Bloodhound's Fang

Notes

• Requires 18 Strength and 17 Dexterity and weighs 11.5. Dexterity gives the stronger physical scaling, but Strength remains useful, especially when two-handing. A balanced investment can be competitive at higher total stats, rather than making Dexterity the only useful attribute.
• Has 55 innate blood loss buildup. The weapon has no Arcane scaling, so raising Arcane alone does not increase that buildup. The physical damage still works against bleed-immune enemies.
• Can use grease and weapon enchantments despite being a Somber weapon with a fixed skill. Bloodflame Blade is one option for adding more bleed pressure, but its added bloodflame buildup is fixed rather than scaling with Arcane.
• Bloodhound's Finesse costs 8 FP for the slash and backward leap. Press strong attack afterward for the advancing follow-up, which costs another 12 FP. You can stop after the retreat if moving back in would be unsafe.
• The advancing follow-up has an evasion window, but that does not make the entire sequence invulnerable. You can be hit during other parts of the movement or land in another attack. Keep track of both the enemy and the space behind you.
• Its ordinary one-handed and two-handed jumping attacks have stronger damage values than usual for a curved greatsword. Claw Talisman and suitable jump-attack armor can improve them further. The paired curved-greatsword jumping attack does not get that special weapon-specific increase.
• The skill's airborne motion is still a weapon skill. Shard of Alexander strengthens it; Claw Talisman does not apply merely because you leave the ground. Godfrey Icon also gives no charged-skill bonus.
• Upgrade with Somber Smithing Stones to +10. Bloodhound's Finesse and the normal affinity are fixed. Being able to apply a coating does not let you select Blood or Occult affinity.
• Darriwil in Forlorn Hound Evergaol awards it. You can fight him early without defeating another major boss. Spirit Ashes and ordinary co-op are unavailable inside the evergaol, but Blaidd's special sign can help after his Mistwood introduction.