UPDATE: We have added two interactive maps to this guide that show the locations of every item mentioned in this Bloodfiend’s Arm build, to give you a helping hand tracking everything down.
Unleashing the Power of Elden Ring: The Bloodfiend’s Arm Build
The latest expansion of Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, has introduced a vast array of powerful new weapons. Among them, the Bloodfiend’s Arm has quickly gained attention for its remarkable capabilities. Not only does it deliver substantial damage, but it also excels at inflicting bleed effects, making it a must-have for players looking to dominate their foes in The Lands Between.
With its colossal structure and destructive potential, the Bloodfiend’s Arm stands out as one of the most formidable weapons available. Gone are the days of relying solely on Rivers of Blood—I have found my new favorite weapon. In this guide, we will explore the optimal build for the Bloodfiend’s Arm, providing you with everything you need to succeed.
Item Locations for Bloodfiend’s Arm Build
To assist you further, we have included two interactive maps below, which pinpoint the locations of every item mentioned in this Bloodfiend’s Arm build.
**Items in The Lands Between:**
**Items in the Land of Shadow:**
Best Build for Bloodfiend’s Arm in Elden Ring
When constructing your build around the Bloodfiend’s Arm, you have two primary paths. The first strategy involves applying a Bleed infusion to capitalize on the weapon’s substantial blood loss potential, particularly by leveling your Arcane stat. In the recent 1.12.3 patch, the blood loss potential was modified to 203 (previously 223 with 80 Arcane).
The second strategy focuses on maximizing the weapon’s base damage through an Occult infusion. Even with this approach, you can still trigger bleed damage thanks to the Bloodfiend’s Arm’s charged heavy attacks. My personal experience suggests that while the Occult infusion generally inflicts higher damage, I tend to favor the bleed playstyle due to its excitement and effectiveness.
Recommended Stats and Class
This build is designed for players venturing into the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for the first time or those embarking on a complete run in New Game Plus. The ideal character should be between Rune Level 150 and 200, and your starting class is flexible. However, I recommend starting with the Hero class due to its advantageous Vigor and Strength stats, though the Bandit class with 14 Arcane is also viable.
Interestingly, players can acquire the Bloodfiend’s Arm early in the DLC; thus, it’s feasible to use another Arcane-scaling weapon from the base game (like Reduvia or Rivers of Blood) before transitioning to the Bloodfiend’s Arm. Prioritize building up your Vigor and accommodating the minimum requirements for wielding the weapon while investing as much as possible into Arcane.
For a well-rounded Flask spread, I suggest 10 Crimson and 4 Cerulean. This build does not demand excessive FP, as the primary techniques revolve around buffs before bosses and strategic use of Ash of War skills.
Here’s a summary of the recommended stats to target:
- Vigor: 60
- Mind: 20
- Endurance: 20
- Strength: 28+
- Dexterity: 11
- Intelligence: 9
- Faith: 25 (optional)
- Arcane: 60/80
With the Bloodfiend’s Arm infused with a Bleed Ash of War, you will achieve a C scaling with Strength, a B scaling with Arcane, and an E scaling with Dexterity at +25. Therefore, it’s crucial to meet the minimum requirements for Strength (28) and Dexterity (11) while maximizing Arcane to enhance blood loss.
Essential Weapons
This build largely revolves around two key pieces of equipment: the Bloodfiend’s Arm and the Dragon Communion Seal. The Dragon Communion Seal, obtainable at the Fringefolk Hero’s Grave, boasts an impressive S scaling with Arcane at +10, making it an excellent choice for buffs and supplementary offensive spells.
Popular Incantations like Borealis’s Mist and Pest Threads are also feasible options to boost damage, given that the necessary stats are met. When acquiring the Bloodfiend’s Arm, visit Prospect Town in Gravesite Plain and defeat the group of Bloodfiends praying atop the ruins.
Ashes of War Strategy
To maximize the effectiveness of the Bloodfiend’s Arm, prioritize applying substantial bleed and executing powerful charged heavy attacks. For this purpose, infusing the weapon with a Bleed Ash of War is highly recommended.
While you may select any Ash of War you prefer, I recommend the Royal Knight’s Resolve, which offers an impressive 80% damage boost to your next attack if used within ten seconds.
Crucial Talismans
Several Talismans complement this build, but some are critical to your success:
- Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Boosts attack power when blood loss is present.
- Two-Handed Talisman: Enhances damage with two-handed weaponry.
- Two-Headed Turtle Talisman: Improves stamina regeneration significantly.
- Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Increases attack power with successive hits.
- Dragoncrest Greatshield: Provides substantial protection against physical damage.
- Blade of Mercy: Elevates attacks following critical strikes.
For optimal results, keep the Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Two-Handed Talisman, and Dragoncrest Greatshield equipped. This setup will ensure enhanced attack power and survivability, especially in the punishing Realm of Shadow. Additionally, I recommend the Two-Headed Turtle Talisman to prevent stamina-related issues during combat, unless you’re comfortable managing your stamina and would prefer to boost attack damage further with the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia or Blade of Mercy.
Strategic Incantations for Enhanced Power
This Bloodfiend’s Arm build employs two potent Incantations, although it’s possible to forgo them if you prefer to allocate your Faith levels elsewhere.
However, I strongly advise utilizing these buffs as they will significantly enhance your damage output against the formidable foes found in the Realm of Shadow.
- Golden Vow: Boosts both attack and defense for yourself and allies. Located at the Corpse-Stench Shack in Mt. Gelmir.
- Flame, Grant Me Strength: Increases physical and fire affinity attack power, find it behind Fort Gael in Caelid.
These two Incantations provide essential offensive and defensive boosts in challenging encounters. Golden Vow requires 25 Faith, while Flame, Grant Me Strength needs only 15 Faith, making it feasible to utilize at least one if your Faith is limited.
For a last resort, add the Faith Knot Crystal Tear to your Flask of Wondrous Physick to gain a temporary boost in Faith before tackling a tough enemy encounter!
Recommended Armour and Gear
The quintessential piece of gear for this build is undeniably the White Mask. Much like the Lord of Blood’s Exultation Talisman, this headgear enhances your attack power when blood loss is inflicted on opponents.
Beyond the White Mask, feel free to choose armor that catches your interest. Personally, I favored the Briar set when wielding my Bloodfiend’s Arm; however, the Black Knight set or Rakshasa’s set—which also enhances damage but increases the overall damage taken—are excellent choices for those seeking a challenge.
For further insights on optimizing your experience in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, check out our guides on the best Beast Claws, Frost Perfumer, and Dryleaf Arts builds.
