Today, we're diving deep into one of the most fun and aggressive playstyles I've tested recently-a pure dexterity build centered entirely around the Dragon King's Crag Blade, a weapon in the heavy thrusting sword class. This weapon isn't just a throwback to the finesse and reach of classic thrusting swords; it's also an absolute powerhouse when paired with the right Ash of War, talismans, and tactics Elden Ring Items.
Why the Dragon King's Crag Blade Stands Out
First off, let's talk about what makes this weapon so fun to use. The move set of the Dragon King's Crag Blade is one of its biggest selling points. The jumping light attacks have immense range and excellent punish potential, making it ideal for aggressive plays, especially when trying to catch enemies off guard. For chasing down opponents, the running light and running heavy attacks are phenomenal. Mixing up these attacks keeps your opponents guessing, which is vital in invasions and PvP scenarios. You don't want your timing to become predictable-that's when you get punished.
What truly sets the Dragon King's Crag Blade apart, however, is the Thundercloud Form skill. This Ash of War transforms the sword into a hyper-armor beast. You can use it directly in someone's face for trades that are usually high-risk but reward high damage. The ability to charge the skill and cover absurd distances makes it incredibly versatile. I love using it in front-line skirmishes to reach enemy backlines where casters or archers are hiding. They rarely expect you to close that distance so quickly, and the damage output is nothing short of insane with the right setup.
Talismans and Stat Focus
For this build, my talisman choices are crucial. I run the Shard of Alexander and the Godfrey Icon, which together significantly enhance the damage of the Ash of War and the charged version of it. Since the Dragon King's Crag Blade primarily scales with dexterity, this build is a pure dexterity-focused setup. That said, I still allocate points into health and endurance to ensure survivability during prolonged engagements.
As for fashion, that's completely personal preference, but I went with my standard gear because I like the poison defense and the aesthetic appeal. It complements the aggressive and nimble playstyle perfectly without compromising survivability.
Invasion Gameplay Highlights
Now, let's dive into some of the invasion gameplay that showcases why this build is so effective. One of my first encounters was at the Brace of the Howig Tree, where I ran into a wizard hiding in the distance. The Dragon King's Crag Blade shines in situations like these because the jumping light attacks can punish casters without exposing yourself too much.
Early on, I encountered a thrusting sword user and realized that timing was everything. Using the Thundercloud Form skill, I could trade hyper armor hits and surprise opponents with damage they didn't anticipate. The mobility from this skill is also excellent for elevator fights or multi-level arenas, which is a huge tactical advantage in invasions. One particularly fun moment was using the elevator as a trap-three enemies fell to a single coordinated attack using the skill's distance and knockback potential.
Damage Potential and Combat Mechanics
Speaking of damage, the Dragon King's Crag Blade absolutely shines in trades. For example, one trade during a backline assault against a host dealing with other phantoms dealt 1,700 damage in a single strike. That's incredible for a dexterity build. The move set allows for consistent pokes and follow-ups, and if you pair it with the Godfrey Icon for charged attacks, you'll catch opponents off guard repeatedly.
During invasions, I encountered a squad of three players wielding Blasphemous Blades, which was a chaotic scenario. But thanks to the agility and reach of the Dragon King's Crag Blade, I could navigate the battlefield effectively. The ability to prioritize targets-avoiding shielded enemies while focusing on high-damage or low-health threats-made this build extremely strategic. Even in 3v1 situations, the weapon's hyper-armor and range allowed for survivability while dealing consistent damage.
Strategies Against Multiple Opponents
When facing multiple opponents, timing and positioning are everything. I often used charged Thundercloud Form attacks to disrupt enemy formations. Against shielded enemies, it's crucial to avoid predictable charge timings; sometimes, short, well-timed charges work better than full-distance swings. Jump attacks and running heavies can break enemy patterns, allowing you to isolate one foe at a time.The Dragon King's Crag Blade also shines in vertical combat scenarios, such as cliffs or multi-level arenas. I could use jumps, elevator traps, and charged skills to control enemy movement effectively. One memorable encounter involved a backline wizard-using a fully charged Thundercloud Form, I closed the gap from the front line to their position, essentially removing a ranged threat instantly.
Handling Phantoms and Boss Encounters
While invasions are a highlight, the Dragon King's Crag Blade also excels when phantoms or bosses are involved. I found that buffing before engagements maximizes damage potential, and using the Shard of Alexander ensures that charged attacks hit like a truck. Even bosses with strong hyper armor or counterattacks can be punished effectively if you maintain spacing and leverage the move set's reach.
One tricky moment came during a boss fight in the Forbidden Lands, where I had to maintain distance while waiting for the host to aggro. By using a combination of charged attacks and jumping lights, I could trade hits safely without overextending. The weapon's versatility is evident here-it's not just a PvP tool but a formidable option in PvE situations too.
Team Interactions and PvP Tactics
In larger PvP engagements, such as 3v3 or gank squads, the Dragon King's Crag Blade allows for precision target elimination. I encountered a group with two Crucible Knight builds-while their attacks were formidable, the range and hyper-armor of my blade allowed me to punish trades effectively. The key is to remain patient and wait for openings, as overcommitting can be deadly.
I also experimented with status effect interactions. For example, if enemies are using frostbite or bleed builds, your hyper-armor trades allow you to close gaps without immediately succumbing to damage-over-time effects. This adds an extra layer of strategy, letting you dictate the pace of fights and pick your moments carefully.
Optimal Moveset Usage
For anyone looking to master this build, here's a quick breakdown of optimal move usage:
Jumping Light Attacks: Use for long-range punishes and to catch retreating enemies.
Running Light/Heavy Attacks: Great for chasing down fleeing opponents or disrupting spaced-out formations.
Thundercloud Form (Ash of War): Hyper-armor trades, backline assaults, and distance coverage. Fully charged for maximum surprise and damage output.
Neutral Jump Attacks: Effective against aggressive spam; always works to interrupt forward momentum.
Combining these moves with your dexterity scaling, high health, and endurance ensures that you stay in the fight longer while consistently outputting damage.
Recommended Talisman Loadout
For maximum performance, here's my recommended talisman setup:
Shard of Alexander: Boosts the damage of Ash of War, especially the charged Thundercloud Form.
Godfrey Icon: Enhances charged attacks and trading capabilities, crucial for hyper-armor trades.
Optional Two-Handed Sword Talisman: Swap in if you're running low on FP and not using Ash of War consistently.
This setup emphasizes damage amplification while keeping your core dexterity scaling intact. It's especially effective in PvP scenarios where hyper-armor trades can win duels against multiple opponents.
Build Stats and Armor
While primarily a dexterity build, don't neglect health and endurance. These stats allow you to survive longer in invasions, trade effectively with hyper-armor moves, and avoid being staggered too often. As for armor, I tend to stick with medium-weight setups that provide poison defense and mobility. This ensures you can roll and maneuver without sacrificing survivability.
Final Thoughts
The Dragon King's Crag Blade is one of the most fun and versatile weapons I've tested in Elden Ring DLC invasions. Its jumping lights, running attacks, and Thundercloud Form skill allow for creative, aggressive, and punishing plays. Whether you're facing single opponents, gank squads, or backline casters, this weapon adapts to the situation while rewarding skilled timing and positioning.
For those of you running pure dexterity builds, this is a must-try weapon. The combination of reach, hyper-armor trades, and charge distance makes it a standout choice in PvP and even some PvE scenarios. The key to mastering it is understanding timing buy Elden Ring Items, spacing, and target prioritization, and don't forget to buff when possible to maximize damage output.
In my invasions, I've had countless memorable moments-from taking down entire elevator squads to one-shotting backline enemies, and trading hyper-armor hits against skilled hosts. It's entertaining, strategic, and incredibly rewarding when used correctly.
So, if you're looking to spice up your dexterity build, try the Dragon King's Crag Blade, experiment with the Ash of War, and don't be afraid to charge into the thick of it. The invasions, the duels, and the chaos of PvP all come alive when you master this weapon.
