Elden Ring is renowned for its deep combat system and build variety, but few playstyles feel as devastating and satisfying as a good Bleed build. One tool that has quickly become a favorite among Tarnished looking to maximize Hemorrhage damage is Bloodflame Blade — an Incantation that infuses weapons with blood and fire. If you want to carve through bosses and Elden Ring Runes enemies with rivers of blood, mastering Bloodflame Blade is essential. Here’s how to get it, use it effectively, and build around it.

What is Bloodflame Blade?

Bloodflame Blade is an Incantation that coats your weapon with a burning blood effect. When active, your weapon gains additional fire damage and applies a special Hemorrhage (Bleed) build-up that continues even after you land a hit. This makes it especially potent for weapons with fast attack speeds or multi-hit combos.

Quick Facts:

Type: Incantation

Faith Requirement: 12

FP Cost: 20 FP per cast

Duration: 60 seconds

Where to Get It: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab near the Rose Church in Liurnia of the Lakes.

Why Bloodflame Blade is Great for Bleed Builds

Most Bleed builds rely on stacking Hemorrhage status quickly to trigger massive percentage-based damage. Bloodflame Blade boosts this by adding a delayed Bleed effect: after your initial hit, the target continues to accumulate Bleed build-up over a short time.

Combined with a naturally Bleed-scaling weapon like the Uchigatana or Scavenger’s Curved Sword, this lets you stack multiple Hemorrhage procs in quick succession — melting down high-HP bosses that normally resist raw damage.

Best Weapons to Pair with Bloodflame Blade

Bloodflame Blade only works on weapons that can be buffed (no innate elemental affinity or unique Ashes of War that prevent coating). Here are some top choices:

1. Uchigatana or Nagakiba:

Fast swings, long reach, natural Bleed build-up.

Easily infused with a Keen or Bleed affinity to scale Dex or Arcane.

2. Scavenger’s Curved Sword:

Extremely fast, high Bleed build-up.

Dual-wielding these can shred through bosses.

3. Twinblades (like the Godskin Peeler):

Multi-hit attacks mean faster Hemorrhage stacking.

Great synergy with jump attacks and combos.

4. Spears (like the Cross-Naginata):

Good range and thrust combos that hit multiple times.

Safe Bleed stacking from mid-range.

Important: Bloodflame Blade won’t work on weapons with an innate elemental infusion like Blood or Fire affinity. Use a physical or Keen version instead to allow coating.

How to Cast Bloodflame Blade

To use Bloodflame Blade, you’ll need:

A Sacred Seal equipped.

Enough Faith to meet the requirement (12 is enough).

Enough FP to cast repeatedly.

Cast the Incantation to coat your right-hand weapon. It lasts about 60 seconds, so reapply during downtime in longer fights.

Talismans and Stats for a Bloodflame Build

To make your Bloodflame Bleed build shine, you’ll want to support it with the right talismans and stat spread.

Key Talismans:

Lord of Blood’s Exultation: Increases attack power when Bleed occurs nearby — pairs perfectly with constant Hemorrhage procs.

Shard of Alexander: Boosts your weapon skill damage if you use Ashes of War alongside Bloodflame Blade.

Carian Filigreed Crest: Reduces FP cost if you’re using weapon skills a lot.

Stats to Focus On:

Dexterity or Strength: Scale this based on your weapon choice.

Arcane: Higher Arcane boosts status build-up, helping Bleed stack faster.

Faith: Just enough for Bloodflame Blade (12 minimum).

Mind: Consider adding some points if you find yourself short on FP for reapplying buffs.

Good Ashes of War Pairings

Since Bloodflame Blade requires you to use a standard Ash of War, pick one that complements fast combos:

Seppuku: Another Bleed synergy, but you can’t use Seppuku and Bloodflame Blade at the same time on the same weapon — pick one or the other.

Quickstep or Bloodhound’s Step: Great for mobility.

Unsheathe (Katana): Excellent burst damage when combined with Bleed.

Playstyle Tips

1. Keep it Up: Always maintain your Bloodflame coating. If it runs out mid-fight, you’ll lose the extra Bleed stacking.

2. Stick and Move: Light, fast hits are better than heavy ones. The goal is to build status quickly — don’t get greedy.

3. Chain Status: You can use Bloodflame Blade on one weapon and a natural Bleed weapon in your off-hand to stack status even faster.

4. Mind Your FP: Reapplying Bloodflame Blade costs FP. Balance your FP flasks so you don’t run out mid-boss.

Best Enemies and Bosses for Bloodflame Builds

Bloodflame Blade is extremely effective against enemies with large health pools and buy Elden Ring Runes no Bleed immunity:

Dragons

Erdtree Avatars

Night’s Cavalry

Certain humanoid bosses like Godrick or Morgott

Avoid using it against bosses that resist Hemorrhage, like fire-based enemies or those without blood (golems, living stone creatures).

Final Thoughts

The Bloodflame Blade is one of the best Incantations for Tarnished who want to squeeze every drop of power from Bleed builds in Elden Ring. Its unique lingering Bleed stacks make your fast weapons twice as deadly — if you keep the buff up, position well, and attack relentlessly.

Whether you’re hunting world bosses in the Lands Between or slicing through PvP duels, the river of blood left behind will be your legacy.