The Chainlink Flail in Elden Ring is a unique weapon that stands out for its heavy-hitting nature and spiked, medieval aesthetics. While not as commonly used as swords or spears, flails offer an alternative combat style that rewards aggression, timing, and poise-breaking potential. For players who prefer up-close combat and seek to overwhelm enemies with raw strength and stun effects, the Chainlink Flail presents an interesting option. Understanding its strengths, where to find it, and how to use it efficiently can make this weapon a powerful tool in your arsenal.
Overview of the Chainlink Flail
Weapon Type and Classification
The Chainlink Flail is categorized under flails, a relatively rare weapon class in Elden Ring. These weapons deliver heavy, blunt-force trauma and are particularly effective at staggering enemies and breaking enemy guards. Unlike swords, flails cannot be parried easily and are highly effective against shield-bearing opponents.
Visual and Combat Design
The weapon features a heavy iron ball covered in spikes, attached to a sturdy handle via a short chain. The design reflects brutality and control, allowing the wielder to strike around defenses. Its attacks are slower than a typical straight sword but deliver greater poise damage and benefit from strength-based scaling.
How to Get the Chainlink Flail
Enemy Drop Location
The Chainlink Flail is dropped by specific enemies rather than being found in a chest or store. It can be obtained by defeating the pumpkin-headed soldiers found in several locations across the Lands Between. These bulky enemies wield the Chainlink Flail themselves and are recognizable by their distinctive iron pumpkin helmets and heavy armor.
Best Farming Spots
- Stormveil Castle: One of the earliest places where players can encounter flail-wielding enemies. Farm the enemies near the castle gates for a chance at a drop.
- South of Liurnia: Additional variants of these enemies patrol ruins and camps in this region. They’re tougher but provide the same drop chance.
Keep in mind that the drop rate for the Chainlink Flail is relatively low, so patience and persistence are required. Equip items that boost item discovery, such as the Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot or the Silver Scarab Talisman, to increase your chances.
Chainlink Flail Stats and Requirements
Base Stats
At its base level, the Chainlink Flail provides decent physical damage and boasts excellent guard-breaking capabilities. It scales primarily with Strength, making it ideal for characters who invest in raw power rather than agility or magic.
- Base Physical Damage: 125
- Weight: 7.0
- Scaling: Strength (C), Dexterity (E)
- Requirements: Strength 18, Dexterity 12
Attack Type and Motion
It delivers standard and heavy strikes with sweeping arcs, useful for crowd control. The flail’s charge attack involves a brutal spinning strike, capable of staggering even larger foes when properly timed. Power-stancing two flails can result in an overwhelming barrage of hits, although stamina management becomes critical.
Strengths of the Chainlink Flail
Poise Damage and Guard Break
One of the major strengths of the Chainlink Flail is its ability to break enemy poise quickly. This makes it excellent for duels against knights, invaders, or PvE enemies with high defense. Even if your attacks are blocked, the flail can wear down an opponent’s stamina bar quickly, opening them up to critical hits.
Bleed Buildup Potential
Although not intrinsic to its base version, the Chainlink Flail can be infused with Ashes of War and upgraded with bleed-inflicting properties. Adding a Blood affinity can transform the weapon into a bleed monster, especially useful against bosses susceptible to hemorrhage like Radagon or Morgott.
Bypasses Parry
Another advantage of flails is that their attacks cannot be parried due to the unique mechanics of their movement. This makes them particularly deadly in PvP, where many players rely on parries to counter aggressive playstyles.
Weaknesses to Consider
Slow Attack Speed
The Chainlink Flail is not a fast weapon. Its wind-up time can be exploited by nimble enemies or PvP opponents who are good at dodging. It requires careful timing and prediction to land hits consistently, especially in fast-paced fights.
Limited Reach
While the weapon does have decent range for a one-handed melee option, it still falls short when compared to spears or halberds. Enemies with long weapons or ranged attacks can pose a challenge if you don’t close the distance effectively.
Heavy Weight
At 7.0 weight units, the Chainlink Flail is not extremely heavy, but it’s not light either. Players must be cautious of hitting an equipment load threshold that reduces mobility. Wearing heavy armor and using this weapon may push you into a fat roll unless properly balanced with Endurance investment or load-reducing talismans.
Best Builds for Chainlink Flail
Strength-Focused Build
- Main Attributes: Strength, Vigor, Endurance
- Recommended Gear: Heavy armor for poise, Greatshield for block countering
- Infusion: Heavy infusion to maximize Strength scaling
Bleed Build
- Main Attributes: Strength, Arcane
- Infusion: Blood affinity with Ash of War like Seppuku or Bloody Slash
- Talisman Support: Lord of Blood’s Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
Status-Effect Hybrid Build
- Main Attributes: Strength, Faith or Intelligence
- Use: Combine Chainlink Flail with incantations or sorceries for ranged utility
- Benefit: Allows you to deal both physical and magical damage types
Tips for Using the Chainlink Flail Effectively
Learn the Timing
Understanding the weapon’s rhythm is crucial. Its swings are delayed but powerful, so baiting enemies into attacking and then punishing them with a heavy flail strike is a good strategy. Use the weapon’s hyperarmor to your advantage in trades.
Two-Handing for Extra Damage
Two-handing the Chainlink Flail increases your effective Strength by 50%, which enhances scaling and improves stagger potential. It’s particularly effective for overwhelming tanky enemies and performing charge attacks.
Combine with Spirit Ashes
Summoning a Spirit Ash to distract enemies while you wind up powerful flail strikes can make combat smoother. Mimic Tear, Lhutel the Headless, or Banished Knight Oleg work well for this tactic.
The Chainlink Flail is a brutal, effective, and often underestimated weapon in Elden Ring. With proper build planning and tactical use, it can break guards, inflict status effects, and crush enemies in both PvE and PvP. Though slower and heavier than other weapons, it rewards players who commit to a methodical, strength-based approach. Whether you’re clearing dungeons, facing off against bosses, or taking your skills into invasions, the Chainlink Flail delivers crushing blows that leave a lasting impact both visually and strategically.