Wakizashi

Notes

• Requires nine Strength and 13 Dexterity, and weighs three. On Standard affinity, Dexterity gives its physical attacks stronger scaling than Strength. Other affinities change that balance.
• Although it is a dagger, it has a special pairing rule. Equip a katana in the right hand and Wakizashi in the left to use paired katana attacks. Reversing those hands does not give the same mixed pairing.
• Two Wakizashi also use the paired katana moveset. It does not use ordinary paired-dagger attacks beside an unrelated dagger, including Main-gauche.
• The mixed katana pairing gives the left-hand Wakizashi extra damage on its paired attacks and uses less stamina than a pair of full-sized katanas. The damage benefit varies by attack; two Wakizashi do not receive that same mixed-pair bonus.
• Its blade is much shorter than a katana. A paired attack can connect with the katana while the dagger misses, so stay close enough for both blades to reach.
• Has 38 native blood loss buildup on Standard affinity. Keen keeps that blood loss, but adding Arcane does not improve it without Arcane scaling on the weapon. Blood and Occult provide that scaling.
• Can use compatible Ashes of War, including Parry. Left-hand Parry takes priority over the katana's skill. Two-hand the katana when you want its skill instead; ordinary left-hand Quickstep does not automatically replace your right-hand weapon's skill.
• Quickstep is its default skill and costs three FP. Grease or a weapon enchantment can be applied while using an affinity that allows weapon buffs. To coat the left-hand dagger with grease, two-hand it first, then return to the paired setup.
• Upgrade it with Smithing Stones to +25. Its critical rating is 100, so it does not have the higher critical rating found on many other daggers.
• The prison lever opens its cell. The two entrance keys are required for the normal cave route, but the dungeon boss is not.