Step into the shadowy depths of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and wield the power of the Great Katana-a formidable new weapon type that blends colossal strength with deadly precision. From the eerie Gravesite Plain to the treacherous Eastern Nameless Mausoleum, uncover the locations of all three Great Katanas, each guarded by fearsome foes and hidden behind challenging dungeons. Whether you seek the basic Great Katana, the Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana, or Rakshasa’s Great Katana, this guide will lead you through the perilous paths to claim these blades and carve your legend in the shadow realm.
In this Elden Ring guide, I’ll show you all Great Katana locations in Shadow of the Erdtree – for the Great Katana, the Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana, and Rakshasa’s Great Katana.
Great Katana location
The Great Katana in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree can be found early in the DLC, located in the Gravesite Plain area. To acquire it, head north from the starting point to the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace, then proceed north to a lake where the massive Ghostflame Dragon rests. Near the dragon, you will find a dead body beside some debris; looting this corpse will grant you the Great Katana. This weapon is heavier and more powerful than standard katanas, dealing significant bleed damage, making it a valuable find for melee players venturing into the new challenges of the DLC.
The Great Katana is located just minutes away from where you start the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Follow the main road in Gravesite Plain to the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace, then head north to the lake. Defeat the massive Ghostflame Dragon that’s resting in the lake and then ride around until you find a dead body next to a pile of debris. Loot the body and you’ll find the basic Great Katana.
You can see the complete breakdown of stats for the Great Katana in the image above.
Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana location
The Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree can be obtained by defeating the Ancient Dragon-Man boss at the end of the Dragon’s Pit dungeon, located in the Gravesite Plain. To reach Dragon’s Pit, start from the Pillar Path Waypoint site of grace in Gravesite Plain and follow the path southwest, passing a trail lined with headless dragon statues until you find the dungeon entrance. After defeating the Ancient Dragon-Man inside, you will receive the Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana, a weapon notable for its anti-dragon effect, high base damage, blood loss buildup, and the unique Dragonwound Slash skill.
The Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana is your reward for defeating the Ancient Dragon-Man – the real one, not the Invader – at the end of the Dragon’s Pit dungeon in Gravesite Plain.
To reach Dragon’s Pit, ride east from the Castle Front Site of Grace, just in front of Castle Ensis. When you reach the Pillar Path Waypoint Site of Grace, go southwest instead of south and take the lower path. You’ll run into the Ancient Dragon-Man Invader and then find yourself at the mouth of the Dragon’s Pit. Continue through the dungeon to reach the true Ancient Dragon-Man and earn your Great Katana.
You can see the complete breakdown of stats for the Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana in the image above.
Rakshasa’s Great Katana location
Rakshasa’s Great Katana is found in the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum, located in Scadu Atlus within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC of Elden Ring. To reach it, players must first navigate the hidden path from Shadow Keep to the Castle Watering Hole Site of Grace by descending a ladder near the flaming boats. From there, continue south past the Recluses’ River Upstream and Downstream Sites of Grace, then jump down stone platforms to a river section between two waterfalls. Heading east along this path leads to the mausoleum where the boss Rakshasa awaits. Defeating Rakshasa rewards players with this powerful Great Katana, known for its blood-stained blade and unique ability to reduce stagger from counterattacks while increasing damage taken.
You’ll get Rakshasa’s Great Katana for defeating Rakshasa, the boss inside the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum in Scadu Altus.
Getting to Rakshasa is a bit of a trek. First, you need to go through Shadow Keep and unlock the hidden path to the Castle Watering Hole, which you can find down the ladder by the flaming boats after the Main Gate Plaza Site of Grace.
From there, continue south, past the Recluses’ River Upstream Site of Grace until you reach the Recluses’ River Downstream Site of Grace. Here, take one of the two paths down to the river below (if you take the tombstone stairs, get off at the waterfall on your left instead of going all the way down).
Follow the river and take the eastern path to find a small mausoleum resting on the rocky shore. Head inside and you’ll immediately face Rakshasa on the other side of the fog door.
Which Great Katana offers the most powerful bleed damage in Elden Ring DLC
To determine which Great Katana offers the most powerful bleed damage in the Elden Ring DLC, consider the following:
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Rakshasa’s Great Katana: This Katana is the only Great Katana that inflicts blood loss. It scales with STR and DEX and is dropped by defeating the Rakshasa in the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum. When paired with bleed buffs and an Occult infusion, Rakshasa’s Great Katana can create a powerful build excelling in both damage and blood loss buildup.
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Great Katana: The normal Great Katana is versatile and considered by some to be the best, except when used on dragons. This weapon can be paired with skills like Blood Tax or Repeating Thrust and equipped with bleed buffs and an Occult infusion to create a powerful build that excels in both damage and blood loss buildup, capable of overwhelming enemies, especially those susceptible to stun locks.
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Dragon Hunter’s Great Katana: The Dragon Hunter’s Great Katana scales with STR and DEX and also deals blood loss. It does more damage against draconic enemies.
While multiple Great Katanas can inflict blood loss, Rakshasa’s Great Katana is the only Great Katana that exists now with Blood Loss, which allows for many Bleed builds to work with this weapon.
Which Great Katana has the highest bleed buildup potential in Elden Ring DLC
The Great Katana with the highest bleed buildup potential in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is the Rakshasa’s Great Katana. It received a significant buff in Patch 1.13, making its bleed buildup very powerful and reliable, especially when combined with Arcane scaling and appropriate Ashes of War that enhance bleed effects.
While other katanas like the Nagakiba and Uchigatana also offer strong bleed potential-Nagakiba being favored for its range and versatility, and Uchigatana for its raw damage and bleed when infused with blood affinity-the Rakshasa’s Great Katana stands out due to its unique combination of high bleed buildup and adaptability with meta Ashes of War, making it the best choice for a dedicated bleed build among the Great Katanas.
