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The Definitive Guide to Arcane Ranged Weapons in Elden Ring: Finding the Best Option

The best arcane ranged weapon in Elden Ring arguably depends on your specific build, playstyle, and enemy weaknesses. However, for overall versatility, damage output, and accessibility, the Marais Executioner’s Sword, when paired with its unique weapon skill Eochaid’s Dancing Blade, is a top contender for dealing arcane scaling ranged damage. While technically a greatsword, Eochaid’s Dancing Blade transforms it into a ranged weapon capable of impressive damage, stagger potential, and status buildup.

Exploring Arcane Ranged Options in Elden Ring

Elden Ring offers a variety of ways to deal ranged damage scaling with the Arcane stat. While traditional bows and crossbows don’t directly scale with Arcane, certain spells, incantations, and, most importantly, weapon skills can leverage your Arcane investment to devastating effect. This opens up a unique playstyle focusing on debuffs, status ailments, and pure damage.

Marais Executioner’s Sword: The Melee/Ranged Hybrid King

As mentioned, the Marais Executioner’s Sword stands out. Its Eochaid’s Dancing Blade weapon skill unleashes a spinning blade of energy that deals significant damage from a distance, scaling heavily with Arcane. This offers both a powerful ranged attack and a viable melee option, making it adaptable to different combat situations. The weapon’s damage is split between physical and magic, further enhancing its effectiveness against a variety of enemies. The stagger potential of the weapon is also very high which is very strong against various enemies throughout the Lands Between.

Other Notable Arcane Ranged Options

While the Marais Executioner’s Sword leads the pack, other options deserve consideration, particularly depending on your specific build and preferences:

Dragon Communion Seal: This sacred seal is crucial for incantation builds focused on Dragon Communion. The incantations it boosts, like Rot Breath and Dragonfire, inflict powerful status effects and deal significant damage, scaling almost exclusively with Arcane and Faith. This offers a pure caster experience with devastating ranged capabilities.
Ripple Blade: This weapon can be infused with various Ashes of War, granting it unique effects and scaling. While it doesn’t natively scale with Arcane, applying an Occult infusion allows it to scale with Arcane, opening up interesting hybrid builds. This offers incredible flexibility and the ability to tailor your ranged attacks to specific enemy weaknesses. The weapon also has very high damage with the right build.
Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear: The unique weapon art of this weapon allows it to deal ranged fire damage. Scaling in Arcane and Strength, it is a powerhouse that can deal significant damage to groups of enemies very quickly. This unique weapon is also very strong in Player versus Player content.

The Power of Status Effects: Bleed, Madness, and More

A key strength of Arcane builds is their ability to inflict status effects. Bleed, Madness, Poison, and Scarlet Rot can significantly weaken enemies, making them vulnerable to further attacks. Dragon Communion incantations, in particular, excel at inflicting these effects, turning you into a potent debuffer and damage dealer.

FAQs: Arcane Ranged Weapons in Elden Ring

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Arcane ranged weapons in Elden Ring, designed to provide comprehensive information and address common player concerns:

What stats are most important for an Arcane ranged build? Arcane is the primary stat, as it directly affects the scaling of most Arcane ranged options. Faith is important if using Dragon Communion incantations. Vigor is crucial for survivability, and Mind is essential for FP management. Endurance can be helpful to increase stamina and equip load.
How do I find the Marais Executioner’s Sword? The Marais Executioner’s Sword is dropped by the Elemer of the Briar boss, located in the Shaded Castle in the Altus Plateau region.
What is the best way to upgrade the Marais Executioner’s Sword? The Marais Executioner’s Sword is upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones. Prioritize upgrading it as soon as possible to maximize its damage output.
What talismans should I use with an Arcane ranged build? Lord of Blood’s Exultation (boosts attack power when bleed is inflicted), Millicent’s Prosthesis (boosts Dexterity and attack power on successive attacks), Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (further boosts attack power on successive attacks), and Erdtree’s Favor (increases HP, stamina, and equip load) are all excellent choices.
Are there any armor sets that benefit Arcane builds? The White Mask (found in the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum) increases attack power when bleed is inflicted on a nearby enemy. No other armor sets directly enhance Arcane scaling, so prioritize armor with good defenses and poise.
How does Arcane affect status buildup? Arcane directly increases the speed and effectiveness of status buildup, such as Bleed, Madness, and Poison. The higher your Arcane stat, the faster you’ll inflict these effects on enemies.
Can I use bows or crossbows with an Arcane build? While traditional bows and crossbows don’t scale directly with Arcane, you can use them in conjunction with items that inflict status effects, such as Bleedbone Arrows or Poisonbone Bolts. This can complement your Arcane build.
What are the best Dragon Communion incantations for ranged combat? Rot Breath (inflicts Scarlet Rot), Dragonfire (deals fire damage), and Dragonclaw (offers a melee option) are all powerful choices. Experiment with different incantations to find what works best for your playstyle.
How do I get the Dragon Communion Seal? The Dragon Communion Seal is located in the Fringefolk Hero’s Grave near the starting area. You’ll need a Stonesword Key to access it.
What is the best Ash of War for the Ripple Blade on an Arcane build? The best Ash of War depends on your playstyle, but Seppuku (for Bleed buildup) and Poisonous Mist (for Poison buildup) are popular choices. The Occult infusion is crucial for enabling Arcane scaling.
Is the Rivers of Blood katana a good ranged weapon option for Arcane builds? While Rivers of Blood is primarily a melee weapon, its weapon skill, Corpse Piler, releases waves of blood that deal ranged damage and inflict Bleed. However, its Arcane scaling is less significant than other options mentioned, making it a less optimal choice if you’re specifically focused on ranged combat.
What are the weaknesses of Arcane ranged builds? Arcane ranged builds can be FP-intensive, requiring careful management of your FP bar. Some enemies are also resistant to status effects, reducing the effectiveness of certain strategies. Physical resistance can also be a problem for some builds.
How do I respec my character in Elden Ring to try an Arcane build? You can respec your character by using a Larval Tear at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, located in the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
Where can I find Larval Tears? Larval Tears are found in various locations throughout the Lands Between, including as drops from certain enemies and within specific areas. Check online resources for detailed locations.
Can I dual-wield weapons with Arcane scaling for increased ranged damage? While you can’t directly dual-wield ranged weapons, you can dual-wield melee weapons with Arcane scaling and potent weapon arts to significantly increase your overall damage output and versatility. This is because the status effect is a static value, and the accumulation is not added by dual wielding, but by simply using each of them.

Conclusion: Mastering Arcane Ranged Combat

Arcane ranged builds in Elden Ring offer a unique and powerful playstyle, allowing you to inflict devastating status effects, deal significant damage from a distance, and adapt to a variety of combat situations. While the Marais Executioner’s Sword is a top contender for the best arcane ranged weapon, other options like Dragon Communion incantations and the Ripple Blade provide exciting alternatives. Experiment with different weapons, spells, and talismans to find the combination that best suits your playstyle and allows you to conquer the Lands Between. Good luck, Tarnished!

What is the best arcane ranged weapon in Elden Ring?