Unlocking Placidusax’s Ruin: Maximizing Its Devastating Potential
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.
Placidusax’s Ruin, the unique skill of the Dragonlord’s Cragblade in Elden Ring, is a formidable armament that unleashes a devastating barrage of golden lightning. Its damage is primarily boosted by Faith (FTH) and Arcane (ARC) scaling, with a secondary influence from Strength (STR). Specifically, increasing these attributes directly enhances the weapon’s Attack Rating, subsequently amplifying the damage dealt by Placidusax’s Ruin. Additionally, certain talismans, buffs, and enemy vulnerabilities can further increase its overall effectiveness, allowing Tarnished to truly maximize the potential of this legendary skill.
Understanding the Core Mechanics of Placidusax’s Ruin
Before diving into the specifics of boosting Placidusax’s Ruin, it’s crucial to understand its core mechanics. The skill unleashes a series of golden lightning strikes that fan out in a cone-shaped area in front of the player. Each lightning strike deals both physical and lightning damage, making it effective against a variety of enemies.
Scaling Attributes: Faith, Arcane, and Strength
The most significant factor influencing Placidusax’s Ruin damage is the scaling of the Dragonlord’s Cragblade. It primarily scales with Faith (FTH) and Arcane (ARC), signified by the ‘B’ scaling in both attributes when fully upgraded. Strength (STR) has a ‘D’ scaling at maximum upgrade level. This means that increasing these stats will directly translate to a higher Attack Rating for the weapon, resulting in significantly boosted damage output for the weapon skill.
Talismans and Equipment for Damage Enhancement
Several talismans and pieces of equipment can further boost the damage dealt by Placidusax’s Ruin. These include:
- Lightning Scorpion Charm: This talisman significantly increases lightning damage dealt by the user, which directly benefits a large portion of Placidusax’s Ruin’s damage. However, it also increases physical damage taken.
- Sacred Scorpion Charm: This talisman boosts holy damage dealt. While Placidusax’s Ruin doesn’t explicitly deal holy damage, it’s worth testing in specific scenarios to see if there are unintended interactions, especially against enemies weak to holy damage.
- Godfrey Icon: This talisman enhances charged skills. Although Placidusax’s Ruin isn’t technically charged, some believe it may benefit indirectly due to the animation and lingering effect. Testing is essential.
- Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal: These talismans increase Faith, Arcane, Intelligence, and Mind at the cost of increased damage taken. These can be useful early in the game to reach stat requirements, but the increased damage taken becomes less favorable in later stages.
- Radagon’s Soreseal/Scarseal: These talismans boost Strength, Vigor, Endurance, and Dexterity at the cost of increased damage taken. These can be used to reach the Strength requirement to wield the weapon.
Buffs and Consumables for Maximizing Damage
Various buffs and consumables can provide temporary damage boosts that synergize well with Placidusax’s Ruin:
- Golden Vow: This incantation provides a significant damage and defense buff, enhancing overall damage output. It stacks with other buffs, making it a valuable addition to any build focusing on Placidusax’s Ruin.
- Flame, Grant Me Strength: This incantation increases physical and fire damage. Since Placidusax’s Ruin deals physical damage, this buff provides a noticeable increase in damage output.
- Howl of Shabriri: While primarily a debuff on the user, this incantation significantly increases damage dealt for a short duration. Use with caution due to the increased aggression from enemies.
- Exalted Flesh: This consumable provides a temporary boost to physical attack power, directly benefiting Placidusax’s Ruin’s physical damage component.
- Grease (Lightning Grease, Drawstring Lightning Grease): Applying lightning grease to the Dragonlord’s Cragblade will imbue the weapon with additional lightning damage.
- Commander’s Standard: The skill granted by this weapon boosts attack, defense, and Stamina recovery for you and nearby allies.
Enemy Vulnerabilities and Resistances
Understanding enemy vulnerabilities and resistances is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of Placidusax’s Ruin.
- Lightning Vulnerability: Enemies weak to lightning damage will take significantly more damage from the lightning component of Placidusax’s Ruin. Experiment with different enemy types to identify their vulnerabilities.
- Physical Resistance: Some enemies are highly resistant to physical damage. In these cases, focusing on increasing the lightning damage component through buffs and talismans can be more effective.
Stat Distribution and Optimization
Optimizing your stat distribution is essential for maximizing the damage output of Placidusax’s Ruin. Prioritize Faith and Arcane to scale the weapon skill’s damage significantly. The following breakdown is based on a level 150 character:
- Vigor (VIG): 50-60 (Prioritize Survivability)
- Mind (MND): 25-35 (Sufficient FP for multiple casts)
- Endurance (END): 20-30 (Manage equip load and stamina)
- Strength (STR): 20 (Just enough to wield the weapon)
- Dexterity (DEX): Base (No direct scaling benefit)
- Intelligence (INT): Base (No direct scaling benefit)
- Faith (FTH): 60-80 (Primary Damage Scaling)
- Arcane (ARC): 45-60 (Secondary Damage Scaling)
Prioritize FTH first, then ARC. A blend of both stats yields the highest overall damage for the weapon skill. Remember to use Larval Tears to respec your stats if you want to experiment with different builds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does weapon level affect Placidusax’s Ruin Damage?
Yes, the weapon level of the Dragonlord’s Cragblade significantly affects the damage of Placidusax’s Ruin. Upgrading the weapon increases its base damage and scaling, leading to higher damage output with the skill.
2. Does the Magic Scorpion Charm work with Placidusax’s Ruin?
No, the Magic Scorpion Charm will not work with Placidusax’s Ruin because it only boosts magic damage.
3. How does Arcane affect Placidusax’s Ruin?
Arcane is a primary scaling attribute for the Dragonlord’s Cragblade. Increasing Arcane directly boosts the weapon’s Attack Rating, thereby increasing the damage of Placidusax’s Ruin.
4. What is the optimal stat distribution for a Placidusax’s Ruin build?
The optimal stat distribution depends on your level. However, prioritizing Faith and Arcane, reaching the minimum Strength requirement, and investing in Vigor for survivability is generally recommended. A balanced approach to Faith and Arcane is often best.
5. Can I dual-wield Dragonlord’s Cragblades?
No, the Dragonlord’s Cragblade is a unique weapon, and only one can be obtained per playthrough. Therefore, dual-wielding is not possible unless you acquire a second one through trading with another player or by using a save editor (not officially supported).
6. Does the Shard of Alexander Talisman boost Placidusax’s Ruin?
No, the Shard of Alexander talisman only enhances skills that use FP.
7. Is Placidusax’s Ruin effective against all types of enemies?
No, Placidusax’s Ruin is more effective against enemies weak to lightning damage and less effective against enemies resistant to physical or lightning damage. Understanding enemy vulnerabilities is crucial.
8. What are the best incantations to pair with Placidusax’s Ruin?
Golden Vow, Flame, Grant Me Strength, and other supportive incantations that boost damage and defense are excellent choices to complement Placidusax’s Ruin.
9. How does the Godfrey Icon affect Placidusax’s Ruin?
The Godfrey Icon is thought to enhance charged skills. Testing will determine if it indirectly boosts the damage output of Placidusax’s Ruin due to its animation.
10. Does wearing armor affect the damage of Placidusax’s Ruin?
Wearing armor does not directly affect the damage of Placidusax’s Ruin. However, heavier armor can increase your poise and survivability, allowing you to cast the skill more reliably.
11. Can Placidusax’s Ruin be used effectively in PvP?
Yes, Placidusax’s Ruin can be effective in PvP due to its wide area of effect and high damage potential. However, its long wind-up animation can make it predictable, so strategic use is essential.
12. Does Placidusax’s Ruin benefit from the Ritual Sword Talisman?
Yes, the Ritual Sword Talisman provides an attack power boost when at full health, which directly benefits the damage output of Placidusax’s Ruin.
13. Can I use the Dragon Communion Seal to enhance the Dragonlord’s Cragblade?
The Dragon Communion Seal scales primarily with Arcane. If you’re investing heavily in Arcane, using this seal to cast buffs like Golden Vow can be beneficial, further enhancing Placidusax’s Ruin.
14. How does NG+ affect the effectiveness of Placidusax’s Ruin?
In NG+, enemies have increased health and damage. Therefore, maximizing the damage output of Placidusax’s Ruin through proper stat allocation, talismans, and buffs becomes even more critical to maintain its effectiveness.
15. Is the damage of Placidusax’s Ruin affected by the time of day?
No, the damage of Placidusax’s Ruin is not affected by the time of day in the game. Its damage is solely determined by weapon level, scaling attributes, talismans, buffs, and enemy resistances.