Elden Ring Best PvP Build – Rivers Of Blood

Despite numerous balance adjustments in Elden Ring’s evolving PvP landscape, the Rivers of Blood katana maintains its position as one of the most devastating weapons available. This comprehensive guide breaks down the optimal approach to maximizing its potential against human opponents.

Following the implementation of Patch 1.04, the competitive metagame has experienced significant shifts as developers addressed various overpowered strategies. However, both the Moonveil and Rivers of Blood katanas escaped meaningful nerfs, preserving their dominant status until potential future updates. The weapon’s signature Corpse Piler skill delivers exceptional boss-killing potential—even against formidable foes like Malenia—while simultaneously capable of decimating other players with minimal effort, provided you secure initiative in engagements.

Securing that critical first strike presents a consistent challenge in skilled PvP encounters. Since Corpse Piler consumes substantial FP reserves and creates significant recovery frames, experienced adversaries can easily punish mistimed attacks. We’ve developed this refined Rivers of Blood PvP configuration to provide competitive performance across diverse matchups when executed with proper technique.

When allocating your character’s attribute points, follow this priority sequence: Arcane, Endurance, Vigor, and Dexterity. While maintaining relatively balanced investment across these four core attributes is advisable, contrary to the weapon’s official description, your primary damage scaling derives from Arcane with secondary contributions from Dexterity. Strength provides minimal benefit to Rivers of Blood’s performance and should receive negligible investment.

For your remaining attributes, cap Mind between 20-25 points to ensure sufficient FP for multiple Corpse Piler activations. Intelligence and Faith require zero initial investment, though upon reaching approximately level 175+, diversifying into Faith unlocks potent dragon communion incantations and damage-enhancing buffs like Golden Vow or Flame, Grant Me Strength.

Common Mistake: Many players overinvest in Dexterity based on the weapon description, unaware that Arcane provides superior damage scaling for both physical and hemorrhage buildup.

Advanced Tip: At level 150, aim for 50 Vigor, 25 Mind, 25 Endurance, 18 Strength, 50 Dexterity, and 50 Arcane for optimal balance between survivability and damage output.

Understanding attribute priority is fundamental to maximizing Rivers of Blood’s potential in both PvE and PvP scenarios.

• Right Hand Armament: Rivers of Blood +10 (acquired by defeating Bloody Finger Okina near the Church of Repose in Mountaintops of the Giants)

• Left Hand Armament: None initially, or Dragon Communion Seal +10 (after reaching level 175+)

• Head Armor: Black Knife Hood (found in the Consecrated Snowfield at the Ordina, Liturgical Town site of grace)

Acquisition Challenge: Obtaining Rivers of Blood requires progression to late-game areas, typically taking 25-40 hours for new players depending on exploration pace.

Armor Strategy: Prioritize equipment that maximizes poise while maintaining medium roll capacity. The White Mask helmet provides additional attack power after blood loss occurs nearby, synergizing perfectly with this build’s hemorrhage focus.

Mastering spacing and timing transforms Rivers of Blood from a powerful weapon into an unstoppable force.

Successful Rivers of Blood gameplay revolves around strategic application of Corpse Piler. This multi-hit skill combines rapid slashes with fire damage and substantial blood loss buildup, but leaves you exposed during its extended animation sequence.

Engagement Protocol: Initiate combat with careful spacing, using normal attacks to test opponent reactions. Deploy Corpse Piler when enemies commit to attack animations or healing attempts. The skill’s range exceeds standard katana attacks, allowing you to punish actions from deceptive distances.

Critical Error: Spamming Corpse Piler against defensive players often results in easy parries or backstab opportunities for your opponent.

Advanced Technique: Incorporate quick normal attacks between Corpse Piler uses to maintain pressure while conserving FP. Against shield users, the weapon’s inherent blood loss can bypass blocks over time.

Strategic use of physic flask enhancements can dramatically increase your burst damage potential during critical engagements.

A cohesive equipment setup ensures both offensive potency and defensive reliability across diverse PvP encounters.

For players pursuing maximum optimization, several talismans significantly enhance Rivers of Blood’s performance. The Lord of Blood’s Exultation triggers whenever blood loss occurs nearby, providing a 20% attack power increase for 20 seconds—perfectly aligned with this build’s core mechanics.

Talisman Synergy: Combine Carian Filigreed Crest (reduces Corpse Piler FP cost) with Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (increases attack power with successive hits) to maximize both efficiency and damage output.

Buff Stacking Strategy: Pre-battle preparation should include Golden Vow for overall damage and defense, followed by Flame, Grant Me Strength to amplify the fire damage component.

Consistent PvP success with this build provides abundant Rune Arcs, essential for maintaining your great rune activation in challenging encounters.

Matchup Specific Adjustments: Against quickstep or bloodhound step users, incorporate freezing pots to limit mobility and create Corpse Piler opportunities.

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