In the world ofElden Ring, few weapons offer the unique blend of raw power, speed, and flair quite like the Bloodhound’s Fang. A curved greatsword that excels in delivering swift, punishing blows, the Bloodhound Fang is a favorite among Dexterity-based melee builds. Upgrading this weapon not only enhances its base damage but also amplifies its utility in both PvE and PvP. To fully unlock its potential, understanding the upgrade path, materials needed, and where to find them is essential. This guide will walk through every step required to upgrade Bloodhound’s Fang effectively and integrate it into a strong combat strategy.
Why Choose the Bloodhound’s Fang?
Weapon Characteristics
The Bloodhound Fang is a curved greatsword that scales primarily with Strength and Dexterity. What makes it stand out is its relatively fast attack speed for a greatsword and its unique weapon skill,Bloodhound’s Finesse. This skill allows the player to perform a powerful slash followed by a quick backward somersault, perfect for dodging enemy counters and staying mobile during combat.
Ideal Build Compatibility
Bloodhound’s Fang synergizes well with the following build types:
- Dexterity/Strength hybrids Offers solid damage scaling with high Dexterity bonuses and decent Strength support.
- Lightweight melee builds Great for players who prefer dodging over blocking and want mobility without sacrificing power.
- Bleed-focused builds While it doesn’t cause bleed buildup by default, it pairs excellently with talismans and buffs that enhance mobility and burst potential.
How to Acquire Bloodhound’s Fang
Defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil
The weapon is obtained early in the game by defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol located in Limgrave. This fight can be tough if attempted at low levels, but players can summon Blaidd as a cooperator if they’ve initiated his questline. Once defeated, Darriwil drops the Bloodhound Fang as a reward.
Upgrading Bloodhound’s Fang
Upgrade Materials Needed
Since Bloodhound’s Fang is considered a unique weapon, it cannot be upgraded using regular Smithing Stones. Instead, you’ll needSomber Smithing Stones. The upgrade path goes from +1 to +10. Here’s what you’ll need:
- +1: Somber Smithing Stone [1]
- +2: Somber Smithing Stone [2]
- +3: Somber Smithing Stone [3]
- +4: Somber Smithing Stone [4]
- +5: Somber Smithing Stone [5]
- +6: Somber Smithing Stone [6]
- +7: Somber Smithing Stone [7]
- +8: Somber Smithing Stone [8]
- +9: Somber Smithing Stone [9]
- +10: Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
Where to Upgrade the Weapon
To begin upgrading, visit Smithing Master Hewg at Roundtable Hold. He can upgrade unique weapons using Somber Stones. Each level provides a notable jump in attack power, making early investment highly beneficial.
Farming and Finding Somber Smithing Stones
Somber Stones [1][5]
Lower-tier Somber Stones can be found in early areas such as:
- Sellia Crystal Tunnel
- Siofra River
- Various caves in Limgrave and Liurnia
You can also purchase them once you obtain theSomberstone Miner’s Bell Bearingsand offer them to Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold.
Somber Stones [6][9]
These become more common in mid-to-late game areas:
- Mt. Gelmir
- Consecrated Snowfield
- Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
This rare item is required for the final upgrade to +10. Locations include:
- Consecrated Snowfield (inside a Yelough Anix tunnel)
- Farum Azula (after defeating specific bosses)
- Late-game quest rewards
Use this stone wisely, as only a few are available in a single playthrough.
Combat Performance After Upgrades
Stat Scaling and Damage
At +10, Bloodhound’s Fang boasts incredible damage output. It scales exceptionally well with Dexterity, especially if your build pushes this stat above 40. While not the absolute highest raw damage curved greatsword, its combination of speed, stagger potential, and finesse skill makes it top-tier for aggressive melee players.
Weapon Skill Usage
Bloodhound’s Finesse becomes even more deadly at higher upgrade levels. It not only hits harder but allows you to position more effectively in battle. Use it to close gaps, back away from danger, or strike immediately after dodging a powerful boss attack.
Recommended Talismans and Buffs
Enhancing Your Fang
To truly bring out the power of this weapon, pair it with synergistic talismans:
- Radagon’s Scarseal/Sourceal Boosts Strength for extra scaling
- Green Turtle Talisman Faster stamina regen to stay agile
- Erdtree’s Favor Extra HP and stamina help with survivability in melee combat
Additionally, temporary buffs such as Flame, Grant Me Strength or Grease items can provide a short burst of power during boss fights or PvP encounters.
Using Bloodhound’s Fang in PvP and Boss Battles
Advantages in PvP
Due to its unique move set and ability to quickly reposition, Bloodhound’s Fang is a dangerous weapon in duels. The backward dodge after the skill strike makes it hard to punish, and its reach can outspace most smaller weapons. Against heavy weapons, you can easily dodge through attacks and punish with rapid counter-slashes.
Effectiveness in PvE
In PvE, the weapon excels against both mobs and bosses. Its fast swing speed and stagger potential allow you to disrupt enemy attacks. The ability to backflip out of danger keeps you alive in tight situations. Upgrading the Fang significantly reduces the number of swings needed to take down bosses, making fights shorter and more manageable.
Upgrading the Bloodhound’s Fang inElden Ringtransforms it from a solid early-game weapon into a lethal, late-game powerhouse. Its combination of speed, style, and strength makes it a standout choice for any melee-focused Tarnished. With the right materials, strategic upgrades, and synergy with talismans and builds, this curved greatsword can carry players through some of the toughest challenges in the Lands Between. Whether you’re battling dragons, invading other players, or slicing through enemy hordes, the Bloodhound’s Fang remains one of the most rewarding weapons to master and upgrade fully.