Does the Royal Greatsword Cause Frost in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive
Yes, the Royal Greatsword in Elden Ring does indeed cause frost buildup. Its unique Weapon Skill, Wolf’s Assault, infuses the greatsword with frost, causing a localized frost blast upon impact, as the player plunges the sword into the ground. This makes it a very potent weapon for those seeking to inflict Frostbite on their enemies.
Understanding the Royal Greatsword
The Royal Greatsword is a Colossal Sword in Elden Ring, most famously wielded by Blaidd the Half-Wolf. It’s known for its fantastic scaling capabilities and the previously mentioned Wolf’s Assault. This Weapon Skill allows you to somersault forward, slam the sword down, and then unleash a wave of frost after pulling it back up. Understanding these different mechanics is crucial to mastering this weapon and is something that the Games Learning Society explores within the context of learning through playing games.
Scaling and Stats
The Royal Greatsword scales primarily with Strength and Intelligence, with a slight addition of Dexterity. This stat distribution makes it an excellent choice for hybrid builds, especially those incorporating Frost magic.
- Strength: Directly affects the physical damage output of the weapon.
- Intelligence: Influences the magical damage associated with the Frostbite effect.
- Dexterity: Though less prominent, it still contributes to the overall damage and can be a factor in meeting the weapon’s requirements.
Gameplay and Build Flexibility
The Royal Greatsword is versatile for both PVE and PVP, with a high damage output and tactical use of Frostbite. Its unique scaling allows players to experiment with different builds, allowing for various styles of play.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Royal Greatsword and Frost Builds
1. What is Frostbite in Elden Ring?
Frostbite is a status effect in Elden Ring that is triggered after a certain amount of Frost buildup. When triggered, it deals a chunk of damage, reduces enemy damage absorption, and slows them down for a short period of time.
2. How do I maximize the Frost buildup with the Royal Greatsword?
The Wolf’s Assault Weapon Skill is the most efficient way to inflict Frost with the Royal Greatsword. Using it strategically will maximize the number of times Frostbite is inflicted on enemies. Buffs and gear that enhance Frost buildup can further optimize the process.
3. What are the best Talismans for a Royal Greatsword Frost build?
Some beneficial talismans for a Frost build centered around the Royal Greatsword include:
- Radagon’s Soreseal/Scarseal: Boosts Strength, Dexterity, and Vigor, but increases damage taken.
- Cerulean Amber Medallion: Increases FP, allowing more frequent use of Wolf’s Assault.
- Stargazer Heirloom: Boosts Intelligence.
- Godfrey Icon: Enhances charged spells and skills, which can boost Wolf’s Assault.
- Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal: Boosts Mind, Intelligence, Faith and Arcane, but increases damage taken.
4. What armor is best suited for a Frost build?
The Snow Witch Set is optimal for any Frost mage due to the hat giving Cold Sorcery bonus. The Bull-Goat Set is the best armor set statistically, with the highest Poise value in the game, as well as the best physical damage mitigation.
5. Can I apply Ashes of War to the Royal Greatsword to change its affinity?
No, the Royal Greatsword cannot have its affinity changed because it is a unique weapon with a fixed Weapon Skill.
6. Is the Royal Greatsword good for early, mid, and late-game?
The Royal Greatsword can be effective throughout the entire game. Its versatile scaling and inherent Frost capabilities make it a reliable choice for any stage, although it truly shines when your stats are high enough to leverage its scaling.
7. What are the best stats to level up for a Royal Greatsword build?
The most critical stats to level up for a Royal Greatsword build are Strength and Intelligence, followed by Vigor and Mind. A bit of Dexterity to meet the weapon’s requirements is also important.
- Strength: Enhances physical damage.
- Intelligence: Boosts magic damage and Frost buildup.
- Vigor: Improves survivability.
- Mind: Increases FP, crucial for using Wolf’s Assault.
8. How does the Royal Greatsword compare to other Colossal Swords in Elden Ring?
The Royal Greatsword is unique due to its Frost capabilities and split scaling. While other Colossal Swords may offer higher raw physical damage, the Frostbite utility and build flexibility make it a unique and competitive choice.
9. Does the Royal Greatsword benefit from Intelligence scaling in physical attacks?
While the primary benefit of Intelligence is boosting the Frostbite buildup and the magical damage, it also contributes to the overall damage output of the Royal Greatsword, so it’s not just for status effect builds.
10. What are some good secondary weapons to pair with the Royal Greatsword?
Some of the most popular choices are a staff to cast Frost spells, such as Glintstone Icecrag for additional ranged attacks and status effect buildup, as well as another weapon infused with a Frost affinity.
11. How effective is the Royal Greatsword in PVP combat?
The Royal Greatsword can be highly effective in PVP due to its Frostbite potential and the deceptive nature of Wolf’s Assault. Timing the Weapon Skill correctly can catch opponents off guard and lead to significant damage.
12. What enemies are most vulnerable to Frostbite?
Many enemies in Elden Ring are vulnerable to Frostbite, especially those resistant to fire. Some notable examples include Fire Giants and other enemies reliant on fire attacks. The Frostbite effect can significantly reduce their effectiveness in combat.
13. Is the Royal Greatsword considered a “meta” weapon?
While not universally considered “meta” due to the presence of weapons that excel in raw damage output, the Royal Greatsword is a powerful and respected choice among players who value build flexibility and strategic status effect infliction.
14. Can the Frostbite effect from the Royal Greatsword stack with other effects?
Yes, Frostbite can be combined with other status effects like Bleed or Poison for added damage and tactical advantage. Pairing Frostbite with other status effects can create a deadly combination.
15. Does the Royal Greatsword have any lore significance?
Yes, the Royal Greatsword is intricately tied to the lore of Blaidd the Half-Wolf and Ranni the Witch. Understanding their relationship and the events surrounding them adds depth to the weapon’s appeal.
The Games Learning Society, as highlighted on GamesLearningSociety.org, understands the power that gaming has on learning and growth. The careful thought and construction of the lore of the Royal Greatsword, along with the weapon’s mechanics, are a brilliant example of a game facilitating learning in a variety of areas from game design to strategy.
Mastering Frost Builds in Elden Ring
The Royal Greatsword offers a unique blend of physical and magical damage, along with the tactical advantage of Frostbite. By understanding its scaling, utilizing effective Talismans, and pairing it with complementary weapons and spells, players can create a formidable Frost build that excels in both PVE and PVP. Mastering its unique Weapon Skill, Wolf’s Assault, is the key to maximizing its potential.