Do You Have to Beat Fire Giant to Get Rivers of Blood in Elden Ring?

The short answer is a resounding NO. You do not have to beat the Fire Giant to obtain the coveted Rivers of Blood katana in Elden Ring. In fact, beating the Fire Giant will lock you out of obtaining the Rivers of Blood. This is a crucial point for any aspiring Rivers of Blood wielder! The method of obtaining this powerful weapon involves a specific NPC invasion that is only available before you defeat this formidable boss.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know to get your hands on this weapon:

How to Obtain Rivers of Blood

Rivers of Blood is obtained by defeating Bloody Finger Okina, an invader that appears at the Church of Repose in the Mountaintops of the Giants. This location is accessed before you face the Fire Giant. It’s absolutely critical that you trigger this invasion before defeating the Fire Giant. Once the Fire Giant is defeated, the area changes, and Okina will no longer invade, making the Rivers of Blood unobtainable for that playthrough.

So, to reiterate:

1. Progress through the game until you reach the Mountaintops of the Giants.

2. DO NOT DEFEAT the Fire Giant.

3. Travel to the Church of Repose.

4. Bloody Finger Okina will invade. Defeat him to obtain the Rivers of Blood katana and Okina’s Mask.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rivers of Blood

Is Rivers of Blood still good in 2024?

Yes! Despite several patches and adjustments to weapon balance, the Rivers of Blood remains a very potent weapon in Elden Ring, even in 2024. Its unique weapon art, Corpse Piler, inflicts rapid bleed buildup and significant fire damage, making it devastating against many enemies and players. While other weapons may excel in specific areas, Rivers of Blood continues to be a reliable and popular choice, especially for builds focusing on dexterity, arcane, and bleed. The Games Learning Society understands the evolving nature of game balance and how player strategies adapt accordingly. You can find other players discussing their opinions on the Rivers of Blood Katana on the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

What stats do I need for Rivers of Blood?

The Rivers of Blood requires the following stats:

• Strength: 12
• Dexterity: 18
• Arcane: 20

These requirements make it ideal for builds focusing on dexterity and arcane, allowing you to maximize its damage and bleed buildup potential.

Can you get Rivers of Blood early?

While you can technically rush to the Mountaintops of the Giants relatively early in the game, the Rivers of Blood is still considered a late-game weapon. You need to progress through a significant portion of the game to reach the area where it’s located. While it’s possible to reach the Mountaintops at a lower level, it’s generally recommended to be at a higher level to effectively deal with the enemies and acquire the weapon.

Is Rivers of Blood a bleed weapon?

Yes, Rivers of Blood is primarily a bleed weapon. Its weapon art, Corpse Piler, is designed to inflict rapid bleed buildup on enemies, causing massive damage when the bleed effect is triggered. While it also deals fire damage, its main strength lies in its bleed capabilities.

What is the best bleed weapon in Elden Ring besides Rivers of Blood?

While Rivers of Blood is a top contender, other excellent bleed weapons include:

• Uchigatana: An accessible early-game katana with bleed buildup.
• Nagakiba: A longer katana with excellent reach and bleed.
• Eleonara’s Poleblade: A twinblade that deals both physical and fire damage with built-in bleed.
• Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear: A powerful great spear that causes bleed buildup and fire damage with its unique weapon art.

The “best” bleed weapon often depends on your playstyle and build.

Does Rivers of Blood scale with arcane?

Yes, Rivers of Blood does scale with Arcane. Although its scaling isn’t as pronounced as Dexterity, investing in Arcane will increase both its physical damage and, more importantly, its bleed buildup rate.

Can you enchant Rivers of Blood?

No, Rivers of Blood cannot be enchanted with magic or boosted by greases or other consumables. Its damage and bleed buildup are fixed based on its scaling and upgrades.

What talismans are good with Rivers of Blood?

Several talismans synergize well with the Rivers of Blood, including:

• Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Increases attack power when blood loss occurs nearby.
• Millicent’s Prosthesis: Boosts dexterity and attack power on successive attacks.
• Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Greatly boosts attack power on successive attacks.
• Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal: Raises Arcane (and other stats) for increased bleed buildup, but also increases damage taken. Use with caution.
• Green Turtle Talisman: Increases stamina recovery speed, allowing for more frequent use of Corpse Piler.

Is Moonveil better than Rivers of Blood?

The question of whether Moonveil is better than Rivers of Blood is subjective and depends on your playstyle. Moonveil boasts a powerful ranged weapon art and scales primarily with Intelligence, making it ideal for mage-like builds. Rivers of Blood excels in close-quarters combat with its rapid bleed buildup. Post-patch, many argue that Rivers of Blood edges out Moonveil due to its consistent damage output and bleed potential. Ultimately, the better weapon is the one that best suits your individual playstyle and build.

What is the Fire Giant weak to?

The Fire Giant is particularly vulnerable to frostbite and slash damage. Using weapons and spells that inflict frostbite can significantly increase your damage output. Targeting his weak spot on his ankle in the first phase and his exposed hand in the second phase is also crucial.

What level should I be to fight the Fire Giant?

The recommended level for tackling the Fire Giant is generally around 110 or higher, with weapons upgraded to at least +18. While it’s possible to defeat him at a lower level, it will be considerably more challenging.

Can you summon Alexander for the Fire Giant fight?

Yes, you can summon Iron Fist Alexander for the Fire Giant fight, provided you have progressed his questline correctly. His summon sign will appear near the boss fog gate. Alexander can provide valuable assistance during the fight, drawing aggro and dealing significant damage.

Is the Fire Giant optional?

No, the Fire Giant is not an optional boss. You must defeat him to progress further in the main storyline of Elden Ring. He stands as a gatekeeper to the late-game areas.

How do I deal with the Fire Giant’s fire damage?

To mitigate the Fire Giant’s devastating fire damage, consider the following:

• Equip armor with high fire resistance.
• Use the Flamedrake Talisman to increase your fire damage negation.
• Consume fire resistance-boosting consumables like the Flame-Resistant Dried Liver.
• Utilize spells like Flame, Grant Me Strength to increase your fire damage negation even further.

Is Rivers of Blood physical or fire damage?

Rivers of Blood deals both physical and fire damage. Its standard attacks inflict physical damage, while its weapon art, Corpse Piler, deals a mix of physical and fire damage. This combination makes it effective against a wide range of enemies and resistant types. Furthermore, remember that it builds up the bleed status effect, which deals a burst of damage when triggered.

By following these guidelines and understanding the nuances of obtaining and utilizing the Rivers of Blood, you’ll be well-equipped to dominate the Lands Between. Remember, timing is everything – get to that Church of Repose before taking down the Fire Giant!