Bloodhound Fang is one of the most sought-after curved greatswords in the world of Elden Ring, offering high damage output, fast agility, and a powerful weapon skill that can change the tide of battle. For players looking to build around Dexterity and Strength, this weapon is a perfect fit, providing excellent scaling and versatility in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Whether you are starting a new game or enhancing your current build, knowing how to get Bloodhound Fang early can give you a significant advantage, especially when dealing with tougher enemies and bosses throughout the Lands Between.
Where to Find Bloodhound Fang
Location Overview
Bloodhound Fang is located in Limgrave, the starting region of Elden Ring. You can obtain it by defeating the optional boss known as Bloodhound Knight Darriwil. This enemy can be found in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol, a special boss arena located south of Agheel Lake and west of the bridge that leads to the Weeping Peninsula. Since it’s relatively close to the start of the game, you can attempt to acquire this weapon early, provided you have the skill to take down a tough opponent.
How to Reach Forlorn Hound Evergaol
To get to the Forlorn Hound Evergaol:
- Start at the Agheel Lake South Site of Grace.
- Travel southwest on horseback, following the path toward the stone platform marked on the map.
- Look for a large circular platform with a glowing center this is the Evergaol.
Interacting with the Evergaol will teleport you into a boss arena where you must fight Bloodhound Knight Darriwil.
Preparing for the Fight
Understanding Bloodhound Knight Darriwil
Darriwil is a fast and aggressive opponent who uses swift lunges and slashes. His signature move includes a teleporting slash using his Bloodhound’s Finesse skill, which can catch unprepared players off guard. He has low poise but deals high damage and can close gaps quickly, making dodging and timing essential.
Tips Before the Encounter
To increase your chances of defeating him:
- Reach at least level 2025 for better survivability.
- Use a shield with high physical resistance, or go for a light armor setup to maximize rolling.
- Bring healing flasks and equip talismans that boost stamina recovery or damage resistance.
- Summon Blaidd if you’ve started his questline, which adds a powerful NPC to help in the fight.
Make sure to learn his patterns before going all-in with your attacks. Patience is key.
Defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil
Fight Strategy
Darriwil has several attacks that deal massive damage, so managing distance and stamina is crucial. Here’s how to counter his moves:
- When he slashes twice and pauses, expect a third heavy swipe dodge toward him to stay close for a counter.
- His teleporting slash can be avoided by dodging right as he vanishes.
- After every 3-hit combo, there’s a brief moment to punish use heavy attacks or weapon skills wisely.
If you’re using ranged attacks or sorceries, make use of his windup animations to land spells, but be ready to roll when he rushes in.
Rewards for Victory
Upon defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil, you will receive:
- Bloodhound Fang a curved greatsword with excellent scaling and a unique weapon art.
- 1,900 Runes a useful bonus early in the game.
Equipping the sword requires 18 Strength and 17 Dexterity, so plan your build accordingly if you want to use it right away.
Why Use Bloodhound Fang?
Weapon Stats and Scaling
Bloodhound Fang is a curved greatsword that starts with high base damage and scales well with Dexterity and Strength. It comes with the Bloodhound’s Finesse skill, which lets you perform a stylish upward slash followed by a backward flip. This move deals strong damage and helps reposition you defensively, making it effective in both offense and retreat.
Weapon Advantages
- High burst damage with fast follow-up attacks
- Built-in bleed status, ideal for enemies weak to hemorrhage
- Excellent mobility thanks to the weapon skill
- Upgradeable with standard Smithing Stones
Compared to many other early-game weapons, Bloodhound Fang stands out as one of the most powerful curved greatswords you can access with relative ease if you’re confident in your combat skills.
Improving Bloodhound Fang
Upgrading the Weapon
To make the most of Bloodhound Fang, you should upgrade it at a blacksmith using Smithing Stones. These can be found throughout Limgrave, often in mines or as drops from certain enemies. Prioritize upgrades once you meet the weapon’s stat requirements to maximize damage output.
Pairing with Talismans and Buffs
To enhance Bloodhound Fang’s effectiveness:
- Use the Radagon’s Scarseal to meet Strength requirements early on.
- Equip the Green Turtle Talisman to increase stamina recovery, helping you swing and dodge more effectively.
- Use consumables that boost physical damage or Dexterity-based attacks for boss fights.
This weapon pairs well with Dexterity-heavy builds and can be the core of your strategy well into mid-game and beyond.
Other Notes and Final Tips
Can You Miss Bloodhound Fang?
If you progress too far in the story without visiting the Forlorn Hound Evergaol, the opportunity to summon Blaidd for the fight might pass, but you can still challenge Darriwil solo at any time. The Bloodhound Fang is not missable in a permanent sense, but you’ll need to defeat the boss to claim it there’s no other way to acquire the weapon.
Is Bloodhound Fang Worth It?
Absolutely. Bloodhound Fang offers a solid blend of speed, power, and utility that few other early-game weapons can match. It remains viable for large portions of the game and can carry you through numerous challenging encounters when properly upgraded. Whether you prefer agile skirmishing or hard-hitting combos, this sword is versatile enough to support a variety of playstyles.
Getting the Bloodhound Fang in Elden Ring requires courage, skill, and a bit of preparation, but the rewards are well worth it. Found in Limgrave’s Forlorn Hound Evergaol, this powerful curved greatsword is a game-changer for those focusing on Dexterity and Strength builds. Mastering its moveset and upgrading it with the right materials and buffs can transform your combat experience. Whether you’re playing through Elden Ring for the first time or trying out a new build, Bloodhound Fang is a weapon that deserves a permanent spot in your arsenal.