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Best Ashes of War in Elden RingHere are the best Ashes of War in Elden Ring
Here are the best Ashes of War in Elden Ring
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
Looking for the best Ashes of War in Elden Ring?Not to be confused withSpirit Ashes(summonable spectres that can aid you in combat), Ashes of War are unique skills that can be applied to weapons and shields inElden Ring.
Whether it’s your first time playing Elden Ring or you’re looking to try a different build before theShadow Of The ErdtreeDLC releases, picking the right Ashes of War can be imperative for a successful playthrough.
Below, we’ve gathered the best Ashes of War for a range of weapons and stats so that there is something for everyone. This includes the best Ashes of War for Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane, Quality and PvP builds. We’ll also go through how you can equip new Ashes of War and what affinities mean in the game.
In this guide:
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Best Strength build Ashes of War
Lion’s Claw
The Lion’s Claw Ashes of War will require traversal into Caelid. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
TheLion’s ClawAshes of War is a skill in which players will crouch and then perform a somersault, which strikes a heavy blow to foes afterwards. This strike delivers stance damage and cannot be parried but cannot be charged. When preparing the move, you are granted some invulnerability.
The Lion’s Claw Ashes of War works best with aStrength build, kitted out with a Greatsword or Colossal weapon. This is due to the stance damage output which scales with the size and type of weapon it is paired with. Straight Swords and Katanas will usually deal 30 stance damage, whilst Colossal weapons deal upwards of45 stance damage.
This skill is relatively easy to perform, effective when dealing with shielded foes and holds up well into thelater areasof the game.
How to get the Lion’s Claw
The Lion’s Claw Ashes of War comes already attached to the Claymore (located in a chest, within Castle Morne). Otherwise, you can pick it up from defeating theLion Guardian in Fort Gael, Caelid (south of the Rotview balcony). The creature will be prowling within the outer courtyard.
Best Faith build Ashes of War
Black Flame Tornado
The Black Flame Tornado Skill is heavily used during the Godskin Duo boss fight. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
This Skill also appliesfire damagewith every hit as well as33 stance damage, enabling you to stagger susceptible foes. This skill particularly works well withFaith buildsas it will apply Faith scaling to your weapon along with the added Fire damage.
How to get the Black Flame Tornado
Best Arcane build Ashes of War
Bloody Slash
As the name would suggest, the Bloody Slash Ashes of War works best with a dexterous bleed build. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
TheBloody SlashAshes of War sacrifices a portion of your HP pool (0.05 x your max HP + 50) in return for an upwards slash attack, in a wide arc that deals12 stance damageandbleed build-up.
This Skill was further improved with the1.07 Elden Ring patchwhich increased the bleed status buildup, attack power and decreased the delay between performing the skill and subsequent actions.
As a ‘Blood’ type Ashes of War, it’s a solid choice for anybleed buildorArcane build(the stat of which will increase with this Ashes of War). Additionally, the skill cannot be parried as long as you have a viable portion of FP to perform it. Be wary though, as the skill will still take your HP even if you don’t have the FP to successfully emit the attack.
How to get the Bloody Slash
Best Intelligence build Ashes of War
Waves of Darkness
Astel, Naturalborn of the Void is technically an optional boss fight in Elden Ring. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
TheWaves of Darknessis classified as a ‘Magic’ affinity Ashes of War, meaning it will increase the Intelligence stat scaling of the weapon it is grafted to, but will decrease physical attributes like Strength and Dexterity. As such, this Ashes of War is best suited for a predominatelyIntelligence-based build.
The Skill can deal upwards of34 stance damage, with more damage output the higher your Intelligence is.
How to get the Waves of Darkness
Best Dexterity build Ashes of War
Bloodhound’s Step
With the Bloodhound’s Step, you can quite literally turn invisible for a short amount of time. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
TheBloodhound’s StepAshes of War is a firm favourite amongst players looking to optimise aDexterity build- and for good reason. This Weapon Skill in Elden Ring can essentially turn playersinvisiblefor a short time whilst they dodge at an increased speed. As you can imagine, this is a particularly effective skill against singular enemies and bosses, as it will allow you to gain a better vantage point and avoid incoming attacks.
The Bloodhound’s Step is extremely versatile across playstyles as it can be applied to virtually any weapon as long as they’re melee-based. What’s more, if you’re out of FP it will simply take more of your stamina instead, to perform the move.
The distance you can dodge with the Bloodhound’s Step is about twice the amount of a medium roll and in that time, you have access to vitalinvincibility frames.
How to get the Bloodhound’s Step
Best Quality build Ashes of War
Storm Blade
The Storm Blade Ashes of War can provide a solid ranged attack option for melee builds. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
As a ‘Quality’ type Ash of War, Elden Ring’sStorm BladeSkill is perfect for players looking to divest equal points into both Strength and Dexterity.
The Storm Blade Skill essentially summons a small whirlwind which can be propelled towards enemies at a distance, providing a ranged attack for melee players. When struck, enemies will take10 stance damageapiece, leaving them open to follow-up attacks.
This skill cannot be parried and cannot be charged. As per the1.07 patch, the skill was further boosted with an increase in speed, range, and damage detection. Furthermore, the delay between performing the skill and subsequent actions was decreased.
How to get Storm Blade
You can buy the Storm Blade Ashes of War fromKnight Bernahlat theWarmaster’s Shackon Stormhill in Limgrave for 1,800 Runes.
Best PvP Ashes of War
Spinning Slash
With the repeated Spinning Slash attacks, rivals will struggle to retaliate and recover. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
When it comes to PvP, preferred Ashes of War will change depending on your build and playstyle. TheSpinning SlashAshes of War is fairly versatile and can be applied to most Swords, Axes and Polearms.
As per the 1.07 Elden Ring patch, poise damage was increased further against enemies equipped with either a Greatsword, Curved Greatsword, Twinblade, Greataxe, Spear, Great Spear, Halberd, or Reaper.
Genreally, the best PvP Ashes of War is heavily contested within the Elden Ring community, but most agree that the Spinning Slash andRoyal Knight’s Resolveare top contenders. The Royal Knight’s Resolve applies a buff that increases the bonus damage of your next attack. Unfortunately, as per the1.09 patch, this damage buff went from 80% to 40% (for PvP only), hence why Spinning Slash takes the top spot on this list.
The Thunderbolt, Square Off, Endure and Carian Retaliation Ashes of War are also fantastic contenders for PvP.
How to get the Spinning Slash
The Spinning Slash Ashes of War can be bought fromKnight Bernahlat theWarmaster’s Shackon Stormhill in Limgrave for 1,200 Runes. It is also the default skill for many armaments in Elden Ring such as the Gargoyle’s Halberd, Draghon Halberd and Nightrider Glaive.
Ashes of War: Affinities explained
Each Ashes of War in Elden Ring can be applied with anAffinity, which dictates which stats they affect. This can either buff or nerf the stat scaling of the weapon it is attached to. This means, for example, if you are playing with a Dex build, you’ll mostly likely want ‘Keen’ Ashes of War that increase Dexterity scaling.
We’ll go through each Affinity below and which stats they affect so you can make an informed choice when selecting Ashes of War for your build.
How to equip Ashes of War
You can swap freely between Ashes of War so long as the weapon supports new infusions. |Image credit:Rock Paper Shotgun/From Software
To equip new Ashes of War in Elden Ring, you canvisit anySite of Graceand select the ‘Ashes of War’ option. From here, you can apply Ashes of War to equipped armaments and weapons within your inventory.
When selecting a weapon and the Ash of War you wish to infuse it with, you’ll be offered a list of Affinities to choose from which will increase and decrease speficic stats (see above for a rundown of all Affinity types).
You’ll receive the option to apply Ashes of War once you have obtained theWhetstone Knifefrom inside a chest beneath theGatefront Ruinsin Limgrave. If you have missed this chest, you can also purchase a Whetstone Knife from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold for 500 Runes.
There is currentlyno way to upgrade Ashes of War, so their baseline damage and active effects will remain the same. Luckily, it doesn’t cost anything to change Ashes of War, so you can try out new ones and swap them between weapons as much as you like, so long as the weapon supports it.
That rounds off our guide to the best Ashes of War in Elden Ring and where to get them. For more Elden Ringtips and trickssee ourbest weapons,best armor,Talismans,buildsorboss locationsguides.
