Rivers of Blood

Notes

• Requires 12 Strength, 18 Dexterity and 20 Arcane, and weighs 6.5. Dexterity is the strongest scaling attribute for Physical damage. Arcane improves both Physical and Fire damage, while Strength adds a smaller Physical increase.
• The listed 50 Blood Loss buildup is its starting value, not a fixed maximum. Arcane and reinforcement improve bleed through its Arcane scaling. Fire resistance and immunity to blood loss are separate defenses.
• Corpse Piler starts with two slashes for 17 FP. A second skill input adds three slashes for 9 FP, and a third adds the finishing slash for another 9 FP. The full six-slash sequence costs 35 FP.
• The blade and its blood extension can both hit at close range. Staying outside sword range gives up the blade contact and much of the damage and bleed pressure.
• The skill uses the weapon's attack power rather than a purely Arcane-scaled spell. Dexterity helps its Physical damage, while Arcane improves both damage types and its bleed buildup.
• Individual contacts use different damage and status amounts. Six slashes do not mean six full applications of the bleed number shown on the equipment screen, and the ranged extension has lower buildup than the blade.
• Shard of Alexander improves Corpse Piler. Consecutive-hit bonuses can build during the chain, while Lord of Blood's Exultation and White Mask activate when a nearby bleed occurs. Godfrey Icon does not improve this uncharged sequence.
• You can stop after an earlier stage instead of committing to every follow-up. The long final sequence is easier to punish when an enemy resists stagger.
• Uses Somber Smithing Stones to +10. Its skill and affinity are fixed, and grease or weapon enchantments cannot be applied.
• Bloody Finger Okina gives the sword and Okina Mask together. The Sacred Tear inside Church of Repose is a separate pickup, and the rest of the White Reed clothing comes from Spiritcaller Cave.