The Blue Dancer Charm in Elden Ring is shrouded in some mystery, particularly when it comes to exactly how much it boosts your attack power. Many players are curious about the specific damage increase and how equip load affects its effectiveness. Existing information can be vague or even contradictory, prompting a need for clearer data. To address this, a detailed test was conducted to pinpoint the charm’s scaling and optimal usage.
Deciphering the Blue Dancer Charm’s Mechanics: Equip Load and Damage Boost
The core function of the Blue Dancer Charm is to amplify your attack power, but this boost is directly tied to your equip load. The lighter your equipment, the more significant the damage increase. It’s commonly understood that there are certain equip load thresholds, or breakpoints, that dictate how the charm’s effectiveness changes. Specifically, breakpoints at 8 and 16 equip load have been identified as key points where the damage scaling shifts.
To investigate these breakpoints and the overall damage scaling, a controlled experiment was designed. The methodology involved using a +25 Caestus to attack a Godrick Soldier in the Gatefront Ruins. The Caestus was chosen for its minimal weight and purely physical damage, making it an ideal tool to isolate the charm’s effect. The test started with just the Caestus, then the Blue Dancer Charm was added, and subsequently, equip load was incrementally increased while ensuring no other damage modifiers were introduced. Various weapons of different weights were also tested to confirm the consistency of the observed percentages across weapon types.
Empirical Results: Damage Percentage Increase at Different Equip Loads
While unfortunately, the precise damage numbers weren’t recorded during the initial phases of testing, the percentage increases in damage relative to equip load were meticulously noted. These percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, provide valuable insights into the charm’s scaling:
| Equip Load | Damage Increase |
|---|---|
| 2.4 | 18% |
| 5 | 17.5% |
| 8 | 17% |
| 9 | 16.2% |
| 10 | 15.5% |
| 11 | 14.7% |
| 12 | 14% |
| 13 | 13.5% |
| 14 | 12.7% |
| 15 | 12% |
| 16 | 11.2% |
| 17 | 9.7% |
| 18 | 8% |
Optimal Equip Load for the Blue Dancer Charm: Balancing Protection and Power
Analyzing the data reveals that the Blue Dancer Charm maintains near-maximum effectiveness when your equip load is very low, specifically below 8. In this range, the damage increase hovers around a substantial 17-18%. Between 8 and 16 equip load, the charm’s power gradually diminishes, losing approximately 0.7-0.8% damage per point of equip load. While still beneficial, the charm’s impact becomes less pronounced in this mid-weight range. Critically, after exceeding 16 equip load, the damage bonus plummets significantly, rendering the charm far less effective.
Therefore, to truly capitalize on the Blue Dancer Charm, maintaining an equip load under 10 is highly recommended. This allows for some flexibility in armor choices, perhaps enabling the use of light pants or a cloak without severely compromising damage output. However, if your equip load consistently surpasses 15, the Blue Dancer Charm is likely not the optimal talisman choice. Even when approaching 12 or higher equip load, exploring alternative talismans that offer more consistent damage boosts regardless of weight may be advisable to maximize your build’s potential.
In conclusion, the Blue Dancer Charm is a potent tool for damage amplification, particularly for players who prioritize agility and are willing to embrace a light equip load. Understanding its scaling mechanics and equip load breakpoints is crucial for effectively incorporating it into your Elden Ring builds and achieving peak performance.
