Is the Serpentbone Katana Good in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is: it’s complicated. The Serpentbone Blade in Elden Ring is not a clear-cut case of being unequivocally “good” or “bad.” While it boasts a unique aesthetic and a particular attack style, it falls into a niche category that might not appeal to all players. It’s a Dexterity-focused katana that trades the typical Bleed buildup found in most katanas for Poison buildup. This single change is arguably the core of its strengths and weaknesses. This article will delve deep into the capabilities of the Serpentbone Blade, its comparisons to other katanas, its ideal builds, and ultimately help you decide if this weapon is right for you.

The Serpentbone Blade: Strengths and Weaknesses

The Serpentbone Blade is distinct in the katana family due to its emphasis on Poison over Bleed. Most players naturally gravitate toward Bleed builds due to its powerful effect against bosses and other resilient enemies. However, Poison, while not as immediately impactful as bleed, can slowly chip away at enemy health, particularly effective against enemies susceptible to poison.

Unique Attributes

The Serpentbone Blade has several defining characteristics:

• Poison Build-Up: The primary characteristic of this weapon is its inherent poison build-up per attack, starting at 66. This means every successful hit applies a consistent amount of poison.
• Unique Heavy Attack Combo: It features a distinctive heavy attack combo consisting of two sets of slashing attacks. This can be easily mimicked by pressing the heavy attack button once or twice in succession, similar to the Double Slash Ash of War.
• Dexterity Scaling: The weapon primarily scales with Strength and Dexterity, making it suitable for high Dexterity characters.
• Standard Affinity: Unlike many weapons that can be infused with affinities, the Serpentbone Blade is locked to Standard Affinity and cannot be enhanced with magic or consumables. It also receives no Arcane scaling.
• Smithing Stone Upgrade: It is one of the last katanas that can be upgraded with regular Smithing Stones.

Weaknesses

Despite its uniqueness, the Serpentbone Blade has critical limitations:

• Lower Status Effect Damage: Compared to the Bleed status effect associated with most katanas, Poison is generally considered weaker and less reliable.
• Fixed Poison Build-up: The poison build-up is fixed and does not increase per upgrade level, which can be a significant disadvantage as you progress into the late game.
• Damage Output: Compared to other katanas like the Uchigatana, the Serpentbone Blade has only negligibly higher base damage and has a lower overall reach. Its damage only starts to compete with other katanas at higher levels.

Serpentbone Blade vs. The Uchigatana

The Uchigatana is often considered one of the best katanas in Elden Ring, especially for beginners. When comparing it to the Serpentbone Blade:

• Damage: The Uchigatana generally surpasses the Serpentbone Blade in terms of raw damage output at higher levels. A Keen-infused Uchigatana will have a substantial Attack Rating (AR) exceeding the Serpentbone Blade.
• Status Effect: The Uchigatana builds Bleed, which is often more effective than the Serpentbone Blade’s Poison.
• Reach: The Uchigatana boasts a longer reach than the Serpentbone Blade.
• Scalability: The Uchigatana can be infused with various affinities, offering more versatility than the fixed Serpentbone Blade.

In essence, the Uchigatana tends to be a more versatile and overall superior choice in most scenarios.

Is the Serpentbone Blade Worth Upgrading?

Given its limitations, upgrading the Serpentbone Blade is debatable. It’s a good weapon for high Dexterity characters during mid-game progression, but its fixed poison and limited damage scaling mean it will struggle to keep up with other alternatives. While it is fun to play around with its unique heavy attack combo, it is often outclassed by other katana. It is important to understand it’s role, and focus on builds that use poison as its main source of damage.

If you’re dedicated to a Poison build or want to experiment with a different playstyle, the Serpentbone Blade can provide a unique experience, but don’t expect it to be a top-tier damage dealer. Ultimately, there are much better choices to spend your valuable Smithing Stones on.

Best Use Cases for the Serpentbone Blade

Despite its shortcomings, the Serpentbone Blade has a few use cases:

• Mid-Game Dexterity Builds: It can be a viable option for mid-game characters primarily focused on Dexterity.
• Poison Focused Builds: The weapon is best suited for players willing to build around poison.
• Unique Playstyle: The Serpentbone Blade offers a different attack style that can be refreshing for those bored with typical katana movesets.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the stat requirements for the Serpentbone Blade?

The Serpentbone Blade requires 11 Strength and 22 Dexterity to wield effectively.

2. Does the Serpentbone Blade scale with Arcane?

No, the Serpentbone Blade does not scale with Arcane.

3. Does upgrading the Serpentbone Blade increase its poison build-up?

No, the poison build-up remains fixed at 66, even when upgraded.

4. Where can I obtain the Serpentbone Blade?

You can obtain the Serpentbone Blade as a reward from Tanith in the Volcano Manor, after completing a portion of her questline.

5. Is the Serpentbone Blade better than the Uchigatana?

Generally, no. The Uchigatana has higher damage, longer reach, and benefits from Bleed, making it the superior option in most situations.

6. What is the unique attack of the Serpentbone Blade?

The unique attack is a heavy slash combo, which can be performed by pressing the heavy attack button one or two times to mimic the Double Slash Ash of War.

7. What affinity is the Serpentbone Blade?

The Serpentbone Blade is locked to the Standard Affinity and cannot be changed.

8. What are the best katanas in Elden Ring?

Some of the best katanas include the Uchigatana, Nagakiba, Moonveil, Rivers of Blood, and Hand of Malenia.

9. Is poison a viable status effect in Elden Ring?

While not as effective as Bleed, Poison can still be useful against specific enemies and with the right build.

10. What is the best beginner katana in Elden Ring?

The Uchigatana is considered the best beginner katana due to its accessibility, speed, and Bleed build-up.

11. Is Moonveil Katana still viable in 2023?

Yes, the Moonveil Katana is still viable. While it has been nerfed, it remains a powerful weapon.

12. What is the best katana for Dexterity builds?

The Uchigatana, Nagakiba, and Hand of Malenia are all excellent choices for pure Dexterity builds.

13. What is considered the most powerful katana ever made in history?

The Honjō Masamune, created by the legendary blacksmith Masamune, is regarded as the most powerful katana ever made.

14. What is the weakest katana in Elden Ring?

The Serpentbone Blade is arguably the weakest katana in the game due to its lower damage and status effect.

15. What is the best poison weapon in Elden Ring?

The Venomous Fang is considered the best poison weapon due to its high base poison build-up.

Conclusion

The Serpentbone Blade is a unique katana with a different focus, but not one that easily tops the ranks of other katana options. Its fixed poison build-up, lower raw damage, and lack of scaling potential make it a less desirable option compared to others in its weapon class. While it can offer a unique experience, and is suitable for mid game progression, it is important to understand its strengths and limitations before investing resources into it. The Uchigatana remains the better, more versatile choice, especially for beginners. If you are interested in a poison build, the Venomous Fang is often the better option to consider.