The Ultimate Guide to Scarlet Rot: Finding Elden Ring’s Best Rot Weapon

The Lands Between are rife with peril, and few afflictions are as terrifying as Scarlet Rot. This insidious status effect eats away at your health, ticking away relentlessly and often leading to a swift demise. But what if you could turn the tables and wield this destructive force against your enemies? The question then becomes: What is the best rot weapon in Elden Ring?

While “best” is subjective and depends on your build and playstyle, the Antspur Rapier emerges as the frontrunner for its speed, accessibility, and overall effectiveness in inflicting Scarlet Rot. However, the Rotten Crystal Sword offers a viable alternative for those seeking a more traditional sword-fighting experience with the added bonus of rot. This guide will delve into the intricacies of both weapons, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and how to best utilize them to spread Scarlet Rot throughout the Elden Ring.

Antspur Rapier: The Scarlet Rot Assassin

The Antspur Rapier stands out because it’s one of the earliest obtainable weapons that innately inflicts Scarlet Rot. Its rapier moveset allows for rapid attacks, which translates to a faster buildup of the status effect. This is crucial, as Scarlet Rot only triggers once the buildup meter is filled.

Key Advantages:

• Fast Attack Speed: Rapiers are known for their speed, enabling you to quickly stack the Scarlet Rot effect on enemies.
• Early Availability: Found in the Abandoned Cave in Caelid, it’s accessible relatively early in the game.
• Versatile Ash of War Options: The Antspur Rapier can be infused with various Ashes of War, allowing for customization to fit your playstyle. Consider applying an Ash of War that enhances attack speed or range.
• Low Stat Requirements: It requires minimal investment in Strength and Dexterity, making it accessible to a wide range of builds.

Considerations:

• Lower Damage Output: Compared to heavier weapons, the Antspur Rapier has a lower base damage output. Its effectiveness relies heavily on inflicting Scarlet Rot.
• Limited Range: Rapiers have short range, requiring you to get up close and personal with your enemies.
• Vulnerable to Poise Break: You can be easily staggered while attacking due to lower Poise values.

Strategies for Success:

• Powerstance Rapiers: Dual-wielding two Antspur Rapiers (requiring a second playthrough or trading with another player) significantly increases the rate at which you apply Scarlet Rot.
• Talismans: Equip talismans that boost attack power when status effects are inflicted, such as the Kindred of Rot’s Exultation.
• Buffs: Utilize buffs like Rotten Breath (Dragon Communion Incantation) to initially inflict rot, then switch to the Antspur Rapier to maintain the effect.
• Armor: Use armor with high Immunity to help resist Scarlet Rot build up.

Rotten Crystal Sword: Elegant Rot

The Rotten Crystal Sword is a straight sword, offering a different playstyle compared to the Antspur Rapier. While it might not be as rapid in its attacks, it provides a balanced approach with decent damage and the ability to inflict Scarlet Rot.

Key Advantages:

• Straight Sword Moveset: Offers a familiar and versatile moveset suitable for a variety of situations.
• Good Damage: Possesses higher base damage compared to the Antspur Rapier.
• Range: Has greater range than the Antspur Rapier.
• Unique Appearance: Its crystaline design is visually appealing.

Considerations:

• Later Availability: It is found much later in the game in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree.
• Slower Rot Build-Up: The buildup of Scarlet Rot is slower compared to the Antspur Rapier, making it less efficient against highly mobile enemies.
• Split Damage: The Rotten Crystal Sword deals both physical and magical damage, making it less effective against enemies with high resistances to one or both damage types.
• Intelligence Requirement: It requires Intelligence, making it less suitable for builds focused solely on Strength and Dexterity.

Strategies for Success:

• Intelligence Scaling: Invest in Intelligence to maximize the weapon’s damage output.
• Weapon Buffs: Use weapon buffs, such as greases, to augment its damage.
• Combine with Spells: Use spells that deal damage or apply status effects to complement the sword’s capabilities.

Alternatives to Rot Weapons:

While the Antspur Rapier and Rotten Crystal Sword stand out, other options exist for those who prefer different playstyles or haven’t yet obtained these weapons.

• Rotten Breath: This Dragon Communion Incantation is an excellent way to inflict Scarlet Rot at range, especially against large or slow-moving enemies.
• Rot Pots and Arrows: Craftable items that can be used to apply Scarlet Rot from a distance.
• Scorpion’s Stinger: A dagger with innate Scarlet Rot buildup, similar to the Antspur Rapier.
• Rotten Battle Hammer: A greathammer which inflicts scarlet rot

Conclusion: Embrace the Rot

Ultimately, the “best” Scarlet Rot weapon in Elden Ring comes down to personal preference and build optimization. The Antspur Rapier is an excellent choice for those who prioritize speed and accessibility, while the Rotten Crystal Sword provides a more balanced approach with its higher damage output. Experiment with both weapons and various strategies to find what works best for you. Regardless of your choice, wielding Scarlet Rot is a powerful and rewarding way to conquer the challenges of the Lands Between.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly is Scarlet Rot in Elden Ring?

Scarlet Rot is a status effect that, once triggered, causes significant damage over time. It’s similar to poison, but far more potent and debilitating.

2. How do I cure Scarlet Rot?

You can cure Scarlet Rot by consuming Preserving Boluses. These can be crafted using the Armorer’s Cookbook [6], found in the Siofra River region.

3. What stats affect my resistance to Scarlet Rot?

Your resistance to Scarlet Rot is determined by your Immunity stat. This stat is primarily increased by leveling up Vigor and equipping certain armor and talismans.

4. What armor sets provide the best protection against Scarlet Rot?

The Mushroom Set provides a significant boost to your Immunity stat, making it highly effective against Scarlet Rot.

5. What talismans are best for a Scarlet Rot build?

The Kindred of Rot’s Exultation is a must-have for any Scarlet Rot build, as it increases your attack power whenever Scarlet Rot is inflicted on a nearby enemy.

6. Are there any enemies immune to Scarlet Rot?

Yes, some enemies and bosses are either immune or highly resistant to Scarlet Rot. For example, the Elden Beast is completely immune to all status effects, including Scarlet Rot.

7. Is Malenia weak to Scarlet Rot?

While she is not immune, Malenia has very high resistance to Scarlet Rot. It takes a considerable amount of buildup to trigger the effect on her.

8. How can I increase the buildup speed of Scarlet Rot?

You can increase the buildup speed of Scarlet Rot by using weapons with high Scarlet Rot buildup values, dual-wielding weapons that inflict Scarlet Rot, and using buffs that increase attack speed.

9. Where can I find the Antspur Rapier?

The Antspur Rapier is found in the Abandoned Cave in Caelid. Be prepared for a challenging fight against multiple enemies and the Cleanrot Knight boss.

10. Where can I find the Rotten Crystal Sword?

The Rotten Crystal Sword is located in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree. It is found on a corpse guarded by a Lesser Cleanrot Knight.

11. What is the best Ash of War for the Antspur Rapier?

The best Ash of War for the Antspur Rapier depends on your playstyle. Quickstep or Bloodhound’s Step can provide increased mobility, while Poisonous Mist can inflict poison in addition to Scarlet Rot.

12. Can I inflict Scarlet Rot on other players in PvP?

Yes, you can inflict Scarlet Rot on other players in PvP. However, players are typically more aware of status effects and may use Preserving Boluses to cure it quickly.

13. Is Radahn weak to Scarlet Rot?

Yes, Starscourge Radahn is notably vulnerable to Scarlet Rot. This makes it a highly effective strategy for defeating him.

14. What is the lore behind Scarlet Rot in Elden Ring?

Scarlet Rot is associated with the Outer God of Rot and is primarily linked to Malenia, Blade of Miquella. The battle between Malenia and Radahn in Caelid resulted in the widespread spread of Scarlet Rot throughout the region.

15. Can I respec my stats in Elden Ring?

Yes, you can respec your stats by using a Larval Tear after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. This allows you to reallocate your stats to better suit your chosen Scarlet Rot build.