Unlocking the Blade of Mercy’s Potential: A Deep Dive into Arcane Scaling in Bloodborne
Yes, you absolutely should level Arcane for the Blade of Mercy, but with a major caveat. The Blade of Mercy possesses unique scaling mechanics that make it a potent weapon for skill-arcane hybrid builds, but understanding these mechanics is crucial to maximizing its potential. Its inherent Arcane scaling impacts its tricked form damage, providing a significant boost when properly invested in, especially with the right gem setup. This article will explore the intricacies of Arcane scaling with the Blade of Mercy, delve into optimal builds, and answer frequently asked questions to help you unleash the full potential of this deadly weapon.
Understanding the Blade of Mercy’s Scaling
The Blade of Mercy distinguishes itself with its S scaling in Skill, making it a prime choice for skill-focused builds. However, it also possesses direct scaling with Arcane, which influences the Arcane damage output when transformed. It’s important to note that this Arcane scaling ONLY affects the tricked form (transformed) damage output of the Blades of Mercy.
This is where many players get confused. Unlike weapons like the Holy Moonlight Sword, which deal arcane damage in both untricked and tricked forms, the Blade of Mercy deals pure physical damage when untransformed. The Arcane scaling only kicks in when you’re flitting around the battlefield in its dual-dagger, tricked mode.
The base damage of the Blade of Mercy is relatively low, but the multipliers on the Arcane damage in its tricked form are significant. Therefore, investing in Arcane can drastically increase the damage output of the transformed Blade of Mercy, turning it into a formidable weapon against enemies weak to Arcane damage, such as many Chalice Dungeon bosses and certain beasts.
Optimizing Your Build
The most effective way to leverage the Blade of Mercy’s Arcane scaling is to create a hybrid build that invests significantly in both Skill and Arcane. While a pure Skill build will undoubtedly benefit from the weapon’s inherent scaling, adding Arcane opens up new tactical possibilities and damage potential. A good stat distribution could be something like:
- Vitality: 40-50
- Endurance: 20-30
- Strength: 10-12 (base requirement to wield certain backup weapons)
- Skill: 50
- Bloodtinge: 5 (base)
- Arcane: 50
This distribution allows you to maximize both the Skill scaling and the Arcane scaling of the Blade of Mercy. It also provides sufficient Vitality for survivability and Endurance for sustained attacks.
Gem Optimization for Maximum Damage
The Blade of Mercy cannot be buffed by external sources or have its damage type converted through Blood Gem fortification. This means you are locked into physical and arcane damage. The ideal gem setup for maximizing damage output with this weapon usually includes:
- Tempering Abyssals: These gems offer a percentage increase to physical attack power, along with flat physical damage. Farming these from the Bloodletting Beast can be time-consuming but worthwhile.
- Triangle Tempering Gems: Farming 27.2% tempering gems from Watchers is a more accessible way to boost physical attack power significantly.
A combination of Tempering Abyssals and Triangle Tempering gems will provide the highest possible damage output for the Blade of Mercy. Focus on gems that increase physical damage, as this will affect both the untricked and tricked forms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Arcane and the Blade of Mercy
1. Does Ludwig’s Holy Blade scale with Arcane?
Ludwig’s Holy Blade has an “A” rating in Arcane when fully upgraded, but this only scales if it is slotted with a gem that changes its damage type from physical to Arcane, Bolt, or Fire. This will cause the sword to scale with Arcane but will lose its scaling with both Strength and Skill. Therefore, for a pure physical build, Arcane is not necessary for Ludwig’s Holy Blade.
2. Is Arcane worth leveling in Bloodborne in general?
Arcane builds are viable, though they often require specific gem setups and can be gear-dependent. Early game can be difficult if relying solely on arcane scaling. You should consider at least 15 points in Arcane to start utilizing hunter tools effectively.
3. What are some of the weaknesses to Arcane damage in Bloodborne?
Many enemies in the Chalice Dungeons are particularly weak to Arcane damage. This makes the Blade of Mercy, with a proper Arcane scaling build, extremely effective in these areas. Specific beast bosses, like the Bloodletting Beast and Abhorrent Beast, can also be vulnerable.
4. What is the fastest weapon in Bloodborne?
Simon’s Bowblade is arguably one of the fastest and most versatile weapons in Bloodborne. It allows hunters to switch between ranged and melee combat with ease, making it a popular choice for Skill/Bloodtinge builds. The Blade of Mercy is also another good option for fast attacks.
5. Which starting class has the highest Arcane stat?
The Bandit starting class has the highest Arcane stat at 14, making it a natural choice for players who plan to invest heavily in Arcane from the beginning.
6. Besides weapons, what else scales off Arcane?
In Bloodborne, Hunter Tools, which function similarly to magic spells, scale directly with the Arcane stat. These tools provide a variety of offensive and utility options, enhancing the versatility of an Arcane build.
7. When should I stop leveling Arcane?
Generally, stopping at the soft cap of 50 Arcane is advisable. Diminishing returns begin to kick in after this point, making further investment less efficient.
8. Is the Blade of Mercy better than the Saw Cleaver?
The Blade of Mercy is faster than the Saw Cleaver, but it lacks in range and deals lower base damage. The choice depends on your playstyle. The Blade of Mercy benefits from high Skill and Arcane, while the Saw Cleaver is more versatile for Strength-based builds.
9. How good are the Blades of Mercy in Bloodborne overall?
The Blade of Mercy is an excellent choice for any build that invests heavily in Skill and, to a lesser extent, Arcane. Its fast attacks and potential for high damage output make it a formidable weapon in the right hands.
10. Does Arcane increase bleed buildup on weapons?
Arcane will not affect bleed buildup if the weapon does not natively scale with Arcane. If a weapon does scale with Arcane, investing in the stat can increase the speed with which you inflict bleed.
11. What are some other weapons that benefit from Arcane scaling?
Besides the Blade of Mercy, other weapons that greatly benefit from Arcane scaling (especially with conversion gems) include Ludwig’s Holy Blade, the Saw Cleaver, and the Hunter Axe. For weapons that deal arcane damage innately, you can also look into Kos Parasite and the Holy Moonlight Sword.
12. What are some of the most annoying enemies to face in Bloodborne?
Many players find the Winter Lanterns to be among the most annoying enemies due to their Frenzy-inducing gaze. Their ability to quickly build up Frenzy can be devastating, making them a significant threat.
13. What makes the Blade of Mercy a good choice for a Skill build?
The Blade of Mercy boasts an S scaling in Skill, making it a natural fit for Skill-focused builds. Its fast, agile moveset complements a Skill-based playstyle, allowing for quick strikes and evasive maneuvers.
14. Is the Rakuyo better than the Blades of Mercy?
While both are excellent Skill weapons, the Rakuyo is often considered superior due to its versatile moveset and potentially higher damage output. However, the Blade of Mercy’s speed and unique Arcane scaling provide distinct advantages.
15. What are some of the hardest hunter fights in Bloodborne?
The Bloody Crow of Cainhurst is widely regarded as one of the toughest hunter fights in Bloodborne, known for his relentless aggression and powerful attacks. Other challenging hunter encounters include Djura & His Ally, Brador, and the Three-Hunter Gank Squad of Yahar’gul.
Conclusion: Mastering the Arcane Blade
Investing in Arcane for the Blade of Mercy can unlock its true potential, especially when coupled with a solid Skill build and optimized Blood Gems. While the path may require some experimentation and farming, the result is a deadly and versatile weapon capable of tearing through even the toughest enemies in Bloodborne. So, embrace the hunt, experiment with your build, and discover the power of the Arcane Blade.
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