As an avid gamer with over 7 years of experience playing complex action RPGs like Elden Ring, I’ve battled my way through raging rivers of blood to emerge victorious. With the right strategies and equipment, you too can traverse these treacherous waters.
In my early days with Elden Ring, I struggled mightily against enemies wielding the infamous Rivers of Blood katana. Its Corpse Wax weapon art unleashes a devastating blood flame slash that builds hemorrhage with each hit. After being crushed time and again, I decided to fight fire with fire. I journeyed to Mt. Gelmir to claim the Rivers of Blood for myself.
Elden Ring Journey
The journey was grueling. Volcanic Manor swarmed with Noble sorcerers bombarding me with gravity magic. My +8 Uchigatana seemed to barely scratch the surface of their health bars. After battling through the manor I finally reached the site of the invasion, a narrow bridge suspended over a river of molten lava.
An NPC red phantom wielding two katanas awaited, his blades glowing red with swirling blood flame. What ensued was a furious 30 second dance of death atop that precarious bridge. In the end, a perfectly timed Corpse Wax art broke his stance, allowing me to riposte him into the lava for the win. I emerged victorious, Rivers of Blood in hand.
Katana Wielding
As a katana wielding dexterity build, integrating the Rivers of Blood into my playstyle was seamless. But for less agile builds, facing enemies with this weapon can be terrifying. Even basic soldiers can shred your health bar in seconds by unleashing waves of bloodloss buildup. So for anyone struggling against this weapon, I’ve compiled some key tips for survival. With the right approach, you can not only withstand the Rivers of Blood, but master overwhelming any bloody encounter.
Exploit Blood’s Weakness – Frost and Magic
While dangerous, blood flame is particularly vulnerable to frost and magic attacks. Weapons with innate frost buildup like the Ice Spear can dramatically slow blood loss, giving you precious seconds to chug a flask. Alternatively, glintstone sorceries like Glintstone Icecrag completely halt blood loss buildup for their duration. Frost and magic work in tandem, so combining an icy armament with ranged sorceries makes you nearly impervious to hemorrhage. I love pairing Hoarfrost Stomp with ranged cold sorceries to constantly reset blood loss while bombarding enemies from afar.
Keep Your Distance and Use the Terrain
The Rivers of Blood thrives in close quarters, so keep your distance! The weapon art Corpse Wax has a 10m range, so keep just outside of that bubble. Use the terrain to your advantage – cliffs, scarlet rot, even houses can separate you from the carnage. I love luring invaders with Rivers into confined spaces filled with scarlet rot. As they desperately attempt to close the gap, the rot whittles their health down until they’re forced to chug a flask, breaking their momentum. I then go in for the punishment. Controlling space is vital when facing blood weapons.
Stack Robustness and Use Blood-Stopping Talismans
Vigor is important for survival, but don’t neglect robustness! Wearing the heaviest armor your build allows dramatically reduces blood loss buildup. Combine that with talismans like Bloodproof, Claw, or Lord of Blood’s Exultation. Even mid-roll builds can use Greatshields like Fingerprint Stone Shield just for their 90+ guard boost against blood attacks when two-handed. With high robustness, blood will tickle rather than shred. You can even use blood weapons yourself with the Lord of Blood’s talisman!
Overwhelm With Bloodhound Step and Swarm of Flies
The Rivers of Blood is designed for single target carnage, so overwhelms its wielders with superior mobility and crowd control. My favorite counter is Bloodhound Step – it lets you instantly blink behind enemies for a backstab punishment. Swarm of Flies is vicious too, applying both blood loss and scarlet rot clouds with each cast. I love using both simultaneously, bloodhounding behind enemies in a cloud of rot flies. This spell combo pressures any blood build, forcing them to divide focus between self preservation and offense. Seize those openings for critical strikes.
In Summary
Facing Rivers of Blood can be terrifying, but with the right strategies you can withstand and even master its bloodflame fury. Frost and magic offer strong defensive counters. Frost and magic work in tandem, so combining an icy armament with ranged sorceries makes you nearly impervious to hemorrhage.
I love pairing Hoarfrost Stomp with ranged cold sorceries to constantly reset blood loss while bombarding enemies from afar. Controlling space, terrain, and robustness reduce buildup, while Bloodhound Step and Swarm of Flies overwhelm. Master these tips, and you’ll emerge victorious from even the most violent bloodbaths.
I’ve compiled some key tips for survival. With the right approach, you can not only withstand the Rivers of Blood, but master overwhelming any bloody encounter. Now go forth, Tarnished warrior, wade into those crimson rivers, and claim your destiny! The Elden Ring awaits.
Also Read – Scenic Rivers in Europe – Must-Visit Destinations for Travelers
Sandeep Karki is a passionate travel writer with a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and over 8 years of experience exploring and documenting the world’s most pristine natural landscapes. As the sole writer for RiverandEarth.com, Sandeep blends his love for travel with a deep understanding of environmental sustainability, offering readers unique insights into eco-friendly travel destinations, outdoor adventures, and cultural experiences. His work emphasizes responsible travel practices that respect and preserve the environment.
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