Rakuyo
A Vileblood heirloom that shifts from crushing blade to piercing trident.
The Rakuyo is a formidable Trick Weapon classified as a Greatsword, debuting in The Old Hunters expansion. It shows the martial elegance and dark aristocracy of the Cainhurst lineage, mixing heavy striking power with versatile reach.
- Weapon Type
- Greatsword / Trick Weapon
- Origin
- Cainhurst Castle
- DLC Requirement
- The Old Hunters
- Damage Types
- Physical
- Scaling Attributes
- Strength and Skill
- Acquisition Method
- Obtained by killing NPC Alfred in Cainhurst Castle after he completes his questline
Lore & Background
The transformation mechanism is a marvel of Cainhurst engineering, allowing the blade to reconfigure mid-combat. While its Greatsword form crushes through armor with heavy arcs, its alternate state extends into a trident-like spear, offering piercing attacks that can reach through gaps in an enemy's defense. This adaptability mirrors the cunning strategies employed by the Vilebloods themselves.
In Their Own Story
The Hunter stood before the ornate chest, the air thick with the scent of old blood and decay. Inside lay the Rakuyo, its metal gleaming dully under the torchlight. As they gripped the hilt, a memory flashed—not their own—of a knight in crimson armor parrying a beast's claw with a sudden shift to three prongs. The weight was familiar yet alien. In this castle of mirrors and madness, the weapon felt less like steel and more like a captured echo of Cainhurst's fallen glory.
Reader's Guide
The Rakuyo is designed for hunters who favor heavy attacks but require flexibility in tight spaces. Its base Greatsword form excels at stagger damage, making it ideal for breaking enemy poise with wide, sweeping arcs. To utilize its full potential, players must master the transformation mechanic. By pressing the appropriate button mid-combo or during a guard stance, the weapon shifts into its trident configuration. This form sacrifices some raw impact for increased reach and piercing speed, allowing users to strike from safer distances. It scales primarily with Strength and Skill attributes, making it suitable for both power-focused builds and hybrid styles that rely on parrying and precision. Due to its DLC-exclusive nature, this weapon is reserved for those who have ventured beyond the original hunt into the depths of the Hunter's Nightmare.
Did You Know?
- The Rakuyo was added exclusively with The Old Hunters downloadable content expansion.
- Its transformed state features a distinctive three-pronged trident design unlike any other weapon in the base game.
- It is one of few weapons directly tied to the lore and aesthetics of the Cainhurst Vilebloods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of weapon is the Rakuyo?
It is a Greatsword-class Trick Weapon introduced in The Old Hunters expansion that embodies Cainhurst martial elegance. Its design shifts between a heavy blade and a piercing trident form during combat.
How do players acquire the Rakuyo?
You must complete Alfred's questline in Cainhurst Castle and defeat him in his final encounter within the library. Upon his death, he drops this Vileblood heirloom as a reward for ending his service to the castle.
What attributes does the Rakuyo scale with?
This weapon primarily scales with both Strength and Skill attributes, making it versatile for different build styles. It deals Physical damage while offering high reach in its transformed state.
What is the lore significance of the Rakuyo?
The blade serves as a symbol of the dark aristocracy within the Cainhurst lineage and their Vileblood heritage. Its unique transformation reflects the refined yet deadly combat style favored by the castle's former nobility.
Is the Rakuyo available in the base game?
No, this weapon is exclusive to The Old Hunters downloadable content expansion. Players cannot access it without owning and playing through the DLC areas located beyond Mergo's Wet Nurse.
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