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Dragon Incantations: Unveiling the Best Breath in Elden Ring

In the vast and perilous Lands Between, Dragon Communion Incantations offer a tempting path to power, allowing players to harness the might of dragons themselves. But with a diverse array of breaths to choose from, discerning the truly superior spells can be a daunting task. The short answer? There’s no single “best” dragon incantation, it depends on your playstyle, your build, and the situation you find yourself in. However, Rotten Breath consistently ranks among the most valuable due to its ability to inflict Scarlet Rot, a devastating status effect that can melt even the toughest bosses. Its utility and widespread application make it a top-tier choice, but many other Dragon Incantations have unique qualities that make them very useful to players.

Understanding Dragon Incantations

Dragon Incantations in Elden Ring are divided into two main categories: Dragon Communion and Dragon Cult. Dragon Communion incantations are fueled by Faith and Arcane, acquired by trading Dragon Hearts at the Church or Cathedral of Dragon Communion, and are mostly breath attacks that apply various status effects. Dragon Cult incantations, on the other hand, focus on lightning-based attacks and are buffed by the Gravel Stone Seal. This article will primarily focus on Dragon Communion Incantations, as they are the spells that most players associate with the “dragon” archetype.

Dragon Communion Incantations: A Closer Look

The core appeal of Dragon Communion incantations lies in their ability to unleash elemental breaths. Each incantation offers a different type of damage and status effect, requiring players to choose wisely based on enemy weaknesses and their own build.

Dragonfire: The basic fire breath. Decent damage and range for its low Faith requirement (15). Usable on horseback.
Dragonice: The basic ice breath. Inflicts Frostbite, slowing enemies and increasing damage taken. Usable on horseback.
Dragonclaw: A close-range claw attack that deals physical damage. Can stagger enemies effectively.
Dragonmaw: A powerful bite attack with significant stagger potential.
Glintstone Breath: Deals magic damage and can be effective against enemies with high physical resistance.
Magma Breath: Leaves pools of magma on the ground that deal continuous fire damage.
Rotten Breath: Inflicts Scarlet Rot, dealing massive damage over time. Highly effective against many bosses.
Smarag’s Glintstone Breath: A more powerful version of Glintstone Breath.
Theodorix’s Magma: A more powerful version of Magma Breath, leaving larger and more damaging magma pools.
Ekzykes’s Decay: A more powerful version of Rotten Breath, but with shorter range and a stutter in the animation.
Greyoll’s Roar: Doesn’t deal direct damage but significantly reduces the attack power of nearby enemies.

The Dragon Communion Seal

To effectively cast Dragon Communion incantations, you’ll need a Sacred Seal. The Dragon Communion Seal is specifically designed to boost these spells, providing a 15% damage increase. This seal scales with both Faith and Arcane, making it ideal for hybrid builds that invest in both stats. It can be found early in the game, making it a very powerful early option.

Choosing the Right Dragon Incantation: Factors to Consider

Several factors influence the effectiveness of a Dragon Incantation:

Stat Requirements: Each incantation has specific Faith and Arcane requirements. Ensure your stats are high enough to cast the spell effectively.
FP Cost: More powerful incantations generally cost more FP. Manage your FP consumption carefully, especially during prolonged encounters.
Damage Type: Different enemies have different resistances. Choose incantations that exploit enemy weaknesses. Fire is generally good against beasts, Frost against armored opponents, while Magic damage is key for enemies resistant to physical attacks.
Status Effects: Scarlet Rot, Frostbite, and other status effects can significantly increase your damage output.
Casting Speed: Some incantations have longer casting times, leaving you vulnerable to attacks. Consider using talismans like the Radagon Icon to increase casting speed.
Range and Area of Effect: Short-range incantations like Dragonclaw require a more aggressive playstyle, while long-range breaths offer more safety.
Charging: Most standard Dragon Incantations can be charged while on horseback, but charging named Dragon Incantations is tricky.
Situational Awareness: What boss or area are you fighting? What are your surroundings? You need to be aware of all of these things when choosing the best dragon incantation for the job.

Why Rotten Breath Often Comes Out on Top

While personal preference and build optimization are important, Rotten Breath stands out as a particularly potent Dragon Communion incantation due to Scarlet Rot. This status effect deals a percentage of the target’s maximum health over time, making it incredibly effective against bosses with large health pools. While Ekzykes’s Decay is a more powerful variant, Rotten Breath’s superior range and smoother animation often make it the preferred choice.

FAQs: Dragon Incantations in Elden Ring

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of Dragon Incantations:

What is the best Dragon Communion Seal? The Dragon Communion Seal is generally considered the best for Dragon Communion incantations because of its built-in 15% damage boost.
How do I acquire Dragon Hearts? Dragon Hearts are obtained by defeating dragon bosses throughout the Lands Between.
Where can I trade Dragon Hearts for incantations? You can trade Dragon Hearts at the Church of Dragon Communion in Limgrave and the Cathedral of Dragon Communion in Caelid.
Do Dragon Incantations scale with Faith or Arcane? Dragon Communion incantations scale with both Faith and Arcane.
What’s the difference between Dragon Communion and Dragon Cult incantations? Dragon Communion incantations deal elemental damage (fire, ice, magic, etc.) and scale with Faith and Arcane, while Dragon Cult incantations deal lightning damage and are buffed by the Gravel Stone Seal.
Does the Roar Medallion affect Dragon Incantations? No, the Roar Medallion only enhances roars and breath attacks associated with weapons and Ashes of War, not Dragon Incantations.
Is Ekzykes’s Decay better than Rotten Breath? While Ekzykes’s Decay deals slightly more damage, Rotten Breath has better range and a smoother animation, making it more versatile in many situations.
How long does Scarlet Rot last? Scarlet Rot inflicted by Rotten Breath deals damage for 90 seconds.
Can I boost Dragon Incantation damage? Yes, the Dragon Communion Seal provides a 15% boost. You can also boost specific damage types (e.g., fire damage) with talismans and equipment.
What are the best talismans for a Dragon Incantation build? The Dragon Communion Seal, Radagon Icon, Godfrey Icon, and talismans that boost specific damage types are all valuable choices.
Are the “named” Dragon breath attacks (like Agheel’s Flame) better than the basic versions (like Dragonfire)? Named Dragon breath attacks deal about 17% more damage than the basic versions, except for Theodorix’s Magma, which deals 41% more.
Can I cast Dragon Incantations on horseback? Standard Dragon Incantations (Dragonfire, Dragonice, Dragonclaw, and Dragonmaw) can be used while on horseback. Named Dragon Incantations cannot.
What does Greyoll’s Roar do? Greyoll’s Roar reduces the attack power of nearby enemies. It doesn’t deal direct damage.
Is there a seal that boosts Dragon Cult Incantations? Yes, the Gravel Stone Seal boosts Dragon Cult Incantations.
Are Dragon Incantations good for PvE (Player versus Environment)? Yes, Dragon Incantations, especially Rotten Breath, are highly effective against many bosses and enemies in Elden Ring’s PvE content.

Mastering the Dragon Within

Dragon Incantations offer a unique and powerful playstyle in Elden Ring. While Rotten Breath remains a top choice for its devastating Scarlet Rot, the “best” incantation ultimately depends on your individual build and the challenges you face. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each spell, and by carefully considering your stat investment and equipment choices, you can unlock the true potential of the dragon within. Remember to explore the Lands Between, experiment with different incantations, and find the combination that best suits your preferred approach to combat. Also, don’t forget to check out the work being done by the Games Learning Society to better understand how games can positively impact our lives. You can find more information at GamesLearningSociety.org. Good luck, Tarnished, and may your breath be ever scorching!

Which dragon incantation is better?