Ashes of War and Shields in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you can absolutely use Ashes of War while wielding a shield in Elden Ring, but the interaction is nuanced and depends heavily on the specific Ash of War, your shield, and your desired playstyle. The key is understanding how to prioritize and execute weapon skills when both a weapon and a shield are equipped, each potentially possessing their own unique skill.
Understanding the Mechanics: Weapon Skills and Shield Abilities
In Elden Ring, Ashes of War are game-changers. They provide the ability to customize your weapons (and some shields!) with unique skills, fundamentally altering your combat approach. These skills range from powerful offensive maneuvers to defensive buffs and even utility effects. While many players focus on imbuing their primary weapons with Ashes of War, shields also play a significant role, albeit with certain limitations.
The core concept to grasp is skill prioritization. When you wield a weapon and shield, both potentially have associated weapon skills activated with the same input (typically the left trigger or L2). How do you choose which skill to use? That’s where the “No Skill” Ash of War comes into play.
The “No Skill” Ash of War: Your Key to Weapon Skill Usage
The “No Skill” Ash of War is essential for players who want to utilize weapon skills while keeping a shield equipped. Applying this Ash of War to your shield effectively removes the shield’s default skill, enabling you to use the weapon skill of your right-hand weapon instead. Without the “No Skill” Ash of War on your shield, attempting to use a weapon skill will activate the shield’s default parry or block ability (or a unique skill if the shield possesses one).
How to Use Ashes of War with a Shield Equipped
- Obtain a Whetstone Knife: This allows you to apply Ashes of War at Sites of Grace.
- Acquire the Desired Ash of War: Explore the Lands Between to find Ashes of War that suit your playstyle.
- Equip the “No Skill” Ash of War: Apply it to your shield at a Site of Grace.
- Equip Your Weapon and Shield: Ensure the weapon has the Ash of War you intend to use.
- Execute the Weapon Skill: Use the designated button (typically L2) to activate the weapon skill while holding the shield.
Shields with Unique Skills
Some shields in Elden Ring come with pre-set, unique skills that cannot be replaced with other Ashes of War. The Jellyfish Shield, for example, boasts the “Contagious Fury” skill. These shields offer specialized utility and can drastically alter combat dynamics. You need to be very deliberate about using unique shields.
Keep in mind that you cannot infuse the Jellyfish Shield with an Ash of War, as it already has Contagious Fury.
The Best of Both Worlds: Balancing Offense and Defense
Mastering the art of using Ashes of War with a shield equipped allows for a balanced playstyle. You can maintain defensive capabilities while unleashing powerful weapon skills at opportune moments. This approach is particularly effective for builds that prioritize survivability without sacrificing offensive potential.
FAQs: Ashes of War and Shields
1. Can all shields be infused with Ashes of War?
No, not all shields can be infused. Shields with unique, pre-existing skills (like the Jellyfish Shield) cannot have their skills replaced. You need to be very deliberate about using unique shields.
2. Does upgrading my shield improve its Ash of War skill?
Upgrading your shield primarily increases its Guard Boost stat, which reduces stamina consumption when blocking. It doesn’t directly enhance the effectiveness of the Ash of War skill itself (unless the skill scales with shield stats).
3. What are some good Ashes of War for shields?
Good shield-specific Ashes of War include:
- No Skill: For using weapon skills while keeping your shield up.
- Parry: Enhances the parry window for better timing.
- Golden Parry: Increases the range of your parry.
4. Does a shield count as wearing armor?
No, using a shield is not the same as wearing armor. Abilities that refer to “wearing armor” do not consider shield usage.
5. Can I dual-wield shields?
Yes, you can wield two shields. However, you only receive the benefits of one at a time.
6. Which shield has the best parry window?
The Buckler is considered the best shield for parrying due to its larger parry window.
7. Is it worth upgrading shields in Elden Ring?
Yes, upgrading shields is worthwhile, even if you don’t use them offensively. Upgrading increases their Guard Boost stat, reducing stamina depletion when blocking.
8. What is the best armor in Elden Ring?
The Drake Knight Set is often regarded as one of the best armors, providing a good balance of protection and weight.
9. Is it worth using a shield in Elden Ring?
Yes, shields are valuable in Elden Ring, particularly for players who prefer a more defensive playstyle. They allow for easier blocking and counter-attacking compared to relying solely on dodging.
10. Does any talisman increase Ash of War damage?
The Godfrey Icon Talisman increases the damage of charged Ashes of War by 15%.
11. Can you parry without a shield?
No, parrying in Elden Ring requires a shield (or a specific weapon with a parry skill).
12. What is the best weapon to infuse Ashes of War?
The Estoc is a popular choice due to its versatility and ability to be infused with various Ashes of War.
13. Do Ashes of War make your weapons weaker?
Ashes of War can alter a weapon’s damage output. They might lower base damage but improve stat scaling, or split damage types while changing scaling attributes. The effects vary widely depending on the Ash of War.
14. What shields do the most damage?
The shields that do the most damage include:
- Spiked Palisade Shield
- Coil Shield
- Erdtree Greatshield
- One-Eyed Shield
- Fingerprint Stone Shield
- Visage Shield
15. What is the best shield buff in Elden Ring?
The Carian Knight’s Shield has one of the best Guard Boost stats in Elden Ring, especially when upgraded past +10. This shield is ideal for magic wielders since it offers very good stats with low Strength and Dexterity requirements.
Conclusion: Embrace the Strategic Depth
The interaction between Ashes of War and shields in Elden Ring adds a layer of strategic depth to combat. By understanding the mechanics and experimenting with different combinations, you can create a character build that excels in both offense and defense. Don’t be afraid to explore the possibilities and discover the synergies that best suit your playstyle. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Lands Between, mastering this aspect of the game will significantly enhance your Elden Ring experience.
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