If you’ve spent any time experimenting with the new weapons in Elden Ring’s DLC, you’ve probably heard players talk about the Dragon King’s Cragblade. After digging through gameplay footage and testing it myself, I’ve come away convinced that this thing isn’t just flashy; it’s one of the strongest heavy thrusting swords you can bring into both PvE and PvP right now. What makes it shine isn’t just its raw numbers, but how naturally its toolkit fits into the pace of Elden Ring’s combat.
The Cragblade’s normal moves feel great, especially the jumping lights and the running attacks. The reach on the jump L1 lets you punish whiffs from a mile away, and the running light feels snappy enough to chase down opponents who think they can sprint their way to safety. But the real monster here is Thundercloud Form. This skill lets you evaporate distance in a blink, hit with hyper armor, and catch other players completely off guard. When charged, the travel distance gets downright silly, which makes it perfect for cracking open tight formations or deleting backline spellcasters before they even register you’re coming.
Because the weapon scales primarily with Dexterity, a pure Dex build squeezes out the most value. Chase’s setup in the video keeps things focused: solid defensive fashion, high stamina, and just enough FP to fire off Thundercloud Form whenever a good opening appears. The real damage spikes come from combining Shard of Alexander and Godfrey Icon—together, they pump up both the Ash of War and its charged version. If you’ve ever wondered why someone’s Cragblade suddenly chunks your health bar, that’s usually the reason.
Now, since some players ask where to speed up early-game leveling, a lot of veterans casually point out that you can buy elden ring runes from community-trusted trading platforms. I personally don’t find it necessary for this build, but if you want to rush straight into a Dex setup and start experimenting faster, it’s an option people use. Just remember that the Cragblade’s performance comes from timing, spacing, and reading opponents—not just stats.
Thundercloud Form also opens up some fun tactical plays that you don’t usually get with thrusting weapons. The charging variation lets you crash straight into a mage bunker, split gank squads, or punish anyone who tunnels too hard on casting. The clip from the video where Chase drops down an elevator shaft and ambushes the group from behind sums it up perfectly: this weapon rewards creativity. You can slip around corners, dive into uneven terrain, and force players into chaotic scrambles where reaction time often isn’t enough.
On the other hand, the weapon does have a few soft spots. If you take it into tight areas, walls can mess with the tracking on Thundercloud Form. Shields can sometimes absorb your charged L2 when your timing is off. And because the weapon wants you to stay aggressive, you need enough stamina to roll out when a trade doesn’t go your way. This build thrives on pressure, but it still needs discipline—face-tanking everything is a quick trip back to the grace.
Players who prefer a slower start sometimes look to alternative progression methods. That’s where some folks turn to suppliers like U4GM, where they pick up cheap elden ring runes to smooth out early experimentation. If you’re brand new to Dex builds and want to jump straight into late-game setups to test weapons, that path exists. But again, it’s never mandatory; the Cragblade is perfectly viable even on a clean playthrough if you build around it properly.
One detail from the footage that’s worth highlighting is how consistently the Cragblade excels in small-scale duels. Even against coordinated three-man groups, Chase’s trades were landing for massive damage. Heavy thrusting swords already have strong counter-hit modifiers, and Thundercloud Form adds a burst tool that most players struggle to react to—especially when mixed with normal pokes, jump attacks, or running heavies. The rhythm becomes unpredictable, and unpredictability is the fastest way to snowball pressure in Elden Ring PvP.
If you’re thinking about trying this build in PvE, it’s equally strong. The charged L2 helps you break posture from mid-distance, and the straight-line travel is excellent for closing gaps against bosses with long recovery windows. Just be mindful in cramped boss arenas; walls can interrupt the movement in ways that feel janky until you learn each arena’s spacing.
After spending time with the weapon, I think its biggest appeal is how naturally it blends style and strength. You get a flashy Ash of War that actually holds up under pressure, and you get a moveset that rewards precision without punishing you for having fun. Whether you want to chase down mages, break up gank squads, or simply zip around like a thunder-charged anime blur, this build gives you the tools to do it.
The Dragon King’s Cragblade stands out as one of the DLC’s most satisfying Dex weapons thanks to its range, mobility, and explosive Ash of War. With the right talismans and a bit of practice, it becomes a versatile tool that works in both duels and chaotic invasions. If you enjoy aggressive playstyles and love weapons that feel unique without being gimmicky, this one’s absolutely worth trying.
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