TL;DR
- The Uchigatana requires 11 Strength and 15 Dexterity, excelling in blood loss builds
- Non-Samurai players can find it early in Deathtouched Catacombs in northern Limgrave
- Unsheathe weapon skill provides devastating opening attacks and quick counter opportunities
- Dual-wielding with another katana dramatically increases blood loss buildup and damage output
- Scales best with Dexterity and benefits from Keen or Blood affinity modifications
Experience precision cutting with this iconic Japanese-style blade.
Elden Ring continues From Software’s tradition of incorporating beloved weapons from their previous titles, with the Uchigatana standing out as one of the most sought-after katanas. This weapon has maintained its popularity across multiple Souls games due to its balanced performance and bleeding capabilities. Our comprehensive guide provides everything you need to master this elegant weapon.
With the recent Shadow of the Erdtree expansion now available, players face unprecedented challenges. Our extensive Elden Ring resource hub offers complete guidance including detailed maps, optimal weapon selections, and boss strategies to enhance your gameplay experience.
To effectively wield the Uchigatana katana, you’ll need 11 Strength and 15 Dexterity. While other katanas may offer specialized advantages, the Uchigatana provides exceptional versatility for various character builds, particularly excelling in hemorrhage-focused setups where its innate blood loss accumulation proves devastating against most enemies.
Unsheathe serves as the default weapon art, allowing you to position the blade in its scabbard before executing lightning-fast strikes that deal substantial posture damage. This technique excels at breaking enemy stances and creating openings for critical attacks.
The official weapon description provides insight into its origins and capabilities:
A traditional Japanese katana featuring a distinctive curved single-edged blade. This distinctive armament was historically carried by samurai warriors originating from the Land of Reeds. The weapon’s wave-patterned steel maintains exceptional cutting efficiency, with its slicing maneuvers consistently inflicting hemorrhage status.
Players who select the Samurai archetype begin their journey already equipped with Uchigatana, while other classes must locate it within the game world. The earliest acquisition point remains the Deathtouched Catacombs, situated in Limgrave’s northern territories.
Deathtouched Catacombs
Deathtouched Catacombs entrance location in northern Limgrave
Beginning from the dungeon’s Site of Grace, proceed along the straightforward route descending beyond the initial skeletal adversary, then take the adjacent staircase downward into a more expansive chamber. Immediately to the staircase’s right side, you’ll discover a recess containing a compact and somewhat concealed doorway accessible for entry.
Navigating the Deathtouched Catacombs requires careful attention to environmental details. The area contains numerous skeleton enemies that resurrect unless destroyed with holy damage or after defeating the necromancer controlling them. Many players miss the Uchigatana’s location by rushing through this area without thorough exploration.
Common Mistake: Attempting to sprint past all enemies often leads to being overwhelmed in tight corridors. Instead, methodically clear each section and watch for the hidden alcove on your right after descending the main staircase.
For optimal navigation, equip a weapon with holy damage or use Sacred Order ash of war to permanently eliminate skeleton reinforcements. The Uchigatana rests on a corpse in the hidden chamber, requiring no special keys or items to collect.
Time Investment: Allow approximately 10-15 minutes for thorough exploration and combat. The catacombs contain valuable additional loot including Smithing Stones and Grave Glovewort, making the expedition worthwhile beyond just acquiring the katana.
Mastering the Uchigatana requires understanding its unique combat mechanics and optimizing your approach based on encounter types.
Unsheathe Mastery: The Unsheathe skill comes in two variations – a quick horizontal slash (light attack input) and a powerful vertical strike (heavy attack input). The horizontal version excels against groups and for quick punishes, while the vertical variant deals significantly more posture damage, often breaking enemy stances in a single hit.
Dual-Wielding Potential: Pairing the Uchigatana with another katana like the Moonveil or Nagakiba creates devastating combo possibilities. Power-stancing katanas dramatically increases blood loss buildup, with many enemies succumbing to hemorrhage after just 2-3 jumping attacks.
Stat Optimization: For maximum effectiveness, prioritize Dexterity to at least 40-50, with secondary investment in Arcane to enhance blood loss accumulation. Consider using the weapon enhancement guide to determine optimal infusion paths for your specific build.
Ash of War Alternatives: While Unsheathe remains excellent, consider experimenting with Bloody Slash for even faster hemorrhage application or Seppuku for extreme bleeding builds at the cost of self-damage.
PvP Applications: In player versus player combat, the Uchigatana’s running attacks and rolling crouch attacks create unpredictable movement patterns that confuse opponents. The weapon’s quick recovery frames allow for aggressive play while maintaining defensive options.
For character build synergy, consult our class selection guide to pair the Uchigatana with complementary abilities and spells that enhance its bleeding potential or provide ranged options to cover its shorter reach compared to some other katanas.
Action Checklist
- Travel to northern Limgrave and locate Deathtouched Catacombs entrance
- Clear skeleton enemies methodically, using holy damage to prevent resurrection
- Descend main staircase and locate hidden alcove on right side
- Collect Uchigatana from corpse in hidden chamber
- Practice Unsheathe timing against stationary targets to master both variations
- Experiment with different ash of war options and infusion paths
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Elden Ring: Where To Find The Uchigatana Master the Uchigatana katana in Elden Ring with location guide, combat strategies, and build optimization tips
