Table of Contents

Unveiling the Fastest Bleed Weapon in Elden Ring: A Bloodhound’s Guide

So, you’re a Tarnished looking to paint the Lands Between red, are you? You want to know what the fastest route to Hemorrhage heaven is? Well, let’s cut right to the chase: While the Hookclaws might not scream “bleed powerhouse” at first glance, they are widely considered, due to their attack speed and rapid multi-hit potential, one of the fastest weapons for building up blood loss in Elden Ring.

However, there are several weapons that can compete for that title depending on your build, playstyle, and the specific enemy you’re facing. This is because “fastest bleed” isn’t just about attack speed. It’s a complex equation factoring in:

Attack Speed: How quickly the weapon swings or attacks.
Bleed Buildup Per Hit: The base amount of bleed inflicted with each successful strike.
Weapon Art Potential: Whether the weapon has a unique art that rapidly applies bleed.
Scaling: How well the weapon scales with stats like Arcane, which directly impacts bleed buildup.
Weapon Type: Different weapon classes such as katanas, claws, twinblades and daggers have varying movement speed and attack patterns.

Let’s dive deeper into why the Hookclaws and other contenders stand out, and how to choose the right bleed weapon for your character.

Why Hookclaws Take the Crown (Sometimes)

The Hookclaws are often hailed as top-tier bleed enablers because of their sheer attack speed. Their unique moveset allows you to unleash a flurry of strikes in rapid succession. This means even with a moderate bleed buildup per hit, the sheer volume of attacks overwhelms the enemy’s resistance, triggering Hemorrhage quickly.

Key Advantages of Hookclaws:

Lightning-Fast Attacks: Outspeeds almost every other weapon type.
Low Stat Requirements: Allows for flexible builds and early access.
High Stagger Potential: Despite their small size, rapid attacks can stagger smaller enemies.
Versatility with Ashes of War: Can be infused with various Ashes of War to further enhance bleed or add other elemental effects.

Caveats:

Short Reach: Requires getting up close and personal, which can be risky.
Lower Base Damage: Each individual hit doesn’t pack a massive punch, relying on bleed to deal significant damage.

The Rivers of Blood Contender

No discussion about bleed weapons in Elden Ring is complete without mentioning Rivers of Blood. This katana is infamous for its Weapon Art, Corpse Piler, which unleashes a series of rapid slashes that inflict both physical and fire damage, along with massive bleed buildup.

Strengths of Rivers of Blood:

Powerful Weapon Art: Corpse Piler is devastating in both PvE and PvP.
Good Damage Output: Deals both physical and fire damage, making it effective against a wider range of enemies.
Katana Moveset: Fast and versatile, allowing for a mix of light and heavy attacks.

Weaknesses:

Somewhat Predictable: Experienced players can anticipate and counter Corpse Piler.
Arcane Requirement: Demands a significant investment in Arcane, which may not suit all builds.
Popular Target for Nerfs: Its popularity has made it a frequent target for balance adjustments.

Other Noteworthy Bleed Weapons

The Hookclaws and Rivers of Blood are not the only options. Several other weapons excel at inflicting Hemorrhage:

Reduvia: An early-game dagger that scales well with Arcane and has a unique bleed-inducing weapon art.
Eleonora’s Poleblade: A twinblade that combines fast attacks with bleed and fire damage.
Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear: A powerful spear with a unique weapon art that inflicts bleed and buffs the user.
Uchigatana: A solid katana that can be found early and infused with bleed Ashes of War.
Nagakiba: A longer katana with excellent range, perfect for dual-wielding with another bleed weapon.
Godskin Peeler: Twinblade that can be infused with Ashes of War and can perform the Black Flame Tornado skill.

Build Optimization for Maximum Bleed

Choosing the right weapon is only half the battle. To truly maximize your bleed potential, you need to optimize your build.

Arcane: This is the most important stat for bleed builds, as it directly increases bleed buildup.
Dexterity: Improves weapon attack speed and damage with weapons that scale well with Dexterity.
Vigor: Essential for survivability, allowing you to withstand enemy attacks.
Endurance: Allows you to wear heavier armor and perform more attacks without running out of stamina.

Talismans:

Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Significantly boosts attack power when bleed is inflicted nearby.
Rotten Winged Sword Insignia/Millicent’s Prosthesis: Increases attack power with successive attacks.
Claw Talisman: Enhances jump attacks, which can be useful for initiating combat.

Ashes of War & Spells:

Seppuku: Inflicts bleed on yourself, but massively increases bleed buildup on your weapon.
Bloodflame Blade: Adds fire damage and bleed buildup to your weapon.
Swarm of Flies: A powerful incantation that throws projectiles that inflict bleed.

Choosing the Right Weapon for You

Ultimately, the “fastest bleed weapon” is subjective and depends on your preferences. The best way to find what suits you is to experiment with different weapons and builds. Consider your playstyle:

Aggressive: Hookclaws or dual katanas might be ideal.
Cautious: A longer weapon like the Nagakiba or Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear could be better.
Spellcaster: Combine bleed weapons with incantations like Swarm of Flies for devastating effect.

The world of Elden Ring is vast and varied. Don’t be afraid to respec your character and try new things! Embrace the power of Hemorrhage, and become a true Lord (or Lady) of Blood.

Remember to always check out the Games Learning Society for more educational content on games and learning! GamesLearningSociety.org offers valuable resources on the intersection of gaming and education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the fastest thrusting swords in Elden Ring?

While not strictly bleed-focused, thrusting swords can apply bleed with the right infusion or Ash of War. Notable options include the Bloody Helice, Antspur Rapier, and the Estoc. Their fast, piercing attacks can quickly overwhelm enemies.

2. What is the best bleed build in Elden Ring?

A top-tier bleed build generally focuses on Arcane, Dexterity, and Vigor. Arcane maximizes bleed buildup, Dexterity enhances weapon damage and speed, and Vigor ensures survivability. Consider using weapons like Rivers of Blood, dual katanas, or Hookclaws.

3. Is Rivers of Blood the absolute best bleed weapon?

Rivers of Blood is undoubtedly powerful, especially due to its Corpse Piler weapon art. However, it’s not always the best in every situation. Its predictability can be exploited in PvP, and some enemies are resistant to fire damage. Other weapons like Hookclaws or dual-wielded katanas can be more effective in certain scenarios.

4. What is the best bleed weapon in Elden Ring for PvP?

For PvP, the effectiveness of a bleed weapon depends on your opponent’s skill and build. Dual Reduvia daggers, Mohgwyn’s Sacred Spear, and dual katanas (Nagakiba and Uchigatana) are popular choices due to their speed, range, and potential for burst damage.

5. What is the earliest bleed weapon I can find?

The Reduvia dagger is the earliest dedicated bleed weapon you can acquire. It drops from the invader Nerijus, located in the river near Murkwater Cave in Limgrave.

6. Should I use two Rivers of Blood katanas?

While dual-wielding Rivers of Blood might seem tempting, it’s generally not the most optimal strategy. The second Rivers of Blood doesn’t provide as much benefit as pairing it with another katana like the Uchigatana or Nagakiba.

7. Is Moonveil better than Rivers of Blood?

This is a matter of personal preference. Moonveil excels in Intelligence builds with its strong magic scaling, while Rivers of Blood thrives in Arcane builds focused on bleed. Both are excellent katanas, but they cater to different playstyles. Post-patch, Rivers of Blood is considered to be the stronger of the two.

8. Does Arcane only increase bleed buildup?

Yes, Arcane primarily affects the amount of bleed buildup per hit. However, it can also influence other effects tied to certain weapons and skills, such as the madness buildup from the Frenzied Flame incantations.

9. How do I maximize bleed damage in Elden Ring?

To maximize bleed damage, use talismans like Lord of Blood’s Exultation and Rotten Winged Sword Insignia. Employ Ashes of War like Seppuku to greatly increase bleed buildup. Also, focus on leveling Arcane.

10. Does Arcane affect Bloody Slash?

Yes, the damage of the Bloody Slash Ash of War scales with Arcane. Increasing your Arcane stat will make Bloody Slash hit harder.

11. What’s a good bleed weapon for early game Limgrave?

The Uchigatana, obtainable in the Deathtouched Catacombs, is an excellent early-game bleed weapon. It has innate bleed buildup and a solid moveset.

12. What is the best scythe for bleed?

The Grave Scythe is a good early option with high innate bleed buildup. However, any scythe can be infused with a bleed Ash of War to make it viable.

13. Does bleeding work on Radagon?

Unfortunately, Radagon and the Elden Beast are highly resistant to bleed. Bleed builds are generally less effective in the final boss fight. Consider switching to a different damage type for these encounters.

14. How much Arcane do I need for Rivers of Blood?

Rivers of Blood requires 20 Arcane to wield.

15. Is Mohg weak to bleed?

Yes, Mohg is weak to Hemorrhage (bleed). Using weapons and skills that inflict bleed will significantly speed up the fight against him. Incantations like Swarm of Flies are particularly effective.

What is the fastest bleed weapon in Elden Ring?