Man, let me tell you about my absolute favorite toy in the Lands Between – the Marais Executioner's Sword. Even before Shadow of the Erdtree dropped last year, this bad boy was straight-up cheating against demigods. That Ash of War? Felt like I was tearing through bosses with a damn construction drill instead of a sword. But holy moly, the DLC gave this beast some wild new tricks that cranked its god-slaying potential to eleven. If you're hunting for that one weapon that turns bosses into mincemeat, listen up 'cause we're going deep on how to make this chainsaw-on-a-stick sing.

Eochaid's Dancing Blade: Your Ticket to Boss Oblivion

The real juice here isn't just the moveset – it's that Eochaid's Dancing Blade. Tap that skill button and BAM – your sword becomes a freaking beyblade drilling straight ahead. But here's the kicker: hold it down for the full charge and you get this rapid-hit magic damage barrage that makes bosses evaporate. Seriously, it's like hitting them with a combo of:

• A power drill

• A magic missile barrage

• And somehow also interpretive dance?!

But fair warning: this ain't some braindead easy mode. That charge-up leaves you rooted like a tree, and in PvP? If they dodge your drill, you're gonna eat dirt hardcore. Even in PvE, timing is everything – try charging when Malenia's winding up Waterfowl and you're toast. Still, when it connects? Sweet Christmas, the damage numbers are downright obscene.

Shadow of the Erdtree Goodies: New Tools for Destruction

That DLC brought the heat with gear specifically designed to make this sword even more busted. The real game-changer? The Dancer's Set – each piece gives +2.5% damage to dance attacks (that's your Ash of War). Rock three pieces for 7.5% extra hurt right out the gate. For helmets, you've got options:

Helmet	Buff Type	Best Paired With
White Mask	Bleed synergy	Lord of Blood's Exultation
Black Dumpling	Madness synergy	Howl of Shabriri
Dancer's Hood	Pure Ash of War damage	Generic builds

Stat Distribution: Where to Pump Those Levels

At RL150, you wanna go all-in on:

• 💪 80 Strength (soft cap)

• 🎭 50 Arcane (soft cap)

But if you're pushing higher, consider dumping points into:

• ✝️ 33 Faith for madness tools like Howl of Shabriri

• 📚 20 Intelligence for Terra Magica's 22.5% magic damage boost

Off-Hand Options: More Than Just Stat Sticks

Your left hand ain't just for show. My personal favorites:

• Greatshield: Perfect for tanking hits while you line up that drill charge

• Bleed Iron Greatsword: Power-stance for blood loss builds + Lord of Blood's Exultation

• Madding Hand: Pair with Howl of Shabriri for self-inflicted madness damage buffs (pro tip: use seal to cast then swap back)

Talisman Setup: Stacking Damage Like Jenga Blocks

These bad boys turn your damage from scary to downright unfair:

• Millicent's Prosthesis & Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Rapid hit steroids

• Shard of Alexander: Straight 15% Ash of War boost (non-negotiable!)

• Godfrey's Icon: Another 15% for charged attacks

• Aged One's Exultation: Madness build's pièce de résistance

Crystal Tears: The Cherry on Top

Chug these in your Physick for maximum carnage:

• ⚔️ Stonebarb Cracked Tear (more poise damage = more stagger chains)

• 🌵 Thorny Cracked Tear (extra rapid-hit damage)

• 🔮 Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear (because why not amplify that magic drill?)

The Real Talk: Is This Still Meta in 2025?

Look, I've been maining this since the DLC dropped, and here's the tea: against big slow PvE bosses? It's practically bullying. That full charged drill still melts health bars faster than ice cream in July. But in PvP? You gotta work for those W's – the wind-up's still punishable as hell against meta duelists. Yet when you land it? Sweet mother of Marika, the salt messages are chef's kiss.

What's wild is how this build makes you play 4D chess with buff stacking. That madness setup with Black Dumpling, Madding Hand, and Howl of Shabriri gives you a 55% damage buff – but is it worth the glass cannon playstyle? Sometimes I wonder if we're optimizing the fun out of the game chasing those big numbers. Are we becoming the very demigods we sought to destroy? Food for thought next time you're drilling Malenia into paste.