Are Ashes of War Limited Use? A Deep Dive into Elden Ring’s Weapon Arts
No, Ashes of War are not limited use in Elden Ring. Once you acquire an Ash of War, you can apply it to a compatible weapon at any Site of Grace or by using the Tools of Grace. The Ash of War remains in your inventory and can be reapplied to different weapons repeatedly, providing significant flexibility in weapon customization throughout your playthrough. Let’s explore this feature and answer some commonly asked questions about it.
Understanding Ashes of War in Elden Ring
Elden Ring’s Ashes of War system revolutionized weapon customization in FromSoftware’s action RPGs. Instead of being confined to the unique skills of specific weapons, players can freely imbue many armaments with special attacks and affinities (damage scaling). This allows for deep personalization of your character’s build and playstyle.
Think of Ashes of War as reusable skills and weapon enhancements. You find them scattered throughout the Lands Between, obtained from defeating enemies, exploring dungeons, or completing quests. Once you possess an Ash of War, it’s yours to keep and use as many times as you like on compatible weapons.
Core Mechanics of Ashes of War
The core mechanic revolves around applying an Ash of War to a weapon, thereby granting it a new Weapon Skill and potentially altering its Affinity. Weapon Skills are special attacks or abilities that are executed using the weapon art button (usually L2 or LT on controllers). Affinities modify a weapon’s scaling with various stats, such as Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane.
The beauty of this system lies in its flexibility. If you find a new weapon you like, you can simply remove the Ash of War from your current weapon and apply it to the new one. This constant experimentation and adaptation are key to thriving in Elden Ring’s challenging world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ashes of War
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Ashes of War, offering further insights into this powerful mechanic:
1. How do I obtain Ashes of War?
Ashes of War are acquired in various ways throughout the Lands Between. They can be found:
- Dropped by Enemies: Certain enemies, especially bosses and mini-bosses, will drop specific Ashes of War upon defeat.
- Found in Chests: Many Ashes of War are hidden within chests located in dungeons, caves, and other explorable areas.
- Purchased from Merchants: Some merchants, such as War Counselor Iji, sell Ashes of War.
- Awarded as Quest Rewards: Completing certain quests will reward you with specific Ashes of War.
2. What weapons can I apply Ashes of War to?
Not all weapons are compatible with Ashes of War. Generally, most standard weapons can be infused. Weapons that cannot be infused are typically Unique Weapons, which already possess inherent Weapon Skills that cannot be changed. Examine the weapon’s description in the inventory to see if it can be infused with Ashes of War.
3. How do I apply an Ash of War to a weapon?
You can apply Ashes of War at any Site of Grace by selecting the “Ashes of War” option in the menu. Alternatively, if you possess the Tools of Grace, you can apply Ashes of War anywhere in the open world. To use the Tools of Grace, you must have first spoken with Roderika at the Stormhill Shack.
4. Can I remove an Ash of War after applying it?
Yes! You can freely remove an Ash of War from a weapon at any Site of Grace or using the Tools of Grace. Removing an Ash of War returns it to your inventory, ready to be applied to another compatible weapon. There is no penalty for removing an Ash of War.
5. Does applying an Ash of War consume it?
No, applying an Ash of War does not consume it. The Ash of War remains in your inventory and can be used repeatedly on different weapons.
6. What are Affinities, and how do they affect my weapon?
Affinities change the scaling properties of a weapon. Applying an Ash of War can alter the weapon’s scaling, affecting how much damage it deals based on your character’s stats. For example, the “Keen” affinity increases Dexterity scaling, while the “Heavy” affinity increases Strength scaling. Other affinities include “Quality”, “Magic”, “Fire”, “Sacred”, “Lightning”, and “Poison”.
7. Can I duplicate Ashes of War?
Yes, but only after obtaining the Lost Ashes of War. The Lost Ashes of War can be obtained by completing various quests, such as Roderika’s quest. Once you obtained the Lost Ashes of War, you can bring them to the Nomadic Merchant at the Nomadic Merchant’s location to duplicate ashes of war.
8. Are some Ashes of War better than others?
Yes, the effectiveness of Ashes of War varies greatly. Some Ashes of War are highly effective in combat, providing powerful offensive or defensive options. Others may be more situational or less impactful. It’s essential to experiment with different Ashes of War to find those that best suit your playstyle and build.
9. Can I use Ashes of War on Shields?
Yes, some Ashes of War can be applied to Shields. These Ashes of War typically provide defensive buffs, parrying abilities, or special counterattacks. Applying an Ash of War to a shield can significantly enhance your defensive capabilities.
10. Do Ashes of War consume FP (Focus Points)?
Many Ashes of War consume FP when used, but some do not. Ashes of War that perform complex attacks or cast spells typically require FP. Check the description of the Ash of War to see if it requires FP.
11. Can I upgrade Ashes of War?
No, Ashes of War cannot be upgraded. Their power and effects remain consistent throughout the game. The primary way to increase the effectiveness of your Weapon Skill is to upgrade your weapon itself or increase the stats that scale with its affinity.
12. Does my weapon level affect the power of the Ash of War?
Yes, the weapon’s upgrade level indirectly affects the Ash of War’s power. A higher weapon level typically results in higher attack power, which in turn increases the damage dealt by the Weapon Skill associated with the Ash of War.
13. Where can I find specific Ashes of War?
Finding specific Ashes of War often requires exploration and research. Online guides and communities, such as the Games Learning Society, are excellent resources for locating specific Ashes of War. The GamesLearningSociety.org website, for example, may have player-generated guides and discussions about effective builds and Ash of War locations.
14. Can I stack multiple Ashes of War on a single weapon?
No, you cannot stack multiple Ashes of War on a single weapon. You can only apply one Ash of War at a time.
15. Does the Mimic Tear summon use my Ashes of War?
Yes, if you summon the Mimic Tear, it will use the Weapon Skill associated with the Ash of War equipped on your weapon. This makes the Mimic Tear summon exceptionally powerful, as it can effectively duplicate your attacks and abilities.
Mastering the Art of Weapon Customization
The Ashes of War system in Elden Ring is a game-changer for weapon customization. By understanding its core mechanics and experimenting with different Ashes of War, you can create a build that is perfectly tailored to your playstyle. Remember, the Lands Between are vast and full of secrets, so keep exploring and experimenting to discover the full potential of this powerful system. Don’t hesitate to engage with the community, share your discoveries, and learn from other players’ experiences. Sharing information and engaging with the community, through platforms like the Games Learning Society, can elevate your game and help you unlock new ways to experience Elden Ring.