Elden Ring offers players an enormous open world filled with combat, exploration, and countless customization options. As players spend more time in the Lands Between, they often notice small but immersive details, such as how weapons are held, swapped, or put away. One common question among both new and experienced players is about visual weapon management, especially when dual-wielding. Many players ask about Elden Ring how to sheath both weapons, either for immersion, roleplay, or simply to enjoy a cleaner look while exploring the world on foot or horseback.
Understanding Weapon Handling in Elden Ring
Before focusing specifically on how to sheath both weapons, it is important to understand how Elden Ring handles weapons at a mechanical level. Unlike some role-playing games that allow manual sheathing through a dedicated button, Elden Ring uses a system tied closely to equipment slots and player actions.
Weapons are equipped in the right-hand and left-hand slots, and their visibility depends on whether they are actively selected or swapped out. This design choice prioritizes combat flow rather than cosmetic control, which explains some of the limitations players encounter.
What Players Mean by Sheathing Both Weapons
When players search for Elden Ring how to sheath both weapons, they usually want their character to appear unarmed, with no weapons drawn in either hand. This is often desired during exploration, NPC interaction, or cinematic moments.
In practice, sheathing both weapons means switching away from active weapon slots so that the character’s hands are empty. However, Elden Ring does not provide a single button that instantly sheathes all equipped weapons.
Using Weapon Slot Swapping to Sheath Weapons
The primary method for sheathing weapons in Elden Ring is by swapping to empty equipment slots. This system is simple once understood, but it is not always obvious to new players.
Setting Up Empty Weapon Slots
To sheath both weapons, you must first ensure that you have empty weapon slots available. In the equipment menu, each hand can have up to three weapon slots.
- Leave at least one right-hand slot empty
- Leave at least one left-hand slot empty
- Do not equip shields or weapons in those slots
Once this setup is complete, you can cycle through your weapons during gameplay.
Swapping to Empty Hands
By cycling through your right-hand and left-hand weapon slots, you can select the empty slots. When both hands are set to empty, your character will appear unarmed, effectively sheathing both weapons.
This is currently the closest solution to manually sheathing weapons in Elden Ring.
Dual-Wielding and Its Visual Limitations
Dual-wielding is a popular playstyle in Elden Ring, especially for players using power stance mechanics. However, this playstyle makes weapon sheathing more noticeable because both hands are actively holding weapons.
When dual-wielding, players must swap both hand slots individually to empty slots. There is no shortcut to sheath both weapons at the same time, which can feel unintuitive for players seeking immersion.
Why Elden Ring Lacks a Dedicated Sheathe Button
Many players wonder why Elden Ring does not include a dedicated sheath or stow weapon button. The answer lies in the game’s design philosophy.
Elden Ring, like other FromSoftware titles, emphasizes readiness and danger. The world is designed so that threats can appear at any moment, and keeping weapons readily accessible reinforces that tension.
As a result, weapon visibility is treated as a functional state rather than a purely cosmetic choice.
Sheathing Weapons While Mounted
When riding Torrent, the rules for weapon handling change slightly. Some weapons automatically appear less prominent depending on your actions, but they are still technically equipped.
Even while mounted, fully sheathing both weapons requires swapping to empty slots. There is no special mounted animation that stows all weapons by default.
Roleplay and Immersion Considerations
For roleplayers, understanding Elden Ring how to sheath both weapons can greatly enhance immersion. Walking through peaceful areas or approaching friendly NPCs with empty hands feels more natural.
Although the system is limited, creative players often adapt by organizing their weapon slots carefully. Keeping empty slots close in the cycle order makes switching faster and less disruptive.
Controller and Keyboard Tips
The method for sheathing weapons works the same across platforms, but input comfort can vary.
Controller Players
Controller users can quickly cycle through weapon slots using the directional pad. With practice, switching to empty slots becomes second nature.
Keyboard and Mouse Players
Keyboard users may need to customize key bindings to make weapon swapping more comfortable. Assigning easily reachable keys can reduce frustration when trying to sheath both weapons smoothly.
Common Mistakes Players Make
Some players believe there is a hidden command or gesture that allows full weapon sheathing. This misunderstanding often leads to unnecessary confusion.
Others forget to leave empty slots available, making it impossible to sheath weapons during gameplay. Regularly checking equipment setup helps avoid this issue.
Comparisons With Other FromSoftware Games
Players familiar with other FromSoftware titles like Dark Souls or Bloodborne may notice similar behavior. These games also rely on equipment slot management rather than dedicated sheath mechanics.
Elden Ring expands on this system with more flexibility, but the core concept remains unchanged.
Community Discussions and Expectations
The topic of Elden Ring how to sheath both weapons is frequently discussed in the community. Many players express a desire for more cosmetic control, while others accept the system as part of the game’s identity.
Some hope future updates or sequels may introduce more immersive animations or options, but for now, the current method remains the standard.
Practical Tips for Smoother Gameplay
To make weapon sheathing less disruptive, consider these practical tips
- Keep only essential weapons equipped
- Place empty slots next to your main weapons
- Practice swapping during low-risk moments
These habits reduce the effort required to sheath weapons and improve overall gameplay flow.
Understanding Elden Ring how to sheath both weapons requires accepting the game’s equipment-based approach rather than expecting a traditional sheathe button. By using empty weapon slots and cycling through them deliberately, players can achieve the appearance of being unarmed when desired. While the system may feel limited at first, it aligns with Elden Ring’s design philosophy and can be managed efficiently with proper setup. For players focused on immersion, roleplay, or simply enjoying the world without drawn weapons, mastering this method offers a practical and reliable solution.