Unlocking the Large Sword of Searching: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’re hunting for that elusive Large Sword of Searching in Demon’s Souls, are you? This guide will illuminate the path to acquiring this coveted blade, famed not for its combat prowess, but for its unique ability to boost item discovery. This sword is crucial for farming materials, upgrading weapons, and generally making your journey through Boletaria a little less… punishing.
The Large Sword of Searching isn’t found lying around or dropped by a common enemy. You must craft it. Here’s the breakdown:
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Defeat the Old Hero: You’ll need to acquire the Hero Demon’s Soul, which is dropped by the Old Hero boss in the Shrine of Storms (World 4-2). The Old Hero is blind but wields a massive crystal blade. Be prepared for his powerful, sweeping attacks!
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Acquire a +8 Claws or Curved Sword: Any Claws or Curved Sword will do, provided it’s upgraded to +8. A popular choice is the Scimitar, which is readily available and relatively cheap to upgrade. Other options include the Falchion, Shotel, or even the rare Kilij.
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Unlock Blacksmith Ed’s Full Potential: You must give Blacksmith Ed the Searing Demon’s Soul. This soul is obtained by defeating the Flamelurker in the Stonefang Tunnel (World 2-2). Giving Ed the Searing Demon’s Soul allows him to forge weapons from boss souls.
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Forge the Sword: Speak to Blacksmith Ed in the Stonefang Tunnel. Provided you have the Hero Demon’s Soul and a +8 Claws or Curved Sword, you can select the option to forge the Large Sword of Searching. The crafting will require you to give Ed both the soul and the upgraded weapon.
That’s it! You now possess the Large Sword of Searching. Remember, it’s not a weapon you’ll likely use for combat, but it will dramatically increase your chances of finding rare items from fallen foes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Large Sword of Searching
Here are some common questions adventurers have about the Large Sword of Searching:
What exactly does the Large Sword of Searching do?
The Large Sword of Searching significantly increases your item discovery rate. While the exact percentage isn’t explicitly stated in-game, it’s widely believed to approximately double your chances of enemies dropping items. This does not increase the rarity of the items dropped, just the frequency.
Does the Large Sword of Searching need to be equipped to work?
Yes and no. The weapon itself doesn’t need to be actively wielded. As long as it is equipped, you can two-hand another weapon (even a bow), and the item discovery bonus will still apply. The sword’s presence on your person when an enemy dies triggers the increased drop rate.
Can the Large Sword of Searching be upgraded?
No, the Large Sword of Searching cannot be upgraded. Its effectiveness comes solely from its passive item discovery bonus. Upgrading it would be pointless as its primary function isn’t combat.
What’s the best Curved Sword to use for crafting the Large Sword of Searching?
The Scimitar is a popular choice because it’s easily obtainable early in the game and relatively inexpensive to upgrade. However, any curved sword or claws that can be upgraded to +8 will work. Consider ease of acquisition and upgrade materials when making your decision.
Is the Large Sword of Searching a good weapon for combat?
Absolutely not. The Large Sword of Searching has poor attack power and is not intended for combat. Its sole purpose is to increase item drop rates.
Can I get the Providential Ring by trading the Large Sword of Searching?
Yes, but there’s a catch! To obtain the Providential Ring by trading the Large Sword of Searching to Sparkly the Crow in the Shrine of Storms (World 4-1), the sword must have been created from a Scimitar +8. If you used a different Curved Sword or Claws, Sparkly will not accept it.
What are the best items to farm with the Large Sword of Searching?
The Large Sword of Searching is invaluable for farming upgrade materials such as Chunks, Shards, and especially Pure Bladestone. It also increases the chances of obtaining rare items from specific enemies, such as Gargoyle Crossbow from the gargoyles in the Shrine of Storms. It is also very useful for farming Lizard Souls.
Is the Large Sword of Searching worth getting?
Absolutely, especially if you plan on pursuing a specific build or maximizing your character’s potential. Farming materials without the Large Sword of Searching can be a tedious and time-consuming process. It will save you hours in the long run.
Can I miss getting the Hero Demon’s Soul?
No, you cannot permanently miss the Hero Demon’s Soul. If you die to the Old Hero, you can simply return to the Shrine of Storms (World 4-2) and fight him again. Boss souls never disappear from the game unless you consume or use them.
Do item discovery buffs stack?
Yes, item discovery buffs do stack. You can further increase your item discovery rate by equipping items like the Silver Bracelet (female characters only) or the Avarice Ring (found in the Prison of Hope) in addition to equipping the Large Sword of Searching.
Does world tendency affect drop rates when using the Large Sword of Searching?
Yes, World Tendency plays a significant role in item drop rates. Pure Black World Tendency (PBWT) increases the frequency of rare item drops, making it the ideal state for farming with the Large Sword of Searching. Conversely, Pure White World Tendency (PWWT) reduces the drop rates of some items.
Where is Blacksmith Ed located?
Blacksmith Ed is located in the Stonefang Tunnel (World 2-1). Take the elevator down from the archstone and proceed forward. He is at the end of the path.
How important is the Searing Demon’s Soul to unlock the Large Sword of Searching?
Giving Blacksmith Ed the Searing Demon’s Soul is crucial. Without it, he will not be able to forge boss soul weapons, including the Large Sword of Searching. It’s a necessary step in the process.
Does the difficulty level affect the drop rate while using the Large Sword of Searching?
The difficulty in Demon’s Souls doesn’t change in subsequent playthroughs. However, enemies do become stronger. It does not appear to impact drop rates in the same way World Tendency does. The Large Sword of Searching benefits most from leveraging World Tendency.
What other weapons are good for farming?
While the Large Sword of Searching is the best for straight item drop rates, the Needle of Eternal Agony steals souls from enemies on each attack. So if you want to farm souls while farming for items it is a good choice.
Hopefully, this guide has cleared up any confusion and set you on the path to acquiring the Large Sword of Searching. Good luck, and may your inventory overflow with valuable loot!
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