Everything You Need To Know About The Dark Souls Raw Gem
The raw gem in Dark Souls is a mysterious item that has sparked much discussion and debate within the Dark Souls community. With its enigmatic effects on weapons, many players have questions about exactly what the raw gem does and when is the optimal time to use it during your Dark Souls playthrough.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The dark souls raw gem removes stat scaling from weapons in exchange for higher base damage. This can be good for low level builds but falls off in end game.
In this comprehensive guide, we will unravel the mysteries around the raw gem, explain what weapons it works best on, when to use it during your playthrough and how raw infused weapons compare to their standard counterparts in both PvE and PvP.
What Does the Raw Gem Do in Dark Souls?
The Raw Gem is a unique item in Dark Souls that can significantly impact your gameplay. When used on a weapon, it alters its properties in several ways.
Removes Stat Scaling
One of the main effects of using a Raw Gem on a weapon is that it removes the stat scaling. Stat scaling is a mechanic in Dark Souls where a weapon’s damage is influenced by the player’s stats, such as Strength or Dexterity.
By removing stat scaling, the Raw Gem allows the weapon to have a consistent level of damage regardless of the player’s stats. This can be beneficial for players who want to focus on other aspects of their character build, as it allows them to use a weapon effectively without investing heavily in specific stats.
Increases Base Damage
Another effect of using a Raw Gem is that it increases the base damage of the weapon. The base damage is the minimum amount of damage the weapon can deal without any scaling or modifiers. By increasing the base damage, the Raw Gem makes the weapon more powerful overall.
This can be particularly useful in the early stages of the game when players may not have high stats or access to more powerful weapons. However, it’s important to note that this increased base damage comes at the cost of stat scaling, so the weapon may not scale as well with higher stats compared to other upgrade paths.
Lowers Upgrade Potential
While the Raw Gem provides immediate benefits by increasing base damage, it also has a downside. Using a Raw Gem on a weapon lowers its upgrade potential. In Dark Souls, players can upgrade their weapons to make them more powerful by using special materials.
However, weapons infused with a Raw Gem have a lower maximum upgrade level compared to other upgrade paths. This means that while the weapon may be strong initially, its overall potential for growth and improvement is limited.
Players should carefully consider their long-term goals and playstyle before deciding to use a Raw Gem on a weapon.
What Weapons Work Best with a Raw Infusion?
When it comes to using a Raw Gem infusion in Dark Souls, some weapons are more effective than others. Here are a few types of weapons that work exceptionally well with a Raw infusion:
Weapons with Low Stat Scaling
Weapons with low stat scaling are ideal for a Raw infusion. These weapons don’t rely heavily on the player’s strength or dexterity stats to deal damage. Instead, they benefit from the increased base damage provided by the Raw Gem.
This makes them a great choice for players who have focused on other attributes or are looking for a temporary boost in damage output.
Fast Weapons for Low Level Builds
For low level builds or characters with limited stat points, fast weapons are a great option when infused with a Raw Gem. These weapons typically have lower base damage but compensate with quick attack speed.
By infusing them with a Raw Gem, players can maximize their damage output without needing to invest heavily in strength or dexterity. This is particularly useful for players who prefer a more agile playstyle.
Twinkling Titanite Weapons
Some weapons in Dark Souls require twinkling titanite to upgrade, rather than regular titanite shards. These weapons tend to have unique movesets or special abilities that make them highly sought after. When infused with a Raw Gem, twinkling titanite weapons can become even more powerful.
This infusion boosts their base damage significantly, making them formidable choices for players who have invested their resources in upgrading these special weapons.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of a Raw infusion can vary depending on the specific weapon and the player’s build. Experimentation is key to finding the best weapon and infusion combination for your playstyle.
Additionally, it’s always a good idea to consult the Dark Souls community for advice and tips on optimizing your build.
When to Use the Raw Gem in Your Playthrough
Dark Souls players know the importance of choosing the right weapon and upgrading it to maximize their chances of success. One option for upgrading your weapon is using the Raw Gem, a special item that can significantly alter your weapon’s scaling and damage output.
Knowing when to use the Raw Gem can make a big difference in your playthrough. Here are a few scenarios where the Raw Gem can be particularly useful:
Early and Mid Game Before Scaling Kicks In
During the early and mid game stages of Dark Souls, your character’s stats may not be fully developed, and the scaling of your weapons may not be as effective as it could be. This is where the Raw Gem comes in handy.
By infusing your weapon with a Raw Gem, you can remove the scaling bonuses from your weapon and instead increase its base damage. This can make a significant difference in your damage output, especially if your character’s stats are not yet optimized.
It allows you to deal decent damage without relying heavily on your character’s scaling stats.
Raw Infusion for Specific Builds
Some builds in Dark Souls prioritize certain attributes over others. For example, a build focused on maximizing health and stamina may not invest heavily in strength or dexterity. In these cases, using a Raw Gem can be beneficial.
By infusing your weapon with a Raw Gem, you can compensate for the lack of scaling in your character’s stats and still deal respectable damage. This is particularly useful for tanky builds or those that prioritize survivability over damage output.
Good for Speedruns and Low Level PvP
Speedrunners and players who engage in low level PvP often rely on unconventional strategies to gain an edge. Using a Raw Gem can be one such strategy. By infusing your weapon with a Raw Gem, you can increase its base damage without having to invest heavily in scaling stats.
This can be particularly useful in speedruns, where every second counts, or in low level PvP, where players have restricted levels and stats. It allows you to deal significant damage even with limited resources.
Raw vs Standard Weapons: PvE and PvP Comparison
Raw Favors Early Game Base Damage
When it comes to choosing between raw and standard weapons in Dark Souls, it’s important to consider the stage of the game you’re in. Raw weapons are known for their high base damage, making them particularly effective in the early game.
The raw gem infuses a weapon with raw power, increasing its base damage while removing all scaling bonuses. This means that even without investing heavily in stats like Strength or Dexterity, you can still deal significant damage to enemies.
This can be especially useful for players who are just starting out and haven’t had the chance to level up their character’s stats.
Standard Overtakes with Scaling in Late Game
While raw weapons excel in the early game, they tend to fall behind as you progress further into the game. Standard weapons, on the other hand, become more powerful with scaling bonuses. Scaling refers to how a weapon’s damage increases based on the player’s stats.
As you invest in stats like Strength or Dexterity, a standard weapon will benefit from these increases and surpass the base damage of a raw weapon. This makes standard weapons a better choice for the late game, where your character’s stats are likely to be higher and scaling becomes more impactful.
Raw Can Be Viable in PvP Due to Scaling Caps
While raw weapons may not be the go-to choice for PvP (player versus player) encounters in Dark Souls, they can still hold their own under certain circumstances. In PvP, players tend to have higher stats and optimized builds, making scaling bonuses more pronounced.
However, there are scaling caps in place that limit the effectiveness of scaling bonuses past a certain point. This means that a raw weapon, with its high base damage, can still be a viable choice in PvP, especially if your build focuses on maximizing damage output in the early stages of a fight.
It’s important to note that individual playstyles and preferences can also play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of raw weapons in PvP.
How to Farm Raw Gems in Dark Souls
Raw Gems are valuable resources in Dark Souls that are used to enhance weapons and increase their raw damage output. These gems can be quite rare, but there are a few reliable methods for farming them. In this guide, we will explore three effective ways to obtain Raw Gems in Dark Souls.
1. Lothric Knights
The Lothric Knights are formidable enemies found in the High Wall of Lothric area. These knights have a chance to drop Raw Gems when defeated, making them a great farming option. To increase your chances of obtaining Raw Gems, consider wearing the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring and using the Rusted Coin item.
These items boost your item discovery, increasing the likelihood of obtaining rare drops. Additionally, using a weapon with high item discovery, such as the Symbol of Avarice or the Crystal Sage’s Rapier, can further improve your farming efficiency.
2. Crystal Lizards
Crystal Lizards are elusive creatures that can be found throughout the game world. They have a chance to drop various valuable items, including Raw Gems. To farm Raw Gems from Crystal Lizards, you need to locate their spawning points and quickly dispatch them before they flee.
It is recommended to use a weapon with a wide swing arc or a strong ranged attack to ensure successful kills. Additionally, casting spells like Crystal Soul Spear or using firebombs can be effective in taking them down.
Keep in mind that Crystal Lizards have a limited number of respawns, so it’s important to be quick and decisive in your approach.
3. Undead Settlement Caretaker
In the Undead Settlement area, there is a non-hostile NPC known as the Caretaker. This character can be found near the dilapidated bridge, hanging from a ledge. By attacking the Caretaker, you can obtain a Raw Gem as a drop.
However, it’s worth noting that attacking non-hostile NPCs can have consequences in the game world, so proceed with caution. If you choose to farm Raw Gems from the Caretaker, consider using a weapon with a high critical damage modifier to increase your chances of obtaining the drop.
Remember, farming Raw Gems in Dark Souls can be a time-consuming process, requiring patience and perseverance. However, with the right equipment and strategy, you can increase your chances of obtaining these valuable resources. Good luck on your farming journey!
Conclusion
To summarize, the mysterious raw gem in Dark Souls trades away stat scaling for higher base damage which can be favorable in the early and mid-game portions of your playthrough. Choosing the right weapons to infuse raw along with understanding when raw infusion falls off can help optimize builds.
While raw infusion has its niche uses, standard upgrading overtakes raw late game in PvE when your stats are high enough. However, raw can remain viable in PvP where scaling caps come into play. Knowing when and how to take advantage of the raw gem’s unique properties can give you an edge on your journey through Dark Souls.
