In the world of Elden Ring, weapon choice is crucial to defining a player’s build, playstyle, and overall performance in both PvE and PvP combat. Among the many powerful armaments in the game, the Zamor Curved Sword and the Bloodhound’s Fang stand out as two exceptional curved greatswords with unique characteristics. Each of these weapons excels in different scenarios, and understanding their strengths, weaknesses, scaling, and suitability for various builds can help players make informed decisions. Whether you’re looking for speed, bleed damage, or powerful combos, these two weapons have a lot to offer.
Zamor Curved Sword Overview
Weapon Type and Stats
The Zamor Curved Sword is a curved greatsword known for its graceful arcs and rapid sweeping motions. It is a visually striking weapon with icy aesthetics, reflecting its frost-based attributes. This weapon is favored by Dexterity-focused builds that want fast attack animations while retaining respectable poise damage.
- Base Damage: Physical and Frost buildup
- Scaling: Primarily Dexterity
- Weight: Moderate, not overly heavy for a greatsword
- Special Ability: Frostbite buildup and a unique Weapon Skill
The weapon’s primary attribute is frost buildup, which triggers additional damage when a target’s frost meter is filled. This makes it particularly effective against high-health enemies or in prolonged fights where the status effect can trigger repeatedly.
How to Obtain
The Zamor Curved Sword can be acquired by defeating the Ancient Hero of Zamor in the Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave. This boss drops the Remembrance that can be exchanged for the sword. Players should be prepared for a challenging fight as the boss uses rapid ice-based attacks similar to what the sword offers.
Strengths
- Fast sweeping attacks with wide arcs
- Applies frostbite quickly for bonus damage
- Solid Dexterity scaling benefits quick builds
- Unique weapon skill fits aggressive, mobile playstyles
Weaknesses
- Less raw power compared to heavier weapons
- Scaling limits its use for Strength builds
- Not ideal for hyper-armor trades
Bloodhound’s Fang Overview
Weapon Type and Stats
The Bloodhound’s Fang is a curved greatsword that combines incredible range with devastating bleed damage. It is one of the earliest and most reliable weapons for players looking to build a Strength-Dexterity hybrid character. Its signature trait is its unique Weapon Skill that enables quick backflips and slashing combos, ideal for both PvE and PvP duels.
- Base Damage: Physical with Bleed buildup
- Scaling: Strength and Dexterity hybrid
- Weight: Heavier than the Zamor Curved Sword
- Special Ability: Bloodhound’s Finesse Weapon Skill
Bleed damage in Elden Ring can quickly overwhelm even high-health enemies by instantly reducing a percentage of their health when triggered. The Bloodhound’s Fang naturally applies this pressure with every swing, making it deadly when combined with fast attacks and buffs.
How to Obtain
The Bloodhound’s Fang can be obtained early in the game by defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol. This makes it accessible for many builds and players who want a strong curved greatsword early in their playthrough.
Strengths
- High bleed buildup for damage bursts
- Great Weapon Skill with evasive mobility
- Excellent scaling with hybrid builds
- Longer reach compared to similar curved swords
Weaknesses
- Requires a balance between Strength and Dexterity stats
- Heavier and slower than Zamor Curved Sword
- Weapon Skill can be hard to control for beginners
Comparison: Zamor Curved Sword vs Bloodhound’s Fang
Combat Utility
The Zamor Curved Sword shines in situations where multiple enemies are present. Its wide sweeping attacks and frost buildup allow for control and attrition-style combat. On the other hand, Bloodhound’s Fang is more suited to burst-damage tactics, especially in one-on-one scenarios or boss fights. Its Weapon Skill lets players deal heavy damage and escape in a single fluid motion.
Status Effects
While both weapons build up status effects frost and bleed respectively they operate differently. Frost deals a burst of damage and reduces target stamina regeneration, while bleed instantly cuts a percentage of health once the meter fills. Bleed is more universally effective, but frost can be just as deadly in sustained encounters.
Scaling and Build Compatibility
Players running pure Dexterity or Dexterity-focused builds will find the Zamor Curved Sword easier to slot into their setup. Bloodhound’s Fang, meanwhile, fits best into quality builds that balance both Strength and Dexterity. Players looking to experiment with buffs and hybrid playstyles will benefit more from the Bloodhound’s Fang’s flexibility.
Weapon Skills
The Weapon Skill of the Zamor Curved Sword delivers a sharp, icy lunge that builds up frost while closing distance. It’s simple yet effective. The Bloodhound’s Fang, however, features a stylish and powerful multi-part attack: a backward flip followed by a forward lunge that deals massive damage. This makes the latter better in PvP, especially when used for hit-and-run tactics.
Best Build Recommendations
Zamor Curved Sword Build
- Main Stats: Dexterity, Endurance, Vigor
- Talisman Suggestions: Radagon’s Scarseal, Green Turtle Talisman
- Infusion: Frost effect is innate, so no infusion required
- Armor: Medium-weight gear to maintain agility
This build focuses on staying mobile while stacking frost quickly. It pairs well with spells or incantations that also slow or control enemies.
Bloodhound’s Fang Build
- Main Stats: Strength, Dexterity, Vigor
- Talisman Suggestions: Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Claw Talisman
- Infusion: Cannot be infused, but benefits from buffs
- Armor: Heavier gear acceptable due to higher damage resistance
This build emphasizes high burst potential, allowing players to rush in, trigger bleed, and evade before taking hits. Combining this weapon with bleed-enhancing items or buffs increases its lethality even further.
Which Weapon Should You Choose?
The decision between the Zamor Curved Sword and the Bloodhound’s Fang largely depends on your build and preferred combat style. If you enjoy agile combat with status buildup over time and beautiful sweeping combos, the Zamor Curved Sword will likely appeal to you. On the other hand, if you prefer high-damage ambush tactics, bleed synergies, and powerful PvP tools, then Bloodhound’s Fang is an outstanding choice.
Both the Zamor Curved Sword and Bloodhound’s Fang are excellent weapons in Elden Ring, each with their own merits. The former is elegant and efficient in frost-based Dexterity builds, while the latter is brutal and effective in bleed-centric hybrid builds. Choosing between the two means considering not just raw stats, but also how each weapon fits into your desired playstyle. With the right strategy and complementary gear, either weapon can carry you through some of the game’s toughest challenges and offer satisfying, stylish victories along the way.