Ashes of War in Elden Ring are special items that allow you to customize your weapons with unique skills and affinities. They play a vital role in combat by providing new attack abilities, buffs, or defensive maneuvers, giving you more flexibility in how you approach battles. Here's a comprehensive guide on how Ashes of War work:
How Ashes of War Work
Applying Ashes of War:
1.To use an Ash of War, you need to visit a Site of Grace and select the "Ashes of War" menu option.
2.From there, you can apply an Ash of War to a compatible weapon or shield. Each Ash of War grants a specific skill and can change the weapon’s scaling and damage type.
Skills and Affinities:
•Skill: Each Ash of War comes with a unique skill that you can activate in combat, such as a powerful slash, a buff, or a defensive move.
•Affinity: Applying an Ash of War can also change the weapon’s affinity, altering its damage scaling (e.g., adding fire damage or improving Dexterity scaling). Affinities include Standard, Heavy, Keen, Quality, Magic, Fire, Lightning, Poison, and more.
Removing and Replacing Ashes of War:
1.You can remove or swap Ashes of War at any time by returning to a Site of Grace. This flexibility allows you to adapt your setup to different combat scenarios.
2.Some unique weapons have fixed skills that cannot be replaced with Ashes of War.
How to Get and Use Ashes of War
Acquire the Whetstone Knife:
1.Before you can start applying Ashes of War, you need to obtain the Whetstone Knife. This item allows you to customize your weapons at Sites of Grace.
2.You can find the Whetstone Knife in a chest in the Gatefront Ruins, which is located early in the game, near the entrance to Stormveil Castle.
Collect Different Whetblades for Additional Affinities:
Whetblades are special items that expand the available affinities you can apply to your weapons. Each Whetblade unlocks new options:
•Iron Whetblade: Allows you to infuse weapons with Heavy, Keen, or Quality.
•Glintstone Whetblade: Allows Magic and Cold affinities.
•Red-Hot Whetblade: Enables Fire and Flame Art affinities.
•Black Whetblade: Unlocks Poison, Blood, and Occult affinities.
•Sanctified Whetblade: Allows Sacred and Lightning affinities.
Types of Ashes of War
There are various categories of Ashes of War, each designed to suit different playstyles. Here are some of the main types:
Types of Ashes of War |
|
Ash of War Type |
Location |
Offensive Skills |
These Ashes of War enhance your weapon with aggressive skills, useful for dealing damage or breaking enemy stances. Examples: •Determination: Boosts the power of your next attack, making it deal significantly more damage. •Bloody Slash: A blood-based attack that deals high damage but at the cost of your own health. |
Defensive Skills |
Examples: •Barricade Shield: Enhances your shield’s blocking ability, reducing stamina damage taken when blocking. •Parry: Enables you to parry incoming attacks and create openings for critical hits. |
Support and Utility Skills |
Examples: •Golden Vow: Boosts attack and defense for you and nearby allies. •Endure: Temporarily reduces damage taken, allowing you to withstand attacks without flinching. |
Status Effect Skills |
Examples: •Poisonous Mist: Creates a cloud of poison that lingers and can infect enemies that step into it. •Chilling Mist: Engulfs the weapon in frost, increasing its Frostbite build-up. |
Notable Ashes of War Locations
Notable Ashes of War Locations |
|
Ash of War |
Location |
Wild Strikes |
Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab near the Stormveil Cliffside. This skill allows a flurry of wild, continuous slashes. |
Bloodhound’s Step |
Dropped by the Night’s Cavalry boss in Caelid. Grants an evasive maneuver similar to a quick teleport, perfect for dodging attacks. |
Flame of the Redmanes |
Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab near Fort Gael in Caelid. Releases a fiery burst that deals AoE fire damage. |
Sacred Blade |
Sold by a Nomadic Merchant near the Weeping Peninsula. Adds holy damage to your weapon and grants a ranged slash. |
Tips for Using Ashes of War 
•Adapt to Your Playstyle: Choose Ashes of War that complement your build. For example, if you're a Strength build, opt for skills that improve heavy attacks or add stagger effects.
•Experiment with Affinities: Don't be afraid to try different affinities. They can dramatically change how your weapon scales and how much damage it deals.
•Target Teardrop Scarabs: These creatures drop Ashes of War when defeated. Keep an eye out for them in the open world, as they often run away when approached.
•Explore for Whetblades: Expanding your affinity options can make your weapons more versatile. Seek out Whetblades to increase your infusion options.
Mastering Ashes of War can give you the upper hand in tough battles, allowing you to tailor your approach and maximize your damage output or survivability. Experiment with different combinations to find what suits your playstyle best!
