Is Arcane Still Good in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive for Tarnished Souls

Yes, Arcane is absolutely still a powerful and viable stat in Elden Ring, even after various patches and updates. While its optimal use has shifted over time, Arcane remains crucial for specific builds, influencing item discovery, certain weapon scaling, and the effectiveness of specific spells and incantations. Its potency lies in understanding how to utilize it effectively within your chosen playstyle.

Understanding Arcane in Elden Ring

Arcane, represented by a mystical symbol, is more than just a number on your character sheet. It’s a multifaceted stat that unlocks different gameplay aspects depending on your build and equipment. Let’s break down its primary functions:

• Item Discovery: This is Arcane’s most consistent and reliable benefit. A higher Arcane stat directly increases your Discovery stat, making enemies more likely to drop items upon defeat. For players looking to farm rare equipment or consumables, investing in Arcane is almost mandatory.

• Weapon Scaling: Several powerful weapons in Elden Ring scale with Arcane. These weapons often come with innate bleed or occult buildup, making Arcane builds incredibly potent for inflicting status effects. Notable examples include Rivers of Blood, Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear, and weapons that can be infused with Occult or Blood Ashes of War.

• Incantation Scaling: Certain Dragon Communion Incantations scale with both Faith and Arcane. This means that increasing Arcane will boost the damage and status buildup of these specific spells. This opens up possibilities for hybrid Faith/Arcane builds, offering a blend of offensive and defensive capabilities.

• Status Buildup: Arcane directly influences the speed at which status effects like bleed, madness, poison, and sleep build up on enemies when using weapons and spells that scale with it. This can significantly increase your damage output and crowd control potential.

• Holy Damage Resistance: Arcane provides some degree of resistance to Holy damage, which can be beneficial in specific boss fights and areas of the game.

Building an Arcane Character

Creating a successful Arcane build requires careful planning and stat allocation. Here’s a general guideline:

1. Choose a Starting Class: The Bandit class starts with the highest Arcane stat (14), making it an excellent choice for Arcane-focused builds. However, other classes can still be viable with proper stat allocation.

2. Prioritize Arcane: Early on, prioritize leveling Arcane to increase your Discovery stat and improve your chances of finding useful items.

3. Weapon Selection: Identify weapons that scale well with Arcane. Rivers of Blood is a popular option, but there are many others, including katanas infused with Occult or Blood Ashes of War, the Eleonara’s Poleblade and the Regalia of Eochaid. Experiment to find a weapon that suits your playstyle.

4. Stat Soft Caps: Be aware of the soft caps for Arcane. While effectiveness continues to improve, the returns diminish significantly after certain points. Aim for at least 45-60 Arcane, depending on your build and preferred level.

5. Consider Hybrid Builds: Arcane can be effectively combined with other stats like Faith or Dexterity. A Faith/Arcane build can utilize Dragon Communion Incantations for powerful ranged attacks, while a Dexterity/Arcane build can maximize the effectiveness of bleed-focused weapons.

6. Equip Arcane-Boosting Gear: Certain armor pieces and talismans can boost your Arcane stat. The Silver Tear Mask provides a significant +8 Arcane bonus, while Marika’s Scarseal boosts several stats, including Arcane (at the cost of increased damage taken).

Debunking Arcane Myths

While Arcane is powerful, it’s essential to dispel some common misconceptions:

• Arcane Doesn’t Guarantee Good Drops: While it significantly increases your chances of finding rare items, it doesn’t guarantee them. RNG (Random Number Generation) still plays a role.

• Arcane Isn’t Only for Bleed Builds: While bleed builds benefit greatly from Arcane, it can also be used effectively with other status effects like poison, madness, and sleep. It also has a use with non-status effect builds.

• Arcane Isn’t a Must-Have for All Builds: If you’re not focusing on item farming, status effect builds, or using Arcane-scaling weapons, you might be better off investing in other stats that directly benefit your chosen playstyle.

Arcane: A Strategic Investment

Arcane isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution in Elden Ring. It’s a strategic investment that can significantly enhance specific playstyles and builds. Whether you’re a dedicated item farmer, a status effect enthusiast, or a hybrid caster, understanding and utilizing Arcane effectively can unlock new levels of power and versatility in the Lands Between.

Don’t underestimate the potential of Arcane. Experiment, adapt, and discover the hidden power it holds within your Tarnished soul. Remember that you can always turn to the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how gaming can enhance your overall learning experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Arcane only good for bleed builds?

No, Arcane isn’t only good for bleed builds. While it significantly enhances bleed buildup, it also affects other status effects like poison, madness, and sleep. Furthermore, certain weapons scale primarily with Arcane and don’t rely on status effects at all.

2. How much Arcane should I have for a bleed build?

Aim for at least 45-60 Arcane for a bleed build. This range hits the soft cap for bleed buildup and provides a significant increase in damage output. You can go higher, but the returns diminish after 60.

3. What is the best starting class for an Arcane build?

The Bandit class is generally considered the best starting class for an Arcane build due to its high starting Arcane stat (14).

4. Does Arcane increase drop rates in Elden Ring?

Yes, Arcane directly increases your Discovery stat, which makes enemies more likely to drop items.

5. What armor boosts Arcane in Elden Ring?

The Silver Tear Mask is the most notable piece of armor that boosts Arcane, providing a +8 bonus.

6. Is it worth leveling Arcane in Elden Ring?

Yes, leveling Arcane is worthwhile if you are focusing on item farming, status effect builds, or using Arcane-scaling weapons. Otherwise, you might be better off investing in other stats.

7. Does leveling Arcane increase blood buildup?

Yes, leveling Arcane increases blood loss buildup on weapons and spells that scale with Arcane.

8. How much Arcane is enough in Elden Ring?

The most effective range is between 45 and 60. The soft caps begin to greatly diminish returns after those points.

9. Does Moonveil bleed scale with Arcane?

Moonveil’s bleed build-up is relatively low, however it can be slightly improved with Arcane.

10. Is Dex or Arcane better for a bleed build?

It depends on the weapon. If you’re using a weapon that scales primarily with Arcane and has innate bleed, focus on Arcane. If you’re using a weapon that scales well with both Dex and Arcane, a split build may be more effective.

11. Can you make the Uchigatana scale with Arcane?

Yes, you can apply an Occult or Blood Ash of War to the Uchigatana to make it scale with Arcane.

12. What is the easiest Elden Ring build?

Dual-wielding bleed weapons are often considered one of the easiest Elden Ring builds, especially early in the game.

13. What is the best katana to dual wield with Rivers of Blood?

The Uchigatana or Nagakiba are both excellent choices to dual wield with Rivers of Blood.

14. Does Bloodflame Blade scale with Arcane?

No, Bloodflame Blade does not scale with Arcane. It scales with Faith.

15. What is the max level in Elden Ring?

The max level in Elden Ring is 713.