The secret is out: bleed builds are OP in the current Elden Ring PvP meta, and they’re just as fantastic in PvE. With enough points in Dexterity, most Bleed weapons, from Moonveil to Rivers of Blood, are viable options. But it’s the gear you choose to pair with these weapons that makes a Bleed build really work, and White Mask is the best of the bunch.
The White Mask is the Helm of the War Surgeon Set. When used, increases your attack power by 10% for 20 seconds after inflicting bleeding on an enemy. It even stacks with the Bloodlord’s Exultation Talisman, which increases your attack power by 20%. Combined, you will constantly hit enemies for 30% more damage.
While it is possible to get the White Mask early in the game, it will take a bit of effort. It is located in Mohgwyn Palace, one of the most brutal Zones in all of the Elden Ring. Going under the tier is a tall order, but when you do, you’ll have a key piece of gear for any Bleed build that can carry you through the entire PvE experience, and even into PvP.
Important Note: Killing Mohg, Lord of Blood prevents you from getting the White Mask! If you’ve already beaten him, you’ll need to wait until NG+ to get this Helm.
How to get to Mohgwyn Palace
There are two ways to reach Mohgwyn Palace: Complete the White Mask Varre questline or reach a portal deep within the Hallowed Snowfield.
White Mask Varre questline
The White Mask Varre quest chain can be completed very early in the game, so this is the option to go for if you want to get your hands on White Mask as quickly as possible in a new game.
Varre is the first NPC you come across in the Elden Ring, right next to the First Step Site of Grace. Talk to him here, then return to this location after defeating Godrick the Grafted in Castle Stormveil (or after obtaining any Great Runes). He will instruct you to visit the Round Table and meet the Two Fingers. Do it, then head to Liurnia of the Lakes.
The second location you’ll find in Varre is at Rose Church, just south of Raya Lucaria Academy. Talk to him here and tell him that the Two Fingers “didn’t seem right” when he asked his impression of them. Talk to him again and he will give you five festering blood fingers, a consumable item used to invade other players in PvP.
Use the Fingers to invade three different players, then return to Varre. He will ask you to join him in serving Luminary Mohg, Lord of Blood. He allows him to anoint you and he will give you the Blood Lord’s Favor, instructing you to soak him in a maiden’s blood as the final step.
The closest place to do this is the Church of Inhibition, tucked away in the northeast corner of Liurnia. When you get there, head over to the corpse of the maiden on the chair. Take the finger maiden set she offers and select “Dye Cloth with Maiden’s Blood”.
With your freshly blood-soaked Lord of Blood’s Favor in hand, head back to Varre. He will congratulate you on completing his final test, cut off your finger, and reward you with a reusable blood finger. Talk to him again and he’ll give you the Thoroughbred Knight’s Medal, a reusable item that can instantly teleport you to Mohgwyn Palace from anywhere. Wear it, climb the stairs and rest at the grace entrance site of the dynasty mausoleum.
Consecrated Snowfield Portal
This is the much simpler option of the two, but you won’t be able to get there until later in the game. You’ll first need to get to Altus Plateau by collecting both Dectus Medallion halves (in Limgrave and Caelid, respectively). From there, you must defeat Morgott, the King of Omens in Leyndell to gain access to the Giant Mountain Peaks. Finally, you need to complete Latenna’s quest series to get both halves of Haligtree’s Secret Medallion. Only then can you access the Hallowed Snowfield using Rold’s Great Elevator.
Once you reach the Hidden Path to the Haligtree Site of Grace, head northwest until you reach Yelough Anix Ruins; it’s hard to see through the snow in this area, but it’s basically a straight shot. From there, continue northwest until you find a lone albinaur guarding a portal in the side of the cliff. Slay the invading Noble Sanguine, collect the Noble Sanguine set, and enter the portal to Mohgwyn Palace. Exit the cave and follow the path to your left until you reach the Palace Approach Ledge-Road Site of Grace.
White Mask Location
You’ll find the White Mask in a lake of blood in the southeastern section of the map. To get there from the Grace Entrance Site of the Dynasty Mausoleum, simply head down the stairs and continue forward, hugging the cliff to your right until the Lake of Blood narrows into a stream. There will be giant crows, dogs, and deadly blood geysers ahead, so tread carefully. To get here from the Palace Approach Ledge-Road Site of Grace, head down the hill past the hordes of albinaurs. Once you reach the lake, hug the left wall until you reach the creek.
Continue forward. You will be invaded by three different unnamed white masked NPC invaders in this area. Naturally, they inflict bleeding. His combos can be deadly if they catch you, so be ready to dodge them when you’re rushed. Try to take out a few enemies from a distance before going in, or consider driving the invaders away; Giant Ravens are extremely aggressive and can spot you from a distance.
The first Invader will appear right at the entrance to the lake. The second one will appear near the rocks to your left. Neither of these drop any items, but he’ll want to move them out of the way anyway. Finally, head to the cliff at the southern end of the lake. You’ll find the final Invader there, behind a large tree.
Kill the final invader to get the war surgeon outfit, white mask and all. Suit up and watch your Bleed build’s damage output increase.
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