Elden Ring Experiments Tried Something With The Grafted Dragon

Hey guys! Today, I want to share my experience with the Grafted Dragon in Elden Ring. This weapon, formed from the limbs of fallen dragons, is not only visually striking but also packs a serious punch. I've been experimenting with it quite a bit lately, and I've discovered some cool strategies and builds that I think you'll find helpful. So, let's dive into the world of dragon-infused weaponry and see what the Grafted Dragon is all about!

Understanding the Grafted Dragon: A Deep Dive

First off, let’s talk about the Grafted Dragon itself. This unique colossal weapon is obtained by defeating Godrick the Grafted, one of the first major bosses you’ll encounter in Elden Ring. Godrick, true to his name, has grafted various body parts onto himself, including the head of a dragon, which he wields as a weapon. Once you defeat him, you can claim this monstrous armament for yourself. The Grafted Dragon requires a hefty 40 Strength, 14 Dexterity, and 22 Faith to wield effectively, making it a weapon primarily suited for strength-faith hybrid builds. Its base damage is quite high, dealing both physical and fire damage, which is excellent for dealing with a wide array of enemies. Additionally, it comes with the unique weapon skill “Bear Witness!”, which unleashes a powerful fiery roar that buffs your attack and defense while also dealing fire damage to enemies in front of you. This skill is a game-changer in many situations, offering both offensive and defensive advantages.

The Grafted Dragon’s moveset is also worth discussing in detail. As a colossal weapon, it has a slow but devastating attack pattern. Its regular attacks include sweeping strikes and heavy slams, perfect for staggering enemies and dealing significant damage. The charged heavy attack is particularly noteworthy, as it unleashes a powerful overhead slam that can flatten most foes. However, the true potential of the Grafted Dragon lies in its unique weapon skill. “Bear Witness!” not only buffs your character but also acts as an AoE (Area of Effect) attack, making it effective against groups of enemies. The buff it provides significantly increases your attack power and damage negation, making you a formidable force in both PvE and PvP situations. Mastering the timing and positioning of “Bear Witness!” is key to maximizing the weapon’s effectiveness. For instance, using it before engaging a boss can give you a crucial edge, while deploying it in the middle of a fight can turn the tide in your favor. The fiery roar also adds a visual flair to your combat style, making you look and feel like a true dragon-wielding warrior.

When it comes to scaling, the Grafted Dragon primarily scales with Strength and Faith. This makes it an ideal choice for players who are investing in both of these attributes. Strength will increase the physical damage output, while Faith will enhance the fire damage and the effectiveness of the “Bear Witness!” skill. Dexterity, while required to wield the weapon, has a minimal impact on its overall damage. Therefore, focusing on Strength and Faith is the most efficient way to maximize the Grafted Dragon’s potential. Furthermore, the weapon can be upgraded using Somber Smithing Stones, which are relatively rare but offer significant improvements to its damage and scaling. Upgrading the Grafted Dragon to its maximum level will transform it into a truly fearsome weapon capable of taking down even the toughest bosses in the game.

My Experiment: Builds and Strategies for the Grafted Dragon

So, what have I been up to with this fiery beast? Well, I’ve been diving deep into different builds and strategies to see how far I can push the Grafted Dragon. My main goal was to find the most effective ways to utilize its unique strengths while minimizing its weaknesses. Colossal weapons, like the Grafted Dragon, can be slow, leaving you vulnerable to quicker enemies. So, finding ways to mitigate this was a key part of my experimentation. I've tried a few different approaches, and I'm excited to share what I've learned.

The Strength-Faith Juggernaut

First up, I experimented with a classic Strength-Faith Juggernaut build. The idea here is simple: maximize your Strength and Faith stats to unleash devastating physical and fire damage. I started by leveling Strength up to 60 and Faith up to 50. This provided a solid foundation for both the Grafted Dragon’s scaling and the use of powerful incantations. For armor, I opted for heavy sets like the Lionel's Set or the Crucible Axe Set, which offer high poise and physical defense, allowing me to withstand heavy blows while dishing out punishment. Poise is particularly important for colossal weapon users, as it prevents you from being staggered by enemy attacks, allowing you to complete your slow but powerful swings.

For talismans, I chose items that would further enhance my damage output and survivability. The Axe Talisman is a must-have, as it boosts the damage of charged heavy attacks, which are a core part of the Grafted Dragon’s moveset. The Faithful's Canvas Talisman increases the potency of incantations, making my offensive and defensive spells more effective. Finally, the Green Turtle Talisman speeds up stamina recovery, which is crucial for managing the stamina consumption of colossal weapons. With this setup, I was able to deal massive damage with the Grafted Dragon while also having access to a variety of powerful incantations. For example, Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength are excellent buffs that further amplify your damage output, while Black Flame Protection significantly reduces incoming physical damage, making you even tankier.

In terms of gameplay, this build revolves around a slow but methodical approach. I would typically start engagements by casting buffs like Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength to maximize my damage. Then, I would use the Grafted Dragon’s heavy attacks and charged heavy attacks to stagger enemies and deal massive damage. The “Bear Witness!” skill is also incredibly useful in this build, as it provides a significant damage buff and can stagger enemies caught in the fiery roar. Against bosses, I found that timing the “Bear Witness!” skill just before their attacks could help me withstand their blows while also dealing damage. This build is incredibly effective against both single targets and groups of enemies, making it a versatile choice for tackling various challenges in Elden Ring.

The Dragon Cultist

Next, I tried a Dragon Cultist build, which focuses on utilizing dragon incantations alongside the Grafted Dragon. This build is all about embracing the power of dragons and channeling their might through both your weapon and your spells. For this build, I aimed for a stat distribution of 40 Strength, 40 Faith, and 40 Arcane. The Arcane stat is crucial for dragon incantations, as it affects their scaling and effectiveness. I also invested enough points into Mind to have a decent FP pool, as incantations can be quite costly.

For armor, I went with a mix of pieces that offered both protection and a thematic connection to dragons. The Dragon Communion Set is an excellent choice, as it not only looks cool but also provides a boost to dragon incantation damage. Alternatively, the Scaled Set offers great physical defense and fits the aesthetic of a dragon-wielding character. Talismans were chosen to enhance my incantation casting and overall survivability. The Erdtree's Favor is a must-have, as it increases maximum HP, stamina, and equip load, allowing me to wear heavier armor and carry more items. The Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman significantly boosts physical damage negation, making me even more resistant to enemy attacks. Finally, the Gravel Stone Seal enhances the damage of dragon incantations, making them even more potent.

The gameplay for this build is more dynamic and versatile than the Strength-Faith Juggernaut. I would often start encounters by casting dragon incantations like Dragonfire or Dragonice to deal initial damage and create openings for attacks. These incantations are great for both crowd control and dealing damage to single targets. The Grafted Dragon is then used to follow up with heavy attacks and charged heavy attacks, staggering enemies and dealing massive damage. The “Bear Witness!” skill is still incredibly useful, providing a damage buff and an AoE attack. However, this build also allows for more flexibility in combat, as you can switch between melee and ranged attacks depending on the situation. For example, against fast-moving enemies, you can use dragon incantations to keep them at bay, while against slow-moving enemies, you can close the distance and unleash the Grafted Dragon’s fury.

Dual-Wielding Grafted Dragons (for the truly daring!)

Okay, this one is a bit crazy, but hear me out! I decided to try dual-wielding Grafted Dragons. Yes, you heard that right. It's absurd, impractical, and absolutely hilarious. But also, surprisingly effective in certain situations. This build is not for the faint of heart, as it requires a massive investment in Strength and Endurance. You'll need at least 80 Strength to wield two Grafted Dragons effectively, and a high Endurance stat to manage the stamina consumption of dual-wielding colossal weapons.

For this build, armor is less important than mobility and stamina. I opted for lighter armor sets like the Champion Set or the Blaidd's Set, which provide decent protection without weighing you down too much. Talismans are crucial for maximizing your damage output and stamina recovery. The Claw Talisman enhances jump attacks, which are a key part of dual-wielding colossal weapon gameplay. The Green Turtle Talisman is essential for stamina recovery, as you'll be using a lot of stamina with this build. Finally, the Radagon's Soreseal increases Strength, Endurance, and Dexterity, but at the cost of increased damage taken. This talisman is optional, but it can help you meet the stat requirements for dual-wielding the Grafted Dragons.

The gameplay for this build is all about aggression and overwhelming your enemies with sheer force. The dual-wielding moveset for colossal weapons is incredibly powerful, with sweeping attacks that can stagger even the toughest foes. The jump attack is particularly effective, dealing massive damage and often knocking enemies to the ground. The “Bear Witness!” skill is less useful in this build, as it locks you in place and leaves you vulnerable. Instead, focus on using the dual-wielding attacks to dish out constant damage. This build is incredibly effective against bosses with large hitboxes, as you can easily hit them with both weapons simultaneously. However, it is less effective against fast-moving enemies, as the slow attacks can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks. This build is definitely a glass cannon, but it's incredibly fun to play and can deal some truly insane damage.

Final Thoughts and Tips

The Grafted Dragon is a fantastic weapon in Elden Ring, offering a unique blend of physical and fire damage, along with a powerful weapon skill. Whether you're going for a Strength-Faith Juggernaut, a Dragon Cultist, or even the crazy dual-wielding build, there's a way to make this weapon shine. Here are a few final tips to keep in mind:

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