Introduction
Incantations hold a special place in the hearts of many Tarnished venturing through the Lands Between in Elden Ring. They offer a blend of offensive power, defensive utility, and unique status effects that can turn the tide of battle. Among the vast array of spells available, Bloodflame Blade stands out as a particularly intriguing option. This incantation imbues your weapon with both fire damage and potent bleed buildup, creating a deadly combination that can melt through even the toughest enemies. Bloodflame Blade isn’t just a simple damage buff; it’s a tactical tool that rewards strategic thinking and skillful execution. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about Bloodflame Blade, from its location and requirements to its optimal uses and effective builds.
Where to Find Bloodflame Blade
Acquiring Bloodflame Blade is a relatively straightforward task, especially when compared to obtaining some of the more obscure spells in Elden Ring. The incantation is dropped by a Teardrop Scarab found within the sprawling expanse of Liurnia of the Lakes.
Specifically, you need to venture north of the Rose Church. Along the pathway leading from the church further into Liurnia, you will find the Teardrop Scarab diligently rolling a ball of magic. It will be east, close to the cliffside, on the path that travels north to the next area.
These elusive creatures are known for their tendency to disappear quickly, either by teleporting away or diving underground. As such, you need to be quick. Approaching on Torrent can be an excellent way to intercept the scarab before it has a chance to escape. Be prepared to attack swiftly once you spot the scarab. If it gets away, simply rest at a Site of Grace and try again. The Teardrop Scarab will reappear.
Understanding Stats and Requirements
To wield the power of Bloodflame Blade, you will need a certain level of commitment to the path of faith. This incantation requires twelve faith to cast. Fortunately, this is a relatively low investment, making Bloodflame Blade accessible to a wider range of builds.
The incantation demands a small amount of focus points, costing a minimal amount of FP per cast. This is an advantage, allowing you to weave Bloodflame Blade into your combat routine without draining your resources too quickly.
The Bloodflame enchantment lasts for a reasonable amount of time, granting you a generous window to capitalize on its effects. However, it is crucial to monitor the duration of the buff and reapply it as needed to maintain its effectiveness.
The power of Bloodflame Blade scales with your faith stat and the potency of your sacred seal. This means that as you invest more points into faith and acquire stronger sacred seals, the damage output and bleed buildup of Bloodflame Blade will increase accordingly. The Godslayer’s Seal is a particularly strong option for scaling Bloodflame Blade, as it boosts black flame incantations. This Seal will begin to scale very well at higher levels of faith.
Before you can use Bloodflame Blade, you must first memorize it at a Site of Grace. This requires having a memory slot available and a sacred seal equipped. Once memorized, you can cast the incantation by selecting it from your spell list and pressing the appropriate button.
How Bloodflame Blade Enhances Combat
Bloodflame Blade is more than just a simple damage buff; it’s a multifaceted tool that enhances your combat prowess in several ways. When cast, it imbues your right hand weapon with fire damage and bleed buildup. The fire damage adds a flat amount of fire damage to each of your weapon attacks, providing a consistent source of additional damage.
The bleed buildup is where Bloodflame Blade truly shines. Each successful hit with your enchanted weapon will inflict bleed buildup on your target. Once the bleed bar is filled, the target will suffer a burst of massive damage, creating an opening for further attacks. The speed at which bleed buildup occurs will depend on a variety of factors, including the weapon you are using, your arcane stat, and the target’s resistance to bleed.
The enchantment lasts for a set duration, which is displayed on your status bar. Keep a close eye on the timer and be prepared to reapply the incantation when it expires. Fortunately, Bloodflame Blade has a relatively short cast time, allowing you to re-buff your weapon quickly in the midst of combat.
Bloodflame Blade can be stacked with certain other buffs, such as weapon greases. However, it cannot be stacked with other weapon buffs that directly imbue your weapon with elemental damage. Experimenting with different combinations of buffs and consumables can help you optimize your damage output and create unique combat strategies.
Optimal Weapons for Bloodflame Blade
The choice of weapon can greatly impact the effectiveness of Bloodflame Blade. Weapons with innate bleed buildup, such as katanas and twinblades, are particularly well-suited for this incantation. The innate bleed combined with the added bleed from Bloodflame Blade creates a synergistic effect, allowing you to trigger bleed procs more frequently.
Weapons with fast attack speed are also ideal for Bloodflame Blade. The more frequently you can hit your target, the faster you will inflict bleed buildup. Twinblades are an excellent choice in this regard, as their rapid attack speed allows you to overwhelm your enemies with a flurry of strikes.
For example, the Uchigatana, a classic katana found early in the game, is a great option for Bloodflame Blade. Its innate bleed buildup, coupled with the added fire damage and bleed from the incantation, makes it a formidable weapon against a wide range of foes. You can find the Uchigatana in the Deathtouched Catacombs in Limgrave.
Twinblades, such as Eleonora’s Poleblade, are another excellent choice. Their incredibly fast attack speed allows you to quickly fill the bleed bar, unleashing devastating bursts of damage. Eleonora’s Poleblade is obtained by defeating Eleonora, Violet Bloody Finger, at the Second Church of Marika in the Altus Plateau.
Crafting Effective Builds
To maximize the potential of Bloodflame Blade, you need to carefully craft your character build. A faith focused build is the most straightforward approach. Prioritize allocating points to vigor for health, mind for FP, and faith for incantation scaling. Consider investing points into dexterity or strength to meet the weapon requirements.
When it comes to talismans, focus on those that enhance incantation casting speed, reduce FP consumption, or boost damage. The Radagon Icon will shorten the casting time of Bloodflame Blade, while the Cerulean Amber Medallion will increase your maximum FP. The Sacred Scorpion Charm will boost fire damage.
For armor, choose pieces that offer a balance of protection and weight. You want to be able to move and roll freely without being encumbered by heavy armor.
Hybrid builds that combine faith with either dexterity or strength can also be effective. These builds allow you to wield powerful weapons while still benefiting from the utility of incantations. With a dexterity faith build, focus on fast weapons such as katanas. For a strength faith build, consider using colossal weapons infused with fire damage.
Regardless of the build you choose, it is important to balance your melee capabilities with your incantation use. Learn to seamlessly transition between weapon attacks and spell casts to keep your enemies on their toes.
Mastering Combat Strategies
Bloodflame Blade excels against enemies that are vulnerable to either fire or bleed. Certain enemies, such as those with thick armor or fleshy bodies, are particularly susceptible to bleed. Other enemies may be weak to fire damage. Experimenting with different enemies to identify their weaknesses is key to maximizing the effectiveness of Bloodflame Blade.
Bloodflame Blade can be a powerful tool in boss fights. Many bosses are vulnerable to bleed, and the added fire damage can help to chip away at their health bar. However, it is important to learn the boss’s attack patterns and openings to apply bleed buildup safely.
In player versus player combat, Bloodflame Blade can be a game changer. The threat of bleed buildup can force your opponents to play more defensively, creating opportunities for you to land critical hits. However, be aware that some players may have high resistance to bleed. Adapt your strategy accordingly.
As a general rule, maintaining a moderate distance from your enemies is often the best approach. This allows you to safely reapply Bloodflame Blade when needed and avoid getting caught in close quarters combat. Practice quick weapon swaps to utilize multiple weapon buffs situationally.
Knowing when to prioritize damage versus bleed buildup is another important aspect of mastering Bloodflame Blade. Against enemies with low health, it may be more efficient to focus on dealing raw damage. Against tankier enemies, prioritize applying bleed buildup to trigger a burst of massive damage.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Like any incantation, Bloodflame Blade has its strengths and weaknesses. Its high damage potential, versatility, and relatively early availability make it an appealing option for many players. The combination of fire and bleed damage can melt through a wide range of enemies, and its low faith requirement makes it accessible to a variety of builds.
However, Bloodflame Blade is not without its drawbacks. It requires a faith investment, which may not be ideal for all builds. It can be ineffective against certain enemies that are resistant to fire or bleed. And it requires frequent reapplication, which can be a nuisance in long battles.
Final Verdict
Bloodflame Blade is a unique and powerful incantation that can significantly enhance your combat prowess in Elden Ring. Its combination of fire damage and bleed buildup makes it a versatile tool against a wide range of enemies. It is an effective spell in Elden Ring and is an asset to many builds.
Ultimately, the best way to determine if Bloodflame Blade is right for you is to experiment with it yourself. Try different weapons, builds, and combat strategies to find what works best for your playstyle. Explore the Lands Between, discover new challenges, and unleash the fiery power of Bloodflame Blade upon your foes. Remember that there is no one “correct” way to play Elden Ring. Every Tarnished has their own unique journey and their own preferred tools. Embrace the freedom to experiment, adapt, and create your own legend.
Bloodflame Blade is a powerful tool for any tarnished, make sure you grab it and give it a try.
