Discover how Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC secretly pays homage to Monster Hunter through weapon mechanics
Introduction: Cross-Franchise Homage
Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki cleverly incorporated a tribute to Capcom’s Monster Hunter series within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC through one of its newest weapon types.
The expansion introduces several innovative armaments, but the Great Katana stands out as a deliberate nod to another beloved action RPG franchise known for its challenging combat systems.
While Shadow of the Erdtree presents formidable challenges that have tested even veteran players like Asmongold, its weapon diversity offers compelling reasons to master its mechanics. The eight new weapon categories significantly expand build customization possibilities.
Great Katana vs. Longsword: The Mechanics Breakdown
X user AsagiKurosagi made the groundbreaking discovery that the Great Katana’s basic attack sequence replicates Monster Hunter’s signature Longsword combos with remarkable fidelity. Their comparative video demonstration shows almost identical animation sequences.
Beyond the standard attacks, the Great Katana incorporates the Longsword’s iconic Fade Slash technique – a maneuver that combines offensive striking with evasive movement. Executing a heavy attack while inputting dodge produces this hybrid action.
The control scheme mirrors Monster Hunter’s Fade Slash inputs exactly, strengthening the connection between these weapons across different gaming universes. This represents one of the most detailed cross-franchise combat system implementations seen in recent gaming.
MIYAZAKI YOU MADMAN I KNOW WHY YOU CALL THEM GREAT KATANAS I SEE YOUR TRICKS pic.twitter.com/L73raCbzml
Player Reactions and Community Impact
The gaming community quickly recognized the homage, with many joking about the perceived preferential treatment for Longsword enthusiasts. “Longsword mains receive exclusive treatment,” one community member observed, “they’ve essentially imported their weapon into an entirely separate game universe.”
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Strategic Implementation for Players
For players familiar with Monster Hunter’s Longsword, the Great Katana offers immediate tactical advantages. The timing and spacing requirements closely align with Monster Hunter mechanics, allowing experienced hunters to transition seamlessly between games.
Common mistakes include over-committing to extended combos and misjudging Fade Slash evasion distances. Unlike standard Elden Ring weapons, the Great Katana rewards patient positioning rather than aggressive spam tactics. Advanced techniques involve using the Fade Slash to reposition during boss encounters while maintaining offensive pressure.
This clever Easter egg raises intriguing possibilities about additional Monster Hunter references potentially hidden within Shadow of the Erdtree. Weapons like the Backhand Blades warrant closer examination for similar combat system inspirations from other franchises.
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » One of the Elden Ring DLC’s new weapons is a Monster Hunter Easter egg Discover how Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC secretly pays homage to Monster Hunter through weapon mechanics