In the expansive world of Elden Ring, mastering the Ashes of War system is essential for any Tarnished seeking to enhance their combat prowess. These powerful upgrades not only bestow unique skills upon weapons but also allow players to tailor their armaments to fit various playstyles. From devastating attacks to strategic buffs, Ashes of War can transform the way you engage foes in the Lands Between. Dive into our comprehensive guide to discover how to effectively harness these magical enhancements and unlock your true potential in this challenging RPG landscape.
What are the Ashes of War?
Ashes of War in Elden Ring are special items that bestow unique skills and affinities to weapons and shields, enhancing their combat capabilities. These enhancements allow players to adapt their gear to various playstyles by altering damage scaling and introducing new weapon arts. Players can freely apply and remove Ashes of War at Sites of Grace, enabling them to customize their armaments based on the challenges they face in the game. Each Ash of War is tailored to specific weapon types, making strategic selection essential for optimizing performance against different enemies and bosses.
The Ashes of War are, in essence, improvements to weapons and shields that add new, unique skills when using a given weapon. They also enhance a given weapon or shield by making it scale with a specific stat, e.g. strength. Most of the Ashes of War are tied to a specific weapon or shield.
How to use them?
To effectively utilize Ashes of War in Elden Ring, players must first acquire a Whetstone Knife, which unlocks the Ashes of War menu. This knife can be found early in the game at the Gatefront Ruins. Once obtained, visit any Site of Grace and select the Ashes of War option to manage your collection. Here, you can apply Ashes of War to compatible weapons, granting them new skills and affinities that enhance their combat capabilities. Each weapon can only hold one Ash of War at a time, but players can freely swap them out without cost, allowing for experimentation with different builds and strategies as they progress through the game.
To use the Ashes of War, you first need go to the Site of Grace, then select Ashes of War. The inventory screen will pop up. Choose the weapon you want to upgrade. By selecting it, you will see the available Ashes of War. Next, choose the ashes that you find the most interesting. From this point, when using the weapon enhanced with the ashes, you will gain a special ability and improved scaling. Now all you have to do is press the right button to use the skill (L2 for Dualshock / Dualsense controllers).
What are the best Ashes of War for beginners
For beginners diving into Elden Ring, selecting the right Ashes of War can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Here are some of the best options that are easy to obtain and effective for early-game combat:
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Storm Blade
- Location: Purchased from Knight Bernahl at the Warmaster’s Shack in Limgrave for 1,800 Runes.
- Description: This Ash summons a whirlwind that can be launched at enemies, providing a ranged attack option that is particularly useful during boss fights.
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Bloody Slash
- Location: Dropped by a Beast Crest Heater Knight in Fort Haight, Limgrave.
- Description: Known for its ability to inflict rapid Bleed damage, this Ash is powerful against both regular enemies and bosses, making it a great choice for sustained damage output.
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Hoarfrost Stomp
- Location: Found by defeating an invisible Teardrop Scarab southeast of Caria Manor.
- Description: This Ash creates an area of frost damage around the player, excellent for stunning enemies and dealing significant damage, especially in builds focused on Frostbite.
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Lion’s Claw
- Location: Obtained by defeating the Lion Guardian in Fort Gael.
- Description: This skill allows players to perform a powerful somersault attack that deals substantial damage and can stagger opponents, making it effective in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
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Unsheathe
- Location: Available on the Uchigatana or Nagakiba; found early in the game.
- Description: A swift leaping slash that is effective for closing distances quickly and dealing high damage.
These Ashes of War not only provide unique abilities but also cater to various playstyles, making them ideal for newcomers to the game.
Which Ashes of War are best for a beginner Strength build
For beginners focusing on a Strength build in Elden Ring, several Ashes of War stand out for their effectiveness and ease of use. Here are the top recommendations:
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Lion’s Claw
- Description: This powerful Ash allows you to perform a somersault attack that deals significant damage and can stagger enemies. It’s particularly effective with heavy weapons, making it a staple for Strength builds.
- Location: Acquired by defeating the Lion Guardian in Fort Gael, Caelid.
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Flame of the Redmanes
- Description: This Ash unleashes a fiery attack that can deal damage over time and is excellent for crowd control, making it useful in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
- Location: Can be found in Caelid, dropped by a specific enemy or purchased after certain quests.
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Bloody Slash
- Description: Inflicts rapid Bleed damage, making it effective against tougher foes. This Ash is great for dealing consistent damage while also applying bleed effects.
- Location: Dropped by a Godrick Knight located at Fort Haight in Limgrave.
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Cragblade
- Description: This Ash increases attack power and stance damage against blocking enemies, making it particularly effective for staggering opponents and maximizing damage output.
- Location: Found early in the game, often recommended for its utility in Strength builds4.
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Wild Strikes
- Description: A versatile Ash that allows for a series of powerful strikes, ideal for maintaining pressure on enemies while dealing substantial damage.
- Location: Can be obtained from various locations early in the game, making it accessible for new players.
These Ashes of War not only enhance your combat capabilities but also provide flexibility in playstyle, allowing beginners to effectively engage with the game’s challenges.
