Best Putrescence Cleaver Build In Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree (2024)

The Putrescence Cleaver is a unique greataxe that can be acquired after defeating the Putrescent Knight, an optional boss in Elden Ring's DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. This greataxe differs from other axes in the game, purely because of its unique curved design and the ability to inflict frost damage with each hit.

The Putrescence Cleaver's curved blade is adorned with multiple skulls, with a hilt on both ends of the blade. The weapon also comes with a unique skill called the Spinning Guillotine that causes the Tarnished to leap at the enemy and bring the blade crashing down. If you've been thinking about using the Putrescence Cleaver as your main weapon, the following build guide should help you make the most out of it.

Putrescence Cleaver Acquisition, Stats & Overview

Defeating the Putrescent Knight in Shadow of the Erdtree rewards you with the Remembrance of Putrescence , which can be exchanged at the Roundtable Hold to obtain either the Vortex of Putrescence spell or the Putrescence Cleaver greataxe. If you haven't fought the Putrescent Knight already, you can find it underneath the Stone Coffin Fissure in the southern region of the Cerulean Coast.

The Putrescence Cleaver primarily scales with Strength and Arcane, and the following is the complete stat and scaling of the weapon:

The Putrescence Cleaver innately deals frost damage and cannot be buffed with magic. However, leveling up your Arcane will boost frost damage dealt by the weapon.

Recommended Character Stats For Putrescence Cleaver

Since the Putrescence Cleaver scales with Strength and Arcane, you should prioritize investing your runes in these stats to increase the damage output of the weapon. The following table provides a sample character attribute distribution for Tarnished at around level 165:

This attribute distribution should enable you to take advantage of the Putrescence Cleaver's weapon art, while also allowing you to cast a few incantations that offer various buffs.

Recommended Armor & Talismans For Putrescence Cleaver

If your character is above level 180, or you've chosen to invest runes in the Endurance stat, you could wear any armor set that offers decent physical damage negation and high poise. However, if you're restricted by your current level, you cannot go wrong with Blaidd's Set as it allows you to enjoy 60 poise while remaining at medium equipment load.

Along with the armor set, you could also consider choosing the following Talismans to increase the raw damage output of the Putrescence Cleaver, as well as deal extra damage when executing the weapon skill:

• Rotten Winged Sword Insignia : Increases attack power of successive strikes. This Talisman can be acquired upon completing Millicent's questline and choosing to assist her in the fight against her sisters.
• Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman : Boosts physical damage negation by 20%. The Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman can be picked up from the chest in Miquella's Haligtree.
• Shard of Alexander : Greatly boosts attack power of weapon skills. You can obtain the Shard of Alexander upon completing Iron Fist Alexander's questline.
• Two-Handed Sword Talisman : Increases the attack power of a weapon when wielding it with both arms. You can collect the Two-Handed Sword Talisman from a treasure chest in Shadow of the Erdtree.

The above-listed selection of Talismans should give you the necessary edge when taking on challenging enemies. However, you can further improve the damage output of this build by incorporating various buffs via spells and consumables.

Putrescence Cleaver Complementary Spells & Consumables

If you really want to get everything out of this Putrescence Cleaver build, you could also consider incorporating the following two incantations to boost the weapon's damage output and negate physical damage to self:

• Flame, Grant me Strength : Found behind Fort Gael in Caelid, the Flame, Grant Me Strength incantation increases the attack power of physical and fire attacks by 20% for 30 seconds.
• Golden Vow : Found in the Corpse-Stench Shack on Mt. Gelmir, the Golden Vow incantation increases physical damage by 15% and negates all damage types by 10%, lasting for a duration of 80 seconds.

In addition to these two spells, you could also mix the Flask of Wondrous Physick with a selection of tears to enjoy various buffs for a limited period of time. However, if you'd like a selection that complements the Putrescence Cleaver, you cannot go wrong with the following two tears:

• Thorny Cracked Tear : Increases attack power of consecutive attacks, with the effect lasting for 3 minutes.
• Stonebarb Cracked Tear : Allows you to break enemy stance easily, with the effect lasting for a short duration of 30 seconds.

With the spells and tears mixed, the next step is to prepare a buffing routine that you can easily follow before traversing the fog wall:

• Begin by casting the Golden Vow incantation.
• Follow it up with the Flame, Grant Me Strength incantation.
• Finally, consume the Flask of Wondrous Physick.

Last, but not the least, you could also consider popping a Rune Arc and activating Godrick's Great Runeto enjoy 5 additional levels across all your stats. This stat increase will further help scale the damage output of the Putrescence Cleaver. Do note that the stat buff received from the Great Runes only lasts as long as the Tarnished is alive. The buffs reset upon death and activation requires consumption of a Rune Arc.

Putrescence Cleaver Build Gameplay Strategy

This Putrescence Cleaver build is excellent for dishing out massive physical damage to enemies and even inflicting frost damage on them. However, this greataxe also comes with its downsides, particularly the slow attack speeds and the lack of hyper armor when executing the weapon art.

The Putrescence Cleaver's weapon art can be extended to incorporate additional attack animations by either pressing the skill or heavy attack button right after the Tarnished completes the skill animation.

Since this weapon skill lacks hyper armor, it's important to study enemy attack patterns and identify opportunities when you can safely punish them. Try using the weapon skill when the enemy is staggered to improve your chances of inflicting massive frost damage. The key is to build frost damage as quickly as possible, enabling you to exploit the enemy's slowed state.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

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Base Game

Elden Ring

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

June 21, 2024

Developer(s)

FromSoftware

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , FromSoftware

Genre

Soulslike , RPG

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op , Online Multiplayer

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence