FromSoftware's newest game Elden Ring is a big success with most players, carrying many of the best mechanics from prior SoulsBorne titles into uncharted, open-world territory. It has many of the staples associated with the series, from a story reminiscent of Dark Souls to bosses that would fit right in with Bloodborne.
Still, for every great addition like Torrent and the open-world format, other ideas were left on the cutting room floor. One element that has never appeared outside Bloodborne is the iconic Trick Weapons that made Yharnam hunters so ferocious. Just because they only exist in Bloodborne now, that doesn't mean FromSoft should not revisit them in the future. In fact, they have a lot to offer future FromSoft titles - or even Elden Ring DLC.
The Brilliance of Bloodborne's Trick Weapons
There are far fewer weapons in Bloodborne than other FromSoft titles. In Elden Ring, players might find one weapon as a regular drop from an enemy, then another in a nearby chest, and get a third for defeating the boss of a dungeon. However, since each weapon in Bloodborne is a Trick Weapon, they stand out more. A player might get a lesser weapon on the Elden Ring sword tier list over and over, but every weapon obtained in Bloodborne is an exciting new opportunity.
Most Trick Weapons can be used in two different ways, having various modes to switch between. This is not always the case (some simply apply a buff), but for the most part Trick Weapons give a huge range of offensive options. Unlike dual-wielding in other SoulsBorne games, Trick Weapons can switch freely between their move sets. For example, one of the best weapons in Bloodborne - Simon's Bowblade - can swap between close and ranged combat on the fly, allowing for more fluid combat and unique solutions to fights.
Each Trick Weapon also scales to a couple of different stats, providing players a clear upgrade route once they find a weapon they love. Rather than balancing a host of weapons, a single one can become the go-to solution for every situation. With Bloodborne's best Blood Echo farm still working in 2022, there's no limit to how powerful they can get.
Trick Weapons Have a Place in Future FromSoft Titles
From an aesthetic perspective, Bloodborne stands apart from most other FromSoft titles after Demon's Souls, being closest to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in terms of magic and technology seen in both worlds. That doesn't mean Trick Weapons could not make a return in future FromSoft titles, as similar devices already exist in those games. An example is the One-Eyed Shield, one of the best greatshields in Elden Ring, which doubles as a sturdy shield and a flame cannon. It's not unique in that respect, as the Visage Shield also boasts a flamethrower behind its mechanical frame.
In a similar vein are Elden Ring weapons like Urumi and the Nox Flowing Mace, or Ghiza's Wheel, which bears more than a passing resemblance to Bloodborne's Whirligig Saw. Each of the weapons comes from a well-established faction in Elden Ring, providing in-universe reasons for their unique properties: only that faction knows the secret of the weapon's creation. Future Trick Weapons could be incorporated under a similar premise, introduced as a niche weapon among more traditional SoulsBorne options. Despite being games set in traditional high-fantasy settings, Trick Weapons can fit easily.
Expanding Trick Weapon Aesthetics
All currently existing Trick Weapons have a distinct look: contraptions of metal and beast body parts that can be connected and expanded in fun ways. While this may not work as well in a fantasy setting, it provides more opportunities to experiment with weapon designs. For example, Prelate's Inferno Crozier is one of the best colossal weapons in Elden Ring, and looks like an explosion shaped into a hammer. It's not hard to imagine its sharp edges opening up into a claw, something that could be snapped shut on an enemy at-range. In another vein, gravity magic features prominently in Elden Ring, which involves magnetic push-and-pull. Magnetic connection could make for fantastic Trick Weapons, with metal weapons reconfiguring into completely new shapes.
Furthermore, the fantasy aspect allows for transformations that go beyond anything physical. Prominent Elden Ring character Sir Gideon Ofnir wields a staff that decreases resistance to sorcery and holy damage. However, the staff is a weapon, not an actual magic staff. As a Trick Weapon, players could shorten or lengthen it to transition between spell casting and physical fighting.
Expanding Trick Weapon Mechanics
One of the few criticisms of Elden Ring centers around the aggressiveness and power of its bosses, which leaves players little room to counter using slower-paced combat options. Trick Weapons were created specifically for the bosses of Bloodborne, which are well-known for their aggressive behavior. With Trick Weapons reintroduced into future FromSoft titles, bosses could be made even more aggressive since there would be good answers to them. Elden Ring expanded on other Bloodborne ideas well, so adding more flexibility and speed could seriously improve the series moving forward.
On top of that, weapon arts and Trick Weapons could be reworked to interact. With Trick Weapons having two modes, each could be enchanted with a different Ash of War to create unique combinations. This could prove more reliable than carrying multiple weapons. FromSoft frequently incorporates many elements from previous titles into new hit games. With that in mind, it seems likely future SoulsBorne titles will move closer to a perfect mix of aggression and patience, and FromSoftware's Trick Weapons could be a huge part of that.