in Elden Ring, Guides
Arcane aligns with the Discovery stat and for some specific spells in Elden Ring, and it continues to be an essential attribute for all players. We know that there are eight distinctive attributes that affect your character’s strengths and weaknesses, but it can be difficult to keep up with all of them at once. That’s why some Tarnished might not pay too much attention to the Arcane main stat when leveling up with Runes. Therefore, we’ve assembled a brief guide to familiarize yourself with the Arcane attribute and its effects on you.
What Does Arcane Do in Elden Ring?
In a nutshell, Arcane is responsible for Discovery, Holy Defense, Vitality, and certain Sorceries and Incantations. This main attribute has two soft cap levels and one hard cap level when it comes to weapons. The soft cap levels are set at 20 and 55; the hard cap level is 80. Once you reach the max cap levels, each additional level will reduce the amount of damage given per level.
Discovery greatly affects your chances of finding decent loot from slain enemies. This can make the appearance of rare items look less rare since you’ll ultimately be able to scoop up multiple items after a big battle. You also can increase your chances of getting good loot with any equipped items that boost your Discovery. Additionally, the Silver Scarab Talisman and Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot can boost the stat’s rate as well.
If you find yourself going up against enemies that deal in Holy Damage, Arcane can strengthen your defenses against them. This goes hand-in-hand with wielding weapons that scale highly in Arcane. These include the Reduvia, Eleonora’s Poleblade, Rivers of Blood, and Morgott’s Cursed Sword to name a few. In addition to increasing Holy Defense, your Vitality defensive stat will improve as well. If you aren’t familiar with Vitality, it basically builds up resistance to Blight, a status effect that can result in instant death.
Finally, Arcane is one of the only stats to directly influence some Sorceries and Incantations. Faith seems to be another critical Attribute that is required to cast certain spells. While Intelligence is important for Glintstone Sorceries, both the Arcane and Faith stats allow the Tarnished to conjure various Incantations. Some of the Incantations that need high levels of Arcane are the Swarm of Flies, Agheel’s Flame, Dragonfire, and Bloodflame Blade.
Written by Andrew Smith
I possess a comprehensive understanding of video game mechanics, particularly those related to role-playing games (RPGs) and their associated attributes and stats. My knowledge is rooted in extensive data and information, covering various RPGs, including but not limited to the Souls series, from which Elden Ring draws much of its inspiration. This foundation allows me to dissect and explain intricate mechanics, such as character attributes, their soft and hard caps, and how they influence gameplay.
Now, diving into the concepts presented in the article by GuidesbyAndrew Smith about Elden Ring:
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Attributes in Elden Ring: Elden Ring, like many RPGs, uses a system of attributes that determine a character's strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. In this game, there are eight primary attributes, and each has specific effects on gameplay mechanics.
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Arcane:
- Discovery: One of the core functionalities of the Arcane attribute is its effect on Discovery. Discovery influences the rate at which players find items or loot from defeated enemies. The higher your Discovery stat, the better your chances of obtaining rare items. This concept is reminiscent of item discovery mechanics in other Souls games.
- Holy Defense: The Arcane attribute provides defense against Holy Damage. Certain weapons in the game have a scaling factor based on Arcane, making them effective against enemies that deal Holy Damage.
- Vitality: Arcane also has an impact on the Vitality stat, improving defensive capabilities and resistance to effects like Blight, which can lead to instant death.
- Sorceries and Incantations: Arcane isn't just a defensive and discovery-related stat; it also plays a role in enhancing the power and efficacy of certain spells and incantations. High levels of Arcane are necessary for casting specific spells, such as the ones mentioned like Swarm of Flies, Agheel’s Flame, Dragonfire, and Bloodflame Blade.
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Soft and Hard Caps:
- Soft Caps: These are specific levels at which the benefits of leveling an attribute start diminishing. For Arcane in Elden Ring, the soft caps are at levels 20 and 55.
- Hard Cap: This is the maximum level beyond which further increases in the attribute provide minimal benefits. In the case of Arcane, the hard cap is level 80.
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Equipment and Boosts: Beyond leveling up the Arcane attribute, players can enhance their Discovery rate through specific items. The article mentions items like the Silver Scarab Talisman and Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot, which can amplify the Discovery rate, making rare items more accessible.
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Interplay with Other Attributes: While Arcane is essential for certain spells and abilities, it's worth noting that other attributes, such as Faith and Intelligence, also play roles in spellcasting. For instance, while Arcane might be crucial for Incantations, Faith could be necessary for other magical abilities.
In summary, Arcane in Elden Ring is a multifaceted attribute influencing everything from loot discovery to defense against specific damage types and the power of certain spells. Understanding its nuances, including soft and hard caps, is pivotal for players aiming to optimize their gameplay experience in the vast world of Elden Ring.
