Bloodhound’s Fang: Strength or Dexterity Weapon in Elden Ring? The Ultimate Guide

The Bloodhound’s Fang in Elden Ring is a phenomenal weapon, known for its versatility and effectiveness throughout much of the game. However, a common question arises: Is it primarily a strength or dexterity weapon?

The straightforward answer is: The Bloodhound’s Fang scales primarily with Dexterity, although it also benefits significantly from Strength. It boasts a D scaling in Strength and a C scaling in Dexterity. This indicates that increasing your Dexterity stat will yield a greater damage increase compared to increasing your Strength stat, especially early on. However, both stats are crucial for maximizing its damage output. The Fang’s unique moveset and innate bleed build-up further enhance its appeal for dexterity-focused builds. As you progress through the game, you may find a balance between the two stats that best suits your playstyle, but Dexterity will almost always be the dominant scaling factor.

Understanding Scaling and Stat Investment

The Nuances of Stat Scaling

Stat scaling in Elden Ring dictates how much a weapon’s damage increases based on your character’s attributes. Weapons are assigned scaling grades (S, A, B, C, D, E) for various stats like Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. A higher grade means better scaling and greater damage increases per point invested in that stat. The Bloodhound’s Fang with its D scaling in Strength and C scaling in Dexterity, requires players to invest in both to achieve optimal damage. Understanding this balance is key to building an effective character.

Strength’s Role

While Dexterity is the dominant scaling stat for the Bloodhound’s Fang, Strength should not be ignored. Meeting the minimum Strength requirement (18) is essential to wield the weapon effectively. Furthermore, increasing Strength contributes to the weapon’s overall attack power, making it a significant consideration in your character build. As you level up, investing additional points into Strength will steadily increase the weapon’s damage output.

Dexterity’s Dominance

Dexterity stands out as the primary scaling stat for the Bloodhound’s Fang. Its C scaling ensures that each point invested in Dexterity translates to a substantial damage increase. The weapon’s moveset, which emphasizes agility and finesse, perfectly complements a dexterity-focused playstyle. For players aiming to maximize the weapon’s potential, prioritizing Dexterity is the most effective strategy. The Fang’s unique skill, Bloodhound’s Finesse, relies heavily on quick movements and precise timing, aligning perfectly with a dexterity-centric build.

Optimizing Your Build

To effectively utilize the Bloodhound’s Fang, it’s recommended to aim for these approximate stat levels:

• Vigor: 35-40 (for survivability)
• Endurance: 20 (for stamina and equip load)
• Strength: 20-50 (soft cap at 50, diminishing returns beyond)
• Dexterity: 45 (aim for this as your primary damage stat)

This balance allows for good survivability, sufficient stamina, and optimized damage output with the Bloodhound’s Fang. Remember to adjust these stats based on your personal playstyle and preferences.

Bloodhound’s Fang: FAQ

1. What are the minimum stat requirements for the Bloodhound’s Fang?

You need 18 Strength and 17 Dexterity to wield the Bloodhound’s Fang effectively. Meeting these requirements ensures you can use the weapon without penalty.

2. Is the Bloodhound’s Fang a good weapon for early game?

Yes! The Bloodhound’s Fang is considered one of the best early-game weapons due to its accessibility, damage output, and unique skill.

3. Does the Bloodhound’s Fang inflict bleed?

Yes, the Bloodhound’s Fang has innate bleed build-up, making it effective against enemies vulnerable to bleed. The weapon’s rapid attacks and Bloodhound’s Finesse skill contribute to quickly triggering the bleed effect.

4. Can I use Ashes of War on the Bloodhound’s Fang?

No, the Bloodhound’s Fang has a unique skill and cannot be infused with Ashes of War. It is upgraded using Somber Smithing Stones.

5. Can I buff the Bloodhound’s Fang with spells or greases?

You can buff the Bloodhound’s Fang with certain spells and greases. Bloodflame Blade is a particularly good option for increasing bleed build-up and damage.

6. Is the Bloodhound’s Fang viable for late game?

Absolutely! The Bloodhound’s Fang remains viable in the late game due to its solid damage, bleed build-up, and versatile moveset.

7. What is the unique skill of the Bloodhound’s Fang?

The unique skill is Bloodhound’s Finesse, which allows you to perform a backwards somersault and follow up with a strong attack for a teleporting strike.

8. How does Bloodhound’s Finesse work?

Bloodhound’s Finesse allows you to slash upwards, perform a backwards somersault to gain distance, and follow up with a strong attack for a forward teleporting strike. This move is excellent for both offense and defense.

9. Is there a better weapon than the Bloodhound’s Fang?

Whether a weapon is “better” depends on your playstyle and build. The Claymore, for example, offers greater versatility due to its ability to be infused with Ashes of War. Other weapons, such as katanas like the Hand of Malenia, can outperform the Bloodhound’s Fang in specific dexterity builds.

10. Does Arcane affect the bleed build-up on the Bloodhound’s Fang?

No, Arcane does not directly affect the bleed build-up on the Bloodhound’s Fang because the weapon doesn’t scale with Arcane. However, using spells or greases that scale with Arcane can indirectly increase bleed build-up.

11. Can you get two Bloodhound’s Fangs in one playthrough?

No, you can only obtain one Bloodhound’s Fang per playthrough. If you want multiple curved greatswords, you’ll need to acquire others through different means or start a new game.

12. What are some good talismans to use with the Bloodhound’s Fang?

Some effective talismans include the Green Turtle Talisman (for faster stamina recovery), the Erdtree’s Favor (for increased HP, stamina, and equip load), and the Lord of Blood’s Exultation (for increased attack power when bleed is inflicted nearby).

13. How do I get the Bloodhound’s Fang?

You obtain the Bloodhound’s Fang by defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol, located in Limgrave.

14. Is the Bloodhound’s Fang a good weapon for PvP?

Yes, the Bloodhound’s Fang is effective in PvP due to its speed, bleed build-up, and unpredictable Bloodhound’s Finesse skill.

15. What are some alternative weapons for a dexterity build?

Besides the Bloodhound’s Fang, other excellent dexterity weapons include katanas like the Rivers of Blood and Moonveil, the Godskin Peeler (Twinblade), and the Nagakiba (Katana).

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By understanding the Bloodhound’s Fang’s scaling, moveset, and the nuances of stat investment, you can wield this weapon to its full potential and dominate in Elden Ring.