In the expansive world of Elden Ring, mastering the intricacies of Ashes of War and Spirit Ashes is essential for any aspiring Tarnished. As players traverse the treacherous landscapes of the Altus Plateau, they will uncover a diverse array of weapon skills and summonable spirits that can dramatically alter their combat strategies. This guide delves into every Ash of War available in this region, detailing their locations, effects, and optimal uses to help you conquer the challenges that lie ahead. Prepare to enhance your arsenal and summon powerful allies as you explore the secrets of the Lands Between!
Key points of Elden Ring – Altus Plateau – Ashes
Ashes of War
Spirit Ashes
On this page of our Elden Ring guide, you can find the locations of all Ashes of War and Spirit Ashes appearing in Altus Plateau. The Plateau can be accessed after defeating Magma Wyrm Makar or through Grand Lift of Dectus.
Ashes of War are special items that allow you to change the active skill of your weapon. Thanks to them, you can exchange your weapon skill for a completely new one. You activate them by pressing the button responsible for using skills. Spirit Ashes, on the other hand, are items that, when activated, summon spirit companions that will help you in combat.
While traveling through Altus Plateau, you can encounter 7 Ashes of War and 3 Spirit Ashes.
Ashes of War – Shield Crash
Ash of War – Shield Crash is a powerful skill in Elden Ring that allows players to utilize their shields offensively. When activated, it enables the character to two-hand the shield and charge forward, maintaining a guard while doing so. This attack can push back weaker foes and stagger them, making it effective for crowd control. The skill costs 12 FP and can be applied to any shield, enhancing its combat capabilities without altering its affinity. Found in the Altus Plateau at Lux Ruins, players can acquire this Ash of War by defeating a Teardrop Scarab located within the area, making it a valuable addition to any shield user’s arsenal.
Go to the marked area, which is nearby Erdtree Gazing Hill. You should encounter ruins – inside of them, there is a scarab. Kill him as quickly as possible, as he can disappear if you’re not fast enough.
Ashes of War – Blood Blade
Ash of War – Blood Blade is a powerful weapon skill in Elden Ring that enhances small and medium swords with a unique Blood affinity. This skill allows players to wound themselves, coating their armament with blood, before unleashing a series of airborne blood blades that inflict hemorrhaging damage on enemies. The Blood Blade can be fired in rapid succession, making it an effective choice for dealing with foes vulnerable to bleed effects. Players can acquire this Ash of War by defeating a Teardrop Scarab located in the Altus Plateau, specifically northeast of Erdtree-Gazing Hill, where it is often guarded by Giant Crabs.
There is a small forest in the area marked on your map. The scarab is in the middle of the forest. SImply kill him to receive the ash.
Ashes of War – Shared Order
Ash of War: Shared Order is a unique upgrade material in Elden Ring that provides a Sacred affinity to melee armaments, enhancing their effectiveness against undead enemies. This Ash of War grants the Shared Order skill, which not only imbues the user’s weapon with holy essence but also extends this buff to nearby allies, making it particularly useful in cooperative play. The skill increases damage by 10% and inflicts a significant 50% bonus against undead foes, preventing them from reviving. It can be acquired by defeating a Night’s Cavalry located near the Altus Highway Junction in the Altus Plateau, offering an efficient option for players looking to bolster their builds without requiring high Faith stats.
Defeat Night’s Cavalryto get this ash. This type of enemy only appears at night. Go to the marked location on your map – the boss is circling the area.
Ashes of War – Earthshaker
The Ash of War – Earthshaker is a powerful skill in Elden Ring that can be applied to various melee weapons, enhancing their capabilities. This Ash of War is obtained by defeating an invisible scarab located south of the Altus Highway Junction, near a specific road intersection. Once acquired, it grants the weapon a Heavy affinity and allows players to perform the Earthshaker skill, which involves slamming both hands into the ground to create a shockwave that damages enemies in a wide area. This skill is particularly effective for strength-focused builds, as it scales with strength and can trigger additional effects when hitting multiple targets.
You must locate and defeat an invisible scarab to get this ash. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to locate it through sound, but if you look closely, you’ll see bright smoke rising above the ground. Block its path and you’ll feel resistance when it is near. Strike it once to defeat it.
Ashes of War – Lightning Ram
Ash of War: Lightning Ram is a unique skill in Elden Ring that grants a melee armament the Lightning affinity, enhancing its damage output with electrical effects. This skill allows players to perform a distinctive move where they “bleat” and then tumble forward, enveloped in lightning, with the ability to execute multiple consecutive tumbles. It is particularly effective for quick engagements, as it can be used on all melee weapons and provides increased Dexterity scaling while reducing base damage and Strength scaling. To acquire this Ash of War, players must defeat a Teardrop Scarab located at Altus Plateau, just south of the Sainted Hero’s Grave, making it accessible for those exploring this area of the game.
A scarab is found in the area marked by your map. Kill it to get the ash.
Ashes of War – Golden Slam
Golden Slam is an Ash of War skill in Elden Ring that embodies the power of the avatars protecting Minor Erdtrees. When activated, the user jumps high into the air and crashes down, creating a shockwave of golden energy that radiates outward. This skill can be applied to all melee armaments, granting them a Sacred affinity and enhancing their damage potential. With a cost of 22 FP, Golden Slam deals both physical and holy damage, making it particularly effective against enemies susceptible to these types. Its high poise modifier allows players to remain unscathed during attacks, adding to its utility in combat scenarios. Players can obtain this skill by defeating a Teardrop Scarab located near the Woodfolk Ruins in the Altus Plateau.
In the area marked by your map you’ll encounter small ruins. The scarab you need to get rid of is inside of them. Watch out for the enemies guarding the entrance.
Ashes of War – Lightning Slash
Ash of War – Lightning Slash is a powerful weapon skill in Elden Ring that imbues an armament with the Lightning affinity, enhancing its damage potential. When activated, the skill calls down a bolt of lightning, followed by a downward swing that creates an explosive shockwave, dealing significant area damage. This skill not only inflicts immediate damage but also retains the lightning enchantment on the weapon for a limited duration, allowing for sustained offensive capabilities. Players can acquire this Ash of War by defeating a Teardrop Scarab located at a soldier encampment in the Altus Plateau, making it a valuable addition for those seeking to enhance their lightning-based builds.
The scarab in question is in the center of the camp, not far from castle walls. Kill the scarab as quickly as possible as you may be detected by enemies inside the camp.
Spirit Ashes – Leyndell Soldier Ashes
The Leyndell Soldier Ashes are a valuable Spirit Ash summon in Elden Ring, allowing players to call forth the spirits of two Leyndell soldiers, each armed with a spear and a greatshield. These soldiers are designed for defensive combat, providing a sturdy frontline presence during battles. They excel at absorbing damage and executing melee strikes, making them ideal for distracting enemies while the player can maneuver strategically. To acquire the Leyndell Soldier Ashes, players must venture to the Sainted Hero’s Grave, where they can find the ashes on a corpse amidst columns in a room filled with obstacles. This summon requires 64 FP to activate, making it a tactical choice for players looking to bolster their combat effectiveness in challenging encounters.
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To get this Spirit Ash, travel to Sainted Hero’s Grave. In the middle of the tomb, there is a body. The Ash is next to it.
Spirit Ashes – Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff
The Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff Ashes are a powerful Spirit Ash summon in Elden Ring, allowing players to call forth the spirit of Kristoff, a noble knight of Leyndell and a devoted worshipper of ancient dragons. This legendary summon is acquired by defeating the Ancient Hero of Zamor, located in the Sainted Hero’s Grave within the Altus Plateau region. Once summoned, Kristoff wields a spear imbued with lightning and a greatshield, making him an effective tank capable of absorbing damage while striking foes with thunderbolts, a hallmark of dragon combat. His notable achievements include capturing Godefroy the Grafted during the First Defense of Leyndell, earning him significant honor and recognition among his peers.
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This ash is also found in Sainted Hero’s Grave. To get it, you need to defeat the boss of this location – Ancient Hero of Zamor.
Spirit Ashes – Giant Rat Ashes
The Giant Rat Ashes in Elden Ring allow players to summon three agile rat spirits that excel at quickly engaging enemies. These spirits do not require any FP to summon, making them a cost-effective option for players seeking to create distractions during battles. Although they possess low HP and can be defeated easily, their ability to swarm opponents can be particularly useful in diverting attention away from the player. Additionally, enhancing the Giant Rat Ashes increases the number of rats summoned, further amplifying their effectiveness in combat situations. Players can find these ashes in the West Windmill Pasture area of Altus Plateau, where they are located near a group of rats on a corpse.
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What are the rarest Ashes of War in Elden Ring
In Elden Ring, some Ashes of War are particularly rare and sought after due to their unique abilities and the challenges involved in acquiring them. Here are some of the rarest Ashes of War:
- Waves of Darkness: This powerful Ash of War can only be obtained by defeating Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, one of the game’s tougher bosses. After defeating him, players must trade his Remembrance with Enia at the Roundtable Hold to acquire this skill.
- Black Flame Tornado: Dropped by the Godskin Duo, this Ash of War is known for its devastating damage potential. The fight against these bosses is notoriously challenging, making this skill a rare find for players who manage to defeat them.
- Bloodhound’s Step: While not as difficult to obtain as the previous two, Bloodhound’s Step is highly coveted for its ability to make players temporarily invisible while dodging, providing a significant tactical advantage in combat. It can be found in a location that requires some exploration and skill to access.
These Ashes of War not only enhance combat capabilities but also reflect the skill and perseverance required to obtain them, making them prized possessions in any Tarnished’s arsenal.
What are the best strategies to obtain rare Ashes of War
To effectively obtain rare Ashes of War in Elden Ring, players can employ several strategies that focus on preparation, exploration, and combat tactics. Here are some of the best approaches:
- Defeat Key Bosses: Many of the rarest Ashes of War are rewards for defeating challenging bosses. For example, to obtain Waves of Darkness, players must defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, and trade his Remembrance with Enia at the Roundtable Hold. Similarly, Bloodhound’s Step is dropped by a Night’s Cavalry found at Lenne’s Rise, requiring players to navigate a perilous area.
- Explore Specific Locations: Certain Ashes of War are found in specific locations or dropped by unique enemies. For instance, Lion’s Claw can be acquired by defeating the Lion Guardian in Fort Gael. Players should thoroughly explore regions and defeat notable enemies to uncover these rare skills.
- Utilize Merchants: Some Ashes of War can be purchased from merchants. For example, Storm Blade is available from Knight Bernahl at the Warmaster’s Shack for 1,800 Runes. Regularly check with various merchants throughout the game for potential purchases.
- Collect Lost Ashes of War: After acquiring an Ash of War for the first time, it can be duplicated at Smithing Master Hewg’s shop using Lost Ashes of War. This allows players to reclaim skills even if they have sold or used them previously.
- Engage in Side Quests: Completing side quests often leads to encounters with powerful enemies or unique items that can unlock rare Ashes of War. Following Ranni’s questline, for example, opens up pathways to significant bosses that drop valuable skills.
- Be Prepared for Tough Fights: Many rare Ashes require players to face formidable foes. Equip your character with suitable gear, upgrade weapons, and stock up on healing items before challenging these bosses to increase your chances of success.
By combining these strategies—focusing on boss fights, exploring thoroughly, utilizing merchants, and preparing adequately—players can efficiently gather the rarest Ashes of War in Elden Ring.
