Frozen Needle

Notes

• Physical damage scales most strongly with Dexterity, with weaker Strength scaling.
• Upgrade it with Somber Smithing Stones. Its maximum upgrade is +10.
• Its Impaling Thrust skill is fixed and cannot be replaced with an Ash of War.
• Its normal weapon hits build up frostbite. The effect only triggers against enemies that are vulnerable to it.
• Heavy attacks launch an ice blade for no FP. Charging strengthens the shot, and pressing dodge during the heavy-attack startup produces a retreating feint that also fires a blade.
• The launched blade supplies the heavy attack's hit, rather than adding another full melee hit at close range. Its damage is Physical and follows the weapon's Strength and Dexterity scaling; the ice appearance does not add Intelligence scaling or Magic damage.
• Ordinary weapon hits and the uncharged projectile apply 60 Frost buildup. The charged projectile applies 70. Upgrading improves damage without turning the ordinary 60 buildup into a scaling stat.
• The Axe Talisman does not strengthen these projectiles. They also cause much less stance damage than ordinary charged rapier attacks, making Impaling Thrust the more useful tool for breaking an enemy's stance.
• Grease and weapon enchantments cannot be applied. Its fixed skill and affinity also prevent changing it into a Cold-infused weapon for different buildup.
• The free projectile gives this very short rapier a ranged option without using a staff, arrows or FP. It still needs a clear path and is not a replacement for every melee opening.