The Bewitching Branch is one of the most unique and lore-rich consumables in Elden Ring. Unlike your typical offensive or defensive items, this consumable allows you to charm enemies and turn them into temporary allies during combat. It's a creative tool that can change the flow of a fight, allowing you to Elden Ring Runes manipulate the battlefield in unexpected ways. While many players overlook it, those who learn how to acquire and properly use the Bewitching Branch can gain a significant strategic advantage-especially in certain boss fights or densely populated areas.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Bewitching Branch, including how to obtain it, how to craft it, what it does, and advanced tips for using it effectively in Elden Ring.
What the Bewitching Branch Does
The Bewitching Branch allows players to inflict charm on humanoid enemies, causing them to fight alongside you for a short duration. When used on an enemy, they become friendly and target other foes instead of attacking you. This can be invaluable when facing groups of enemies or invading players in PvP.
The item works similarly to certain incantations that control enemies, but it's faster to use, doesn't require Faith or Intelligence scaling, and can be applied instantly. However, each branch has only one use, so players must think strategically about when to deploy it.
The effect lasts roughly 30 to 60 seconds, depending on enemy type, and the controlled enemy can still be damaged or killed by other foes. Once the charm wears off, they will revert to hostility.
Where to Get the Bewitching Branch
There are several reliable ways to obtain Bewitching Branches in Elden Ring, both from merchants and as loot in certain areas.
1. Nomadic Merchant (Liurnia of the Lakes)
One of the easiest early sources of Bewitching Branches is the Nomadic Merchant located east of the Bellum Church Site of Grace in Liurnia of the Lakes. This merchant sells five Bewitching Branches for 1,600 Runes each. These can be purchased without any prerequisites and are ideal for players exploring Liurnia or heading toward Caria Manor.
2. Kale's Shop (Church of Elleh, Limgrave)
After progressing through a portion of the main story and delivering a certain Letter from Gowry, Merchant Kale may also add Bewitching Branches to his inventory. This makes it possible to restock the item in the early game if you've advanced far enough.
3. Caria Manor and Three Sisters Region
Several Bewitching Branches can also be found as loot around Caria Manor and the Three Sisters area in Liurnia. In particular, you can find them inside a chest in a small building northwest of Ranni's Rise.
4. Leyndell, Royal Capital
Late in the game, additional Bewitching Branches appear as loot inside the Royal Capital, especially in the areas near the Minor Erdtree and the East Capital Rampart. These versions are great for restocking before tough late-game fights.
How to Craft Bewitching Branches
Players can craft Bewitching Branches once they obtain the Fevor's Cookbook [3].
Crafting Recipe:
1x Sacramental Bud
1x Miquella's Lily
1x Fulgurbloom
To craft them, you must have the Crafting Kit purchased from Merchant Kale at the Church of Elleh in Limgrave. After obtaining Fevor's Cookbook [3], you can make as many Bewitching Branches as your crafting materials allow.
Where to Find Fevor's Cookbook [3]
This cookbook is found inside the Church of Inhibition, located north of Bellum Church in Liurnia of the Lakes. The church is guarded by madness-inducing enemies, so approach carefully or clear the surrounding area before exploring.
Farming Materials
Sacramental Bud:Commonly found near Church ruins and cemeteries in Liurnia and Caelid.
Miquella's Lily:Found in Ainsel River and around Haligtree-related areas.
Fulgurbloom:Found around lightning-infested zones, especially near Altus Plateau cliffs and Crumbling Farum Azula.
Once you've collected enough materials, you can easily craft multiple Bewitching Branches, making this a renewable item throughout the game.
How to Use the Bewitching Branch
To use the Bewitching Branch effectively, you must target enemies who are susceptible to charm-typically humanoid enemies such as soldiers, knights, or tarnished.
Step-by-Step Usage:
Equip the Bewitching Branch in your quick item slot.
Lock on to the target enemy.
Use the item to consume one Bewitching Branch and cast the charm effect.
If successful, the enemy's eyes will glow with a faint pink aura, indicating they're under your control.
Once bewitched, they will immediately begin attacking nearby enemies. However, the charm does not affect all foes. Certain bosses, undead enemies, and demigods are immune to the effect.
Best Situations to Use It:
Caria Manor and Stormveil Castle:Turning guards and knights against each other makes clearing rooms much safer.
Against Invaders or NPCs:Bewitched enemies can provide distractions and deal bonus damage in chaotic encounters.
In PvE Boss Fights:Some multi-enemy fights (like Godskin Duo) include enemies susceptible to charm in early phases. Bewitching them can provide temporary crowd control.
Remember that the Bewitching Branch's range is moderate-you must be fairly close to your target. Using it from behind or while hidden increases the chance of success without taking damage.
Bewitching Branch Lore Explained
The Bewitching Branch is deeply tied to Miquella, one of the most enigmatic Empyreans in Elden Ring. The item's description mentions:
"A fragment of a young, pale branch of Miquella the Kind. It is said that those bewitched by Miquella's charm become his faithful adherents."
This line connects directly to Miquella's lore and his association with unquestioned devotion and purity of will. Throughout the game, several characters-including the followers of St. Trina-are hinted to be under Miquella's influence or enchantment. The Bewitching Branch represents this charm in physical form, suggesting Miquella's power to manipulate both mind and soul.
Interestingly, in Shadow of the Erdtree, the Bewitching Branch is believed to have deeper connections to Miquella's dream realm and his attempts to create a world free from the Erdtree's control. Its charm effect may symbolize his effort to unify all beings under one will-a benevolent control that borders on divine compulsion.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Combine with Spirit Ashes:Summon Spirit Ashes first, then use a Bewitching Branch to add an extra ally. This temporarily gives you more battlefield control.
Use During Ambushes:When exploring Legacy Dungeons, use a Bewitching Branch on the strongest enemy in a group. They will distract and damage the others while you clean up.
Chain Usage:You can use multiple branches in a single encounter to charm multiple enemies, effectively creating your own mini-army.
PvP Use:Though limited, it can occasionally catch invading players off guard if you use it to turn nearby NPCs against them.
Final Thoughts
The Bewitching Branch is much more than a novelty item-it's a clever blend of gameplay utility and deep lore significance. While it may not replace offensive tools like Fire Pots or status effects like Frostbite, its ability to turn enemies into allies opens the door for creative strategies that few other items allow.
Whether you're infiltrating Stormveil Castle, exploring the Haligtree, or delving into the mysteries of Miquella's influence, mastering the Bewitching Branch can make you feel like a true manipulator of fate in Elden Ring. Use it wisely, and buy Elden Ring Items you might just find that charm is deadlier than any sword.
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