Summary
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreeadded two new tools to the game that are very similar: the Priestess Heart and the Rock Heart. Because these two tools have a lot in common, players are forced to weigh their options and decide which is better. Were the items more distinct from one another, it would likely be easier for players to know which one they preferred. One of the two is slightly more difficult to acquire, as it requireskilling Bayle the Dread, butthatdoesn’t automatically mean it’s the better choice.
Which of these newShadow of the ErdtreetoolsElden Ringplayers choose to use will ultimately come down to their preference in strategy. There is no reason players can’t obtain both items and try them out for themselves, though it does mean taking down one of the tougherRemembrance bosses in the DLCto do so. For players who want to know if the effort is worth trying to get both hearts,it will be helpful to know what each item does and the slight differences between them.
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The Priestess Heart Is The Choice For Dragon Cultists
Players Obtain The Priestess Heart From The Dragon Priestess
Players can obtain the Priestess Heart by following the Dragon Priestess’ quest to kill Bayle the Dread. Once they have finished, returning to the Priestess’ former location will reward them with the heart. The Priestess Heart is a reusable tool that players can use to assume the form of an ancient dragon. In order to do this, players must not wear armor when they use the heart.
Though players can’t use armor when in ancient dragon form, they do get 7% negation to all damage and 70 resistance scores. While in dragon form,if players use the heart again, they can increase theirDragon Cult incantation damage by 20%for a minute. Unlike similar effects, such as Golden Vow, this does not cost any FP, so players can repeat this effect without draining their resources. The buff also stacks with Golden Vow if players really need to deal some extra damage.
The Rock Heart Is For Dragon Communion
Players Get The Rock Heart By Solving A Puzzle
In order to get the Rock Heart, players need to solve the Domain of Dragons Painting puzzle. Players must track down the spirit of the artist who created the painting, and then they will be rewarded with the heart. Similar to the Priestess Heart, the rock heart allows the player to take the form of a dragon when not wearing armor, though it does have slightly different stat bonuses.
The Rock Heart provides only 50 bonus resistance instead of 70 according. However, it does 10% negation instead of just 7%. Instead of buffing Dragon Cult incantations, theRock Heart buffs Dragon Communion incantations. This effect also costs no FP and can stack with other buffs. It also only lasts for 60 seconds once the player has activated it.
Final Verdict: Priestess Heart Or Rock Heart?
The Choice Depends On The Player
When it comes to deciding between the Rock Heart and the Priestess Heart, it will come down to which type of incantation the player is more likely to use. There are 15 Dragon Cult incantations and 16 Dragon Communion incantations. One point in favor of Dragon Cult is that it has Lightning Spear, a spell many players like for dealing damage. However, Dragon Communion has Rotten Breath, which is a popular PvP choice. Players can always swap between hearts based on certain situations and which incantation works best.
In terms of base stat improvements, this will also vary from player to player. If a player already has higher resistance scores, then they might not mind that the Rock Heart provides slightly less than the Priestess Heart. Players also need to decide what matters more to them, negation or resistance, as the Rock Heart is slightly better for negation.
This is pretty standard when it comes to items inElden Ring. While some items are duds, players can pretty much build around whatever they want and make it work. Not every build is the most optimal, but the game is a lot more fun when players decide what is best for their playstyle. If players want to keep their options open, even in late-game areas likeShadow of the Erdtree, then they can always grab both hearts and switch between them as needed.
Players venture into the shadowed realm of the Land of Shadow to confront new biomes, dungeons, and formidable bosses. Guided by the enigmatic Miquella, they face the terrifying Messmer the Impaler and uncover the dark secrets shrouded beneath the Erdtree’s influence, featuring new weapons, magic, and challenges.
