It's 2026, and even now, I find myself drawn back to the Shadow Lands, not for the epic vistas or the punishing bosses, but for the sheer joy of movement. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC brought a whole new rhythm to combat, and for me, that rhythm was set by the Backhand Blades. These weren't just new weapons; they were a statement. FromSoftware looked at the Lands Between and said, "You know what? Let's make everyone move like a Bloodborne hunter on espresso." Introducing the Great Katanas and Light Greatswords was cool and all, but the Backhand Blades? They felt like a secret handshake for players who valued speed, style, and a bit of cheeky aggression over brute force.

Let's break down the trio that had us all spinning like tops. We've got three options, but let's be real, they're not all created equal. It's like choosing between a sports car, a reliable sedan, and... well, a go-kart with a cool paint job.

The Curseblade's Cirque: The Stylish Underperformer

Where to Find: Dropped by those pesky Curseblade enemies lurking near Gravesite Plains, Moorth Ruins, and Enir-Ilim.

Base Damage (2026): 108 Physical (Still holds up!)

Oh, the Curseblade's Cirque. It's the somber smithing stone weapon of the bunch, and honestly, it's a bit of a heartbreaker. It looks the part—these wicked, serrated discs that scream "edge lord"—but the performance? Ehh, it leaves you wanting. Its unique skill, Deadly Dance, is a direct copy of the enemy move, and while it gives you fantastic mobility, the damage is about as impactful as a wet noodle. The real kicker? It has passive bleed build-up, but it's a fixed number that doesn't scale with Arcane. In a meta where optimizing bleed is everything, that's a deal-breaker. It's the weapon you use for a fun cosplay run as a Curseblade, but when a boss stares you down, you'll probably wish you had something else. It's all sizzle, no steak, you know?

The Smithscript Cirque: The Versatile Workhorse

Where to Find: Looted from a chest in the Ruined Forge of Starfall Past.

Base Damage (2026): 100 Physical

Now we're talking! The Smithscript Cirques might look like fancy throwing discs (and they technically are), but their true power lies in their insane adaptability. This is the weapon for the theory-crafters, the min-maxers, the players who love to tweak their build until it's just perfect. The scaling potential is, frankly, ridiculous:

Infusion Type	Best Scaling Stat	Scaling Grade
Heavy	Strength	A
Keen	Dexterity	S
Cold/Magic	Intelligence	B
Flame/Sacred	Faith	B
Occult	Arcane	A

No matter your build—Strength bonker, Dex weeb, or Arcane bleed enthusiast—these discs can be tailored to fit. The "throwing" strong attack is more of a fun gimmick than a practical tool (the range is laughably short), but the fact that a jumping strong attack also throws them? That adds a sneaky layer of versatility for roll-catching pesky NPC invaders. Pair these with the right Ash of War, and you've got a tool that can dismantle any challenge. They're not the flashiest, but they might just be the most reliable.

The adaptable disc.

The Backhand Blade: The Pure, Refined Classic

Where to Find: In a small mausoleum northwest of the Scorched Ruins Site of Grace, right near the DLC's start.

Base Damage (2026): 105 Physical

If the Smithscript Cirque is the versatile workhorse, the standard Backhand Blade is the refined scalpel. This is the foundation, the blueprint that makes the weapon type so great. It comes with solid Strength/Dexterity scaling and a default skill, Blind Spot, that's honestly pretty darn good. Blind Spot lets you sidestep and lunge with a diagonal slash that ignores shields—a fantastic tool for dealing with turtle players or certain enemies. But here's where the magic happens in 2026...

The DLC introduced a game-changer: Ash of War: Swift Slash. This skill is exclusive to the basic Backhand Blade and the Smithscript Cirque, and oh boy, does it redefine the weapon. When you activate it, your character becomes a blur. You gain invincibility frames, vanish, and reappear with a series of slashes. It's not about huge damage numbers; it's about control. The mobility is absolutely insane. You can dodge through attacks, reposition on a dime, and pressure opponents with a flurry of strikes. In the years since the DLC launched, Swift Slash has cemented itself as one of the top-tier skills for aggressive, high-skill play. It turns fights into a dynamic dance, and honestly, it never gets old.

The skill that changed everything.

Final Thoughts in 2026

Looking back, the Backhand Blades were a masterstroke in Shadow of the Erdtree's design. They offered a distinct identity:

• ⚡ Speed and Fluidity over raw power.

• 🎭 Stylish Movesets that feel rewarding to master.

• 🔧 Build Diversity, especially with the Smithscript variant.

While the Curseblade's Cirque might gather dust in most inventories, the Backhand Blade (with Swift Slash) and the Smithscript Cirque remain relevant and potent choices. They proved that sometimes, the best new weapon isn't the biggest hammer, but the one that makes you feel like the coolest, fastest Tarnished in the Land of Shadow. They carved out their own niche in a game full of legendary armaments, and for that, they deserve a spot in any armory. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a sudden urge to go vanish into a cloud of slashes again...