The Fingerslayer Blade is a key item hidden deep within the Eternal City of Nokron in Elden Ring. Described as a blood-drenched fetish forged from a corpse, it serves as the ultimate proof of high treason committed by the Nox against the Greater Will. Players cannot wield this weapon themselves because they lack a predetermined fate, but acquiring it is mandatory to advance Ranni the Witch's sprawling questline.
Understanding how to secure this artifact, what it unlocks, and its deep ties to the game's lore requires navigating some of the most dangerous underground regions in the Lands Between.
Where to Find the Fingerslayer Blade
You can't reach Nokron until you defeat Starscourge Radahn in the Wailing Dunes. Radahn's death triggers a falling star that crashes near Haight Fort in Limgrave, blasting open a massive crater that leads directly into the underground city.
Once you descend into Nokron, you'll navigate rooftops, fight groups of Silver Tears, and eventually reach the site of grace known as Night's Sacred Ground. From that grace point, follow these steps: Further reporting by Bloomberg highlights comparable perspectives on this issue.
- Head southwest past the giant, immobile stone skeleton structures where massive floating silver spheres spawn.
- Drop down onto the lower plaza area guarded by a formidable Mimic Troll and several Lesser Mimic Tears.
- Clear out the enemies so you don't get interrupted while looting.
- Locate the large, locked Nox chest resting at the base of the colossal skeleton statue.
- Open the chest to claim the Fingerslayer Blade.
If you try to open this chest before speaking to Ranni at Ranni's Rise and agreeing to enter her service, a prompt will read: "You are not destined to open this." Always initiate Ranni's questline first to avoid running into a locked box.
Role in Ranni's Questline
The primary utility of the blade is to serve as the "hidden treasure of Nokron" that Ranni asks you to retrieve. Handing the artifact over to her is a turning point in her narrative arc.
When you deliver the blade to Ranni at her tower, she expresses her gratitude and explains that she must depart on a journey of dark pathfinding. As a reward for your service, she hands you the Carian Inverted Statue. This unique item allows you to turn the Carian Study Hall upside down, granting access to the Divine Tower of Liurnia where the Cursemark of Death is stored. Without the Fingerslayer Blade, you'll remain locked out of completing Ranni's path to the Age of the Stars ending.
Mythological Significance and Lore Connections
Item descriptions and environmental storytelling hint at a dark history involving the Fingerslayer Blade. The Nox intended the weapon to harm the Greater Will and its vassals, likely referencing the Two Fingers or Metyr, Mother of Fingers. This act of supreme blasphemy caused the Greater Will to punish the Eternal Cities, banishing them underground beneath an eternal night sky.
The blade shares structural design similarities with other high-tier weapons in the game:
- The Sacred Relic Sword: Both blades share a distinct double-helix structure and share origins tied to the remains of divine entities.
- The Black Knife: The curved blade shape and crossguard design bear a strong resemblance to the weapons used by the Black Knife Assassins, hinting at a shared Numen or underground artisan heritage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Players often run into roadblocks when hunting for this item. Keep these common missteps in mind:
- Skipping Radahn: Trying to find the crater before beating Radahn leads to a blank cliffside. The celestial event requires his defeat to trigger.
- Ignoring the Mimic Troll: Trying to sprint past the large guardian troll to open the chest often results in a quick death animation while mid-interaction with the container. Clear the room first.
- Forgetting to talk to Ranni: Finding the chest before triggering the quest means you can't interact with it at all. Always exhaust dialogue options at Ranni's Rise before heading underground.
For more details on item database tracking and regional maps, check out the Elden Ring Wiki on Fextralife or official game hubs like Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the player character physically wield the Fingerslayer Blade?
No. The item description explicitly notes that it cannot be wielded by those without a fate. Since the Tarnished carves out their own destiny, the weapon remains a quest item rather than an equippable armament.
What happens to Ranni after you give her the blade?
After you hand over the artifact, Ranni eventually leaves her rise to begin her solitary journey. Rest at a site of grace to update the area, and you'll find her tower empty save for a grace point and progress toward the next phase of her quest.
Is Nokron required to finish the main story of Elden Ring?
No. Nokron and Ranni's questline are entirely optional. You can finish the main game and achieve other endings without ever stepping foot in the Eternal City or touching the Fingerslayer Blade.
How do I get past the inverted Carian Study Hall?
Once Ranni rewards you with the Carian Inverted Statue, place it on the pedestal at the entrance of the Carian Study Hall. This flips the entire tower upside down, changing enemy placements and opening up the pathway to the top.
