Top 15 Elden Ring BEST Ashes of War

One of the biggest changes that FromSoftware has introduced in Elden Ring that we didn’t see in the previous Souls games are the Ashes of War. In the Dark Souls series, to improve the stats of your weapon and make it perform better in combat, you had to apply different upgrade materials to a specific weapon. This was a confusing upgrading system, and it would take you a while to get familiar with it.

Thankfully, in Elden Ring, this is not the case as we now have simple and easy to use of Ashes of War that you can use to upgrade your weapons. Today, we are going to write down an Elden Ring best Ash of War guide to help you get started.

What Are Ashes Of War

Ashes Of War are used to add abilities to some of the best weapons you have in Elden Ring. Furthermore, they will also alter their scaling and add new attacks and skills to it. Using Ashes Of War, you will be able to change the affinities and weapons skills of any equipment you own. They can be applied to most of the Shields and weapons in Elden Ring. 

If you use them in the right way, they will be the most powerful damaged modifiers and can provide you with a lot of combat options in the game. Undoubtedly it is a great mechanism to utilize in the game and will even let you customize the weapons for the builds they are not suited for.

You might need some help when using Ashes Of War and not everyone is good for certain weapons. Especially if you’re using Ashes Of War on a weapon for a build it is not suited for. Using these Ashes Of War, you can link a certain start to a weapon as well and scale it to your will. 

Best Ashes of War 

The following list is based on the ones we found to be better than every other Ash of War in the game. We have also mentioned what Ashes of War are, how you can use them, and how you can duplicate them, it’s time to get to the Elden Ring best Ashes of War list. 

Sacred Blade

The Sacred Blade is the first Ash of War that I would like to mention. It scales primarily with Faith, thus making it an ideal choice for pure Faith-based builds. Furthermore, this Ash of War can also grant an affinity to your weapon, providing it with the Holy Affinity. The Sacred Blade can work with all melee weapons, except for small arms and whips. 

With this Ash of War, you can charge up an attack and fire a golden projectile towards your target that deals a good amount of each hit. Melee weapons are meant for close-ranged scenarios and you can’t get a good range with them. However, with this attack, you can perform ranged attacks with your melee weapons as well. 

Similar Read: Elden Ring Village Of The Albinaurics Guide

To get your hands on the Sacred Blade Ashes of War, you will need to go North of the Third Church of Maria and look around for Teardrop Scarabs. For those who don’t know, a Teardrop Scarab is a creature in Elden Ring that drops unique items when taken down. The only downside is that they disappear instantly if you fail to take them down quickly. Therefore, you will need to be quick after you encounter one. 

Bloody Slash

This is easily one of the most powerful Ashes of War in Elden Ring. It can let you deliver a powerful attack on your opponent that can drain a lot of their health in a single hit. However, with each use, it takes away a little of your HP and FP points as well. But considering that you get the chance to perform a devastating blow that can help you take down tough opponents quickly, it’s worth getting.

The Bloody Slash Ash of War is something that can prove useful against different bosses. In Elden Ring, it’s great to have something in your arsenal that can deal a good amount of damage with each hit. While some weapons are extremely powerful, you still need upgrades that can further enhance their stats and make them useful against tough opponents.

As for the Bloody Slash, it does this job well. Being able to take down weaker enemies in a single hit, it’s easily one of the best Ashes of War. 

This Ash of War is perfect for a Tank build. This is because Tank builds usually have a ton of health and considering the Bloody Slash uses your HP as its ammunition, it won’t bother you much if your build is Tank based. Overall, the Bloody Slash is one of the best Ashes of War in Elden Ring. Keep in mind that the Bloody Slash Ash of War can only be used on Swords, except for Colossal weapons. 

To get your hands on the Bloody Slash in Elden Ring, you will need to make your way to Fort Haight. This location can be found in Limgrave. It is the very fort Kenneth Haight will tell you about after you talk to him.

Fort Haight is swarming with enemies, so make sure you are properly equipped before going there. There, you will encounter a Knight called Beast Crest Heater. He is a powerful enemy who will use the Bloody Slash against you. But after you take him down, you’ll be able to pick up the Bloody Slash Ash of War from his corpse. 

Barricade Shield

In Elden Ring, defending yourself from attacks is equally important as attacking your opponent in combat. If you don’t follow a balance between the two, you won’t be able to go far in the game. Thankfully, the game lets you use shields that can defend you greatly against powerful attacks. And if you’re someone who is using a shield, or is planning to use one, then you should get the Barricade Shield Ash of War without wasting a single second. 

The enemies in Elden Ring come in all shapes and sizes. All of them have their way of attacking. Some deliver regular attacks that can be easily blocked, while others can use powerful attacks that can easily break your defense, or worse, eliminate you. This is where the Barricade Shield Ash of War comes in.

To protect you from incoming powerful attacks that can not be easily blocked, it puts all of your energy into the shield and lets you block most of the heavy attacks with ease. 

The best part about the Barricade Shield is that unlike the other Ashes of War that are for shields, it can be used multiple times. The other Ashes of War mostly defend you from a single attack, but Barricade Shield will protect you from multiple attacks. It will last a minute or two and is perfect for times when you’re either facing a group of enemies or a powerful single enemy. 

To get your hands on the Barricade Shield Ash of War in Elden Ring, you will need to go to Weeping Peninsula at nighttime and defeat the Night’s Cavalry. The boss uses heavy weapons but is not that difficult to take down. After you eliminate him, you’ll be able to pick up the Barricade Shield from its corpse. You can also get this Ash of War by taking down the Bloodhound Kniht Darriwil, who can be found in Forlon Hound Evergaol. 

Carian Greatsword

If you want an Ash of War in Elden Ring that can transform your weapon into something extremely powerful, then you need to get the Carian Greatsword Ash of War. With this attached to your weapon, you’ll feel as if you’re carrying something mighty in your hands.

By using the Carian Greatsword Ash of War, you can transform your Sword into a magical greatsword. With each hit, you’ll be able to drain a lot of your enemy’s health. While the Ash of War is simple and easy to understand, it can prove to be extremely helpful at times when you’re fighting against a tough Boss. This is because the extra amount of damage it provides can do wonders in combat. The Carian Greatsword can be used with all Swords, except for Colossal weapons.

To get the Carian Greatsword Ash of War, you will need to purchase it from Sorcerer Rogier at Stormviel Castle for 2,500 Runes. He can be also found at the Roundtable Hold. If you don’t have Runes to spend, then you can also get it from Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold in exchange for Rogier’s Bell Bearing. 

Lightning Ram

Out of all the Ashes of War in Elden Ring, this is easily one of the most fun to use. The Lighting Ram Ash of War in Elden Ring is perfect for those who are looking for a way to dodge enemy attacks but deal damage to their targets in the process. It can be used on all Melee armaments. 

By using the Lightning Ram, you can perform a series of rolls in a forward direction and if an enemy gets in your way, they will receive tons of damage. The only downside about it is that along with Stamina, it will cost FP points to use this ability. But after you run out of FP points, you’ll still be able to perform rolls and deal damage to the enemies, but it won’t be similar without the lightning effects.

To get your hands on this Ash of War, you will need to take down a Teardrop Scarab that can be found at Atlus Plateau. This is located south of Sainted Hero’s Grave. 

Storm Blade

There can be times in Elden Ring when you’re surrounded by a group of enemies that will keep on attacking you and will prevent you from attacking back. Or, you might engage in combat against a powerful foe who might not let you get back on your feet. This is where the Storm Blade Ash of War comes in as it can let you create a distance between you and the enemies.

The Storm Blade Ash of War can be used on all Swords, except for Colossal Weapons and Twinblades. When used, it will launch a whirlwind like an attack towards the target. This attack will not only deal damage to the enemy but will also push them back. Furthermore, if your enemy is about to perform an attack, then this is going to interrupt them and prevent them from launching their attack.

The Storm Blade can prove to be helpful during multiple situations. It can help you catch a breath, especially when fighting against a group of powerful enemies. Being able to knock them back grants you the luxury to either make a quick escape or get some time to use a potion. Either way, this Ash of War is pretty useful and it’s highly recommended that you get it if you use Swords. However, it won’t work with Colossal Weapons or Twinblades. 

Also Check: Map Fragment Locations in Elden Ring

To get your hands on the Storm Blade Ash of War in Elden Ring, you will need to visit the Murkwater Catacombs that can be found in Limgrave. There, you will encounter a Boss called Grave Warden, and he will drop the Storm Blade after you eliminate him. YOu can also purchase it from the Knight Bernahl at the Warmaster’s Shack for 1,800 Runes. 

Quickstep

Quick movement in Elden Ring can help you get a step ahead in combat, and the Quickstep Ash of War is here to help you with that. In the game, you can take your enemy down quickly if you manage to get behind them. This way, you can perform attacks on them without worrying about them blocking. And Quickstep lets you exactly do that and it can be used on all Melee armaments. 

The game lets you dodge attacks by performing a roll. However, while rolling, you can easily get attacked by the enemy. Furthermore, it’s not quick and you can’t use it to instantly get behind your target. As for the Quickstep, it lets you dodge attacks quickly, something thanks to which you can also circle your target and wait for the right moment to strike them from behind. 

The Quickstep Ash of War in Elden Ring is not that difficult to get as you can purchase it from the Knight Bernahl at the Warmaster’s Shack for 800 Runes. 

Loretta’s Slash

If you’re someone who uses a build that is a mix of Melee and Magic, then you should get Loretta’s Slash Ash of War. This Ash of War can be only used with Twinblades and Polearms, but it’s a nice addition to the inventory considering how powerful it is.

By using Loretta’s Slash Ash of War, you can perform a powerful magical strike that will deal a great amount of damage. It will first launch you in the air before you perform the strike. The attack is useful for times when you’re fighting against a powerful foe. Although it might seem slow, it is a great attack that can help you in multiple situations.

To get your hands on this fantastic Ash of War, you will first need to go to Caria Manor and look around for the Royal Knight Loretta. He is a powerful Boss who is not easy to take down. Therefore, make sure you are properly equipped before going there. Otherwise, you’ll just waste your time. After taking him down, Loretta’s Slash Ash of War will appear next to its corpse. 

Mighty Shot 

If you’re an archer who likes to take down its targets from a great distance, then I have something for you. Bows in Elden Ring are something that can help you stay at a safe distance while taking down your target. They are one of the best-ranged weapons in Elden Ring, and you can trust them in multiple situations. However, Bows are mostly useful against regular enemies since they can’t deal a great amount of damage with each hit. But with the Mighty Shot, things are different.

The Mighty Shot Ash of War in Elden Ring can be used with both Bows and Light Bows. With it, you charge up a powerful shot and send it towards your target that will not only deal a great amount of damage but will also break their defense. Furthermore, even if they are wearing armor, the Mighty Shot will pierce through it.

To get your hands on this Ash of War, you will need to take down a Teardrop Scarab that can be found on the way from Limgrave to Weeping Peninsula. But if you manage to get your hands on the Longbow before this, then you’ll already have it as the Mighty Shot Ash of War is the default Ash of War for the Longbow. 

Thunderbolt

Even wanted to become Thor in Elden Ring? Well, no you can. With the Thunderbolt in your arsenal, you can perform a powerful attack that can deal a good amount of damage.

By using the Thunderbolt Ash of War in Elden Ring, you can call down a bolt of Lightning on your enemy that will drain a lot of their health. The best part about it is that it can be used in rapid succession, meaning that you can take down a powerful foe by using it. Furthermore, the Thunderbolt Ash of War can be used on all Melee armaments.

To get your hands on this Ash of War, you will need to take down a Teardrop Scarab in Leyendell, Royal Capital. 

Gravitas

Gravitas is one of the best Ashes of War because of how it helps you. If you’re someone who has a pure Melee base build, then it is recommended that you get the Gravitas Ash of War. This is because by using this, you can get the enemies within your range. It can be used on all Melee armaments, but not on the small ones. 

By using Gravitas, you can create a gravity well on the ground by striking your weapon on the ground. The gravity well is not only going to deal damage to every enemy that gets caught inside it but will also pull them closer to you. Therefore, if you are using a Melee build, this will help you get them within your attack’s range. The health of your enemies will be already getting drained because of the gravity well, and you’ll only need to perform a few attacks on them to take them down, depending on how powerful they are. 

To get your hands on Gravitas Ash of War in Elden Ring, you will need to take down a Slender Wayfarer. This enemy uses this Ash of War and you’ll be able to pick it up from its corpse after you take it down. 

Seppuku

Another fantastic Ash of War in our Elden Ring Ash of War guide is Seppuku. Just like the Bloody Slash Ash of War, this one also lets you perform a powerful attack at the cost of your HP. However, it will not drain a lot of your health so you won’t have to worry about getting a great disadvantage against your opponent.

After using Seppuku, your character will stab himself and will soak the weapon in his blood. This will increase the attack power of your weapon, something that will let you deal more damage with each attack.

The Seppuku Ash of War can prove to be extremely useful at times when you’re fighting against a powerful Boss, such as the Starscourge Radahn, the Margott The Omen King, or any other powerful Boss that you can imagine. When used with a proper Bleed build, the Seppuku will perform the best. Furthermore, it is recommended that you use it with a powerful weapon so that you can get the most out of it.

It can be used on all Swords, except for small and Colossal weapons. It even works with Poelarms that can perform thrust attacks.

Unfortunately, Seppuku is also an Ash of War that you can acquire in the late game. However, it will prove to be extremely useful against the enemies you’ll be facing at that time. To get it, you will need to go to the Freezing Lake site of grace and take down an invisible Scarab. This one can be found at the edge of the lake. 

The Glintblade Phalanx

The Glintblade Phalanx is easily one of the best Ashes of War in Elden Ring because of how powerful it is. In Elden Ring, your enemies will always stay alert and will do everything in their power to eliminate you. Even regular enemies are going to become a big headache if you don’t know how to counter their attacks properly. But with the Glintblade Phalanx, you won’t have to worry about any of this as it can let you take down your target quickly and easily.

By using the Glintblade Phalanx, you can summon glintblades above your head that will automatically attack your targets. Each blade deals a decent amount of damage with each hit, but that isn’t what makes the Ash of War extremely powerful. Along with dealing damage, the glintblade will also stagger your enemy and will make them get on knees, after which you’ll be able to take them down with a single Critical strike.

The Glintblade Phalanx is the perfect Ash of War for Melee builds if you’re looking to get some extra range with your melee weapons. With the glintblades hovering over you, the only time you’ll need to get extremely close to your target is after they have been knocked down to their knees. Some players might argue that the Glinstone Pebble spell is a great alternative to this Ash of War.

But the thing which makes it weak against Glintblade Phalanx is its extremely short range. Furthermore, it can not stagger the enemies properly. Just like the Ash of War mentioned above, this one can also be used with all Swords and Polearms that use thrust attacks.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get your hands on the Glintblade Phalanx Ash of War early on in the game as you’ll first need to take down Godrick the Grafted. He can be found in Stormveil Castle and after you defeat him, you will need to go to the Roundtable Hold. There, talk to Sorcerer Rogier to receive the Rogier’s Rapier. The Glintblade Phalanx Ash of War will be attached to this weapon. However, it can be removed and attached to whichever weapon you prefer. 

Hoarfrost Stomp

The Hoarfrost Stomp is an extremely powerful Ash of War in Elden Ring. This Ash of War can be used on all Melee armaments and it can help you quickly take down multiple targets. Even if you’re fighting against a powerful Boss, the Hoarfrost Stomp won’t let you down.

The Hoarfrost Stomp lets you perform a stomp that sends out a wave that deals a massive amount of damage to the targets. The wave first interrupts the enemies and prevents them from performing an attack, and it then instantly deals a great amount of damage. The best part about the frost wave is that it can take down regular enemies in a single hit. Furthermore, it can be used multiple times, meaning that you can take down an entire group of enemies quickly with it.

Because of the amount of damage it deals, the Hoarfrost Stomp can be even used when fighting against powerful Bosses. With each hit, you can drain a lot of their health, something that can let you take them down quickly and easily. In other words, with the Hoarfrost Stomp Ash of War in your arsenal, most fights will feel like a walk in the park. The Ash of War also offers a great range and you can stay at a safe distance from your enemies while using it. 

To get your hands on the Hoarfrost Stomp Ash of War in Elden Ring, you will need to make your way to a small pond. This can be found on the northern side of the Lakes of Liurnia. Here, you will need to look around for an invisible Teardrop Scarab. After you eliminate it, you’ll be able to pick up the Hoarfrost Stomp from its corpse. 

Bloodhound’s Step

Finally, in our best Ash of War list, we have the Bloodhound’s Step. As mentioned earlier, enemies in Elden Ring come in all shapes and sizes. And to defeat them, you need to focus both on attack and defense. If you don’t keep a balance between the two, then you’ll fail to gain the upper hand in combat. As for the Bloodhound’s Step Ash of War in Elden Ring, it is one of the best Ashes of War for movement. There isn’t any other Ash of War that can protect you from enemy attacks like this one.

The Bloodhound’s Step lets you become invisible for a short period while doing at high speed. In other words, with this Ash of War, you can move around quickly without worrying about getting hit by enemy attacks. Even if you’re stuck between a group of powerful enemies and they are constantly hitting you with their attacks, they won’t be able to even put a scratch on you for as long as you keep on using this Ash of War to move around.

The travel distance of the doge performed by the Bloodhound’s Step is extremely amazing. Not only do you get the luxury to become invisible and prevent the enemy’s attack from hitting you, but you also travel further away from them quickly. You can also use this to quickly get close to your target after they get done with performing an attack.

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Big enemies in Elden Ring can prove to be a big problem as they don’t provide you with the chance to attack them. However, you can circle around your target with the Bloodhound’s Step and wait for the perfect moment to strike. The best part is that this Ash of War can be easily used with Heavy weapons or armors without worrying about their weight slowing down your dodge speed. It can be used on all Melee armaments.

To get your hands on this extremely powerful Ash of War, you will need to defeat one of the Night’s Calvary who can be found at the bridge in front of the Lenne’s Rise tower. For those who don’t know, Night’s Calvary is a group of mini-bosses that spawn across the map. They ride black horses and use powerful weapons. After you eliminate the one we mentioned, you’ll be able to pick up the Bloodhound’s Step Ash of War from his corpse. 

Ashes of War Tips

The main purpose of Ashes of War is to help you customize and upgrade your weapons in a way that they would suit your overall build. In the beginning, you’ll come across Ashes of War that will boost your Strength and Dexterity stats mostly. However, as you progress through the game, you’ll be able to find ones that will boost various other stats, including Lighting, Fire, Magic, and Blood. 

The Ashes of War come in different shapes and sizes, and they can be found at different locations throughout the map. They aren’t easy to get, but when are things easy in Elden Ring? I mean, it’s the kind of game that will surprise you at every corner. One thing to keep in mind is that some Ashes of War can only be used with specific weapons, and they won’t work with any other weapon. The best part is that you get the luxury to replace an Ashes of War with another one whenever you want. You don’t have to worry about the upgrade is permanent. This is something that allows you to modify your weapon depending on the type of enemy you’re facing. 

How to Use Ashes of War in Elden Ring 

Now that we have mentioned the best Ashes of War list, it is important to discuss how you can apply them to your weapons. FromSoftware did make the process of upgrading weapons in Elden Ring a simple task, but they couldn’t prevent themselves to make you go through a little trouble at first. This is because before you can start applying Ashes of War on your weapons, you first need to acquire the Whetstone Knife. This is the very knife that will let you infuse your weapons with Ashes of War by visiting a Site of Grace. 

Elden Ring Whetstone Knife Location 

To get your hands on the Whetstone Knife in Elden Ring, you will first need to go to the Gatefront Ruins. This can be found in West Limgrave and you can see its exact location marked on the map below.

The Gatefront Ruins is the kind of place that is swarming with enemies. If you want a smooth experience, make sure to take them all out before proceeding to the chest containing the knife. But if you want to save time, then you can also run past them and look around for a pathway going underground. Head down the stairs and keep on going to the end until you come across a door. Open it and the Whetstone Knife will be inside the chest that will be inside this room. 

After getting the Whetstone Knife, it’s time to get back to a Site of Grace. With the knife in your arsenal, you’ll notice that there is a new option called “Ashes of War” in the menu section. Clicking on this will take you to the section where you’ll be able to add these upgrades to your weapons. As mentioned earlier, keep in mind that not all Ashes of War can be added to every weapon. Some are limited to specific weapons only. To know with which weapon an Ashes of War can be applied, you can read its description. 

Second Method 

Another method of applying Ashes of War to weapons is by visiting the Blacksmith Hewg, who can be found at the Roundtable Hold. This skilled Blacksmith will not only help you apply them to your weapons, but he also possesses the ability to duplicate them. Thanks to this, you can get back an Ashes of War that you somehow lost on your journey. Maybe you were careless and dropped one from your inventory. Or you dropped one because you thought it was not important, but now you want it back after discovering its might. Either way, if you had it in your inventory at some point in the game, Hewg can get it back for you.

How To Duplicate Ashes of War in Elden Ring 

To duplicate an Ash of War in Elden Ring, you will first need to provide Hewg with a Lost Ashes of War item. These are extremely rare items that you will most likely get during the later parts of the game. They can be purchased from the Isolated Merchants in Dragonbarrow and Weeping Peninsula. You can also get them from Nomadic Merchants. However, all of them have a limited number of Lost Ashes of War items, so make sure to use them wisely.

Unfortunately, the only direct method of acquiring them is by purchasing them from the merchants. Aside from this, you can only find them as loot drops. Considering how rare they are, make sure to use them wisely and not waste them. It is important to use them only for the best Ashes of War, which we’ll talk about shortly. 

Don’t Blindly Use Ashes of War 

Another important thing to keep in mind is to not blindly use Ashes of War with a weapon. If you’ve found an amazing one, keep it in your inventory until you find a suitable weapon for it. What you need to do is carefully see how the Ashes of War you got is going to affect the stats of your weapon. In some cases, it is going to boost its stats and make it something even better for your build.

But if you apply it to the wrong weapon, then you won’t be able to get the most out of it and your overall build will also get ruined. Therefore, make sure to use them wisely with the right weapons and make sure that they don’t prevent your weapons from scaling properly with your stats. You can check out our Elden Ring weapons tier list to find out some of the best weapons in the entire game. 

This marks the end of our Elden Ring Ash of War guide. Keep in mind that there are many other Ashes of War available in the game and you should check them out as well. This is because you might find them better or more suitable for your build than these.