How to unlock Alucard’s Sword in Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC

Anyone who’s played the seminal Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will recognize the name of the Alucard Sword. One of the most powerful weapons in the game, the player begins with this sword in their arsenal, getting a brief taste of its power before Death cruelly rips it from their grasp, not to be returned until much later. The iconic Alucard Sword can also be unlocked as a weapon in Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC, thankfully with a lot less emotional manipulation this time around.

Unlocking this weapon still takes some doing, however. If you’re ready to commit to the challenge, read on for a full guide on how to add it to your collection.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC – How to claim Alucard’s Sword

The blueprint for Alucard’s Sword can be found within the Return to Castlevania DLC’s Richter Mode, an optional extra that feels like a single level from a classic Castlevania game transposed into Dead Cells. If you haven’t found this mode yet, you can check out this guide for details on how to reach the second version of Dracula’s Castle where it appears, and this guide for instructions on how to access Richter Mode once you’re there.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

When you’ve reached Richter Mode, simply play the early sections as normal. After an introductory section, you’ll ride an elevator down and have the option of going either left or right, with both paths looping round to the boss of the mode, Medusa. Make sure you take the right path here.

Follow it for a while and you’ll find yourself in a tower-like section, which you can ascend using the High Jump ability you’ll find nearby. While climbing this tower, keep an eye on the right side of the screen. Eventually, you’ll see a subtly concealed secret passage. Make your way through this passage to find yourself on a small balcony, where Alucard awaits. He’ll quickly transform into a bat, flying off into the distance, and leaving the blueprint for the Alucard Sword behind him. Grab the blueprint, then proceed to finish the Richter section as normal.

Once Richter Mode is over, you’ll be returned to your normal run, where a message will confirm that you’ve collected the blueprint for Alucard’s Sword. You’ll now be able to unlock the weapon via the Collector for 50 Cells next time you encounter him. It’s an interesting weapon, teleporting you next to enemies for a critical hit if you’re the right distance away from them.

And that’s that. Now that you know how to unlock Alucard’s Sword in Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC, you can fulfill the fantasy of every new Symphony of the Night player and dominate your foes with it. If you want to complete the Alucard look, check out this guide for details on how to unlock his Shield and outfit.