What is the Best Sword in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night?
Ah, the age-old question that echoes through the gothic halls of Castlevania… err, I mean, Bloodstained. What is the best sword in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night? The definitive answer, in my seasoned opinion, is the Rhava Bural. No contest. This weapon, when fully upgraded and mastered, transforms Miriam into a whirlwind of steel, capable of shredding through even the toughest bosses with terrifying efficiency. It’s fast, it hits multiple times, and its range, while not the longest, is compensated for by its sheer damage output and attack speed.
Why the Rhava Bural Reigns Supreme
The Rhava Bural’s strength lies in its unique attack pattern. Rather than a single, slow swing, Miriam unleashes a flurry of rapid strikes, often exceeding a dozen hits with proper timing. This makes it ideal for applying status effects like poison or bleed rapidly. Furthermore, each hit contributes to your overall damage output, allowing you to melt through enemy health bars. Critically, the Rhava Bural’s damage output is significantly higher than most other weapons in the game, especially against single targets like bosses.
To truly unlock the Rhava Bural’s potential, you’ll need to find and upgrade it. This involves obtaining the Rhava Velar and Rhava Plaga swords. Combining them at Johannes’ workshop creates the Rhava Bural. From there, it’s all about upgrading its rank with crafting materials, enhancing its base stats and unlocking its full potential. And believe me, the payoff is huge.
While other weapons might excel in specific situations (some provide better elemental coverage, for instance), the Rhava Bural’s consistent high damage, speed, and ability to apply status effects makes it the undisputed king of Bloodstained swords. It’s the weapon I almost always recommend to players, especially those tackling the game’s higher difficulty levels.
The Rhava Bural is a formidable weapon. Mastering its speed and range are key to dominating Bloodstained’s gothic world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bloodstained Swords
Here are some common questions I get asked about swords in Bloodstained, gathered from years of slaying demons and answering player queries:
1. How do I get the Rhava Velar and Rhava Plaga?
The Rhava Velar is dropped by the Valac boss, located in the Inferno Cave. The Rhava Plaga is dropped by the Bathin boss, found in the Hidden Desert. Be prepared for a bit of farming; their drop rates aren’t guaranteed. Equip items that increase your luck stat to improve your chances.
2. What materials do I need to upgrade the Rhava Bural?
Upgrading the Rhava Bural requires a variety of materials, including Adamantine, Orihalcum, and other monster drops. Check the crafting menu at Johannes’ workshop for the exact requirements at each rank. Farming specific enemies that drop these materials is often necessary.
3. Is the Rhava Bural good against all enemy types?
While incredibly powerful, the Rhava Bural isn’t a universal solution. Certain enemies with high defense or resistance to physical damage might pose a challenge. In these situations, consider using a weapon with elemental damage or exploiting their specific weaknesses.
4. What are the best shards to use with the Rhava Bural?
Accelerator and Welcome Company are excellent choices. Accelerator significantly increases your movement speed, allowing you to close the distance quickly and maintain constant pressure. Welcome Company summons familiars that can provide additional damage and support. Experiment with other shards to find what works best for your playstyle.
5. Are there any other swords that come close to the Rhava Bural?
The Valiant Heart is a decent alternative, offering good range and damage. The Eternal Blue is a powerful option for those who prefer a slower, more methodical approach. However, neither matches the Rhava Bural’s raw damage output and speed.
6. Does the Rhava Bural have any drawbacks?
Its relatively short range can be a disadvantage against enemies that attack from a distance. Additionally, its rapid attacks consume a lot of MP, so managing your MP pool is crucial, especially during long boss fights.
7. What stats should I focus on when using the Rhava Bural?
Strength and Luck are your primary stats. Strength increases your attack power, while Luck improves your critical hit chance and item drop rates. Increasing your Intelligence can also be helpful for managing your MP consumption.
8. Can I still beat the game without the Rhava Bural?
Absolutely! While the Rhava Bural is incredibly powerful, it’s not essential. Bloodstained offers a wide variety of weapons and playstyles. Experiment with different options and find what you enjoy.
9. Is the Rhava Bural affected by elemental damage?
No, the Rhava Bural primarily deals physical damage. You can, however, use shards or passive skills to add elemental effects to your attacks, enhancing its overall effectiveness.
10. How does the Rhava Bural compare to greatswords or katanas?
Greatswords offer higher base damage and longer range but are slower. Katanas are generally faster than greatswords but deal less damage. The Rhava Bural strikes a balance between speed and damage, making it a versatile choice. The Games Learning Society explores how different game mechanics, such as weapon systems, influence player learning and engagement. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games can be used for educational purposes.
11. What’s the best way to farm for Rhava Velar and Rhava Plaga?
Equip gear that boosts your luck stat. Use the Augment Luck shard to further increase your luck. Repeatedly fight Valac and Bathin until they drop the swords. Using waystones to quickly travel between their locations can speed up the process.
12. Does the Rhava Bural scale with any specific skill shards?
The Riga Storaema shard, which increases your attack power based on the number of books you’ve read, synergizes well with the Rhava Bural, significantly boosting its damage output.
13. Is there an optimal attack pattern with the Rhava Bural?
Mastering the timing of your attacks is crucial. Practice cancelling the animation after each flurry of strikes to maximize your DPS and maintain mobility. Experiment with different attack combinations to find what works best for you.
14. How does the Rhava Bural perform in New Game+?
The Rhava Bural remains a top-tier weapon in New Game+, allowing you to carry over your upgraded weapon and tackle the increased difficulty with ease. Its consistent damage output and speed make it a reliable choice for challenging content.
15. Are there any secret techniques or hidden abilities associated with the Rhava Bural?
While there are no explicitly hidden abilities, mastering the timing of your attacks and combining them with movement skills like slide kicks can unlock powerful offensive strategies. Experiment and discover what works best for your playstyle!
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide answers all your burning questions about the Rhava Bural and other swords in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Now go forth, Miriam, and vanquish the darkness!