Best Ash of War Builds in Elden Ring 2024 - DLC Shadow of the Erdtree
Ashes of War in Elden Ring are special items that let you enhance or change your weapon's abilities. With so many to choose from, it can be tough to decide which ones to use, especially if you're planning for the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. This guide will help you pick the best Ash of War builds for 2024, making sure you're ready to conquer everything the DLC has to offer.
Unsheathe and Best Build
Coming in at number 15, we have Unsheathe. While it might not be a top pick for damage, its poise damage makes it a hidden gem. Many players overlook this Ash of War but paired with a Katana and Bloodflame Blade, it can create a strong bleed build.
Early game, Unsheathe shines, especially in a base new game. The poise damage is impressive, and when you mix in regular hits with Bloodflame Blade, the bleed buildup adds a nice bonus. The Ash’s damage is decent, but its true strength lies in its poise damage.
Equipment
● Nagakiba with Keen Affinity and Unsheathe
● Any seal for buffs
● White Mask
● Shard of Alexander
● Ritual Sword Talisman
● Lord of Blood's Exultation
● Millicent's Prosthesis
● Stonebarb Crack Tear and Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 75 Dexterity
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame Grant Me Strength
● Bloodflame Blade
Note: The Axe Talisman won’t boost this build because you hold the action input for Unsheathe.
Square Off and Best Build
At number 14, we have Square Off as the Best Ash of War in Elden Ring 2024. This Ash of War is definitely underrated. It does impressive posture damage, and while poise damage gets mentioned a lot, Square Off stands out with 40-poise damage on charged attacks with a straight sword. That's impressive for a lightweight weapon. If you haven't tried this Ash of War before and you’re looking for something for straight swords, give Square Off a shot.
Equipment
● Broadsword with Heavy Affinity and Square Off
● Claw Mark Seal
● Ritual Sword Talisman
● Shard of Alexander
● Dagger Talisman
● Green Turtle Talisman
● Crimson Burst Crystal Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 23 Mind
● 32 Endurance
● 66 Strength
● 25 Faith (with the Faith Tear)
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame, Grant Me Strength
Blood Blade and Best Build
At number 13, we have Blood Blade. This Ash of War, along with Seppuku (which will appear later on in Best Ash of War Builds in Elden Ring 2024 - DLC Shadow of the Erdtree), is a solid choice for a powerful build. Blood Blade is especially effective with the Godskin Peelers, though you might get more physical damage with an Occult Nagakiba or an Occult Scavenger Curved Sword. Here's a look at the equipment and stats you'll need.
Equipment
● Godskin Peeler with Blood Affinity and Blood Blade
● Dragon Communion Seal
● White Mask
● Ritual Shield Talisman
● Blue Dancer Charm
● Lord of Blood's Exaltation
● Millicent’s Prosthesis
● Thorny Tear
● Faith Tear
● Mohg’s Shackle
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 60 Dexterity
● 45 Arcane
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame, Grant Me Strength
Notes
● Blood Blade deals pure physical damage.
● The Blue Dancer Charm increases damage by 14% if your weight is under 8 and by 12% if your weight is under 16.
Black Flame Tornado and Best Build
At number 12, we have Black Flame Tornado. This Ash of War does massive damage, making it ideal for taking down some of the game's bigger bosses due to its high percentage of damage. Let's jump into the equipment and stats.
Equipment
● Flame-Art Grave Scythe with Black Flame Tornado
● Any seal for buffs
● Shard of Alexander
● Ritual Sword Talisman
● Fire Scorpion Charm
● Ritual Shield Talisman
● Flame Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 80 Faith (boosted with Faith Tear)
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame, Grant Me Strength
Notes
● Black Flame Tornado scales entirely with your Faith stat.
Repeating Thrust and Best Build
At number 11, we have Repeating Thrust. This Ash of War shines with the Iron Greatsword, especially in a strength-arcane build. The Iron Greatsword's high base damage and blood affinity make it a powerhouse.
Equipment
● Blood Iron Greatsword with Repeating Thrust
● Dragon Communion Seal
● White Mask
● Shard of Alexander
● Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
● Lord of Blood's Exaltation
● Millicent's Prosthesis
● Thorny Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 45 Arcane
● 40 Strength (60 when two-handing)
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame, Grant Me Strength
Notes
● Repeating Thrust works exceptionally well with high poise and blood affinity for massive damage output.
Flaming Strike and Best Build
At number 10, we have one of the most exciting Ash of War with its Build: Flaming Strike. This setup gives each Bandit Curved Sword 750 AR and massive fire damage. The Ash of War is impressive, and the fire damage is a game-changer.
Equipment
● Two Bandit Curved Swords with Flame Art and Flaming Strike
● Any seal for buffs
● Raptor's Black Feathers
● Claw Talisman
● Shard of Alexander
● Fire Scorpion Charm
● Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
● Flame Tear
● Thorny Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 70 Faith
● 22 Mind
● 26 Endurance
● 18 Strength (for weapon variety)
● 15 Dexterity
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame, Grant Me Strength
Notes
● This build is visually striking and highly effective. The fire damage from Flaming Strike adds a powerful punch to your attacks. Definitely give this one a try!
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Wild Strikes and Best Build
At number 9, we have Wild Strikes, an exceptional Astral Roar that deals significant bleed and strike damage, making it perfect for taking down bosses.
Equipment
● Heavy Great Stars with Wild Strikes
● Blood Flame Blade
● Any seal for buffs
● White Mask
● Shard of Alexander
● Rotten Wing Sword Insignia
● Lord of Blood's Exaltation
● Ritual Sword Talisman
● Thorny Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 66 Strength
● 25 Faith
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Strength
● Blood Flame Blade
Notes
● Wild Strikes is a personal favorite due to its ability to inflict powerful bleed and strike damage, making it highly effective against bosses. This build packs a punch!
Sword Dance and Best Build
At number 8, we have Sword Dance, a quick and effective Ash of War that rivals Double Slash in utility. While Double Slash may offer more damage over its entire animation, Sword Dance's speed makes it more convenient for many players. That’s why we have it in our Best Ash of War Builds for Elden Ring 2024.
Equipment
● Keen Nagakiba with Sword Dance
● Any seal for buffs
● White Mask
● Hit 51 Poise
● Shard of Alexander
● Rotten Wing Sword Insignia
● Lord of Blood's Exaltation
● Millicent’s Prosthesis
● Thorny Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 75 Dexterity
● 25 Faith
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame Grimly Strength
● Blood Flame Blade
Notes
● Sword Dance paired with Blood Flame Blade is a potent combination. Its swift execution makes it a valuable choice, especially for those who prefer speed and efficiency in combat.
Double Slash and Best Build
Next up, we have Double Slash, which stands as a direct counterpart to Sword Dance. Whether you prefer one over the other often comes down to personal playstyle—some favor Double Slash for its overall higher damage output across the entire animation.
Equipment
● Keen Nagakiba with Double Slash
● Any seal for buffs
● White Mask
● Shard of Alexander
● Rotten Wing Sword Insignia
● Lord of Blood's Exaltation
● Millicent’s Prosthesis
● Thorny Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 75 Dexterity
● 26 Endurance
● 25 Faith
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame Grimly Strength
● Blood Flame Blade
Notes
● Double Slash paired with Blood Flame Blade excels in delivering consistent damage. Its longer animation may appeal to players seeking higher overall damage per use.
Ice Sphere and Best Build
At number 6, we have Ice Sphere, one of the standout Ashes of War entries on this list of Best Ash of War Builds in Elden Ring 2024 - DLC Shadow of the Erdtree alongside Flaming Strike. Personally, I hold it in high regard because it offers versatility and scales with both Dexterity and Intelligence, making it ideal for Dex builds aiming for solid damage and frost buildup.
Equipment
● Guardian Sword Spear and Keen Affinity with Ice Sphere
● Any seal for buffs (no need for Raptor's Black Feathers)
● Hit 51 poise
● Shard of Alexander
● Ritual Sword Talisman
● Magic Scorpion Charm
● Millicent’s Prosthesis
● Magic Tear
● Faith Tear
Note: The Spellblade set enhances Ice Sphere's damage.
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 23 Mind
● 27 Endurance
● 65 Dexterity
● 33 Faith with Faith Tear
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Howl of Shabriri
Royal Knight’s Resolve and Best Build
At number five, we have Royal Knight's Resolve, an Ash of War that boosts your next attack's damage by 80%. It's particularly effective with heavy-hitting weapons like the Giant Crusher, allowing for massive damage potential and making it a top choice for hyper-buff strategies.
Equipment
● Giant Crusher and Heavy Affinity with Royal Knight's Resolve
● Any seal for buffs
● Hit 51 poise
● Ritual Sword Talisman
● Axe Talisman
● Ritual Shield Talisman (or Greatjar's Arsenal for weight)
● Spike Tear
● Crack Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 23 Mind
● 32 Endurance
● 66 Strength
● 25 Faith with Faith Tear
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame Grant Me Strength
Spinning Weapon and Best Build
Spinning Weapon is truly remarkable, especially considering its effectiveness right from the early game. Whether you're starting out or nearing the end game, this build consistently delivers solid results. Its bleed buildup capability is particularly impressive, making it a viable choice against many bosses.
In terms of range, it may not match up to Spinning Strikes, but the sheer bleed potential more than compensates for it. A well-timed strike or two can significantly chip away at bosses, even accounting for increased bleed resistance in the later stages of fights. It's a build I'd confidently recommend for DLC content as well. Among the top builds listed here, I believe many, if not all, would hold up well in DLC scenarios, excluding perhaps the fire-based build due to potential resistance issues.
Regarding practical experience, we've successfully taken down formidable foes like the fire giant using Spinning Strikes or Spinning Weapons. The combination of consistent damage output and potent bleed effects ensures bosses with high HP pools can be dispatched efficiently.
These features of Spinning Wheel confidently allow us to take this Best Ash of War into the new Elden Ring DLC Shadow of Erdtree.
Equipment
● Gravescythe in Heavy Affinity with Spinning Weapon
● Any Seal for Buffs
● White Mask
● Shard of Alexander
● Rotten Wingsword Insignia
● Lord of Blood's Exaltation
● Millicent’s Prosthesis
● Thorny Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 23 Mind
● 66 Strength
● 25 Faith with Fade Tear
Buffs:
● Golden Vow
● Flame Grant Me Strength
● Bloodflame Blade
Lion’s Claw and Best Build
At number two, we have Lion's Claw, and let me tell you, this is where the real challenge begins. If you're diving into this fight with a strength build on New Game Plus and beyond, you're probably seasoned at this game.
On base New Game, they're more manageable, but at higher levels, breaking through their defenses becomes a daunting task. Pure physical damage just doesn't cut it here. For me, leveraging Ice Spear or the Blasphemous Blade proved effective due to their elemental properties and range.
Despite these challenges, Lion's Claw stands out as an exceptional Ash of War. Its reliability shines through even against foes with significant physical resistance.
In fact, it's one of the best Ashes of War available in Elden Ring 2024, specifically for the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of Erdtree. It's a testament to its versatility that it remains formidable even in scenarios where physical damage struggles.
This build was actually a key part of my DLC strategy. It's a unique Strength and Faith build that offers immense flexibility. Lion's Claw fits perfectly into this setup, allowing for various approaches—from a Flame Art version to a pure physical build.
Setup
● Heavy Greatsword
● Heavy Affinity with Lion Claw
● Claw Seal
● Night Cavalry Armor and Greaves
● Shard of Alexander (51 poise)
● Dragon Crest Greatshield
● Erdtree Favor +2
● Ritual Shield or Sword Talisman
● Green Burst Crystal Tear
● Faith Tear
Stats
● 60 Vigor
● 23 Mind
● 32 Endurance
● 66 Strength
● 15 Dexterity
● 7 Intelligence
● 15 Faith
● 11 Arcane
Seppuku and Best Build
At number 1, we have Seppuku, and it's no surprise it takes the crown. For this build, we opted for the Godskin Peeler. While I personally favor the Gargoyle Twinblades and Curved Swords, the Godskin Peeler holds its own with solid damage and a decent hitbox. Each weapon hits for 129 bleed build-up and with Seppuku, they each get over 500 AR.
Seppuku not only boosts bleed build-up scaling with Arcane but also adds a flat 30 physical damage to your weapon. Here's the breakdown for equipment and stats:
Equipment
● Two Godskin Peelers with Seppuku in Blood Affinity
● Dragon Communion Seal
● White Mask
● Raptor's Black Feathers
● Rotten Winged Sword Insignia Talisman
● Millicent's Prosthesis
● Claw Talisman
● Lord of Blood's Exultation
● Thorny Cracked Tear
● Faith Crystal Tear
Stats
● 50 Dexterity
● 60 Vigor
● 14 Mind
● 26 Endurance
● 17 Strength
● 7 Intelligence
● 25 Faith
● 45 Arcane
Buffs
● Golden Vow
● Flame Grant me Strength
Seppuku with the Godskin Peeler build exemplifies a potent mix of bleed damage and solid overall AR, making it a formidable choice for any challenging encounter in the game.
So, this completes our guide on Best Ash of War Builds in Elden Ring 2024 - DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. Happy Gaming!
