Elden Ring – Best Ashes of War

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From Software’s Elden Ring introduces a revolutionary approach to weapon customization through the Ashes of War system. This mechanic allows players to modify nearly any standard weapon with specialized combat techniques while adjusting weapon affinity to complement specific character builds. The flexibility enables unprecedented depth in combat style personalization beyond previous Soulsborne titles.

The Lands Between contains numerous discoverable Ashes of War, with most offering viable combat options when properly integrated into your strategy. Given the extensive arsenal of weapons and spells available, players can typically identify powerful synergistic combinations even with seemingly ordinary Skills through careful planning.

Conversely, certain Ashes of War prioritize player skill development over equipment synergy. The Parry technique serves as a prime example—while basic and available to multiple starting classes as a default Shield Skill, mastering its timing creates an enduring tactical advantage throughout your entire playthrough.

However, not all weapon arts demonstrate equal effectiveness. Some standout options deliver exceptional performance with minimal setup requirements or technical execution demands. These represent the most dominant Ashes of War currently available in Elden Ring’s expansive arsenal.

For dedicated Strength-oriented characters, Lion’s Claw represents an indispensable combat tool. This technique propels your character through a forward aerial somersault before delivering a devastating two-handed ground impact. When executed with precision timing, Lion’s Claw can rapidly eliminate even the most durable boss encounters. Its effectiveness amplifies significantly when combined with extended-reach blades like the Greatsword for optimal distance coverage.

Acquire Lion’s Claw by defeating the Lion Guardian patrolling Fort Gael’s courtyard.

Hemorrhage buildup stands as one of Elden Ring’s most potent status effects. Fortunately, players can access this powerful mechanic early without requiring endgame bleed weapons. Bloody Slash becomes available in the initial game phases and maintains relevance through subsequent playthroughs. The skill envelops your weapon in crimson energy before executing an ascending slash that applies significant bleed accumulation. It surprisingly connects with adversaries from considerable distances. During later progression, applying the Seppuku Ash of War to an off-hand weapon while dual-wielding dramatically increases hemorrhage application frequency.

Obtain Bloody Slash by vanquishing the Godrick Knight stationed at Fort Haight’s upper levels.

This particular Ash of War effectively replaces the previously overpowered Hoarfrost Stomp, which received substantial nerfs reducing its viability. Flame of the Redmanes projects a sweeping arc of incendiary energy toward opponents, applying burn status. However, the technique’s genuine strength lies in its exceptional capacity to inflict staggering posture damage. Merely two to three successful applications can break the stance of even the most resilient bosses, creating perfect critical strike opportunities.

Mastering Ashes of War requires understanding several advanced combat principles. First, consider your weapon’s attack speed when selecting compatible skills—slower weapons benefit from high-damage single strikes, while faster weapons excel with multi-hit or status application techniques. Second, manage your FP consumption carefully; powerful ashes often demand significant magic resources. Third, experiment with different affinity combinations to maximize stat scaling benefits.

Common mistakes include spamming weapon arts without regard for opening opportunities, neglecting to upgrade weapons hosting preferred ashes, and failing to adjust talisman loadouts to complement your chosen skills. Avoid these pitfalls by practicing timing in safer areas before engaging major bosses.

For optimization, advanced players should focus on animation cancel techniques and combo extensions. Many ashes can be seamlessly integrated into attack chains, creating fluid combat sequences that overwhelm opponents. Additionally, consider keeping multiple weapons with different ashes equipped for situational adaptability during challenging encounters.

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