What Ash of War Gives Blood in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Bleed Build Guide
The Lands Between are rife with peril, and mastering the art of Blood Loss (Bleed) is a sure way to even the odds. The key to unlocking this potent status effect on your weapon lies in Ashes of War. The most direct answers to the question of which Ashes of War provide the Blood affinity are Bloody Slash and Blood Blade. Additionally, Seppuku is a crucial Ash of War to consider for Blood Loss builds, even though it doesn’t explicitly state “Blood” in its name. These Ashes of War, when applied to compatible weapons, will imbue them with the power to inflict rapid Blood Loss, tearing through even the toughest of Elden Ring’s bosses.
Understanding Blood Loss and Ashes of War
Before diving deeper, let’s clarify some key concepts. Blood Loss (or Bleed) is a status effect in Elden Ring. When the Bleed meter fills on an enemy, they suffer a burst of percentage-based damage, often staggering them. Ashes of War are items that can be applied to weapons and shields to change their skills and, crucially, their affinities, which alter their scaling.
When it comes to Blood Loss builds, selecting the right Ash of War is critical. It determines not only the damage output but also the playstyle of your character.
Detailed Look at Key Blood Ashes of War
Let’s dissect the prominent Ashes of War that provide Blood affinity or heavily contribute to Blood Loss builds:
- Bloody Slash: This Ash of War, readily obtainable early in the game at Fort Haight in Limgrave, adds Blood affinity to your weapon and grants the Bloody Slash skill. This skill involves sacrificing a bit of your health to coat your weapon in blood before delivering a powerful, long-range slash that deals significant damage and builds up Blood Loss.
- Blood Blade: Located in the Altus Plateau, dropped by a Teardrop Scarab northeast of Erdtree-Gazing Hill, Blood Blade coats your weapon with blood and unleashes an airborne blood blade that causes hemorrhaging. This Ash of War prioritizes range, allowing you to inflict Blood Loss from a safe distance.
- Seppuku: Found on the frozen river bank in Mountaintops of the Giants, Seppuku is unique. It doesn’t directly inflict damage, but it powerfully buffs your weapon with Blood Loss buildup. Using Seppuku involves impaling yourself to coat your weapon in blood, significantly increasing the Blood Loss buildup on your weapon. This is usually paired with dual-wielded weapons, allowing for rapid Blood Loss application.
Beyond the Obvious: Other Ashes of War for Bleed
While the above are the most direct “Blood” Ashes of War, several others excel at proccing Bleed through rapid attacks or unique skills:
- Wild Strikes: This Ash of War allows you to unleash a flurry of attacks, rapidly filling the Blood Loss meter on your enemies.
- Repeating Thrust: Specifically effective on thrusting weapons, this Ash of War delivers a series of quick thrusts that can quickly trigger Blood Loss.
- Double Slash: This Ash of War allows you to perform a series of swift, consecutive slashes, ideal for weapons that already have Blood Loss buildup.
- Spinning Weapon: This unique Ash of War turns your weapon into a spinning top, dealing continuous damage and Blood Loss buildup to enemies who get too close.
Build Considerations for Blood Ashes of War
When building around Blood Ashes of War, consider the following:
- Arcane Scaling: The Arcane stat directly influences the Blood Loss buildup on your weapon. Investing heavily in Arcane is crucial for maximizing your Bleed potential.
- Weapon Choice: Certain weapons are inherently better suited for Bleed builds. Katanas, twinblades, and curved swords often have innate Blood Loss buildup, making them perfect for pairing with Blood Ashes of War.
- Talismans: Certain talismans, such as the Lord of Blood’s Exultation, boost your attack power when Blood Loss is inflicted on a nearby enemy.
- Armor: Consider armor pieces that boost your Arcane stat or provide other benefits for Blood Loss builds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Bloody Slash scale with Arcane?
Yes, Bloody Slash damage scales with the Arcane stat. Increasing your Arcane will boost the damage inflicted by the Bloody Slash skill. Additionally, upgrading the weapon it’s attached to will increase its damage output.
2. Is Bloody Slash worth using?
Bloody Slash is excellent, especially in the early to mid-game. It deals high damage and inflicts Blood Loss quickly. However, be mindful of the health cost associated with using the skill.
3. Where can I find Seppuku?
Seppuku is located on the frozen riverbank in the Mountaintops of the Giants.
4. What is the best weapon to use with Seppuku?
Dual-wielding weapons is ideal for Seppuku, as it allows you to rapidly apply Blood Loss. Katanas like the Uchigatana or Nagakiba are excellent choices.
5. What is the best early game bleed sword?
The Reduvia dagger is one of the best early-game Bleed weapons. It scales well with Dexterity and Arcane and can be obtained relatively early.
6. How do I increase Bleed buildup on my weapon?
Investing in the Arcane stat is the primary way to increase Blood Loss buildup. Additionally, using Blood Grease or Bloodflame Blade can temporarily boost Blood Loss application.
7. Does Arcane increase Bleed proc damage?
No, Arcane increases the speed at which you inflict Blood Loss, not the damage dealt when the Bleed meter is filled.
8. Can I put Ashes of War on any weapon?
Not all weapons can accept all Ashes of War. Check the weapon’s description to see which Ash of War types it can equip.
9. What is the best Ash of War for pure damage?
While Blood Ashes of War excel at Blood Loss, they might not be the best for pure damage. Ashes like Waves of Darkness or Black Flame Tornado can deal significant raw damage.
10. Where can I learn more about Elden Ring builds?
There are many resources online, including wikis, forums, and YouTube guides. Experimentation is also key to discovering what works best for your playstyle. You can also discover new insights about gaming over at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
11. Is the Rivers of Blood katana the best bleed weapon?
The Rivers of Blood katana is arguably one of the best Blood Loss weapons in the game. Its unique weapon skill, Corpse Piler, deals a ton of damage and applies Blood Loss very quickly. It also deals both physical and fire damage.
12. What talismans are good for a bleed build?
Essential talismans include the Lord of Blood’s Exultation (increases attack power after inflicting Blood Loss), the Millicent’s Prosthesis and Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (boosts attack power with successive attacks), and the Marika’s Soreseal or Marika’s Scarseal (boosts Arcane).
13. Can I dual wield bleed weapons?
Yes! Dual-wielding weapons that inflict Blood Loss is a highly effective strategy. This allows you to rapidly build up the Bleed meter on enemies.
14. What stats should I focus on for a bleed build?
The most important stats are Arcane, Dexterity, and Vigor. Arcane directly affects Blood Loss buildup, Dexterity improves weapon scaling and attack speed, and Vigor ensures you can survive encounters.
15. How do I duplicate Ashes of War?
You can duplicate Ashes of War by giving a Lost Ashes of War to Hewg at the Roundtable Hold. This allows you to equip the same Ash of War on multiple weapons.
Mastering the Art of Blood
Bleed builds are among the most powerful and enjoyable ways to experience Elden Ring. By understanding the nuances of Blood Ashes of War, weapon scaling, and stat allocation, you can craft a character capable of tearing through even the most formidable foes. So, venture forth, Tarnished, and paint the Lands Between red with the blood of your enemies!