When Elden Ring launched, its difficulty quickly became a hot topic. While it was expected from a FromSoftware and Hidetaka Miyazaki title, the game had a wider appeal than the average Soulslike which got more people playing it. So there were a lot more people playing it.
And in a not-so-big surprise, Hidetaka Miyazaki may have been expecting that all along. The devs cleverly placed an extremely powerful weapon, Bloodhound’s Fang, early in the game. While not an endgame weapon by design, its impressive stats, scalability, and ease of use have made it a favorite for new players.
Bloodhound’s Fang can be obtained early in Limgrave by defeating the boss Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in the Forlorn Hound’s Evergaol. Despite being available early on in Elden Ring, the weapon has endgame potential. With its high base damage and bleed effect, it scales well throughout the game.
Bloodhound’s Fang is pretty much a perfect weapon
byu/Mzuark inEldenring
What sets it apart, however, is its simplicity in upgrading, requiring only Somber Smithing Stones, which makes it relatively easy to max out before facing tougher bosses later in the game.
The design of the Bloodhound’s Fang feels intentional. It’s like the weapon is a subtle olive branch to players who get frustrated early on by the game’s difficulty. With high attack power, Bleed build-up, and a solid Ash of War, it gives newcomers a fighting chance.
The Ash of War allows the player to strike with a large uppercut and then backflip to create distance, then players can follow up with a teleporting strike for additional damage. For an early-game weapon, it punches well above its weight, making even seasoned players rethink their strategies.
Bloodhound’s Fang, my lord and savior in this Elden Ring playthrough (early on) pic.twitter.com/9WjDm1Wueu
— ken (@kenthavala) July 1, 2024
One of the standout features of the Bloodhound’s Fang is its ability to inflict bleed damage naturally, which is further amplified when paired with buffs like the Bloodflame Blade. The bleed mechanic in Elden Ring is very strong and deals massive chunks of damage to bosses in a short period.
The best part about it is that while Bloodhound’s Fang is a strong weapon, it doesn’t overpower the game to the point of making it easy. The game’s design still requires skill and timing. Even with a strong weapon like the Fang, players must learn enemy patterns, dodge attacks, and manage resources.
But the weapon is not without its limitations. As players progress into the late game, certain bosses become too fast or mobile for the weapon’s slower attack animations and follow-up moves. This is particularly true for bosses like Malenia, where the timing and recovery of the weapon’s skill can leave players vulnerable.
Miyazaki’s decision to place such a powerful weapon early in Elden Ring shows his understanding of player psychology. Rather than making the game easier through settings or difficulty levels, he provided tools that let players feel empowered while maintaining the core challenge that defines FromSoftware games.
The popularity of Bloodhound’s Fang, especially among newer players, can’t be understated. Its moveset, damage output, and versatility have earned it a place as one of the best early-game weapons in Elden Ring.
Did you use Bloodhound’s Fang in your Elden Ring playthrough? Let us know in the comments!
#Hidetaka #Miyazaki #Knew #Placing #EndGame #Weapon #Early #Elden #Ring #Shut #Hard #Difficulty #Critics
