Elden Ring Ashes of War Location Guide: Mastering Every Weapon Art
In the sprawling, unforgiving world of the Lands Between, your survival hinges on more than just a sharp blade and sturdy shield. It depends on your ability to adapt, to surprise your foes, and to unleash devastating techniques that can turn the tide of any battle. This is where the Ashes of War system comes in, a cornerstone of Elden Ring's combat that offers unparalleled customization. Whether you're a seasoned Tarnished or just stepping foot in Limgrave, this comprehensive guide is your ultimate resource for finding, understanding, and mastering every single Weapon Art.
Let's start with the basics. What are Ashes of War? Simply put, they are equippable skills that grant your armament a special ability, known as a Weapon Art. You can find them scattered throughout the world, dropped by powerful enemies, or purchased from merchants. The true genius of the system lies in its flexibility. Not only do you assign a skill, but you can also use the Ash of War to infuse your weapon with a specific Weapon Affinity, such as Keen for higher dexterity scaling, Heavy for strength, or elemental types like Magic or Fire. This dual function allows you to fine-tune your build to a remarkable degree.
To use them, you must first acquire the Whetstone Knife, found in the very first dungeon: the Gatefront Ruins in Limgrave. Head into the underground cellar, defeat the soldiers, and open the chest. This key item unlocks the ability to equip Ashes of War at any Site of Grace. You'll also need to find Whetblades to unlock all potential Affinity options for your Ashes.
Now, let's embark on a journey to locate some of the most powerful and sought-after Ashes of War, categorized to help you find the perfect tool for your playstyle.
The Essential Early-Game Ashes of War
Getting a strong start is crucial. Here are some foundational skills you can acquire without facing the game's most terrifying bosses.
- Bloody Slash: A fan favorite for bleed builds. This skill costs a bit of HP but unleashes a wide, horizontal slash that inflicts massive blood loss buildup. Location: Fort Haight in East Limgrave. Fight your way to the top of the fort's main tower to find it on a corpse.
- Determination & Royal Knight's Resolve: These are your go-to skills for massive, single-hit damage. They buff your next attack, making them perfect for colossal weapons or critical hits. Determination is found on a teardrop scarab in northern Limgrave, near the Stormhill shack. The superior Royal Knight's Resolve is located in the Lyndell Royal Capital, on a corpse in a hidden room near the Avenue Balcony site of grace.
- Quickstep: Invaluable for close-quarters combat, this skill allows you to dart around enemies with minimal stamina consumption, perfect for evading attacks in tight spaces. Location: Dropped by the lone Night's Cavalry patrolling the road in central Limgrave, north of the Agheel Lake South site of grace. You must defeat him at night.
- Barricade Shield: A tank's best friend. This skill massively boosts your guard boost for a short duration, allowing you to block even the heaviest blows without losing stamina. Location: Dropped by the Night's Cavalry in the Weeping Peninsula, who patrols the road leading to the Castle Morne Rampart site of grace (again, only at night).
Powerful Mid to Late-Game Weapon Arts
As you progress, you'll encounter Ashes of War that can define your entire build.
- Bloodhound's Step: Arguably the most powerful defensive skill in the game. It's an enhanced dodge that provides more invincibility frames and covers greater distance than a standard roll. Location: Dropped by the Night's Cavalry duo in Caelid, on the bridge leading to the Lenne's Rise tower. This is a tough fight, so come prepared.
- Hoarfrost Stomp: Even after being balanced, this remains a fantastic skill. It creates a trail of frost on the ground that explodes, dealing high Frostbite buildup and area-of-effect damage. Location: On a teardrop scarab southeast of the Caria Manor in Liurnia, in a small frozen pond.
- Seppuku: The ultimate skill for maximizing blood loss. You stab yourself to build up bleed on your weapon, dramatically increasing the bleed potency for a duration. Location: Dropped by an invisible scarab in the frozen river area of the Mountaintops of the Giants, near the Spirit-Caller's Cave.
- Black Flame Tornado: A devastating skill that creates a whirlwind of black flame, dealing percentage-based damage that is incredibly effective against high-health bosses and enemies. Location: You must duplicate the Godskin Apostle's Remembrance at a Walking Mausoleum and trade it with Enia at the Roundtable Hold.
Specialist Ashes of War for Unique Builds
Beyond the meta, there are incredible skills that cater to specific archetypes.
- Gravitas: A fantastic early-game Ash of War for intelligence-based warriors. It creates a gravitational shockwave that pulls enemies in and deals magic damage. Location: Dropped by a teardrop scarab in the lake in Agheel Lake, Limgrave.
- Thunderbolt: For the dex-focused warrior, this skill allows you to call down a bolt of lightning from the sky, mimicking the attacks of Leyndell Knights. Location: Purchased from the Isolated Merchant in the Weeping Peninsula, located in the shack on the western side of the peninsula.
- Golden Land: A holy skill that fires multiple golden projectiles, ideal for Faith builds and particularly effective against Those Who Live in Death. Location: Found in the Deeproot Depths, on a corpse near the waterfall, just past the giant ants.
- Carian Grandeur: A powerful charged skill that summons a massive magical greatsword. It can be charged for three levels of increasing damage and range. Location: Dropped by the Teardrop Scarab on the rooftops of the Caria Manor in Liurnia.
How to Farm and Duplicate Ashes of War
You might be wondering, "What if I want to use the same Ash of War on two different weapons?" This is where Lost Ashes of War come in. These are key items used to duplicate any Ash of War you already possess. You can find them as loot, but the primary source is the Walking Mausoleums. These giant, bell-bearing creatures stomp around various regions. You must clear the white skull-growths on their feet to make them kneel, allowing you to enter and duplicate a Remembrance or an Ash of War.
Optimizing Your Build with Weapon Affinity
Remember, equipping an Ash of War isn't just about the skill. When you select one, you are prompted to choose a Weapon Affinity. This is where you truly synergize your stats with your equipment.
- If you have a high Strength build, choose the Heavy Affinity.
- For high Dexterity, the Keen Affinity is best.
- Quality is a balanced option for hybrid Strength/Dexterity builds.
- Magic or Cold Affinity scales with Intelligence.
- Sacred or Flame Art Affinity scales with Faith.
- Blood, Poison, or Occult Affinity scales with Arcane.
To unlock all these options for a given Ash of War, you need the corresponding Whetblades. The most important one is the Iron Whetblade, found in the Stormveil Castle armory, which lets you apply Standard, Heavy, Keen, or Quality Affinity to any physical Ash of War.
Mastering the Ashes of War system is the key to transcending from a mere survivor to a true Lord of the Lands Between. It encourages experimentation, allowing you to tailor your combat approach to every new challenge. So go forth, Tarnished. Seek out these powerful arts, infuse your weapons with newfound power, and carve your path to the Elden Throne. The perfect Weapon Art for your legendary build is out there, waiting to be discovered.
