Mastering Arcane Seals in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
The Dragon Communion Seal is, without a doubt, the best seal for maximizing the potential of an Arcane-focused build in Elden Ring. Its unique scaling, primarily in Faith and Arcane, unlocks the devastating power of Dragon Communion Incantations, making it an indispensable tool for players who embrace the draconic arts.
Understanding Arcane Scaling in Elden Ring
Arcane, often overlooked by newcomers, is a crucial stat for specific builds in Elden Ring. While it governs item discovery, it truly shines when paired with weapons and incantations that scale directly with it. This scaling affects not only the damage output of these abilities but also the effectiveness of status effects like Bleed, Poison, and Madness. The Dragon Communion Seal stands out because it provides the highest spell scaling when Arcane is leveled to 45 or higher.
The Dragon Communion Seal: A Deep Dive
Acquisition and Enhancement
The Dragon Communion Seal can be found early in the game, located in the Fringefolk Hero’s Grave in Limgrave. Obtaining it requires using a Stonesword Key. Once acquired, its true potential is unlocked by leveling both Faith and Arcane, particularly Arcane. As these stats increase, so too does the seal’s Incantation Scaling, which directly boosts the power of your Dragon Communion Incantations.
Dragon Communion Incantations
The Dragon Communion Seal is designed to enhance Dragon Communion Incantations. These incantations, learned by consuming dragon hearts at the Cathedral of Dragon Communion and the Church of Dragon Communion, allow players to transform into draconic forms and unleash devastating breath attacks. The higher your Arcane and Faith, the more potent these transformations and attacks become.
Why Dragon Communion Seal is Superior
While other seals, like the Erdtree Seal or Godslayer’s Seal, might offer higher scaling with Faith alone, the Dragon Communion Seal uniquely benefits from both Faith and Arcane. This dual scaling makes it the go-to choice for builds intending to maximize Dragon Communion Incantations’ damage and status effect buildup. This can also affect the bleed build-up if you are using the Rivers of Blood katana.
Building Around the Dragon Communion Seal
Creating an effective build around the Dragon Communion Seal requires careful stat allocation, equipment selection, and incantation choices.
Stat Allocation
Prioritize Arcane and Faith. Aim to reach at least 45 Arcane early on. A general guideline is to get vigor to 40, endurance to 20, Mind to 25, faith and arcane to 45 each.
Essential Equipment
Consider the following equipment to synergize with your Dragon Communion Seal build:
- Weapons: Weapons that scale with Arcane, such as Rivers of Blood, Eleonora’s Poleblade, or weapons infused with bleed or occult.
- Armor: The Albinauric Set offers a boost to Arcane, further enhancing your build.
- Talismans:
- Marika’s Scarseal/Soreseal: Raises Mind, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane, but increases damage taken.
- Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Increases attack power when blood loss occurs in the vicinity.
- Godfrey Icon: Boosts charged spells and skills, useful for charged dragon breath attacks.
- Old Lord’s Talisman: Extends the duration of spells, including dragon incantations.
Incantation Choices
Focus on Dragon Communion Incantations. Experiment with different breaths, such as:
- Dragonfire: A straightforward, damaging fire breath.
- Dragonice: Applies Frostbite, inflicting damage and reducing enemy defenses.
- Greyoll’s Roar: A powerful roar that reduces enemy attack power.
- Rot Breath: Inflicts Scarlet Rot, a devastating status effect that deals high damage over time.
FAQs: Arcane Seals and Builds in Elden Ring
1. What exactly does Arcane do in Elden Ring?
Arcane primarily affects item discovery, certain spell scaling, and the buildup of status effects like Bleed, Poison, Madness, and Sleep. Some weapons also scale their damage output with Arcane.
2. Is Arcane a worthwhile stat to invest in?
Yes, but only if you are building around it. If you are using weapons or incantations that scale significantly with Arcane, it’s a very powerful stat. Otherwise, its benefits are limited.
3. What starting class is best for an Arcane build?
The Bandit has the highest starting Arcane at 14, making it the natural choice. The Hero is a close second with 11 Arcane.
4. Where can I find the Dragon Communion Seal?
The Dragon Communion Seal is located in the Fringefolk Hero’s Grave in Limgrave. You’ll need a Stonesword Key to access the area.
5. What are Dragon Communion Incantations?
These are incantations learned by consuming dragon hearts at the Cathedral of Dragon Communion and the Church of Dragon Communion. They allow you to transform into draconic forms and unleash breath attacks.
6. How do I unlock new Dragon Communion Incantations?
By defeating dragons and consuming their hearts at the designated churches. Each heart unlocks new incantations.
7. Does dual-wielding seals stack their effects?
Yes, buffs to incantation types provided by certain seals are applied passively when held, not when used. This allows players to stack buffs by dual-wielding seals.
8. Is Rivers of Blood a good weapon for an Arcane build?
Yes, Rivers of Blood scales with Arcane and deals both physical and fire damage, as well as inflicting Bleed. It’s a powerful option for Arcane-focused builds.
9. How much Arcane should I level for a Bleed build?
Aim for at least 45 Arcane, as this is near the soft cap for Bleed build-up. 60 Arcane is optimal for maximizing Bleed effectiveness.
10. What armor sets boost Arcane?
The Albinauric Set is a notable set that increases Arcane.
11. What talismans are useful for an Arcane build?
Marika’s Scarseal/Soreseal, Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Godfrey Icon, and Old Lord’s Talisman are all excellent choices.
12. Does Swarm of Flies scale with Arcane?
Yes, Swarm of Flies scales well with either Arcane or Faith. Because Bleed weapons are often Arcane-based, Arcane is generally the preferred stat.
13. What are the best Dragon Communion Incantations?
This depends on your playstyle, but Dragonfire, Dragonice, Greyoll’s Roar, and Rot Breath are all powerful and versatile options.
14. Is the Dragon Communion Seal only good for Dragon Communion Incantations?
While it excels with those incantations, its Arcane and Faith scaling can also benefit other incantations that scale with those stats. It’s not a bad seal for other incantations, but it’s optimized for the Dragon Communion ones.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?
The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org is a great resource for understanding the educational benefits and impact of gaming. Gaming is a wonderful way to train new skills and discover new worlds.
Conclusion: Embracing the Power of Arcane
The Dragon Communion Seal is the cornerstone of a potent Arcane build in Elden Ring, particularly when coupled with Dragon Communion Incantations. By understanding its scaling, stat allocation, and synergistic equipment, players can unleash devastating draconic power and dominate the Lands Between. Embrace the draconic arts, master the Arcane, and become a force to be reckoned with.