In "Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree," players have a plethora of new boss weapons to explore. Among these, the Poleblade of the Bud stands out as a unique Halberd that scales primarily with the Arcane stat. Initially wielded by Romina, Saint of the Bud, this weapon offers a distinct playstyle and potential for character builds. This guide will delve into optimizing a build around the Poleblade of the Bud, including recommendations for Talismans, Armor, and stat allocation.

Weapon Overview: Poleblade of the Bud

The Poleblade of the Bud is a Halberd that scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Arcane, with Arcane providing the highest scaling. This weapon also inflicts Scarlet Rot build-up, fixed at a rate of 55 per hit, similar to the Antspur Rapier. However, unlike faster weapons, the Poleblade's slower attacks make the Scarlet Rot build-up a secondary consideration, with the primary focus on direct damage.

The unique weapon skill, "Romina's Purification," imbues the blade with Scarlet Rot Butterflies, executing two sweeping attacks that lift the wielder off the ground and end with an explosive aftershock. This skill deals substantial damage and enhances Scarlet Rot build-up, though it requires precision and practice to master its use. Using Iron Jar Aromatics can help mitigate the skill's low poise and hyper armor, while the skill itself counters the reduced mobility these Aromatics impose.

Recommended Stats (Wretch Starting Class: Level 150)

To maximize the Poleblade's potential, the following stats are recommended:

Vigor: 60 - Provides substantial health to survive in the challenging DLC areas.

Mind: 15 - Sufficient for casting incantations as a secondary function.

Endurance: 20 - Necessary for equipping recommended Armor and Talismans without overburdening the character.

Strength: 14 - Minimum required to wield the Poleblade.

Dexterity: 22 - Required to wield the Poleblade one-handed; useful for versatility.

Intelligence: 10 - Not a focus for this build.

Faith: 28 - Meets the requirements for essential Dragon Communion Incantations and the Golden Vow buff.

Arcane: 60 - The primary stat for increasing the Poleblade's damage output.

Armor and Weapons

Armor: Rakshasa Armor

The Rakshasa Armor, obtainable by defeating the boss of the same name in the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum, boosts all damage types by 2% per piece. While this set offers increased damage, it provides less damage mitigation compared to similar-weighted armor. Players seeking more defense might opt for Maliketh's Armor, which offers better protection.

Weapons:

Left Hand: Dragon Communion Seal - This seal is optimal for casting Dragon Communion Incantations, enhancing their effectiveness.

Right Hand: Poleblade of the Bud - The primary weapon for this build.

Secondary Right Hand: Antspur Rapier - Equipped with the Ash of War: The Poison Flower Blooms Twice, this rapier provides a faster alternative for building up Scarlet Rot on enemies, complementing the Poleblade's slower attacks.

Talismans

For this build, the focus is on enhancing direct damage and supporting incantations:

Two-Handed Sword Talisman - Grants a 15% damage boost when wielding the Poleblade two-handed, synergizing well with the Rakshasa Armor's damage boost.

Kindred of Rot's Exultation - Provides a 20% attack power increase for 20 seconds whenever Scarlet Rot is inflicted, enhancing overall damage output.

Roar Medallion - Boosts the power of Dragon Communion Incantations, such as Ghostflame Breath and Ekzykes's Decay, aiding in setting up additional status effects.

Defensive Talisman (Golden Braid or Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman) - Choose based on the specific damage type faced, these talismans help mitigate incoming damage and bolster defenses.

Incantations

This build can leverage several incantations for both offensive and defensive purposes:

Ghostflame Breath & Ekzykes's Decay - Effective for applying Frostbite and Scarlet Rot from a distance, increasing overall damage taken by enemies.

Dragonclaw & Dragonmaw - Deliver powerful physical attacks that can stagger and control enemies.

Golden Vow & Flame, Grant Me Strength - Provide significant buffs to attack power and defense, enhancing the Poleblade's effectiveness.

Barrier of Gold & Other Defensive Incantations - Useful for mitigating specific damage types from bosses and powerful enemies.

For players progressing beyond level 150, increasing Faith to 35 unlocks additional powerful incantations such as Black Flame's Protection and Scarlet Aeonia, further enhancing the build's versatility and power.

This guide offers a comprehensive approach to building around the Poleblade of the Bud, emphasizing its unique strengths and potential synergies. By carefully selecting stats, equipment, and incantations, players can harness the full power of this formidable weapon in "Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree."

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