In Elden Ring, Ashes of War are powerful abilities that enhance weapons with unique effects and can significantly impact your gameplay. For players who seek versatility in their builds, certain Ashes of War stand out for their effectiveness in various combat scenarios. This article delves into some of the most notable Ashes of War, including Glintblade Phalanx, Thunderbolt, Gravitas, Carian Grandeur, and Bloody Slash, exploring their benefits, locations, and how they can complement different playstyles.

1. Glintblade Phalanx

Overview: Ash of War: Glintblade Phalanx creates an arc of magical blades that hover above the caster’s head. These blades automatically target and attack nearby enemies, dealing substantial damage. This ability is particularly useful for Elden Ring Runes players who want to integrate Sorceries into their primarily melee-focused build.

Benefits:

  • Automatic Targeting: The magic blades home in on enemies, providing consistent damage without requiring precise aim.
  • Stance Breaker: Effective at damaging enemies’ stances, allowing for quick follow-up attacks.
  • No Intelligence Requirement: Unlike many Sorceries, Glintblade Phalanx does not require Intelligence, making it accessible to melee builds that do not specialize in magic.

Location: To obtain Ash of War: Glintblade Phalanx, players need to visit Sorcerer Rogier in Roundtable Hold after defeating Godrick the Grafted. Alternatively, if players acquire the Royal House Scroll, they can purchase the Ash of War from any Sorcery vendor for 2,500 Runes.

2. Thunderbolt

Overview: Ash of War: Thunderbolt is a versatile and powerful ability that deals Lightning damage. It is effective against a wide range of foes and can be used on all melee weapons, providing flexibility in combat.

Benefits:

  • Lightning Damage: Inflicts Lightning damage, which is effective against many enemy types, particularly those weak to electricity.
  • Low FP Cost: Uses only 10 FP per cast, allowing for frequent use without depleting your resources quickly.
  • Wide Application: Can be applied to any melee weapon, making it a valuable asset for various builds.

Location: To acquire Ash of War: Thunderbolt, players need to reach Leyndell, the Royal Capital. Find the body of Gransax and locate the Scarab beetle near the dragon’s corpse in the courtyard. Defeat the Scarab to obtain this Ash of War.

3. Gravitas

Overview: Ash of War: Gravitas creates a "gravity well" that pulls all nearby enemies toward the player. This ability negates the distance advantage that enemies may have and allows players to deal with multiple foes simultaneously.

Benefits:

  • Crowd Control: Pulls enemies closer, making it easier to handle groups and preventing them from staying at a distance.
  • Strategic Advantage: Provides a window of opportunity to inflict damage on clustered enemies or execute powerful attacks.

Location: To find Ash of War: Gravitas, players must defeat the Alabaster Lord near the Beach Ruins site of Grace in Limgrave. From the Castle Morne Ramparts, head north and enter the woods before reaching the ravine. Look for a portal to summon and defeat the boss, and then collect Gravitas.

4. Carian Grandeur

Overview: Ash of War: Carian Grandeur was previously overshadowed by its counterpart, Carian Greatsword. However, with the enhancements made in Patch 1.04, it has become a powerful option for STR/INT builds. This ability transforms the user’s weapon into a mystical blade that deals considerable damage and can be charged for increased effect.

Benefits:

  • High Damage Output: Delivers powerful attacks with the ability to charge for greater impact.
  • Improved Speed: Faster attack speed and charging time compared to Carian Greatsword, making it more effective in close-quarters combat.

Location: To obtain Ash of War: Carian Grandeur, players should head to Caria Manor in northwest Liurnia of the Lakes. Navigate through the dungeon until you reach an off-shoot room before the final boss area. Jump down from the wooden scaffolding and avoid the Warrior Jars to find the Ash on a corpse on a fortress wall.

5. Bloody Slash

Overview: Ash of War: Bloody Slash is a powerful ability that sacrifices a portion of the player’s health to coat their weapon in blood. This increases the weapon’s attack power and adds the ability to inflict blood loss on enemies, making it extremely effective in both early-game and later stages.

Benefits:

  • Increased Attack Power: Enhances weapon damage significantly.
  • Blood Loss Infliction: Adds the ability to cause blood loss, which can be devastating to enemies and useful in clearing out mobs quickly.

Location: To acquire Ash of War: Bloody Slash, players need to reach the Mountaintops of Giants after defeating Morgott the Omen King. Locate the Frozen Lake on the eastern side of the region and head north. Look for an invisible Scarab moving around a tree surrounded by jellyfish, which can be tracked by white footprints.

Conclusion

In Elden Ring, mastering the use of Ashes of War can greatly enhance your combat effectiveness and versatility. Ashes like Glintblade Phalanx and Thunderbolt provide strategic advantages in both ranged and close-quarter combat, while Gravitas offers valuable crowd control. Carian Grandeur, with its improved speed and damage, is ideal for STR/INT builds, and Bloody Slash remains a powerful option for cheap Elden Ring Items early-game and beyond.

Understanding where to find these Ashes of War and how to utilize them effectively can significantly impact your ability to tackle various challenges in The Lands Between. Whether you're blending Sorceries with melee combat or looking for ways to deal with groups of enemies, these Ashes of War offer valuable tools to enhance your gameplay and adapt to different combat scenarios.