Unsheathing the Legend: How to Acquire the Dragonscale Blade in Elden Ring

The coveted Dragonscale Blade in Elden Ring isn’t just handed out; it’s earned through a challenging journey. To claim this katana, you must defeat the Dragonkin Soldier Field Boss residing within the Lake of Rot, a hidden area accessible through the South Ainsel River and deeply entwined with Ranni the Witch’s questline. This guide will illuminate the path to obtaining this unique and powerful weapon, along with answering common questions about its capabilities and comparisons to other notable katanas in the game.

The Path to Dragonscale Glory

The acquisition of the Dragonscale Blade is intrinsically linked to completing a significant portion of Ranni’s questline. This means it won’t be accessible early in the game; you’ll need to invest time and effort into this compelling narrative thread. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:

1. Meet Ranni the Witch: Find her at Ranni’s Rise in the Three Sisters area of Liurnia of the Lakes. This area becomes accessible after defeating Royal Knight Loretta at the Carian Manor. Agree to serve her.

2. Follow Ranni’s Quest: This involves several stages, including:

   • Speaking with her spectral advisors: Blaidd, Iji, and Seluvis.
   • Exploring the Siofra River to assist Blaidd in finding Nokron, Eternal City.
   • Obtaining the Fingerslayer Blade from Nokron.
   • Returning the Fingerslayer Blade to Ranni.
   • Traveling through a portal to fight Astel, Naturalborn of the Void beneath the Grand Cloister.

3. Access the Lake of Rot: After defeating Astel, you’ll emerge in an area leading to the Lake of Rot. This is a perilous area filled with scarlet rot, requiring appropriate resistance or items like Preserving Boluses.

4. Defeat the Dragonkin Soldier: In the center of the Lake of Rot, you’ll find the Dragonkin Soldier. He is your target. Overcome it in battle to claim the Dragonscale Blade.

What Makes the Dragonscale Blade Special?

The Dragonscale Blade is a unique katana due to its innate ability to deal both Slash and Pierce damage, coupled with its scaling in Dexterity, Strength, and particularly valuable, Lightning damage. The Dragonscale Blade deals 20% more damage to lesser Dragons and 10% more damage to Ancient Dragons, making it an ideal dragonslayer. Its weapon skill, Ice Lightning Sword, imbues the blade with frost and lightning, unleashing a powerful ranged attack. This skill makes the blade shine against enemies weak to either element.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions concerning the Dragonscale Blade and similar katanas:

1. How early can I get the Dragonscale Blade? Unfortunately, you cannot acquire the Dragonscale Blade early in Elden Ring. It requires substantial progress in Ranni’s questline, which necessitates traversing multiple areas and defeating several bosses.

2. Where exactly is the Dragonscale Blade located? The Dragonscale Blade is obtained by defeating the Dragonkin Soldier boss in the Lake of Rot, which is located deep underground, accessible after progressing through Ranni’s questline and entering via Ainsel River.

3. Is the Dragonscale Blade good for a Dexterity build? Yes, the Dragonscale Blade scales primarily with Dexterity, making it an excellent choice for a Dexterity-focused build. It also has scaling in Strength, making it a good choice for strength scaling builds too.

4. Does the Dragonscale Blade inflict any status effects? Yes, its unique weapon skill, Ice Lightning Sword, inflicts both Frostbite and deals Lightning damage, making it incredibly versatile against a wide range of enemies.

5. How does the Dragonscale Blade compare to the Moonveil katana? The Moonveil katana excels in Intelligence-based builds and is renowned for its Transient Moonlight weapon skill, which unleashes powerful magic-infused slashes. The Dragonscale Blade focuses more on Dexterity and utilizes Ice Lightning with its skill. The best choice depends on your preferred stats and playstyle. Moonveil has the edge in faster attacks.

6. Is the Rivers of Blood katana better than the Dragonscale Blade? The Rivers of Blood katana is known for its devastating bleed build-up and aggressive attack style. While both are powerful, Rivers of Blood relies heavily on inflicting bleed, while the Dragonscale Blade offers a more diverse elemental damage profile.

7. Can I use Ashes of War on the Dragonscale Blade? No, the Dragonscale Blade has a unique, pre-set skill, Ice Lightning Sword, and cannot be infused with other Ashes of War.

8. What are the stat requirements for wielding the Dragonscale Blade? The Dragonscale Blade requires 12 Strength, 20 Dexterity, and 14 Intelligence to wield effectively.

9. Is the Dragonscale Blade effective against dragons? Yes! Dragonscale Blade deals 20% more damage to lesser Dragons and 10% more damage to Ancient Dragons, making it an ideal dragonslayer.

10. What are some good talismans to pair with the Dragonscale Blade? Talismans that boost Dexterity (e.g., Radagon’s Soreseal early game, Marika’s Soreseal mid-late game), increase FP (e.g., Cerulean Amber Medallion), or enhance weapon skills (e.g., ** Godfrey Icon**) can synergize well with the Dragonscale Blade.

11. Is the Dragonscale Blade viable for PvP combat? Yes, the Dragonscale Blade can be effective in PvP due to its combination of physical and elemental damage, as well as the deceptive range of its weapon skill. However, skilled opponents might be able to predict and counter its moves.

12. Can I upgrade the Dragonscale Blade? Yes, the Dragonscale Blade can be upgraded using Somber Smithing Stones, up to a maximum of +10.

13. Does Arcane affect the Dragonscale Blade? While the Dragonscale Blade doesn’t directly scale with Arcane, increasing Arcane can indirectly benefit you by boosting item discovery, helping you find more materials for upgrades and consumables.

14. What is the lore behind the Dragonscale Blade? The Dragonscale Blade’s lore is shrouded in mystery, like many items in Elden Ring. It’s believed to be connected to ancient dragon-worshipping cults and imbued with the essence of both ice and lightning, reflecting the duality of the Dragonkin Soldier who wielded it.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and how weapons like the Dragonscale Blade are created? If you are interested in learning more about game design and how weapons are created, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for resources and educational materials. The Games Learning Society is a fantastic resource to help teach you about games and learning.

Mastering the Dragonscale Blade

The Dragonscale Blade is more than just a weapon; it’s a symbol of your dedication and progress in Elden Ring. Its unique blend of damage types and the versatility of its weapon skill make it a valuable asset in any Tarnished’s arsenal. By understanding its strengths, weaknesses, and optimal builds, you can truly master this legendary katana and carve your own path through the Lands Between.