for Flexibility: Elemental affinities like Fire, Lightning, or Magic can be great for enemies that have weaknesses to those elements. If you find yourself constantly facing enemies that are weak to fire, consider switching to a "Flame" affinity for added damage.

Scaling with Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane: If you’re running a build focused on Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane, consider affinities that scale with those stats. Magic, Sacred, and Occult affinities will provide significant bonuses to your respective stat.

Use Ashes of War for Extra Utility: Don't forget that some Ashes of War can give your weapon new skills or magical abilities that can be crucial for tougher battles. Consider adding a unique Ash of War for some added versatility.

How Weapon Affinities Affect PvP and PvE

In both PvP and PvE, weapon affinities can make a big difference. For PvE, switching to elemental affinities can help you exploit enemy weaknesses, making tougher bosses or groups of enemies easier to handle. If you're struggling to beat a boss, switching to a Fire or Magic affinity could turn the tide in your favor.

In PvP, however, you'll need to be strategic. While switching to an elemental affinity can give you an edge, some opponents might have resistance to certain damage types. Experimenting with different affinities based on your opponent’s weaknesses is a great way to keep them on their toes.

Quick Tip: Boosting Your Progress

If you’re looking to level up your character quickly and enhance your weapon’s performance, you might consider ways to buy Elden Ring runes. Runes are a vital resource for leveling up, and buying Elden Ring runes can give you the flexibility to level your stats faster, helping you meet the requirements for higher-tier affinities. If you want to buy Elden Ring runes to level up fast, it’s a quick way to push your build into more powerful territory without spending hours grinding. Just make sure you’re using the runes to focus on the stats that match the affinity you want to optimize.

Switching weapon affinities in Elden Ring is a powerful way to customize your playstyle and make the most of your gear. Whether you want to boost your physical damage, experiment with elemental effects, or tailor your weapon’s scaling to your stats, understanding how to change affinities opens up new strategies and tactics for both combat and exploration. So next time you’re at a Site of Grace, take a moment to consider what changes might best suit your build and approach the challenges ahead.