Blasphemous Claw

Type

Offensive

FP cost

0

Maximum held

1

Maximum stored

600

Consumed when used

No

About this item

A slab of rock engraved with traces of the Rune of Death.

Can deflect the power of the Black Blade.

On the night of the dire plot, Ranni rewarded Praetor Rykard with these traces. Should the coming trespass one day transpire, they would serve as a last-resort foil, allowing Rykard to challenge Maliketh the Black Blade, the black beast of Destined Death.

Recusant Bernahl's invasion below the Great Bridge

Crumbling Farum Azula

Starting Site of Grace: Beside the Great Bridge

Before you go

• Bernahl must be alive to invade.
• Defeat Rykard.

1. Keep Bernahl alive through Volcano Manor. Finish his joint Leyndell assignment and collect Gelmir's Fury first if you want those rewards, then defeat Rykard. Return to Bernahl at the manor and finish his remaining dialogue.
2. Later, reach Beside the Great Bridge grace in Crumbling Farum Azula. Climb the stairs onto the broad bridge and turn away from the uphill route toward the Draconic Tree Sentinel and Maliketh.
3. Go to the building at the bridge's opposite end. Descend through the Beastmen rooms and leave onto the outside balcony. Use the ladder there to reach the lower walkway.
4. Follow the walkway toward the separate tower. Recusant Bernahl invades on this approach; make room to fight rather than backing blindly toward a ledge.
5. Defeat him for Devourer's Scepter, Blasphemous Claw and his armor, including the altered chest. His joint Leyndell assignment is not required for this invasion, and defeating Maliketh does not prevent it on the current version.

Notes

• A reusable tool with no FP cost. Equip it in a convenient pouch or quick-item slot before fighting Maliketh so you do not have to search the inventory during his combo.
• It counters specific melee attacks in Maliketh's second phase when the sword lights up gold. The usual red-black glow is not the signal, and the tool does not parry every sword swing or his first-phase Beast Clergyman attacks.
• Look for the gold flash before the plunging or rushing sword finish and time the tool as that attack reaches you. The airborne projectiles preceding a finish are not an instruction to use it against every projectile.
• A successful deflection staggers Maliketh and gives an opening for ordinary attacks. It does not create a normal backstab-style critical riposte or remove the need to avoid his recovery swings.
• It is different from Margit's and Mohg's shackles. Repeatedly using it without the correct attack and timing does not pin the boss down or cancel all his moves.
• Killing Bernahl at Warmaster's Shack prevents his later invasion and this tool. His joint Leyndell contract is optional for the invasion, but completing it before Rykard preserves its separate outfit and sorcery rewards.
• Defeating Maliketh does not prevent Bernahl's invasion on the current version. The tool can therefore still be collected afterward, though it no longer helps with the already completed fight in that journey.