The Rotten Breath Elden Ring Guide for Beginners

What Is Rotten Breath Elden Ring Incantation? 

Elden Ring, the latest installment released FromSoftware, is famous due to its complex and interesting combat system. Being an action RPG title, Elden Ring offers multiple classes for leveling up – you can be a warrior with a heavy shield or a lightweight mage with multiple spells or incantations in your sleeve. Or someone in between these two classes. Incantations like Rotten Breath Elden Ring are powerful spells that allow hitting enemies and bosses at a distance without getting too close. 

The Elden Ring’s Rotten Breath incantation is a dragon-inspired spell. It works as a noxious cloud of decay to deal damage over time and cause the deadly Scarlet Rot status effect. This versatile and powerful spell can easily become one of the best tools in your arsenal.

The Rotten Breath isn’t your typical dragon fire. Its Scarlet Rot status effect eats away your foe’s health bar like a hungry dog with a bone. The damage becomes a powerful combination of physical and magic. It is better to use it against a wide range of enemies.

But what really sets Rotten Breath apart is its lingering poisonous effect. The poisonous gas cloud hangs around for a few seconds after you cast it. In such a way, the affected enemies can still take damage even if they dodge the first blast.

Compared to other incantations in Elden Ring Rotten Breath stands out for its unique de-buff option and AOE potential. There’s just something satisfying about melting your enemies with a lightweight cloud of putrid gas.

What Is Rotten Breath Elden Ring’s Lore and Background? 

Like many other things in Elden Ring, the origins of Rotten Breath incantation are shrouded in mystery. However, there are some tantalizing clues scattered throughout the game’s lore.

We know that dragons once ruled the Lands Between, and their magic was the most powerful in this dark fantasy realm. However, when the dragons fell from grace, their magical incantations became corrupted. Rotten Breath is a prime example – a once-noble breath attack that has been tainted by the passage of time and the effect of Scarlet Rot.

Some fan theories on Reddit suggest that dragons used the Rotten Breath spell to defend their territories from invaders. Others believe that it was a last resort, a desperate attempt to cling to the immense power in a quickly changing world. Whatever the case may be, one thing is clear – this incantation is not for the faint of heart.

How to Get Rotten Breath in Elden Ring? 

So, now you know what this spell can do, it is high time to find out where to get Rotten Breath in Elden Ring. The journey may be tricky but it is definitely worth the effort. To unlock Rotten Breath, you’ll need to make your way to the heart of Caelid, a region that looks like it was ripped straight out of a heavy metal album cover.

The Rotten Breath Elden Ring location is easy to recognize – look for the twisted trees, blood-red skies, and creatures that would give even the bravest Tarnished scary nightmares.

Your target is to find the Cathedral of Dragon Communion, a forgotten church that’s seen better days. To get there, you’ll need to navigate through the infested swamp covered with Scarlet Roth and past a horde of monstrous dogs along with other abominations. But the real challenge expects the player within the cathedral – Decaying Ekzykes. It is an optional boss who looks like a putrid dragon with a serious case of halitosis.

This boss fight is no joke because Ekzykes has a nasty habit of spewing toxic breath and delivering breathtaking physical attacks. However, if you can manage to take this rotting dragon down, you will get his heart as a reward. 

If you have difficulties beating this boss, check our previous guide on the ultimate Elden Ring weapon tier list. 

Before leaving this Elden Ring Rotten Breath location with this heart, you can trade it for the necessary incantation at the cathedral’s communion altar.

How to Equip – The Elden Ring Rotten Breath Requirements

Then, before charging off to Caelid, there are a few requirements you should be aware of. You’ll need a decent level of Faith (at least 15) to be able to equip the Rotten Breath spell. You also need to invest in the Arcane stat to power up the dragon communion incantations. That is when you can equip this spell to use at the first level.

You can upgrade the spell by leveling up your character and finding the more advanced versions of this spell. Read more about leveling the Rotten Breath spell on Reddit.

And while there aren’t any specific questlines tied to the Rotten Breath Elden Ring incantation, you should beat a few main bosses before using this spell comfortably.

How to Use the Rotten Breath Elden Ring Spell?

Now that you know where is Rotten Breath in the Elden Ring, it is time to learn how to use it most effectively at the first level. To unleash this noxious cloud, you’ll need to press the incantation button (L1 on PlayStation, LB on Xbox) and then hit the corresponding attack button (R1 or RB, respectively).

Keep in mind that casting Rotten Breath has a bit of a wind-up time. How to cast Rotten Breath in Elden Ring quickly? Make sure you have a distance between your character and the target enemy.

Now, let’s talk about when it’s the most appropriate moment to use the Rotten Breath Elden Ring spell. 

1) PvE

In PvE scenarios, this incantation works best against groups of enemies or tough bosses. The lingering damage over time can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to whittle down a particularly beefy foe. And the AOE effect means you can take out multiple targets at once. Just be careful not to get too close, or you might find yourself caught in your toxic cloud.

2) PvP

In the PvP mode of Elden Ring, Rotten Breath can be a bit trickier to use, but it can still be a powerful tool in the right hands. The key is to catch your opponent off guard and force them to roll through the gas cloud along with the Scarlet Roth effect. You just need to cast the spell at the most suitable moment.

The key advice here is to use the Elden Ring’s Rotten Breath along with other dragon communion spells like Dragonice or Glintstone Breath. It is a way to bring the most serious elemental damage. Also, try combining it with the Poison Mist pyromancy for a double dose of toxic effect.

What Is The Best Rotten Breath Build In Elden Ring?

To use this spell most effectively, you should be prepared and have a powerful Elden Ring Rotten Breath build.

First and foremost, focus on leveling up the stats Faith and Arcane. These two stats are the bread and butter of any dragon communion build. They help boost the damage and duration of the Rotten Breath In Elden Ring. Aim for at least 30 Faith and 20 Arcane to equip the spell and then level those numbers up as you progress.

Next, you’ll want to choose a weapon that complements this spell. A good option is the Rotten Crystal Spear – you can find it in the same location in Elden Ring where to get Rotten Breath. This weapon needs solid Faith and Arcane stats, offering a unique buff when releasing a burst of Scarlet Roth. Pair it with a shield or a seal (like the Dragon Communion Seal) in your off-hand, and you’ve got the best weapon combo for the Rotten Breath.

As for armor, you need to pick the gear to boost your immunity and resistance to rot. The Mushroom Set can become a great choice because of its high immunity effect. Also, it is capable of restoring your character’s health when the bar is too low.

As for the corresponding talismans, the Cerulean Hidden Tear can help you conserve FP for your incantations, while the Godskin Swaddling Cloth can boost the attack power when your HP is low.

With the right build, the Rotten Breath Elden Ring spell can become an incredibly powerful tool in your arsenal.

The Elden Ring’s Rotten Breath Nerf Changes

The gamers are afraid of nerfing certain spells with the game updates. The Elden Ring developers – FromSoftware – like to nerf too powerful spells and weapons to prevent misbalance in PvP battles. Unfortunately, the nerf decrease of the Rotten Breath power also happened instantly after the release of patch 1.04.

The spell is still one of the most powerful ones in the game. Sure, you may not be able to melt bosses quite as quickly as before this patch, but the effect of the Elden Ring Rotten Breath remains intact. The lingering damage over time and Scarlet Rot are still incredibly valuable, especially in longer fights. In addition, with the right build and strategy, you can still make this incantation the star of your show.

So don’t let the Elden Ring’s Rotten Breath nerf discourage you. Embrace the challenge, adapt your playstyle, and show those bosses that a little bad breath never hurt anyone, except them.

FAQ about the Rotten Breath Elden Ring Incantation 

Can you use the Rotten Breath in Elden Ring on horseback?

Players can cast Rotten Breath while being mounted on their horse – Torrent. Just be careful not to accidentally hit your trusty steed with the toxic cloud.

Is Rotten Breath good for Elden Ring’s all enemies?

While Rotten Breath works effectively against many foes. Bear in mind, that some enemies (especially the ones with the high poison resistance) won’t be affected by this spell. You need to adapt your strategy quickly.

Can you increase the damage of Rotten Breath?

Absolutely. Increasing your Faith and Arcane stats, upgrading your seal, and using talismans like the Faithful’s Canvas Talisman can assist in boosting the power of your incantations.

Final Thoughts

In Elden Ring Rotten Breath is a powerful incantation that every player should try at least once. From its foul-smelling origins to its devastating effects on the battlefield, this incantation really blows the mind thanks to its vast effect and intriguing lore. The spell will do for both experienced dragon communion players and beginners. You should definitely try this spell.