Elden Ring, the highly anticipated action RPG developed by FromSoftware, has taken the gaming world by storm. With its vast open-world, intricate lore, and challenging gameplay, players find themselves immersed in a dark fantasy realm. Among the numerous weapons available, one particular class stands out – the flails. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of flails, explore unique and non-unique options, and provide insights into effective playstyles for these distinctive weapons.
Pros and Cons of Flails:
Before we dive into specific flail options, let’s examine the general advantages and disadvantages of using flails in the Elden Ring. Flails boast high Poise damage, making them formidable for breaking stances. They offer decent attack speed and excel in block counters, making them effective with shields. Additionally, non-unique flails have native bleed buildup on hit, providing an edge in boss fights. However, their charged R2 attacks have a lengthy wind-up, posing a challenge in execution. Limited weapon variety and unsynchronized dual-wield move sets are additional drawbacks, making flails a demanding weapon class.
Playstyles and Preferred Builds:
The preferred playstyle for most flail users involves pairing them with a shield, leveraging the Poise damage, Elden Ring Runes and reach. The dual-wield move set is often deemed suboptimal due to its staggered attacks. Additionally, flails are commonly associated with strength and dexterity builds, with some variations incorporating intelligence for specific unique flails.
Unique Flails:
Family Heads:
Physical and Magic damage.
Second lightest flail.
Requires points in strength, dexterity, and intelligence.
Found in the Sage's Cave in the Altus Plateau.
High attack rating with a balanced split between physical and Magic damage.
Weapon skill "Familiar Ranker" deals 100% magic damage.
Optimal stat spread around 55 dexterity, with a focus on strength for medium shields.
Bastard Starus:
Physical and Magic damage.
Second heaviest flail.
Requires points in strength, dexterity, and intelligence.
Obtained after defeating Asel Natural, the Warden of the Void.
Exceptional attack rating with a focus on Magic damage.
Weapon skill "Nebula" deals predominantly magic damage.
Ideal stat spread around 50 intelligence, with minimum requirements in strength and dexterity.Non-Unique Flails:
Flail:
Physical damage.
Lightest flail.
Requires points in strength and dexterity.
Acquired early in the Gatefront Ruins.
Native bleed buildup and accessible early in the game.
Spinning chain weapon skill with a challenging follow-up attack.
Night Rider Flail:
Physical damage.
Second heaviest flail.
Requires points in strength and dexterity.
Upgraded version of the Flail, obtained after defeating the Knight's Cavalry.
Improved stats and damage compared to the Flail.
Similar spinning chain weapon skill.
Chainlink Flail:
Physical damage.
Heaviest flail.
Requires points in strength and dexterity.
Found from lesser Pumpkin Head enemies.
Highest attack rating among non-unique flails.
Strong scaling with strength, making it suitable for shield and flail setups.Conclusion:
While flails may not be universally considered the best weapon class in Elden Ring, this guide sheds light on their unique strengths and weaknesses. Understanding the intricacies of each flail and tailoring your playstyle and building accordingly can unlock the full potential of these distinctive weapons. As you embark on your Elden Ring journey, consider the flails as a challenging yet rewarding choice, adding depth to your combat experience in this dark and mysterious world.
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