Elden Ring’s Ashes of War system adds depth to combat and character customization. These special abilities can be applied to weapons and shields. To use Ashes of War, players must first obtain the Whetstone Knife and then apply them at Sites of Grace or with Smithing Master Hewg.
Ashes of War grant unique skills and change weapon affinities. This allows for diverse playstyles and strategic advantages in battle. Players can activate Ash of War abilities using L2/LT on a gamepad or Shift+Right Click on keyboard.
Experimenting with different Ashes of War is key to finding the perfect combination for your build. Some enhance damage while others provide defensive bonuses or special attacks. Collecting and trying out various Ashes of War can greatly improve your chances of survival in the Lands Between.
Ashes of War in Elden Ring: Weapon Skills and Affinity
Ashes of War are a crucial element in Elden Ring, allowing you to customize your weapons with unique skills and affinities. They add a layer of depth and versatility to combat, enabling you to tailor your weapons to your playstyle.
What are Ashes of War?
Ashes of War are items that grant special skills to your weapons. They can be found throughout the Lands Between, dropped by enemies, or purchased from certain merchants. Each Ash of War provides a unique skill, ranging from powerful attacks to defensive maneuvers and status effect enhancements.
How to Use Ashes of War
- Obtain a Whetstone Knife: You’ll need a Whetstone Knife to apply Ashes of War. You can find one early in the game at the Gatefront Ruins.
- Rest at a Site of Grace: Once you have a Whetstone Knife, rest at any Site of Grace.
- Select “Ashes of War”: Choose the “Ashes of War” option from the menu.
- Choose your Weapon: Select the weapon you want to modify.
- Select an Ash of War: Browse through your available Ashes of War and choose the one you want to apply to your weapon.
- Apply the Ash of War: Confirm your selection to apply the Ash of War to your weapon.
Changing Weapon Skills
When you apply an Ash of War, it replaces the weapon’s existing skill. You can always revert to the original skill or try different Ashes of War to find the best fit for your needs.
Weapon Affinities
In addition to skills, Ashes of War also allow you to change your weapon’s affinity. This alters the weapon’s scaling with different attributes and can add special effects like bleed buildup or frost damage.
Examples of Ashes of War
- Bloodhound’s Step: A popular Ash of War that allows you to perform a quick dash, useful for dodging attacks and repositioning.
- Hoarfrost Stomp: Creates a frost explosion that deals heavy damage and inflicts frost buildup.
- Sacred Blade: Enchants your weapon with holy damage, increasing its effectiveness against certain enemies.
Tips for Using Ashes of War
- Experiment: Try different Ashes of War to find ones that suit your playstyle and the enemies you’re facing.
- Consider Weapon Scaling: Pay attention to how the Ash of War affects your weapon’s scaling with different attributes. Choose affinities that complement your build.
- Upgrade your Ashes of War: You can upgrade Ashes of War at a blacksmith to increase their potency.
- Utilize Weapon Skills Strategically: Weapon skills consume FP (Focus Points). Use them wisely in combat.
Key Takeaways
- Ashes of War add unique skills and affinities to weapons and shields
- Apply Ashes of War at Sites of Grace or with Smithing Master Hewg
- Experiment with different Ashes of War to find the best fit for your playstyle
Understanding Ashes of War in Elden Ring
Ashes of War are a powerful tool for customization in Elden Ring. They allow you to personalize your weapons with unique skills and affinities, enhancing your combat prowess and providing a tactical advantage against challenging foes. By understanding how to use Ashes of War effectively, you can create a build that perfectly matches your playstyle and conquer the challenges of the Lands Between.
Ashes of War are special items that add skills and affinities to weapons. They give players more options for combat and build customization. These powerful tools can change how a weapon works and boost its effectiveness.
Basics of Ashes of War and Weapon Skills
Ashes of War let players add new skills to their weapons. Each weapon can have one skill at a time. To use an Ash of War skill players press L2/LT on consoles or Shift+Right Click on PC.
Skills vary widely. Some unleash powerful attacks. Others buff the weapon or the player. Many skills are unique and can change battle strategies.
Ashes of War also add affinities to weapons. Affinities can boost certain stats or add elemental damage. This allows for more diverse builds and playstyles.
Acquiring and Managing Ashes of War
Players can find Ashes of War in many ways. Some are dropped by enemies. Others are found in chests or bought from vendors. Special enemies called Teardrop Scarabs often drop rare Ashes of War.
To use Ashes of War players need a Whetstone Knife. This tool is found early in the game. With it players can apply Ashes of War at Sites of Grace.
Players can also visit blacksmiths to apply or remove Ashes of War. Blacksmiths can duplicate some Ashes of War for a fee. This lets players use the same Ash on multiple weapons.
Utilizing Ashes of War for Builds and Strategy
Ashes of War are key to creating unique builds. They can make weapons fit different playstyles. A strength build might use heavy Ashes of War. A mage might prefer those that add magic damage.
Some Ashes of War are great for certain situations. Fire damage Ashes can be useful against enemies weak to fire. Bleed build-up Ashes are strong against tough bosses.
Players should experiment with different Ashes of War. Trying new combinations can lead to powerful and fun builds. It’s also wise to keep a variety of Ashes on hand. This allows for quick strategy changes during tough fights.
Weapons, Enhancements, and Affinities
Ashes of War let you change your weapons in Elden Ring. You can make them stronger or give them new skills. This system is key to making your gear fit your style.
Transferring Ashes of War and Weapon Scaling
You can put Ashes of War on most normal weapons. This changes how the weapon works. It can boost certain stats like strength or dexterity. The Whetstone Knife is needed to do this.
Some special items called whetblades let you add new types to your weapon. These include:
- Black Whetblade
- Iron Whetblade
- Glintstone Whetblade
Each one gives different options. For example, the Iron Whetblade lets you make weapons scale with strength.
Specialized and Unique Ashes of War
Some Ashes of War are made for certain weapons. The Ash of War: Lion’s Claw works well on big swords. Others like Kick can go on many types.
Unique weapons often have their own special skills. You can’t change these. But they’re often very strong. For example, the Carian Greatsword has a magic attack built-in.
Some popular Ashes of War are:
- Bloody Slash
- Hoarfrost Stomp
- Barricade Shield
These can make your weapons much stronger in fights.
Restoration and Enhancement at Sites of Grace
You can change your Ashes of War at any Site of Grace. This lets you switch up your style whenever you want. You don’t need a special NPC for this.
At these sites you can also:
- Rest to heal
- Level up
- Sort your inventory
If you lose an Ash of War, you might find it again in the world. Some are in set spots. Others might drop from enemies.
Remember to try different Ashes of War. Mix them up to find what works best for you. This system adds lots of choices to how you play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ashes of War are powerful tools in Elden Ring. They let players change weapon skills and add new effects. Here are some key points about using Ashes of War in the game.
What steps are involved in applying Ashes of War to weapons in Elden Ring?
To use Ashes of War visit a Site of Grace. Select the Ashes of War option. Choose the weapon you want to change. Pick the Ash of War you want to add. Your weapon will now have a new skill and maybe a new effect.
How can one unlock the ability to use Ashes of War in Elden Ring?
Players need to find the Whetstone Knife to use Ashes of War. This item is in Gatefront Ruins in Limgrave. Once you have it you can use Ashes of War at any Site of Grace.
Can Ashes of War be used on shields within Elden Ring, and if so, how?
Yes Ashes of War can be used on shields. The process is the same as for weapons. Go to a Site of Grace. Pick the Ashes of War option. Choose your shield. Select the Ash of War you want to use.
Is there a procedure to remove or change Ashes of War from a weapon in Elden Ring?
You can change or remove Ashes of War at any time. Visit a Site of Grace. Select Ashes of War. Pick the weapon. Choose a new Ash of War or select “No Skill” to remove it.
What is the role of the Whetstone Knife in the use of Ashes of War in Elden Ring?
The Whetstone Knife is key for using Ashes of War. It unlocks the Ashes of War option at Sites of Grace. Without it players can’t change weapon skills or effects.
What are the differences in using Ashes of War on different platforms, such as Xbox or PS5?
The main difference is the button used to activate Ashes of War. On Xbox use LT. On PS5 use L2. On PC use Shift+Right Click. The rest of the process is the same across all platforms.
