Introduction
The Lands Between are rife with powerful incantations, potent spells, and devastating weapon arts, but few combine style and efficacy quite like Bloodflame Blade. This incantation, coveted by both seasoned Tarnished and newcomers alike, allows you to imbue your weapon with searing flames that inflict not only fire damage but also inflict the dreaded bleed status, causing enemies to erupt in a crimson geyser. Bloodflame Blade offers a tantalizing mix of offensive power and strategic depth, making it a valuable asset for any Faith-focused build. This comprehensive guide will explore every facet of Bloodflame Blade, from its obscure location and stat requirements to advanced combat strategies and potent build synergies. Prepare to master this fiery incantation and unleash its bleed-inducing fury upon the foes of Elden Ring.
Unearthing the Flame: Locating Bloodflame Blade
Acquiring Bloodflame Blade requires a pilgrimage to the heart of Liurnia of the Lakes. Your destination is the Rose Church, a relatively isolated sanctuary nestled amongst the sprawling swamps and crystalline structures that define this region. The Rose Church is easy to spot because it is a prominent church in the swamp. Reaching the church can be done quickly by following the main road north and making a quick detour. However, it is worth taking note that you will encounter many enemies, including dogs and Albinaurics.
Once you reach the Rose Church, dismount Torrent and prepare for a hunt. Your quarry is no formidable boss, but a Teardrop Scarab, a small, glowing beetle that roams the area near the church. These beetles vanish quickly when approached, so a swift strike is crucial. The Teardrop Scarab is located near the entrance of the church so check there first. Upon defeating the Teardrop Scarab, you will be rewarded with the Bloodflame Blade incantation.
Understanding the Incantation: Bloodflame Blade’s Mechanics
Bloodflame Blade is an incantation, meaning it requires the use of a Sacred Seal to cast and scales primarily with the Faith stat. It demands twelve Faith to wield, a relatively modest investment that makes it accessible to a wide range of builds. Casting the incantation consumes fifteen FP. For sixty seconds, your right-hand weapon is empowered with fire damage and inflicts bleed buildup on enemies struck.
The fire damage added by Bloodflame Blade scales directly with your Faith stat and your Sacred Seal’s Incantation Scaling. A higher Faith stat and a stronger Sacred Seal will result in more fire damage per hit. The bleed buildup applied by Bloodflame Blade is a fixed value, meaning it does not scale with any stats. The effectiveness hinges on repeated strikes to trigger the bleed status. This is crucial in understanding what weapons best benefit from this incantation.
Weaponizing the Flame: Effective Combat Strategies
Bloodflame Blade shines when paired with weapons that attack rapidly and benefit from increased attack speed. Curved Swords, Katanas, Twinblades, and even Claws become exceptionally deadly when infused with the fiery incantation. Their inherent speed allows you to quickly stack bleed buildup on your enemies, causing them to hemorrhage profusely.
When wielding Bloodflame Blade, aggressive gameplay is essential. Do not hesitate to close the distance and unleash a flurry of attacks. Jump attacks are particularly effective, as they often stagger enemies and allow you to follow up with additional strikes. Running attacks can also be used to close gaps and surprise your opponents with a sudden burst of damage. Weapon Arts can also be comboed with Bloodflame Blade to further enhance its effectiveness. Using weapon arts that apply additional status effects, such as frostbite, can allow you to proc multiple effects, further enhancing your damage.
Bloodflame Blade can also be used to stack additional weapon buffs. Make sure to try out what incantations or greases work best with bloodflame blade.
Analyzing Strengths and Shortcomings
Bloodflame Blade is a powerful tool, but it is not without its limitations. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for maximizing its potential.
One of its greatest assets is its high bleed buildup potential. With the right weapon and a relentless assault, you can quickly trigger bleed on even the most resilient foes, inflicting massive bursts of damage. Its relatively low Faith requirement makes it accessible to a wide range of builds, allowing you to supplement your existing combat style with a potent status effect. Bloodflame Blade is effective in both player versus environment and player versus player scenarios, making it a versatile choice for any Tarnished. The added fire damage can be surprisingly effective against enemies vulnerable to fire, further broadening its utility.
However, Bloodflame Blade also suffers from several drawbacks. Its short duration of sixty seconds necessitates constant reapplication, leaving you vulnerable during the casting animation. Bloodflame Blade is less effective against enemies that are immune to bleed. The casting animation can be punished by astute opponents, requiring careful timing and positioning.
Crafting the Perfect Build: Bloodflame Blade Synergies
The versatility of Bloodflame Blade allows it to be integrated into a variety of builds. Here are a few examples to inspire your own creations:
Faith/Arcane Build
This build focuses on maximizing both Faith and Arcane, leveraging the power of Dragon Communion Incantations alongside Bloodflame Blade. Stat allocation should prioritize Vigor, Mind, Faith, and Arcane. Key talismans include the Lord of Blood’s Exultation, which boosts attack power when bleed occurs, and Godfrey Icon, which enhances charged spells and skills. Recommended weapons include the Rivers of Blood katana. This weapon capitalizes on both bleed and fire damage. A great set to use is the white mask.
Strength/Faith Build
This build combines the raw power of colossal weapons with the bleed-inducing potential of Bloodflame Blade. Stat allocation should focus on Vigor, Strength, Endurance, and Faith. Talismans such as the Claw Talisman can increase jump attack damage, and Fire Scorpion Charm can increase fire damage. Recommended weapons include colossal weapons such as the Ruins Greatsword which scales with Faith. Focus on armor with high poise so you won’t be staggered.
Dexterity/Faith Build
This build emphasizes speed and agility, utilizing fast weapons and Bloodflame Blade to overwhelm enemies with a flurry of attacks. Stat allocation should prioritize Vigor, Dexterity, Endurance, and Faith. Talismans like the Winged Sword Insignia will boost your damage after multiple attacks. Recommended weapons include twinblades and katanas. The raptor’s black feathers is a great armor piece for jump attacks.
Bloodflame Blade in PvP: A Fiery Dance
Bloodflame Blade can be a devastating weapon in player versus player combat, but it requires a nuanced approach. Master the art of spacing and timing to land your attacks without being punished. Use mind games to bait your opponents into predictable patterns, then punish their mistakes with a well-timed Bloodflame Blade-infused attack.
Be wary of opponents who roll away to avoid your attacks. Chase them down and apply pressure, forcing them to make mistakes. Remember that the bleed effect can be just as psychological as it is physical. The threat of bleed can force your opponent to play defensively, giving you the upper hand.
Opponents may attempt to counter your Bloodflame Blade with status effect cures or by equipping armor with high bleed resistance. Be prepared to adapt your strategy accordingly. Keep moving, keep applying pressure, and force them to make mistakes.
Alternatives and Comparisons: Other Options to Consider
While Bloodflame Blade is a potent incantation, it is not the only option available to Faith-focused builds. Bloodflame Talons, another incantation, offers a different approach to fire and bleed. Unlike Bloodflame Blade, Bloodflame Talons unleashes a fiery explosion that inflicts bleed buildup over a small area. Bloodflame Talons can be useful in crowd control situations, while Bloodflame Blade excels in single-target combat.
Other weapon buffs, such as Lightning Armament or Blackflame Blade, offer different elemental damage types and status effects. Lightning Armament is effective against enemies weak to lightning, while Blackflame Blade deals percentage-based damage, making it effective against high-health bosses. The choice of which weapon buff to use depends on the situation and your personal preferences.
Conclusion: Mastering the Crimson Flame
Bloodflame Blade is a versatile and powerful incantation that can transform your Elden Ring experience. Its combination of fire damage and bleed buildup makes it a valuable asset for a wide range of builds, while its relatively low Faith requirement makes it accessible to most players. By understanding its strengths and weaknesses, mastering its combat strategies, and experimenting with different build synergies, you can unlock the full potential of this fiery incantation. Embrace the crimson flame, ignite your weapons, and unleash the bleed-inducing fury of Bloodflame Blade upon the foes of the Lands Between. Now go forth, Tarnished, and experiment, evolve, and explore the endless possibilities that Bloodflame Blade offers!
