Is Rivers of Blood Still Good in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, Rivers of Blood is still an exceptionally good weapon in Elden Ring, even after multiple patches and adjustments. While it might not be the undisputed king it once was during the game’s launch, it remains a top-tier choice for players seeking powerful bleed damage and a devastating weapon skill. The katana’s unique combination of high damage output, status buildup, and flashy moves still makes it a popular and effective option, especially when built around a dedicated bleed focused playstyle. Let’s delve into why Rivers of Blood remains a formidable contender and how to make the most of it.

Rivers of Blood: A Deep Dive

The Rivers of Blood katana is known for its ability to inflict significant blood loss on enemies. Its special weapon skill, Corpse Piler, unleashes a flurry of bloody attacks that are incredibly effective against both standard enemies and bosses. This skill is a primary reason for the weapon’s popularity, allowing for rapid and consistent damage application.

Why Rivers of Blood Remains Strong

Even though it has received nerfs since its early days, the core mechanics of Rivers of Blood remain strong. The high base damage, combined with the substantial bleed buildup, means that it can still rapidly melt enemy health bars. This is especially noticeable when you capitalize on bleed-vulnerable enemies, such as the notoriously challenging Malenia.

Another aspect of its continued strength comes from its stat scaling. While Rivers of Blood has a D scaling in Arcane, its damage gain is comparable to Dexterity scaling, with the added benefit of split Fire damage. Notably, increased Arcane boosts the bleed buildup significantly. This makes it viable for both pure Dexterity or Arcane builds, providing flexibility in character development.

How to Maximize its Potential

To truly unleash the power of Rivers of Blood, a few key elements must be taken into consideration:

• Dual Wielding: While effective on its own, dual wielding Rivers of Blood, or pairing it with another katana like the Uchigatana or Nagakiba (infused with blood or with Seppuku) can increase the damage output exponentially. The increased attack speed and the ability to rapidly build bleed makes dual-wielding the most common strategy.
• Talisman Support: The Lord of Blood’s Exultation talisman is a must-have for any bleed-focused build. It boosts attack power when blood loss is inflicted, which will be happening frequently with Rivers of Blood. Other talismans that boost Dexterity or fire damage can further enhance the weapon’s efficiency.
• Stat Allocation: Investing in Dexterity and Arcane is crucial for getting the most out of the weapon. A good blend of both stats ensures that you will both maximize its direct damage and also the bleed procs.
• Understanding its Limitations: Rivers of Blood is excellent for bleed builds, but its effectiveness can be reduced against enemies resistant to blood loss. In these scenarios, having a secondary weapon with a different damage type can be beneficial.

Rivers of Blood vs. The Competition

While Rivers of Blood is a solid choice, some players might wonder how it stacks up against other popular weapons, such as the Moonveil katana. While both are powerful katanas, they serve slightly different purposes:

Rivers of Blood vs. Moonveil

• Rivers of Blood is a pure bleed powerhouse that excels at rapid status buildup, often leading to faster enemy defeats.
• Moonveil, on the other hand, has a more unique approach, focusing on magic-infused attacks and has a powerful and versatile weapon art. While it can also proc bleed, its focus is not purely on bleed.
• Both weapons are viable, and the choice often comes down to your play style. If you prefer a raw melee damage focus and want to proc bleed as rapidly as possible, River of Blood will likely be your top option. However, if you prefer more versatility and magic infused attacks, the Moonveil might better fit your playstyle.
• Many players actually opt to dual wield both katanas, creating an exceptional build that offers both devastating bleed and a unique magic element.

Other Bleed Options

While Rivers of Blood is arguably the best weapon for a bleed-focused build, other viable options exist. Weapons like the Eleonora’s Poleblade or the Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear can also inflict blood loss effectively but usually require more specific builds or do not proc bleed as rapidly. However, Rivers of Blood is still at the top of many player’s lists in terms of the raw power and ease of use it provides.

Is Rivers of Blood Worth Using in 2023?

In short, yes, Rivers of Blood is absolutely still worth using in 2023. Despite the nerfs, its damage output, bleed application, and overall effectiveness remain potent. It’s a weapon that can carry you through much of the game, especially when paired with a well-rounded build that complements its strengths. Players will want to focus on leveling Dexterity, Arcane, and ensuring they have proper talismans equipped to really maximize the power they will obtain from it. If you are running a bleed build, the Rivers of Blood should be considered one of the best and strongest options.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Has Rivers of Blood been patched?

Yes, Rivers of Blood has been patched. The most notable change was a nerf to its damage and how frequently it proc’d bleed. However, it still remains a top tier weapon in the game.

2. Is Rivers of Blood a late-game weapon?

Yes, Rivers of Blood is considered a late-game weapon due to its location and the difficulty of obtaining it. It is located in the Mountaintops of the Giants region.

3. What are the stat requirements to wield Rivers of Blood?

To wield Rivers of Blood effectively, you need 12 Strength, 18 Dexterity, and 20 Arcane.

4. Is Rivers of Blood good for PvP?

While it is still good, Rivers of Blood is slightly weaker against other players than it used to be. It can be very effective in PvP, especially if the opposing player has no protection against bleed.

5. What is the best starting class for a Rivers of Blood build?

The best starting classes for a Rivers of Blood build are Bandit or Samurai. Bandit has higher Arcane and Dex, while Samurai starts with an Uchigatana and high Dex.

6. How much Arcane should you have for Rivers of Blood?

You can use it on both pure Dexterity and pure Arcane builds. Increased Arcane not only increases fire damage but also the speed and strength at which bleed will proc on an enemy.

7. Can you dual wield Rivers of Blood?

Yes, you can dual wield two Rivers of Blood katanas if you obtain two through New Game Plus or through trading with other players.

8. What is the best weapon to pair with Rivers of Blood?

The best weapons to pair with Rivers of Blood are the Uchigatana or the Nagakiba, both ideally infused with bleed or with Seppuku. You can also wield the Moonveil katana for a magic infused dual wielding build.

9. Does Rivers of Blood scale with Arcane?

Yes, Rivers of Blood scales with Arcane. However, the damage gain is comparable to Dexterity, but more of the damage will be split into fire damage. In addition, more Arcane increases bleed build up.

10. Is Moonveil better than Rivers of Blood?

It depends on your play style. Moonveil is more unique with its magic-infused attacks, while Rivers of Blood is a bleed powerhouse. Both are viable, and many players even use both of them in dual wield builds.

11. What is the best talisman for Rivers of Blood?

The Lord of Blood’s Exultation talisman is essential for a bleed build. Other useful talismans include the Shard of Alexander, Marika’s Soreseal or Millicent’s Prosthesis, all depending on your needs.

12. What is the best armor for Rivers of Blood?

The armor you choose does not directly affect Rivers of Blood’s performance. Focus on armor that offers a good balance of protection and mobility, and prioritize the talismans and weapons to increase overall damage.

13. Can you use Rivers of Blood against Malenia?

Yes, Rivers of Blood is extremely effective against Malenia, as she is vulnerable to bleed damage. However, make sure to use other methods to fight against her second form, since she cannot be knocked down in the second phase.

14. Is Rivers of Blood still the best bleed weapon?

Rivers of Blood is still considered one of the best, if not the best, bleed weapon in Elden Ring. Although, several other options exist, it remains a favorite of many players and it is still able to clear through most if not all enemies within the game with ease.

15. How do you maximize Rivers of Blood damage?

Maximize the damage of Rivers of Blood by dual-wielding it with another katana, having high Arcane and Dexterity stats, equipping bleed-boosting talismans, and always capitalizing on enemies that are susceptible to bleed.