Should You Use Bloody Slash with the Uchigatana in Elden Ring?
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The short answer is a resounding YES! The Uchigatana, already a formidable weapon due to its innate bleed buildup, becomes a true force to be reckoned with when paired with the Bloody Slash Ash of War. This combination offers a potent blend of damage, range, and status effect application that’s effective throughout much of Elden Ring. But, like any good build, understanding the nuances and limitations of this pairing is crucial for maximizing its potential.
Why Bloody Slash and Uchigatana are a Match Made in the Lands Between
The Uchigatana’s inherent bleed effect makes it a popular choice for players looking to inflict massive damage over time. Bleed, officially known as Hemorrhage, is a status effect that causes a large chunk of an enemy’s health to be immediately depleted when the buildup threshold is reached. The Bloody Slash Ash of War amplifies this significantly.
Here’s why the synergy is so strong:
- Increased Bleed Buildup: Bloody Slash doesn’t just deal damage; it significantly increases the bleed buildup on the enemy. This means you’ll proc Hemorrhage much faster, leading to quicker and more consistent damage output.
- Excellent Range: The Bloody Slash skill executes a wide, arcing slash that covers a substantial distance. This allows you to hit enemies from a safe range, making it easier to avoid their attacks while still applying pressure.
- High Damage Potential: The initial slash from Bloody Slash deals significant physical damage, in addition to the enhanced bleed buildup. This makes it effective against enemies who are resistant to bleed or have very high health pools.
- Early Game Accessibility: Both the Uchigatana and Bloody Slash are obtainable relatively early in the game. The Uchigatana can be acquired in the Deathtouched Catacombs in Limgrave, or by choosing the Samurai class at the start. Bloody Slash can be found in Fort Haight West in Limgrave. This makes it a viable build option from the very beginning.
- Versatility: While primarily a bleed-focused build, the Uchigatana’s decent scaling with Strength and Dexterity allows you to adapt your playstyle. You can invest in these stats to further increase the weapon’s physical damage, making it more effective in situations where bleed isn’t as reliable.
Optimizing Your Bloody Slash Uchigatana Build
To truly master the Bloody Slash Uchigatana build, consider the following:
- Stats: Prioritize Dexterity as your primary damage stat. Followed by Vigor. Endurance can be added later. Invest in Strength only enough to meet the Uchigatana’s minimum requirements.
- Talismans: Equip talismans that enhance your damage output, such as the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (increases attack power with successive attacks) and the Shard of Alexander (boosts the attack power of skills). The Lord of Blood’s Exultation is a must-have for any bleed build, increasing attack power when blood loss occurs in the vicinity.
- Armor: Choose armor that provides a good balance of protection and equip load. You’ll want to be able to medium roll for optimal mobility.
- Ashes of War (Alternative Options): While Bloody Slash is a great starting point, consider experimenting with other bleed-infused Ashes of War as you progress through the game. Seppuku offers an immense damage buff at the cost of HP and can add a large bleed build up to the Uchigatana.
Situations Where Bloody Slash Might Not Be Ideal
While the Bloody Slash Uchigatana is a powerful build, it’s not without its weaknesses:
- Enemies Immune to Bleed: Some enemies and bosses in Elden Ring are completely immune to bleed. In these situations, you’ll need to rely on the Uchigatana’s physical damage, which may not be sufficient for dealing with tougher opponents.
- Enemies with High Bleed Resistance: Some enemies have very high bleed resistance, making it difficult to proc Hemorrhage consistently.
- FP Consumption: Bloody Slash consumes FP with each use. You’ll need to manage your FP carefully, especially in longer fights.
- Self-Damage: The Bloody Slash Ash of War damages you slightly on use, but the risk is worth the reward.
Conclusion
The Bloody Slash Uchigatana build is a fantastic choice for players who enjoy a fast-paced, aggressive playstyle. Its excellent damage, range, and bleed potential make it a viable option for tackling a wide range of enemies and bosses in Elden Ring. While it’s not a perfect build, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, especially in the early to mid-game. With proper optimization and a good understanding of its limitations, the Bloody Slash Uchigatana can carry you far in the Lands Between. Remember that Games Learning Society studies how games can improve education and broader society. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more on gaming!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use Bloody Slash on other weapons besides the Uchigatana?
Yes, the Bloody Slash Ash of War can be equipped on most swords, twinblades, spears, and polearms, excluding colossal swords. However, the Uchigatana is a particularly good choice due to its innate bleed buildup.
2. Where can I find the Bloody Slash Ash of War?
The Bloody Slash Ash of War is located in Fort Haight West in Limgrave. It is obtained by defeating the Godrick Knight at the top of the fort.
3. Is the Bloody Slash skill good in Elden Ring?
Yes, Bloody Slash is considered a strong skill, especially in the early to mid-game. It deals significant damage and inflicts heavy bleed buildup, making it effective against a variety of enemies and bosses.
4. Can you put bleed on the Uchigatana?
The Uchigatana already has innate bleed buildup. However, you can further enhance its bleed potential by infusing it with a bleed-based Ash of War, such as Bloody Slash or Seppuku, or by using the Bloodflame Blade incantation.
5. Can you use Bloodflame Blade on the Uchigatana?
Yes, you can use the Bloodflame Blade incantation on the Uchigatana. This will add fire damage and additional bleed buildup to each attack, further enhancing its status effect potential.
6. How do I make the Uchigatana scale with Faith and deal Holy Damage?
To make the Uchigatana scale with Faith and deal Holy damage, you need to acquire the Sacred Whetstone and use it to infuse the weapon with a Sacred Ash of War.
7. What stats does the Uchigatana scale best with?
The Uchigatana primarily scales with Strength and Dexterity. However, its Dexterity scaling is generally better, so it’s recommended to prioritize Dexterity for maximum damage output.
8. How many hits with the Uchigatana does it take to proc bleed?
The number of hits required to proc bleed depends on the enemy’s bleed resistance and your weapon’s bleed buildup stat. With the Bloody Slash Uchigatana, you can typically expect to proc bleed within a few hits on most enemies.
9. What does Bloody Slash do exactly?
Bloody Slash is a skill that coats your blade in your own blood before executing a wide, arcing slash. This slash deals significant physical damage and inflicts heavy bleed buildup on the enemy. It does damage to the user as well.
10. Is the Uchigatana a good late-game weapon?
Yes, the Uchigatana remains a viable weapon in the late game, especially when optimized for a bleed build. Its speed, innate bleed effect, and decent scaling make it effective against many late-game enemies and bosses.
11. What is the best bleed katana in Elden Ring?
The Rivers of Blood is widely considered the best katana for a dedicated bleed build due to its high bleed buildup and powerful Corpse Piler skill. However, it is a late-game weapon. The Uchigatana is the best option for early and mid-game.
12. What is the best Samurai bleed weapon in Elden Ring?
Besides the Uchigatana and Rivers of Blood, other notable bleed weapons for a Samurai build include the Nagakiba, Hand of Malenia, and Bloodhound’s Fang.
13. What bosses in Elden Ring are immune to bleed?
Several bosses in Elden Ring are immune to bleed, including Spirit-type bosses, the Crystalians, and certain Crucible Knights. These enemies will require you to rely on physical damage or other status effects.
14. Can I dual-wield Uchigatanas?
Yes, you can dual-wield Uchigatanas. The easiest way to obtain two is to start as the Samurai class. Then you can obtain the second in Deathtouched Catacombs. Dual-wielding Uchigatanas significantly increases your bleed buildup and damage output.
15. Should I make my Uchigatana a Lightning weapon?
It’s generally not recommended to make your Uchigatana a Lightning weapon, as it scales better with Dexterity. If you’re building around Dexterity, stick with Keen scaling or infuse it with a bleed-based Ash of War.