Table of Contents

Is the Bandit Curved Sword Worth It? A Deep Dive

Quick answer

This page answers Is the Bandit Curved Sword worth it? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

The short answer? Absolutely, yes. The Bandit Curved Sword, particularly in games like Elden Ring, is a standout weapon, especially for builds focused on bleed and arcane scaling. Its low stat requirements, high base damage for a curved sword, and its light weight make it an incredibly versatile choice. This isn’t just a weapon; it’s a strategy. It’s a way to adapt to encounters and overcome challenges. Let’s delve into why this unassuming blade is a powerhouse.

The Allure of the Bandit Curved Sword

The Bandit Curved Sword’s charm lies in its accessibility and adaptability. Here’s what makes it appealing:

Low Stat Requirements: You don’t need to heavily invest in strength or dexterity to wield this weapon effectively. This makes it ideal for characters who prioritize other stats, such as faith for incantations, intelligence for sorceries, or arcane for bleed builds.
High Base Damage (for a Curved Sword): Compared to other curved swords, the Bandit Curved Sword boasts impressive base damage. This is especially beneficial in the early to mid-game.
Light Weight: Its low weight allows for greater agility and more equipment load for armor, allowing you to tank more hits, or keep yourself at light load for quicker rolls.
Excellent Scaling (Especially with Arcane): When infused with affinities like Blood or Occult, the Bandit Curved Sword’s scaling with Arcane becomes exceptional. This means that as your Arcane stat increases, so does the weapon’s damage output, making it a monster at inflicting bleed.
Bleed Buildup: The Bandit Curved Sword naturally applies bleed, which is a status effect that causes a large chunk of health to be removed when the meter fills. With the right build, you can rapidly trigger bleed, dealing massive damage to enemies and bosses alike.

Who Should Use the Bandit Curved Sword?

This weapon shines in the hands of players who favor:

Arcane Builds: The Bandit Curved Sword is a top-tier choice for Arcane-focused builds. The innate bleed and excellent Arcane scaling synergize perfectly, allowing you to maximize bleed buildup and damage output.
Hybrid Builds: If you’re running a build that combines magic or faith with melee combat, the Bandit Curved Sword makes an excellent backup weapon. Its low stat requirements allow you to invest in your primary stats while still having a reliable melee option.
Players Who Value Mobility: The light weight of the Bandit Curved Sword makes it ideal for players who prefer to be agile and dodge attacks.

Optimizing the Bandit Curved Sword: Infusions and Talismans

To truly unlock the Bandit Curved Sword’s potential, consider the following:

Infusions:
- Blood Infusion: Maximizes bleed buildup and damage output at the cost of some physical damage. Ideal for Arcane builds focused on bleed.
- Occult Infusion: Provides excellent Arcane scaling, increasing physical damage and bleed buildup. A strong choice for Arcane builds that want a balance of physical and bleed damage.
- Poison Infusion: Excellent choice if you want to inflict another status effect on top of bleed.
- Keen Infusion: If you want to focus on dexterity.
- Lightning Infusion: Excellent against enemies with high physical armor.
- Fire/Flame Art Infusion: Excellent against enemies with low fire resistance.
- Cold Infusion: Inflicts the frostbite status effect on top of bleed.
Talismans:
- Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Increases attack power when bleed is inflicted in the vicinity. A must-have for bleed builds.
- White Mask: Provides an attack power boost when bleed is inflicted nearby. Another great option for bleed builds.
- Millicent’s Prosthesis/Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Increases attack power with successive attacks. These talismans synergize well with the Bandit Curved Sword’s fast attack speed.
- Claw Talisman: Enhances jump attacks, which can be useful for initiating combat or staggering enemies.

Bandit Curved Sword in Action: Practical Tips

Dual-Wielding: Dual-wielding Bandit Curved Swords can significantly increase bleed buildup. The L1 attack will cause you to swing both weapons at once, and can fill an enemy’s bleed meter extremely quickly.
Jump Attacks: Jump attacks are great for staggering enemies and creating openings for further attacks.
Strategic Bleed Application: Don’t just blindly swing your sword. Time your attacks to inflict bleed when your opponent is vulnerable, such as after they’ve finished an attack animation.

Alternatives to the Bandit Curved Sword

While the Bandit Curved Sword is excellent, it’s not the only option. Here are some alternatives, depending on your build and playstyle:

Scavenger’s Curved Sword: Another great curved sword with innate bleed buildup. Can be dual-wielded with the Bandit Curved Sword for even faster bleed procs.
Carthus Curved Sword (Dark Souls 3): A strong curved sword option, especially for quality builds.
Sellsword Twinblades (Dark Souls 3): Powerful paired weapons that excel at dealing rapid damage.

Final Verdict: Is the Bandit Curved Sword Worth the Hype?

Unequivocally, yes. The Bandit Curved Sword is a powerful and versatile weapon that shines in the right hands. Its low stat requirements, high base damage, light weight, and excellent scaling make it a fantastic choice for Arcane builds, hybrid builds, and players who value mobility. If you’re looking for a reliable and effective weapon to carry you through the game, look no further than the Bandit Curved Sword.

As we explore the strategy, skills, and culture surrounding video games, remember that the Games Learning Society fosters a deeper understanding of these complex digital worlds. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Bandit Curved Sword:

1. Does the Bandit Curved Sword scale with Arcane?

Yes, especially when infused with affinities like Blood or Occult. This makes it a top-tier choice for Arcane builds focused on bleed.

2. Where can I find the Bandit Curved Sword?

In Elden Ring, Skeletons dual-wielding this weapon have a chance to drop it. One such Skeleton can be found just outside the Church of Pilgrimage at the northern tip of the Weeping Peninsula, in the graveyard.

3. What is the best infusion for the Bandit Curved Sword?

It depends on your build. For Arcane builds focused on bleed, Blood or Occult infusions are excellent. For Dexterity builds, a Keen infusion may be preferable.

4. Can I dual-wield Bandit Curved Swords?

Yes, and it’s highly recommended for bleed builds. Dual-wielding Bandit Curved Swords significantly increases bleed buildup.

5. What talismans should I use with the Bandit Curved Sword?

Lord of Blood’s Exultation, White Mask, Millicent’s Prosthesis/Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, and Claw Talisman are all excellent choices.

6. Is the Bandit Curved Sword good for PvE?

Yes, the Bandit Curved Sword is very effective in PvE, especially against enemies weak to bleed.

7. How does the Bandit Curved Sword compare to the Scavenger’s Curved Sword?

Both are excellent curved swords with innate bleed buildup. The Scavenger’s Curved Sword has slightly higher bleed buildup, while the Bandit Curved Sword has slightly better base damage.

8. What are the stat requirements for the Bandit Curved Sword?

In Elden Ring, the stat requirements are 11 Strength and 13 Dexterity.

9. Does the Bandit Curved Sword benefit from weapon buffs?

Yes, you can apply weapon buffs like Bloodflame Blade to further enhance bleed buildup and damage.

10. Is the Bandit Curved Sword good for PvP?

Yes, but it requires skill and strategy. The Bandit Curved Sword can be very effective in PvP if you can consistently trigger bleed.

11. What is the weight of the Bandit Curved Sword?

In Elden Ring, the weight is 3.5.

12. Can I get more than one Bandit Curved Sword in a single playthrough?

Yes, you can farm it from the Skeletons mentioned earlier.

13. What is the best ash of war for the Bandit Curved Sword?

Seppuku is a popular choice for bleed builds.

14. Is the Bandit Curved Sword a good early-game weapon?

Yes, its low stat requirements and decent damage make it a viable option early in the game.

15. How does the Bandit Curved Sword compare to other curved swords in Dark Souls 3?

In Dark Souls 3, the Carthus Curved Sword is often considered a top-tier option. The Bandit Curved Sword is not present in Dark Souls 3.