Is Lightning Blade Worth It in Dark Souls 3? A Deep Dive
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Yes, Lightning Blade is absolutely worth it in Dark Souls 3, provided you are building a character that invests significantly in Faith. It’s not a “dip a toe in the water” kind of spell; it requires dedication to fully realize its potential. Think of it like this: would you invest heavily in Intelligence just for one sorcery? Probably not. The same logic applies to Lightning Blade. If you’re already building a Faith-based character (cleric, paladin, etc.) and have the stats to support it, Lightning Blade becomes an incredibly potent tool, offering substantial damage output for a relatively low cost.
The true strength of Lightning Blade lies in its scaling and its infinite use (once learned, of course). Unlike resins or other temporary weapon buffs, Lightning Blade doesn’t require constant farming or expenditure of souls. This makes it invaluable for long expeditions, boss fights, and general PvE encounters. When properly optimized, it can turn even a mediocre weapon into a formidable powerhouse, especially against enemies weak to lightning damage.
Understanding Lightning Blade’s Mechanics
So, how does Lightning Blade actually work?
The spell adds lightning damage to your right-hand weapon, calculated by this formula:
96 * (SpellBuff / 100)
This is where Faith and your chosen talisman or chime come into play. The higher your Faith stat and the better your catalyst, the higher your Spell Buff will be. This, in turn, translates directly into more bonus lightning damage.
Therefore, maximizing your Spell Buff is the key to unlocking Lightning Blade’s true potential. Aim for at least 40 Faith, and ideally, higher.
Choosing the Right Catalyst: Talisman vs. Chime
Dark Souls 3 offers a variety of talismans and chimes, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a breakdown:
Talismans: Perseverance and Poise
Talismans have a Weapon Skill called “Unfaltering Prayer,” which grants poise while casting. This allows you to cast Lightning Blade even while being attacked, making them ideal for aggressive playstyles.
- Sunlight Talisman: Excellent poise casting, ideal for aggressive play.
- Canvas Talisman: A solid early-to-mid game choice with good scaling.
- Saint’s Talisman: Another reliable option, offering a balance of poise and scaling.
Chimes: Pure Spell Buff
Chimes generally offer higher Spell Buff than Talismans at comparable Faith levels. This translates to higher damage output, but they lack the “Unfaltering Prayer” weapon skill.
- Cleric’s Sacred Chime: A good overall choice for pure Faith builds, especially when upgraded.
- Yorshka’s Chime: Generally considered the best chime for high Faith builds due to its superior Spell Buff.
The best choice depends on your playstyle. If you prefer a more aggressive approach, a Talisman is likely the better option. If you prioritize pure damage output, a Chime will be more effective.
Where Lightning Blade Shines: Enemy Weaknesses
Lightning damage is effective against a wide range of enemies in Dark Souls 3.
- Armored enemies: Many enemies clad in heavy armor are highly vulnerable to lightning.
- Enemies using swords, axes, halberds or scythes: This is particularly true for bosses wielding these weapons.
- Certain Bosses: Many bosses without lightning attacks are highly vulnerable.
However, there are some notable exceptions:
- Dragonslayer Armour: Resistant to lightning damage, making Lightning Blade less effective.
- Nameless King: Deals mainly with Lightning attacks.
Weapons That Benefit Most From Lightning Blade
Not all weapons are created equal when it comes to Lightning Blade. The best weapons to buff are those that meet these criteria:
- High physical damage: Lightning Blade adds flat lightning damage, so weapons with a solid physical base will benefit the most.
- Fast attack speed: Faster weapons allow you to apply the bonus lightning damage more frequently.
- Infusible: Cannot be applied to weapons with innate elemental damage or those that have already been infused with magic, fire, deep, etc.
Some excellent weapon choices include:
- Lothric Knight Sword: A versatile and powerful straight sword with excellent scaling. Refine it for the best results.
- Gotthard Twinswords: Fast and deadly, these twin swords can shred through enemies when buffed with Lightning Blade.
- Sellsword Twinblades: One of the best DPS options in the game, even better when infused with lightning blade.
Lightning Blade in PvP
While Lightning Blade is exceptionally effective in PvE, its usefulness in PvP is more nuanced. Experienced players can often predict and evade attacks, making it more difficult to consistently apply the buff.
However, Lightning Blade can still be a powerful tool in PvP if used strategically.
- Mix-ups: Use Lightning Blade in conjunction with other spells and attacks to keep your opponents guessing.
- Pressure: Apply pressure to force your opponents into making mistakes, opening them up to attacks.
- Mind games: The threat of Lightning Blade can be just as effective as actually using it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much damage does Lightning Blade actually add?
Lightning Blade adds 96 * (SpellBuff / 100) lightning damage. Your Spell Buff is determined by your Faith stat and the scaling of your talisman or chime.
2. What’s the best way to increase my Spell Buff?
Leveling Faith and upgrading your talisman or chime are the most effective ways to increase Spell Buff.
3. Can I use Lightning Blade on any weapon?
No, you can only use Lightning Blade on weapons that are infusible (i.e., have not already been infused with an element) and lack innate elemental damage.
4. Does Lightning Blade scale with anything besides Faith?
Lightning Blade primarily scales with Faith, which determines your Spell Buff.
5. Is lightning damage good against all enemies in Dark Souls 3?
No, some enemies are resistant to lightning damage, such as the Dragonslayer Armour and Nameless King.
6. Is Lightning Blade better than Lightning Resin?
Lightning Blade is generally better because it has unlimited uses, while Lightning Resin is a consumable item. Also, Lightning blade grants more Lightning Damage.
7. What’s the best chime for high Faith builds?
Yorshka’s Chime is widely considered the best chime for high Faith builds due to its superior Spell Buff.
8. What’s the best talisman for PvP?
The Sunlight Talisman is a popular choice for PvP due to its excellent poise casting.
9. Can I use Lightning Blade on a weapon infused with a gem?
You cannot cast on a magic infusion, only on normal weapons or physical infusions.
10. Is a Lightning infused weapon better than a Raw infused weapon buffed with Lightning Blade?
A Raw infused weapon with Lightning Blade is often a better choice due to the higher overall damage potential.
11. How early can I get Lightning Blade?
You can obtain the Lightning Blade Miracle from Irina of Carim after giving her the Braille Divine Tome of Carim.
12. Is it worth respecing my character to use Lightning Blade?
Respecing is worth it if you are planning on investing heavily into Faith.
13. What other miracles synergize well with Lightning Blade?
Other useful miracles include Heal, Great Heal Excerpt, Tears of Denial, and offensive spells like Lightning Spear and Sunlight Spear.
14. Does increasing my Intelligence affect Lightning Blade’s damage?
No, Lightning Blade’s damage is primarily determined by your Faith stat and your catalyst’s Spell Buff. Intelligence has no effect.
15. Where can I learn more about Dark Souls 3 builds and strategies?
There are many online resources available, including wikis, forums, and video guides. Also, explore academic research into games and learning, for example, through the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Lightning
In conclusion, Lightning Blade is a fantastic spell in Dark Souls 3 for dedicated Faith builds. It offers substantial damage, infinite uses, and great synergy with a variety of weapons. While it requires a significant investment in Faith, the rewards are well worth the effort. So, if you’re looking to electrify your enemies and unleash the power of the gods, Lightning Blade is definitely worth it!