Is the Warrior Jar Shard the Same as the Shard of Alexander?

No, the Warrior Jar Shard and the Shard of Alexander are not the same item in Elden Ring, but they are directly related. The Warrior Jar Shard is an earlier iteration of the talisman obtainable by completing a portion of Iron Fist Alexander’s questline, while the Shard of Alexander is the upgraded, and far more powerful, version you receive upon completing the entire questline. Think of it as a significant upgrade; you don’t ‘transform’ the Warrior Jar Shard, you earn a new, superior talisman.

Understanding the Warrior Jar Talismans

The Warrior Jar Shard and the Shard of Alexander are talismans that boost the attack power of skills. Skills, also known as Weapon Arts, are unique abilities tied to weapons that consume FP (Focus Points) when used. These talismans enhance the damage output of these skills, making them invaluable for builds that heavily rely on weapon arts.

Warrior Jar Shard

The Warrior Jar Shard is obtained by helping Alexander out of a hole in Stormhill early in the game and continuing his questline until he gets stuck again near the Jarburg location. Completing this section of the quest rewards you with the Warrior Jar Shard. This initial version provides a 10% boost to skill attack power.

Shard of Alexander

The Shard of Alexander is the reward for completing Alexander’s entire questline, which involves helping him multiple times and ultimately battling him at Crumbling Farum Azula. This final act of his quest grants you the Shard of Alexander, offering a significantly improved 15% boost to skill attack power. The difference between 10% and 15% might seem small on paper, but it can be quite significant in the late game, especially with high-damage skills.

Why the Confusion?

The confusion arises because both talismans are linked to the same character, Iron Fist Alexander, and share a similar name and function. Players might obtain the Warrior Jar Shard and assume it’s the final version of the talisman, not realizing that Alexander’s quest continues. Furthermore, the description of the Warrior Jar Shard hints at a stronger version: “A shard from a larger jar. Perhaps there is more to it than meets the eye…”

Why Upgrade to the Shard of Alexander?

Upgrading to the Shard of Alexander is highly recommended for any build that utilizes weapon skills. The 15% boost offers a noticeable increase in damage output, which is particularly crucial for tackling late-game bosses and challenging encounters. The extra 5% can be the difference between staggering a boss and being forced to dodge another attack. Beyond the pure stat boost, completing Alexander’s questline provides closure to a compelling NPC story, adding to the game’s overall narrative satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Warrior Jar Shard and the Shard of Alexander, addressing common points of confusion and providing additional details:

1. Does the Warrior Jar Shard stack with the Shard of Alexander?

   • No, you cannot equip both talismans simultaneously. The Shard of Alexander is the superior version and renders the Warrior Jar Shard obsolete.

2. Where can I find Iron Fist Alexander to start his questline?

   • Alexander is first found stuck in a hole near the Stormhill Shack. Look for a living jar that you can interact with and free using a heavy attack.

3. What happens if I kill Iron Fist Alexander early in the game?

   • Killing Alexander prematurely will prevent you from obtaining the Shard of Alexander. He will drop the Warrior Jar Shard and Alexander’s Innards, which can be given to Jar-Bairn in Jarburg later in the game.

4. Is the Shard of Alexander worth completing the quest for?

   • Absolutely. The Shard of Alexander provides a significant damage boost to weapon skills, making it a valuable talisman for many builds, especially those focused on aggressive combat. The increased damage output greatly enhances your combat effectiveness.

5. What are some good weapon skills to use with the Shard of Alexander?

   • Popular options include Rivers of Blood’s Corpse Piler, Bloodhound’s Finesse, Hoarfrost Stomp (before its nerf, still viable), Flame of the Fell God, and many others. Experiment with different skills to find what suits your playstyle.

6. Does the Shard of Alexander affect Ashes of War skills?

   • Yes, the Shard of Alexander affects any weapon skill derived from Ashes of War that consumes FP.

7. Where do I find Alexander after helping him in Stormhill?

   • After Stormhill, Alexander can be found at the Redmane Castle Plaza before the Radahn fight. After the fight he will relocate to Liurnia, near the Artist’s Shack and then later to Jarburg.

8. What should I do after finding Alexander in Jarburg?

   • After Jarburg, Alexander moves to Crumbling Farum Azula. Continue his questline until you reach the specific area in Farum Azula. Talking to him will trigger the final encounter.

9. Can I still get the Shard of Alexander if I missed a step in the quest?

   • Potentially. If you missed Alexander in Redmane Castle or Liurnia, he may still be available to interact with in Jarburg. If he is not, he might automatically appear in Farum Azula, but this is not guaranteed.

10. Is the Warrior Jar Shard good for early game?

    • Yes, the Warrior Jar Shard provides a decent boost to weapon skill damage early in the game, making it a useful talisman until you obtain the Shard of Alexander. A 10% increase is still very noticeable at lower levels.

11. Does the Shard of Alexander affect weapon buffs like Golden Vow?

    • No, the Shard of Alexander only affects weapon skills that consume FP. Weapon buffs and other passive effects are not impacted.

12. What are Alexander’s Innards used for?

    • Alexander’s Innards are given to Jar-Bairn in Jarburg after completing Alexander’s questline, allowing Jar-Bairn to potentially follow in Alexander’s footsteps as a warrior.

13. Is there any downside to completing Alexander’s quest?

    • The only “downside” is having to fight Alexander at the end of his quest. However, he’s a worthy opponent, and defeating him is necessary to obtain the Shard of Alexander.

14. Can I get the Shard of Alexander on multiple playthroughs?

    • Yes, you can complete Alexander’s questline and obtain the Shard of Alexander on each subsequent playthrough of Elden Ring.

15. Does the Shard of Alexander affect the damage of spells?

    • No, the Shard of Alexander only affects the damage of weapon skills (Weapon Arts) and Ashes of War. It does not boost the damage of Sorceries or Incantations.

In conclusion, while the Warrior Jar Shard and the Shard of Alexander share a connection and a similar function, they are distinct items. The Shard of Alexander is the superior version, rewarding players who invest the time and effort into completing Iron Fist Alexander’s memorable questline. Make sure you prioritize helping this amicable jar to unleash the full potential of your weapon skills.