Which Dragon Communion is Better? A Deep Dive into Elden Ring’s Draconic Power
The short answer is: it depends on your build, playstyle, and desired aesthetic. There isn’t a definitively “better” Dragon Communion, as each offers unique Incantations and caters to different strengths. Understanding their specific offerings is crucial for maximizing your Tarnished’s potential.
Dragon Communion Basics: Faith, Arcane, and Scalecraft
Elden Ring features two primary Dragon Communions: the original Dragon Communion and the more powerful Dragon Communion Seal. Both allow players to access powerful Dragon Incantations, transforming them into draconic avatars and unleashing devastating elemental attacks. These Incantations primarily scale with Faith (FTH) and Arcane (ARC), making those stats paramount for any aspiring dragon-blooded warrior.
The Dragon Communion Seal: Power Unleashed
The Dragon Communion Seal is generally considered the more powerful of the two. Its unique passive effect significantly boosts the damage of Dragon Communion Incantations. This scaling bonus, especially at higher Arcane levels, allows for vastly superior damage output compared to using a standard Faith-scaling Seal for the same Incantations. However, it requires investment in both Faith and Arcane, making it a more demanding build.
The Original Dragon Communion: Accessible Versatility
The original, unnamed Dragon Communion offers a more accessible entry point into draconic magic. While it lacks the specific damage boost of the Seal, it is a viable option, especially in the early to mid-game. It might be preferred by those prioritizing Faith or looking for a more balanced stat distribution.
Incantations: The Breath of Dragons
The true measure of a Dragon Communion lies in the Incantations it unlocks. These spells transform your Tarnished into a fearsome dragon, allowing you to breathe elemental fire, ice, lightning, and more. Here’s a breakdown of some key Incantations and their strategic uses:
Early-Game Power: Dragonfire and Dragonmaw
Dragonfire is a readily available, relatively low FP cost Incantation that breathes fire in a wide arc. It’s excellent for clearing groups of enemies and inflicting fire damage. Dragonmaw allows you to bite enemies with draconic jaws, dealing significant physical and fire damage. This is useful for staggering enemies and dealing with those resistant to fire.
Mid-Game Mastery: Dragonice and Dragonclaw
Dragonice mirrors Dragonfire, but breathes a cone of frost. This is incredibly useful for inflicting the Frostbite status effect, which significantly reduces enemy resistances and deals burst damage. Dragonclaw transforms your hand into a dragon claw for a sweeping attack that can stagger and knock down opponents.
Late-Game Devastation: Greyoll’s Roar and Placidusax’s Ruin
Greyoll’s Roar unleashes a powerful roar that debuffs enemies within range, reducing their attack power and defense. This is fantastic for supporting allies or weakening challenging bosses. Placidusax’s Ruin is one of the most visually stunning and devastating Incantations in the game, summoning golden lightning strikes that can obliterate enemies.
Build Considerations: Faith vs. Arcane Supremacy
The optimal stat distribution for a Dragon Communion build depends on your chosen Seal and desired Incantations.
The Arcane Focus
With the Dragon Communion Seal, maximizing Arcane is generally the priority. This enhances the Seal’s passive bonus, significantly increasing the damage of your Dragon Incantations. Investing in enough Faith to meet the minimum requirements for your desired spells is crucial.
The Faith Foundation
If you opt for a different Seal that scales primarily with Faith, then investing heavily in Faith is the better option. This provides more flexibility in using other Faith-based Incantations and weapons. Using the Dragon Communion Seal with a Faith-based build is possible, but less efficient, diminishing its true potential.
Strategic Considerations: When to Use Dragon Communion
Dragon Communion builds excel in situations where:
- Area-of-effect (AoE) damage is required to clear groups of enemies quickly.
- Elemental damage is effective against enemy weaknesses.
- Staggering or knocking down enemies is crucial for crowd control or exploiting openings.
- The player wants a visually impressive and unique playstyle.
Dragon Communion builds can struggle against:
- Enemies highly resistant to elemental damage.
- Fast-moving bosses that punish long casting times.
- Environments with limited space, hindering the range of breath attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Dragon Communion to further clarify the subject:
1. Where do I obtain the Dragon Communion Seal?
The Dragon Communion Seal is found in the Fringefolk Hero’s Cave near the Stranded Graveyard in Limgrave. You’ll need a Stonesword Key to access the cave and defeat the Ulcerated Tree Spirit boss within.
2. Where can I learn Dragon Communion Incantations?
Dragon Communion Incantations are purchased with Dragon Hearts at the Church of Dragon Communion in Limgrave or the Cathedral of Dragon Communion in Caelid.
3. How do I acquire Dragon Hearts?
Dragon Hearts are obtained by defeating Dragon bosses throughout the Lands Between.
4. Does the Dragon Communion Seal’s passive bonus apply to all Incantations?
No, the Dragon Communion Seal‘s passive bonus only applies to Dragon Communion Incantations, specifically those purchased with Dragon Hearts.
5. Is it worth respeccing into a Dragon Communion build late in the game?
Potentially, yes. If you have the required stats and resources, respeccing into a Dragon Communion build can offer a powerful and unique playstyle for tackling late-game content.
6. What are the best talismans for a Dragon Communion build?
Useful talismans include the Radagon Icon (shortens casting time), the Erdtree’s Favor (increases HP, FP, and stamina), the Faithful’s Canvas Talisman (boosts Incantation potency), and the Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal (raises Mind, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane, but increases damage taken).
7. Does the Dragon Communion Seal work well with other Incantation types?
While you can use other Incantations with the Dragon Communion Seal, it is not optimal. Its passive bonus only applies to Dragon Communion Incantations, making other Seals generally more effective for other Incantation types.
8. How does Arcane scaling affect Dragon Communion Incantations?
Arcane scales the status buildup (e.g., Frostbite, Madness) and damage of Dragon Communion Incantations when using the Dragon Communion Seal.
9. Is the Dragon Communion build viable in PvP?
Yes, Dragon Communion builds can be effective in PvP, but require strategic play. The wide area of effect and high damage potential of Dragon Incantations can punish players who are careless or clumped together.
10. What armor sets complement a Dragon Communion build?
Armor sets that increase your Faith, Arcane, or provide other beneficial effects are recommended. Consider sets like the White Mask (increases attack power after inflicting blood loss), the Raptor’s Black Feathers (increases jump attack damage), or sets with high poise for better resistance to being staggered.
11. Can I dual-wield Dragon Communion Seals?
Yes, you can dual-wield Dragon Communion Seals, and each Seal’s passive bonus will apply, significantly boosting the damage of Dragon Communion Incantations even further.
12. What weapon types synergize well with a Dragon Communion build?
Weapons that scale with Faith, Arcane, or can inflict status effects like bleed or frostbite are ideal. Examples include the Rivers of Blood, the Eleonora’s Poleblade, and the Sacred Relic Sword.
13. Does increasing my Vigor affect Dragon Communion Incantations?
Increasing Vigor directly impacts your HP, allowing you to survive more hits, giving you more opportunities to cast Dragon Communion Incantations, indirectly influencing their overall effectiveness.
14. Are there any Dragon Communion Incantations that don’t require Dragon Hearts?
No, all Dragon Communion Incantations require Dragon Hearts to purchase from the vendors in the Churches/Cathedrals of Dragon Communion.
15. How does Mind stat affect Dragon Communion Incantations?
Mind stat affects your FP, and Dragon Communion Incantations typically have high FP costs, increasing your Mind stat increases the number of times you can use them, directly influencing their overall effectiveness.
In conclusion, the “best” Dragon Communion ultimately depends on your preferences. The Dragon Communion Seal offers unparalleled damage output with high Arcane investment, while the original, unnamed Dragon Communion provides a more accessible entry point. By understanding the nuances of each and tailoring your build accordingly, you can unleash the true power of the dragons within Elden Ring.