Rugalea's Ravager - The Ultimate Beast Claws Build - Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree(Spoiler Free!)

[@rose_sunshades]

I cannot believe that my original fashion for the bear claws was not original at all...

[@abhishekvenkat2309]

I know right? I thought I was being original

[@ITNoetic]

What's neat about this game is that it's designed to make you feel like it was your idea when you do stuff like that.

[@whathitwonder4037]

It be like that sometimes.

[@FelisImpurrator]

I mean, if you came up with it independently there's no problem. Not like it's a race.

[@Kub1na32]

That jist means its that good. Im definitely not saying that because I have the exact same too lmao

[@Scowleasy]

Bloodflame also has more effective buildup, since for 2 seconds the buildup *isn’t decreasing*, which is amazing for keeping it consistent

[@calibula95]

As a Bloodflame Blade zealot, i confirm this.

[@InvaderTroy]

For pvp the bleed proc of BFB cannot be rolled like a normal bleed, that damage is guaranteed and the stun can combo into further damage.

[@FelisImpurrator]

If only it worked on the smithscript weapons... Damn shield not even being infusable without a bug.

[@dragondest4]

i love that you optimze the same way i do. stats/weapons/infuisons/talismans/spells optimized for the best numbers, but armor HAS to be optimized for the drip

[@Malxer]

lmao true we all do it

[@garchamayne4254]

Always gotta optimise the fashion souls

[@mattiasxxxx7096]

@@garchamayne4254the True Endgame

[@thorveim1174]

same! and this is why I never use any of the stat-giving helmets, cause they all tend to be.. weird.

[@jake57]

trying to beat radahn i had to quit the drip and wear some dumb shit lmao

[@cw5839]

The alternate version of the banished knights armor keeps the cloak and the bear claws. The fashion works really well too since there's fur on the armor aswell.

[@sunsh1n1ng]

My favorite armor!

[@jake57]

nice shout

[@notgonnaliejusttookthebest8977]

Love your videos and your detailed research!!!

[@CrusaderLogan]

Love these build videos!!! Keep it up!

[@latenightotaku824]

This helped me optimise my light roll beast claw build. I was running 60 arcane and 27 faith with Beast Claws set to occult, and whilst I was doing okay, the damage output was lacking. Swapping to heavy infusion and respecing to 80 strength with 10 faith and 12 arcane for Bloodflame Blade and Beastial Vitality helped a lot! It's a shame I am not using my incantations anymore, but that's hardly an issue and can correct that when I go into NG+. And as for the buffs, there are now a golden vow consumables and well pickled turtle necks to get the buffs I need. Thank you again!

[@lamellarm6546]

Wow you even optimized the fashion. Thanks for the build!

[@ryanleatigaga7596]

Armor-wise, I like using the Wolf Mask and the rest of Lionel's Set and call myself The Fat, Furious Furry (Triple F for short)

[@pauliusmatonis1492]

Damn I thought my "Fat cat" idea was original.... :D

[@decyy2312]

I been waiting!!!!!

[@JaVierSiLvA143]

Keep this build guides coming. They’re really well made and ver informative.

[@bbailey7740]

Wow. This was the most informative video I’ve seen

[@kodikun]

This build looks really fun!

[@TheSoulDivided]

Nice! I'm almost done with my first runthrough of the dlc, and was planning on doing a Beast Claws run next

[@CrappyCar]

I just finished the DLC with a consecutive attack build (Str/Arc Dual twin-blades), and it really helps to flinch larger enemies. I can't wait to get more time with claws. Thanks for another great video!

[@professional_sufferer]

Neat, probably will try this out

[@VashTheHumanStampede]

I honestly was waiting for this 🙃

[@ronnyj6780]

Favorite weapons in the whole game now. Ty for doing all the maths

[@agentsampson5623]

Amazing video man. This has been my Hanah Barbaria build since I found the pelt/armor. I absolutely love using the rotten Greataxe in my main hand and the bear claws in my offhand. There's a near little combo depending on when you attack with the main hand after the claw.

[@jdazzani]

I LOVED this type of video!! Finally someone talking about builds outside of incredibly arbitrary ways!!! I fell in love with the death knights longhaft axe, could you do a build analysis on that? Im very on the fence on how to build it and suck at numbers

[@GrandeJavardo]

This is great content, was about to switch to an arcane build using the claws but i guess I won't now low

[@GamerNurseGale]

Your builds are analytically OP 🙂

[@LostIzaa115]

Was so good

[@BabyJesusBro]

at sometime during your videos you should have the summary screen of your level 150 build with everything on in your inventory

[@dentanau]

Optimizing for fashion, the best form of optimization!

[@PaulRoche-iv4oh]

I’d love to see one of these videos for the backhand blades

[@DustDemonTwilight]

would love to see a video on Sword of night katana !

[@got_aidz1722]

Your content is top tier! Could possibly make a build video for the Ancient Meteoric Greatsword please?

[@DangerSimmons]

I need to see your breakdown on the Danes footwork/arts & build

[@robd.2169]

You sir, are a blessing. Thank you for you constant treasures of information that you are giving us! This was very informative!!!! Any chance you can give us some delicious math for a level 150 int faith hybrid build in the near future???

[@Chrightt]

Yessir, I will definitely have one of these.

[@Space_Australian]

I really appreciate how in-depth you go into these guides. I do have a somewhat specific request for whenever you get around to analyzing the Great Katana; When Cold infused, it appears to favor DEX/INT for scaling instead of STR. I often hear you mention that Cold infusions can work in place of Magic infusions when taking into account the frostbite, but I'm wondering if that would still be the case at 70 INT/40 STR/20 DEX, or would I be better off just going for max damage on Magic infusion?

[@Saffreuge]

I do agree---bloodflame blade will end up with a lot more bleed buildup than occult infusion. However, outside of boss fights or major encounters, it can get very expensive to maintain.

[@unbearable505]

Using the blessed blue dew talisman makes stuff like weapon buffs or bestial vitality practically free while exploring. It's well worth the talisman slot outside of boss fights imo.

[@Chrightt]

That's why there's even 22 mind. It's enough.

[@dudeskeela]

god daym i fucking love this game

[@Zantetsu13]

Mathematically correct fashion, sweet.

[@AkantorCZ]

I went with the buffable version. With 30 Faith and 13 Intelligence you get Golden Vow, Bloodflame Blade, Electrify Armament, Order's Blade and greater resistance buffs against all damage types. The idea is to have a build that can specialize against specific opponents. Counter its strenght and exploit its weakness. I've been usually buffing only against tougher enemies or bosses and using Old Lord's Talisman for buffs to last longer. I could still offer to spend 56 points into Strenght. It's not as good against prolonged boss fights but overall it performed quite well. I also tried to experiment with the counter block tear, since beast claw does nice 4-hit counter attack, but I wasn't very good with the timing. Still I thought it's worth mentioning.

[@Chrightt]

I don't think the other damage buffs are worth running for the build cause they're greatly nerfed on savage claws. Even with more faith they won't outperform bloodflame blade or red bear's.

[@AkantorCZ]

​@@Chrightt At least Order's Blade makes a huge difference against undead, but I suppose you can use holy grease instead. Newly introduced greases actually adds an extra 120 damage of respective damage type which is almost as much as magic buffs with 25 faith with 2 finger seal. So the motion value applies to damage of buffs as well or where the nerf is coming from? Either way I'm definitely going to give a shot to more comfortable version you've suggested. I'm not entirely sure, but 60 damage negation magic buffs could probably be replaced with consumables as well or I just end up with lesser versions. Anyway playing with the beast claw is great fun. :) Thanks for clarifying all the hidden mechanics!

[@Younghoon15]

We need a martial art weapon in depth numbers guide and compare to the fists

[@FelisImpurrator]

Playing at level 502 to brute force build variety, I figure I can just toss on Quality or something with the normal beast claws if I try this. It should be fun running with the whole beast incantation set, and at this level I figure I can force the bear head to be viable. Red Bear drip is immaculate though. Praise the comments (hah, now that's a rare sentence on KZbin) for listing off armor sets that are great with the bear head.

[@DrkTide7]

I’m loving cold beast claws rn with various ashes. Seems to hit very hard with 54st, 20int, 20dex. Of course I’m not optimizing only for that weapon but, very nice either way.

[@Rhuowave]

I loved all the beast claws stuff. Dryleaf arts next maybe? I’d love to see your take on the new poison stuff and the poison flower blooms twice. I imagine venomous fangs is the best pick for it but I really dig the idea of poison dryleaf.

[@FelisImpurrator]

Poison Flower is absolutely bonkers on the Antspur Rapier more than anything else I've seen, but Dane's Footwork is the way if you want Poison Flower Dryleaf. At the point in the game where you're playing the DLC, you don't really care about the poison damage over time and just want to proc and detonate as much as you can before resistance curves go too high. So. Poison Dane's with Dryleaf Whirlwind (this is important; multihit status buildup is insane on Dryleaf Whirlwind, and... Not, on Palm Blast), Kindred Exultation, Shattered Stone (this is why you pick Dane over base Dryleaf Arts; every kick move passively gains the talisman buff, and Poison Flower's main strike is also a kick), and your choice from Dragoncrest Greatshield, Rotten Winged Sword/Prosthesis, Godskin Cloth, Alexander... The usual stuff for fast, rapid-hitting weapons. I'd suggest keeping the Poison Hand in your offhand while using this. The bonus stacks with Kindred and applies even when you're powerstancing Dane. You can also just toss on Dryleaf Arts in your second right-hand slot as a backup weapon with Bleed or Cold if you want to use the defense debuff on cold or have a backup in case you run out of poison procs. And a weightless seal in the second offhand slot to cast usual stuff like Bestial Vitality or Golden Vow if you have enough stats. Dragon Communion should work fine since you'd be running Arcane for status.

[@Rhuowave]

@@FelisImpurrator that all sounds awesome I can’t wait to get to it in the dlc. I forgot the rot poker because I really dislike rapiers but yeah I don’t doubt it’d be incredible for this setup. I’ll stick to martial arts or venomous fangs for it. We drop kicking god this time around.

[@pauliusmatonis1492]

I went with occult because I don't want to keep spamming buffs on trash mobs, and always having good bleed build up is nice.This way I just bust few buffs before the boss fight and never rebuff them because most bosses die fast enough or I am too lazy :D

[@testertesting8483]

Are you going to provide a breakdown of all the DLC weapons? That would be neat.

[@SR28952]

I’m gonna do the stats on the right and run the bear roar

[@Silver_Lloyd]

Hey, do you know where I can find information on NG+ status resistances? I'm on NG+7 and finished up the DLC, wondering what the final boss' bleed resistance is at that NG+ cycle. I don't think it's on the Fextralife Wiki.

[@Chrightt]

I have the base resistances up in a PVE spreadsheet on my discord.

[@emerald1476]

What does the bear roar incantation scale with ?

[@nicolasvillasecaali7662]

I'm planning to make a Bear themed character using the bear roar and the beast incantations so this comes really handy, thanks for it! Still making way with my great shield build through the DLC, and I'm loving the Messmer soldiers spear, hope to see more of your build for when I make it to the end of this journey.

[@louie2]

what are some good alternate weapons with this build?

[@shargo498]

I am waiting for Dryleaf Arts / Danes footworks video. Need that so bad. I can't figure out if cold infusion is better or quality infusion etc

[@Etlan917]

How would star fists fare on this bleed build as opposed to the claws?

[@anonymousmurphy]

Curious how this setup works using the vampire crystal tear + Malenia’s GR. Throw in some Bestial Vitality and see how far you can push the unrelenting beast motif.

[@D1noBiscuit]

Where is the calculator you use (e.g. the one at 2:13) on the google sheets?

[@waywardlucky3194]

A guide explaining euphoria and how its aow works whether it powers up with hits or damage and how it works when in you off hand. The buildup feels random to me and I don’t have your patience and numbers mindedness to test it

[@jq4767]

Thank you very much for the build! My only question: I know seals aren't a big part of this, but why not Clawmark seal if the build is already heavy strength with low faith? It'd be on theme as well anyway.

[@Chrightt]

only faith scaling affects the faith buff of bloodflame blade (the amount of attack you're getting). Since I'm not casting any offensive incantations, clawmark is pretty irrelevant. Also, you end up with mediocre spell power even with clawmark (as it is already a lower spell power seal that isn't even optimized for here) so I would not suggest tagging on offensive incantations.

[@dimo6994]

Yooo dude i just found out you can power stance by having one in each hand. Would there be any point to that or would it be useless???

[@idklol4190]

Do you have any plans for optimizing milady or ledas sword?

[@Chrightt]

I will do it in a light greatsword vid.

[@IdToaster]

Any thoughts on the Thrusting Shields? I actually did a build for the Carian one with a Standard affinity for once just to keep the Guard Boost from tanking.

[@FelisImpurrator]

Syrobe mentioned it in his latest video and I tried it on his advice. Unbelievably busted weapon. It has guard points on most of its attacks, it can shield poke and guard counter natively, and more importantly it has some nutty interactions with buffs and greases. Scholar's Armament and Spinning Weapon can make it a blender of death. Blood Tax can give it infinite sustain. Scholar's Shield works and significantly improves its guard boost by such an enormous margin (and it's a flat value, anyway) that throwing it on literally any staff is worth doing even on a min-Int build if you just want unbreakable shield poke tanking. Who needs guard boost from Standard when you can just buff your shield way past that and use it as an infused status machine anyway?

[@Chrightt]

Thrusting shields are quite OP as shields are extremely good. It's basically like doing shieldpokes with one weapon. The Carian thrusting shield is better and you definitely want to buff your shield.

[@815TypeSirius]

I am taking a break for a real patch but lets see how this jives with my batcatwoman meme build.

[@815TypeSirius]

Similar ideas but I use dryleaf secondary with blooms twice. This is great for all in on beast claws though.

[@chaddnervig6683]

How far behind would a Lightning Beast Claws build be? I'm guessing it's slightly better than Keen/Heavy before weapon buffs, but can't use Bloodflame Blade.

[@brickch.6502]

Question: does the new crystal tear that restores HP on hit stack with the swaddling cloth and/or Malenia's rune? Haven't had the chance of trying it out, but it looks like it'd be a good pairing with an aggressive build such as this 0_0

[@Chrightt]

Yes, but it only lasts for 45 seconds. Not really that worth.

[@brickch.6502]

@@Chrightt oof that's rough, I hoped it was gonna last a bit longer. Might workout well for some bosses, or critical situations where you have to deal with lots of enemies without resources on your end, but it still doesn't sound great. Maybe could be of use against some bosses, but I doubt it'll be useful without a tiny buff 0_0'

[@EmeraldKoi]

If I may make a request: Could you do an info dive on Velvet Sword of St. Trina and optimizing sleep with/without weapons? I'm trying to make a St. Trina build but it feels lack luster and I feel lost in the execution/scaling. Especially since the Eternal Sleep pots scale with Arcane but both St. Trina swords scale with INT and Dex. I want to be the deep purple baddy like I've dreamed of. 😔

[@MichaelS5400]

0:01 Hello

[@Hypostasy]

Can you optimize commander gaius aow? The spinning gravity thing

[@Chrightt]

Yeah, I can check this out.

[@zduartys6230]

How do I get heavy infusion in savage claws?? (the ash of war have keen affinity)

[@Chrightt]

You need to get an Iron Whetblade (Stormveil castle) so really early item.

[@picklegirl6969]

Can u talk about meteoric ore blade

[@thorveim1174]

wonder if the bear claws are worth still using at higher levels where the beast claws can go quality, sicne they cant get infused dont the beast claws beat the bear ones for raw damage as well? also for fashion, if not using the bear claws the Blaidd set works really well (though tend to use fire prelate gauntlets for the extra defenses and poise, they go so well with the set that they look like they are part of it), you just are a werewolf instead of a bear-man (and goes well with Blaiss, he is fairly acrobatic as well after all)

[@connorflaherty5068]

If I can’t get my hands on rotten wing sword(gave milicent’s prosthesis to a friend) will the regular wing sword be worth using or should I just use a complete different talisman

[@Chrightt]

The base version is alright. You can just run Lord of Blood's Exultation unless you run into an immune boss though.

[@rod4309]

If you hit someone twice with bloodflame at the same time would that result in 40 or 80 build up? I was under the impression that multiple hits would refresh the duration of the effect rather than adding additional instances of the effect to the target.

[@Chrightt]

It would result in 80 bleed buildup. Duration refresh applies to blackflame but bloodflame stacks as many times as you hit.

[@bahamut025]

​@@ChrighttI just notice something while using this build, if attacking with the charge attack you press the run button also he does a jump backwards that evade attacks that hit on the ground

[@wiichii2620]

Can you do the dane fist and the other one aslo

[@KolinarK]

Chrightt, does Rakshasa armor really gives you damage increase taken debuff? I tested attacks with exact same damage negation numbers and damage taken was the same wearing full set vs not wearing any of Rakshasa pieces. I think it just has way less damage negation than other equipment of its class.

[@nadaburner]

You are correct. Rakshasa armor has on average 2% less damage negation so saying you take that much more damage is effectively the same thing.

[@HeyMaruniko]

so does that mean occult infusion is better on higher motion values weapons aka unga-bunga weapons? so overall str-arcane build is actually better than dex-arcane?

[@CrzyLion]

did you test/double check the 2% damage taken increase from rakshasa set? from my testing it doesnt actually increase damage taken, i think the flavour text is just talking about the low damage resitances.

[@carlosh9476]

I'm running a DEX build for Claws/Sword of Night. A Keen Beast Claw would still do all this stuff you mentioned for Heavy?

[@Chrightt]

Yes, slightly less attack is fine. You can just run keen beast claw and your keen weapons instead of red bear's claw.

[@jayalriik7421]

I wonder, just to fit the theme... Would bestial incantations and the claw seal pair well with the build for Ranged options? I never know if the seal is worth running even at low faith.

[@Chrightt]

Nah, faith too low to do even passable damage.

[@jayalriik7421]

@Chrightt ah such a shame. Using Beast Claws WITH the spell Beast Claw? Almost perfect pairing!

[@sqter00]

Beast Claw on Quality have str b and dex b scaling . won't they have better damage?

[@fullmetalathlete]

So on the red bear claws you pretty much dont even bother buffing with the bloodflame blade right? Is it worth using a different buff in those cases where they're not as susceptible to bleed, (electrify armament, Order's blade, etc)?

[@unbearable505]

The red bear claws can't be buffed, unfortunately.

[@fullmetalathlete]

@@unbearable505 ooooh I see unique items...I haven't gotten them yet ..

[@TRULLGUN]

Is there a reason i can't use bloodflame blade on mine?

[@astarothpvp]

Messmer lance nexp please

[@KywPT]

For the sacred seal on the low faith build , wouldn't the Clawmark be slightly stronger on that case?

[@Malkavon]

Weapon Buffs and Heals only benefit from the Faith portion of your Incant scaling. In this case it's not really relevant since Bloodflame Blade's Fire damage buff is fairly weak and the Bleed DOT doesn't scale at all while regen spells like Bestial Vitality don't scale at all, but the Clawmark Seal would be even lower scaling unless you're using other, offensive Incantations as well.

[@Finnboy-ml5jv]

When parry changes analysis?

[@Chrightt]

I will try and get this out asap, but I'm missing a thing or two.

[@Finnboy-ml5jv]

⁠@@ChrighttThanks for making such informative videos!

[@CoperliteConsumer]

Chrightt gets it. The fashion is equally as important as effectiveness. I can't stand that white mask, don't care if I'm running elenora pole blade right now. Il never use it!

[@ipoopmuffins]

I really wish that there were a bunch of bear communion spells. I was looking forward to a full beast build

[@coda-shut-up4477]

How do I heavy infuse with savage claws?

[@zduartys6230]

I also wanted to know

[@sqter00]

mayby Smithscript weapons guide?

[@Chrightt]

Sure!

[@poisonpen37]

With the new poise breakpoint changes, does 51 poise even matter as a breakpoint anymore?

[@Chrightt]

51 poise is for PVE which has remained the same.

[@nemi6037]

so occult is still better for people who don't use incantations/don't want to get stalled out of a buff

[@Chrightt]

Yes, but judging from the ease of applying bloodflame blade and the relative speed/duration vs the benefits? Too good to pass up.

[@LandoftheWeed]

Poise breakpoints When? I'm at 115. 116 to tank HTS r1 but we don't see HTS too often.

[@imykel2]

Jeenie made a video already with link to break points

[@LandoftheWeed]

@@imykel2 I saw. I just want to hear it from "The Numbers guy".

[@Chrightt]

Honestly, I think 89 looks plenty fine right now. But some DLC weapons are bugged atm as they forgot the PVP poise multiplier. I'm basically waiting for them to (hopefully) update it next patch before doing poise breakpoints.

[@giorgioadamforlani1770]

I didn't know you can't buff occult infusions. Wow was it always like this?

[@Chrightt]

Yep.

[@ShasKS_1234]

Why shouldn't we just use blood infusion instead of occult? Is it not worth it?

[@Chrightt]

Can't infuse that either. You get the same blood buildup for less AR versus bloodflame blade because the entire blood infusion gets reduced by 40% thanks to status MV.

[@yujin_sumeragi]

I did something very similar on my 250+ character, only I found that blood infusion gives me 115 bleed buildup for a loss of 17 AR compared to quality, assuming 80 in str/dex/arc, but saves on needing to buff while giving you more blood loss build up than bloodflame blade. On meta level quality with buff is absolutely the way to go, though. As an additional experiment, with 80/80 str/dex keen outperforms heavy by 27 AR, since keen lowers but retains the strength scaling, while heavy eliminates dex scaling completely, but then again that's mostly irrelevant, since at that stat spread you want to go for quality anyway. EDIT: Typos.

[@Fedorchik1536]

Why not clawmark seal, though?

[@Chrightt]

Faith buffs only use faith scaling so clawmark seal's str scaling does not increase bloodflame blade's damage at all.

[@Fedorchik1536]

@@Chrightt I keep completely forgetting about this >_

[@Stereo-hb2lo]

Welp, time to respec again

[@AbraWhiteBoy]

why 22 mind? that seems like a lot

[@Chrightt]

For being able to maintain bloodflame blade and still spam skills during outside exploration. You actually don't run out of FP pots for bosses but when you're exploring blindly you can use up quite a bit of FP.

[@Raptchur]

Beast Claws gameplay looks weird with shoes on.

[@ongabonga4378]

Does the enraged divine beast talisman buff the damage of red bear hunt?

[@Chrightt]

No

[@leonardo9259]

Arcane builds being powercrept on bleed by pure physicsl builds feels like a cruel joke, amazing balancing lol

[@leonardo9259]

Also, the raksasha thing is really a debuff? I thought only had piss defenses

[@Chrightt]

Yes, it has additional debuff.

[@GorvinTube]

@@Chrightt Are you certain? I did some experimenting with just the guantlets and the damage I was taking was consistent with the numbers shown for the armor. (Strike damage reduced by 1% and Pierce damage reduced by 1.4% when the guantlets were equipped vs having no arms armor)

[@unbearable505]

​@@ChrighttAre you sure? From what I've seen it simply has low defenses for it's weight class.

[@radicalindividual7774]

How useless is this on INT? Cause on enemies that are obnoxious on my Sorcerer... Yeah, tons of utility.

[@Chrightt]

Probably only half as effective. There are other ways to deal with enemies on INT builds.

[@frowningmirror8097]

For pvp I'd rather go occult still, wasting time casting and using two similar weapons definitely won't win a match

[@tonyluiscomedy]

I can't tell if voice is AI or just asian man

[@SonicSanctuary]

You have the most dry voice ever