Best Stats for Bloodhound Fang

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Best Stats for Bloodhound Fang

The Bloodhound’s Fang is one of Elden Ring’s most coveted weapons, known for its swift curved greatsword moveset, significant bleed buildup, and unique skill that grants advantage in both PvE and PvP. To build the best version of this weapon, choosing the right stats and gear setup is crucial. Whether you favor speed, bleed, or hybrid scaling, optimizing Bloodhound’s Fang through attribute investment, Ashes of War, and talismans can turn it into a late‘game powerhouse. This guide explores the ideal stat thresholds, equipment synergies, and playstyle tips to maximize the potential of your Bloodhound’s Fang build.

Understanding Bloodhound’s Fang Basics

At base, Bloodhound’s Fang scales with Strength and Dexterity (both C), and gains a bleed buildup based on Dexterity and Arcane. The weapon skill, Bloodhound’s Finesse, enhances the next few R2 attacks to deal extra damage and greatly increase bleed buildup. Players can opt to infuse it further with Ashes of War to boost scaling or inflict additional status effects.

Key Attributes

  • Strength: Boosts raw damage and attack power
  • Dexterity: Improves overall damage, bleed buildup, and stamina efficiency
  • Arcane: Increases bleed status effectiveness

Investing in these attributes unlocks greater damage potential and makes skill activations more potent.

Primary Stats Allocation

To find the best Bloodhound’s Fang build, players normally focus on a tri-stat distribution: Strength, Dexterity, and Arcane. Precision in balancing these determines how effective bleed procs and raw damage become.

Core Stat Targets

  • Strength: 18–22
    Meets minimum requirements and contributes to base damage. Going beyond 22 still yields diminishing returns.
  • Dexterity: 40–60
    Vital for bleed buildup, scaling, and stamina cost reduction. Aim for mid‘40s for a good threshold.
  • Arcane: 20–30
    Significantly enhances bleed proc rate. Around 25 provides solid gains without overinvestment.
  • Vigor: 40+
    Ensures survivability in late‘game content; recommended minimum is 40–50.
  • Endurance: 20–25
    Balances equip burden and stamina needed for natural rolling and skill usage.

Focusing these stats leaves little room for Mind or Faith, unless you want hybrid builds. Many players aim for a Vigor/Dex/Arc build for PvE focus. PvP users may reduce Vigor to 35–40 and invest in Mind or other resistances.

Infusions and Ashes of War Choices

The default Bloodhound’s Fang has a powerful bleed line, but players can replace the weapon skill with Keen or Blood infusions. Here’s a breakdown:

No Infusion (Default)

  • Uses native scaling (C Strength, C Dexterity, B bleed with Arcane scaling)
  • Retains unique skill for burst bleed

This is the most straightforward option, offering utility and burst bleed. It’s ideal when you maintain Dexterity and Arcane high.

Keen Infusion

  • Strips bleed but upgrades Strength and Dexterity to A scaling
  • Examples: +20–30% pure physical damage

Great for hybrid builds focused on pure DPS without bleed reliance. This builds into fast weapon swipe combos and proper Ash synergy.

Blood Infusion

  • Enhances bleed buildup (SS scaling in bleed)
  • Raises passive bleed procs and burst bleed.

Best for players seeking maximum bleed output at cost of lower raw damage or needing high Arcane stat. Combine with talismans that boost bleed effects.

Talismans and Equipment Synergies

Pairing Bloodhound’s Fang with proper talismans and armor maximizes its stat effects and overall performance.

Recommended Talismans

  • Lord of Blood’s Favor: Raises max health, stamina, and increases bleed buildup
  • Ritual Sword Talisman: Boosts attack power, perfect for raw damage focus
  • Talisman of Bleeding: Raises bleed effect by 15%
  • Radagon’s Scarseal/Soreseal: Raises Strength, Dexterity, and Arcane at cost of increased damage taken

Armor and Fatigue Considerations

Invest in armor that keeps you under perfect or mid-roll threshold based on equipped talismans and endurance. Medium sets like Royal Knight or Black Knife pair well. Choose headgear and gloves that suit resistance and stamina management.

Playstyle and Skill Usage

Bloodhound’s attack speed supports fluid play involving back-to-back R1, and up-close burst from Bloodhound’s Finesse. Timing and distance control are key:

Combat Flow

  • Start engagement by pressuring with R1 pokes
  • Initiate bleed combo with R2 or skill when opponent is staggered
  • Use Bloodhound’s Finesse to finish with extra bleed burst
  • Withdraw and reposition using rolls to reset spacing

For PvP

  • Predict dodge timings and use heavy attack follow-ups
  • Use bleed proc as chip pressure in longer fights
  • Switch to Keen-infused version if facing bleed-resistant players

Advanced Build Variants

Here are specialized builds focusing on specific goals:

PvE Bleed Burst Build

  • Stats: Vigor 50, Endurance 25, Dex 50, Arcane 30
  • Blood Tested infusion + bleed talismans
  • Armor: Light or medium for stamina management

PvP Hybrid Burst Build

  • Stats: Vigor 40, Endurance 20, Dex 60, Str 18
  • Keen infusion + Ritual Sword Talisman for high DPS
  • Medium armor for balanced defense

What You Should Prioritize

When building for Bloodhound’s Fang, focus on a few key priorities:

  • Dexterity for both physical scaling and bleed scaling
  • Arcane only if bleed‘focused; otherwise, keep it moderate to save on stats
  • Vigor high enough to survive hits, particularly in PvP
  • Balanced Endurance to wear mid‘roll gear

Tips and Takeaways

  • Keep Dex and Arcane balanced to unlock high bleed scaling thresholds
  • Use Radagon Talisman for scaling leads at cost of increased damage
  • Alternate between Keen and Blood infusions depending on enemy weaknesses
  • Regularly test bleed proc timing vs bosses to optimize burst
  • Adjust roll and dodge sensitivity to fluidly reposition during combos

Bloodhound’s Fang is a skillful and rewarding weapon when built properly. The best stat build revolves around Dexterity 50–60, Arcane 20–30 for bleed, Strength 18–22 for base damage, with enough Vigor and Endurance for survivability and roll management. Choose infusions according to your playstyle: default for balanced bleed, Keen for raw physical DPS, or Blood for max bleed output. Equip talismans like Lord of Blood’s Favor and Ritual Sword Talisman to boost damage and sustain. Optimize your rolling and stamina to execute back-to-back combos and maximize bleed burst potency. With these stats and setup, Bloodhound’s Fang becomes a deceptively lethal weapon capable of turning every engagement into your advantage in Elden Ring.