As I stand here in 2026, the legacy of Elden Ring's vast arsenal still captivates new and returning Tarnished alike. Among the spectral whispers of the Lands Between, one weapon continues to be a subject of both desire and mystery: the Death's Poker Greatsword. My journey to claim this blade was less a straightforward quest and more like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands—elusive and defined by a single, precise condition. No matter how deep into the narrative you've plunged, this weapon can slip through your fingers as easily as grains of sand through an hourglass, making its acquisition a rite of passage for dedicated collectors and sorcery-focused warriors.

The path to the Death's Poker leads not to a grand legacy dungeon, but to the blighted, scarlet-tinged wastes of Caelid. You won't need to topple a demigod to reach this region, but your prize is guarded by an optional specter of the night. The journey begins at the Southern Aeonia Swamp Bank Site of Grace. From there, you must venture south, but crucially, you must wait. This isn't a hunt conducted under the sun. You must let the sun set and the moon rise, for only then will the keeper of the Poker manifest. As night falls, the air chills and a Deathbird Boss materializes—a skeletal, bipedal avian horror that seems stitched together from forgotten nightmares and shattered tombstones. This specific Deathbird, haunting only this particular patch of Caelidian mire, is your target. Its defeat is the sole key; the other Deathbirds scattered across Limgrave, the Weeping Peninsula, and beyond hold different treasures. This one, a lonely sentinel in the rot, holds the Poker.

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So, what makes this effort worthwhile? The Death's Poker is no ordinary chunk of sharpened metal. It is a Greatsword that dances on the edge between physical might and arcane intellect. Its true nature is a paradox: a heavy blade that scales with Strength and Dexterity, yet is profoundly awakened by Intelligence. Wielding it feels like conducting a frozen orchestra; each swing is a prelude to its devastating unique skill, Ghostflame Ignition. This skill allows you to stab the poker into the ground, summoning a burst of ghostflame that then erupts into a lingering zone of frost or can be detonated remotely. The damage it inflicts is a cruel cocktail: piercing physical damage paired with the relentless build-up of frostbite, which shreds enemy defenses and health alike. In my hands, it became less a sword and more a painter's brush, etching trails of blue-white death across the battlefield.

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Let's break down its capabilities, which remain top-tier for Intelligence-based quality builds even years after the game's release:

Attack Power (at Standard +10)

Damage Type Power
Physical 123
Magic 36
Fire 0
Lightning 0
Holy 0
Critical 100

Damage Guard Negation

Guard Type Negation %
Physical 46
Magic 39
Fire 33
Lightning 33
Holy 33
Guard Boost 33

Its scaling is what truly sings for hybrid builds:

  • Strength: D

  • Dexterity: D

  • Intelligence: C

This stat spread makes it a perfect centerpiece for a spellblade. You can meet the modest Strength and Dexterity requirements (15 and 17, respectively) and then pour your levels into Intelligence to see the magic damage and frostbite potency soar. Compared to other Intelligence greatswords, the Death's Poker offers unparalleled area control and burst potential with its weapon art, setting it apart as a strategic tool rather than just a stat stick. Fighting with it is like playing a game of macabre chess, where you set your ghostflame traps and watch enemies foolishly stumble into your calculated zones of oblivion.

My final thoughts? The Death's Poker is more than an item on a checklist. It is a testament to FromSoftware's design philosophy—rewarding exploration, patience, and mastery over a specific, eerie challenge. In the current 2026 meta, where countless builds have been theory-crafted to perfection, the Poker holds its ground as a uniquely versatile and stylish choice. It may not be the absolute hardest-hitting weapon in every scenario, but for controlling space, applying pressure, and delivering a fight that feels both brutal and intellectually satisfying, few weapons match its chilling elegance. Seeking it out is a pilgrimage every aspiring death mage should undertake.