In Elden Ring, one of the most exciting systems introduced to enhance your combat experience is the Ashes of War. These powerful abilities can transform your weapons, giving them new properties, attack animations, and even elemental effects. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, understanding how to use Ashes of War can significantly change your playstyle and improve your performance in the Lands Between.

What Are Ashes of War?

Ashes of War are special abilities that can be applied to your weapons and shields in Elden Ring. These abilities can range from powerful offensive skills to defensive buffs, and they can often be customized to fit your personal playstyle. They essentially allow you to tweak your weapons to suit different combat situations, whether you're taking on hordes of enemies or dueling a boss.

Each weapon type has a pool of Ashes of War that can be applied to it, but certain Ashes of War can be used only on specific weapon types. Some also come with scaling bonuses that depend on the weapon’s attributes or your character’s stats.

How to Equip Ashes of War

To use Ashes of War, the first thing you'll need is an Ashes of War item, which you can acquire from various sources, including NPCs, hidden areas, or through defeating enemies. Once you have an Ashes of War, you can apply it at a Site of Grace using the “Ashes of War” menu option. Here’s how you can equip it:

1. Find a Site of Grace: Fast travel to any Site of Grace. You'll find that many of them will allow you to alter your weapons.

2. Choose Your Weapon: From the menu, select the weapon you want to modify. Not all weapons can be fitted with every Ash of War, so check which ones are compatible.

3. Select the Ash of War: Once you've chosen a weapon, scroll through the list of available Ashes of War. Some of these will provide powerful attacks like the Flame of the Redmanes or defensive moves like Barricade Shield.

4. Assign to Weapon: Once you've selected the desired Ash of War, it will be equipped to the weapon. Remember that certain Ashes of War may require specific stat investment to be fully effective.

Customizing Your Weapon with Ashes of War

One of the coolest aspects of Ashes of War is that they can also change the scaling of your weapon. For instance, a weapon that typically scales with strength might, when combined with a specific Ash of War, scale with intelligence or dexterity instead. This opens up numerous build possibilities, allowing players to experiment with different playstyles.

Some Ashes of War also come with an elemental effect—like fire, frost, or lightning—which can be great for exploiting an enemy's weaknesses. If you’re looking to buy Elden Ring items to help you craft the perfect setup, considering Ashes of War is a smart way to personalize your approach to combat. You can even buy Elden Ring items online, such as special Ashes of War that are harder to find, to optimize your build.

Practical Tips for Using Ashes of War Effectively

• Timing Is Everything: Many Ashes of War have long windups or follow-up animations. Make sure you time your abilities well to avoid getting caught off-guard.

• Mix and Match: Feel free to experiment with different Ashes of War on the same weapon. Certain abilities can complement one another, offering you more flexibility in battle.

• Elemental Weaknesses: Some bosses or enemies are vulnerable to specific elements. Using an Ash of War with an elemental effect can give you the edge. Don’t forget to equip those when facing enemies that exploit elemental weaknesses.

• Focus on Stats: Remember that some Ashes of War scale better with certain stats. If you have a high dexterity build, it might make sense to equip a skill that benefits from dexterity scaling.

Ashes of War are one of Elden Ring’s most rewarding features, allowing players to customize and refine their combat style in meaningful ways. By experimenting with different combinations of Ashes and weapons, you can discover unique ways to tackle the game’s many challenges. If you find yourself struggling to get the perfect setup, you can always buy Elden Ring items to boost your progress or buy Elden Ring items online for specialized Ashes of War that fit your needs.

Ultimately, Ashes of War give you the freedom to adapt to whatever challenges the game throws your way, whether you’re slaying monsters or taking on the toughest bosses in the game. Happy hunting, and may your journey through the Lands Between be filled with power and innovation!