Can You Cast Spells with Your Left Hand in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, you absolutely can cast spells with your left hand in Elden Ring. The game’s flexible combat system allows you to equip staves, seals, and other spellcasting tools in either hand, offering players a variety of options for spellcasting and combat. Unlike some games that restrict spellcasting to specific hand slots, Elden Ring lets you truly customize your playstyle, allowing for a diverse range of builds from a traditional mage with a staff in their right hand, to a unique hybrid build with a sword in one hand and a seal in the other. The freedom to choose is one of the many reasons why Elden Ring has captured the hearts of so many gamers. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of left-hand spellcasting and answer some common questions.
Understanding Handedness in Elden Ring
The core mechanics of Elden Ring are built around the concept of dual-wielding. You can equip an armament in your main (right) hand and a separate armament in your off (left) hand. This system applies not only to weapons but also to spellcasting implements. This gives you the ability to strike with weapons, cast spells, fire bows, or guard with shields, offering unprecedented flexibility.
- Right-Hand Actions: You attack with your right-hand weapon using the [R1/RB] and [R2/RT] buttons.
- Left-Hand Actions: You use the [L1/LB] or [L2/LT] buttons to attack, cast spells, or guard with your left-hand armament.
Spellcasting Mechanics
The game follows the rule that you need only one free hand to cast a spell if it has a Somatic Component. This means you require a hand capable of performing the necessary gestures. You can achieve this in several ways:
- Empty Hand: You can cast spells with an empty hand using the right hand casting button (if your casting tool is in your right hand) or left-hand cast button (if your casting tool is in your left hand), given that you don’t need to press the heavy attack button.
- Spellcasting Tool in Either Hand: By equipping a staff or a seal (for incantations) in either your right or left hand, you can cast spells using the corresponding action buttons.
It’s important to remember that the hand holding the spellcasting implement is the hand that will be used for spellcasting in the game. Whether you opt for a left-handed approach or a right-handed one is entirely down to your personal preference and chosen build.
Two-Handing Weapons and Spellcasting
You might wonder how two-handing affects spellcasting in Elden Ring.
- Two-Handing: Two-handing a weapon means using both hands to wield a single armament, typically your right-hand weapon. To do this, you hold Y/Triangle then press RB/R1 or LB/L1. Pressing RB/R1 will cause your character to sheath the left-hand armament, dedicating both hands to the right-hand weapon.
- Spellcasting while Two-Handing: Despite holding your weapon with both hands, you can still cast spells using your other hand, provided it’s equipped with a casting tool. The game only requires that the hand performing the spellcasting gestures is free.
FAQs: Left-Hand Spellcasting in Elden Ring
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify left-hand spellcasting and related mechanics in Elden Ring:
Q1: Can I dual wield weapons and still cast spells?
Yes, you absolutely can. If a spell doesn’t require somatic components you can even cast spells while wielding weapons in both hands. Spells like Booming Blade only require vocal and material components meaning you can cast while dual-wielding. However, if a spell requires somatic components and you are holding an armament in your left hand, you’ll have to be wielding a staff or seal to cast them with your left hand.
Q2: Does having a shield in my left hand prevent spellcasting?
No, it doesn’t. You can use the [L1/LB] button to guard, but you can also cast spells with your left hand if you have a staff or seal equipped. This allows you to have both defensive capabilities and offensive magic at your fingertips.
Q3: If I have a spellcasting tool in my left hand and a sword in my right, how do I attack with the sword?
You will use the [R1/RB] or [R2/RT] buttons to attack with your right-hand weapon. The left-hand button prompts will only activate the abilities of the left-hand equipped armament, either a spell or a left handed attack if you have a weapon.
Q4: Can I cast spells with my fists?
No, you can’t cast spells with your fists directly. You need to equip a staff for sorceries or a sacred seal for incantations to cast spells. While fist weapons may be potent, they do not function as spellcasting implements.
Q5: How do I change from a one-handed to a two-handed grip with my weapon?
To switch to a two-handed grip, hold Y/Triangle and then press RB/R1 to two-hand the right-hand weapon and sheath your left armament. Similarly, holding Y/Triangle and pressing LB/L1 will two-hand the left-hand armament and sheath your right.
Q6: Is it better to dual-wield weapons or two-hand them in Elden Ring?
The choice depends on your playstyle. Two-handing a weapon increases your damage due to the 50% strength bonus, while dual-wielding offers more flexible move sets and potentially higher damage-per-second. Dual-wielding makes you unable to block with a shield, but it might offer you more damage opportunities, so it’s really a matter of preference.
Q7: Can I have a different weapon and a different casting tool in each hand?
Absolutely. The flexibility of the system is one of its greatest strengths. You could have a sword in your right hand and a staff in your left, or a seal in your left and a dagger in your right.
Q8: Can you cast spells without speaking incantations?
The article references “non-verbal casting” but this is a reference to the Harry Potter series where spells can be cast in silence. In Elden Ring you are not required to say anything in order to use spells.
Q9: Does two-handing a weapon increase damage?
Yes, two-handing a weapon provides a 50% strength bonus, which leads to a higher damage output. However, this comes at the cost of losing the ability to guard with a shield or use an additional left-handed attack.
Q10: Are some spells better to cast with your left hand?
No, the performance of a spell isn’t determined by the hand you use to cast it, it’s dependant on your chosen stats for the staff or seal used. The choice is purely based on player preference and the overall strategy of your build.
Q11: What is the first major boss that I’ll encounter in Elden Ring?
The first major boss you’re likely to encounter is Margit, the Fell Omen. He is usually the first significant test of your skills and abilities in the game.
Q12: Is there a specific order in which I should fight bosses in Elden Ring?
There isn’t a strict order but some bosses are recommended before others:
- Margit, The Fell Omen
- Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
- Starscourge Radahn
- Morgott, The Omen King
- The Fire Giant
- Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
- Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy
- Mohg, Lord of Blood
Q13: Can I block the Avada Kedavra curse from the Harry Potter Universe in Elden Ring?
No, you cannot. The Avada Kedavra curse is not part of the Elden Ring universe, and it is stated to have no counter. The only defense against it is a sacrifice of love, as in the series.
Q14: Is the “Confringo” spell a curse?
Yes, the Confringo spell (The Blasting Curse) causes an explosion in the Harry Potter universe, but it’s not part of Elden Ring’s magic system.
Q15: How many spell slots can a warlock have?
The article states that a Warlock has 2 spell slots at low levels, however this information is not relevant to Elden Ring. In Elden Ring, you can cast as many spells as you have FP (Focus Points) for, and you will not run out of spell slots unless you deplete your FP or your spell items.
Conclusion
The freedom to cast spells with either hand in Elden Ring is a testament to the game’s depth and flexibility. The ability to customize your combat style and create diverse builds is one of the many elements that keep players coming back to the Lands Between. Whether you prefer a traditional mage with a staff in their right hand or a more unconventional approach with a sword and seal, the choice is yours. So experiment with different setups, find your favorite play style, and become the Elden Lord!