Conquering Bone: The Ash of War That Vanquishes Skeletons in Elden Ring

The question of how to permanently eliminate skeletons in Elden Ring is a common one, and the answer lies in holy damage. While several methods exist, one of the most accessible and effective early-game solutions involves the Ash of War: Sacred Blade. Imbuing your weapon with this Ash of War temporarily grants it holy damage and a powerful ranged attack. This holy infusion prevents skeletons from reforming, ensuring they stay down for good.

Why Sacred Blade is Your Skeleton-Slaying Solution

Skeletons in Elden Ring possess the annoying ability to reanimate after being defeated. They collapse into a pile of bones only to reconstruct themselves moments later. This can make certain areas, like the Summonwater Village, incredibly frustrating to navigate. The key is to deal holy damage, which disrupts their ability to regenerate.

The Sacred Blade Ash of War is highly effective for several reasons:

• Accessibility: It’s found relatively early in the game, in the Weeping Peninsula, south of Limgrave.
• Versatility: It can be applied to a variety of weapon types, making it adaptable to your preferred playstyle.
• Ranged Attack: The Ash of War’s weapon skill unleashes a projectile of holy energy, allowing you to engage skeletons from a safe distance.
• Holy Damage Infusion: The weapon is temporarily infused with Holy damage and this damage prevents the skeletons from reforming.

How to Acquire and Use Sacred Blade

1. Travel to the Weeping Peninsula: Head south from Limgrave, crossing the Bridge of Sacrifice.
2. Locate the Ruined Isolated Merchant’s Shack: This shack is located near the center of the Weeping Peninsula. Be wary of the nearby enemies.
3. Defeat the Teardrop Scarab: A Teardrop Scarab will be roaming outside the shack. Eliminating this scarab grants you the Sacred Blade Ash of War.
4. Visit a Site of Grace and Choose “Ashes of War”: Interact with a Site of Grace and select the “Ashes of War” option.
5. Apply Sacred Blade to Your Weapon: Choose a compatible weapon (swords, axes, hammers, etc.) and apply the Sacred Blade Ash of War.
6. Use the Weapon Skill: Equip the weapon and use the weapon skill (usually L2/LT on controllers or Shift+Right Click on keyboard and mouse). This will imbue your weapon with holy damage and allow you to fire the Sacred Blade projectile.

Beyond Sacred Blade: Other Holy Methods

While Sacred Blade is an excellent option, it’s not the only way to vanquish skeletons. Other methods include:

• Divine Weapons: Weapons with innate holy damage or those infused with holy affinities (e.g., using Sacred Order Ash of War).
• Incantations: Certain incantations, particularly those from the Golden Order school, deal holy damage.
• Holy Grease: Applying holy grease to your weapon will temporarily imbue it with holy damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Killing Skeletons in Elden Ring

Here are some frequently asked questions about effectively dealing with skeletons in Elden Ring:

1. Does the Sacred Blade Ash of War permanently kill all skeletons?

Yes, when you hit a skeleton with the Sacred Blade Ash of War while it is reforming, it will permanently die because of the holy damage.

2. Can I use Sacred Blade on any weapon?

No, Sacred Blade can only be applied to compatible weapons. The game will indicate which weapons are eligible when you attempt to apply the Ash of War. Common examples include swords, axes, hammers and polearms.

3. Where can I find other Ashes of War that deal holy damage?

The Sacred Order Ash of War is a good option that grants a weapon the Sacred Affinity for scaling with faith and dealing holy damage. It can be found near the Minor Erdtree in the Weeping Peninsula by defeating the Death Knight boss.

4. Are there any early-game divine weapons I can find?

While there aren’t any explicitly “divine” named weapons readily available at the very start, obtaining a weapon and using the Sacred Blade is typically the easiest early game approach.

5. What incantations are effective against skeletons?

Heal, Great Heal, and Lord’s Heal can all damage skeletons. Additionally, offensive spells, such as Litany of Proper Death can deal significant damage.

6. Does the amount of faith stat affect the potency of the Sacred Blade Ash of War?

Yes, the Faith stat influences the effectiveness of holy damage. A higher Faith stat will generally result in increased damage output against skeletons and other undead enemies.

7. Can I use spirit ashes to help me fight skeletons?

Yes, spirit ashes can be incredibly helpful. Summoning spirit ashes distracts enemies, allowing you to focus on dealing holy damage and preventing skeletons from reforming.

8. Are there any talismans that boost holy damage?

Yes, the Sacred Scorpion Charm increases holy damage dealt but also increases physical damage taken. The Marika’s Soreseal and Marika’s Scarseal also boost faith which will further contribute to the effectiveness of holy damage.

9. Is it possible to skip killing skeletons altogether in certain areas?

In some cases, yes. However, you will typically need to eliminate the necromancer who controls the skeletons. This approach can simplify exploration and reduce frustration in areas densely populated with undead. In some cases, you will need to proceed through a fog gate so it is not always possible to avoid skeleton enemies.

10. What happens if I run out of FP (Focus Points) when using Sacred Blade?

If you run out of FP, you will be unable to use the weapon skill associated with Sacred Blade. You can replenish FP by consuming Cerulean Tears flasks or by resting at a Site of Grace.

11. Does upgrading my weapon increase the holy damage dealt by Sacred Blade?

Upgrading your weapon will improve the attack power of the weapon itself, which will ultimately result in the holy damage dealt with the weapon being improved.

12. Are there any skeletons that are immune to holy damage?

While uncommon, some enemies might have high holy resistance. In these cases, consider using a different damage type or focusing on staggering them to prevent them from reforming.

13. Can status effects like bleed or frostbite affect skeletons?

Yes, skeletons are vulnerable to status effects like bleed, frostbite, and poison. These can be useful in combination with holy damage to quickly dispatch them.

14. Can I apply other Ashes of War to a weapon that already has Sacred Blade?

Yes, you can replace Sacred Blade with another Ash of War at any Site of Grace, allowing you to experiment with different weapon skills and affinities.

15. Does location matter when fighting skeletons?

In some cases, the environment can be advantageous. Narrow corridors can funnel skeletons, making them easier to target with holy damage attacks. Also keep your eye out for ledges to shove them off!

Mastering the art of skeleton slaying in Elden Ring requires understanding the importance of holy damage. By utilizing the Sacred Blade Ash of War or other holy-infused methods, you can effectively eliminate these undead foes and progress through the game with greater ease. Remember to experiment with different weapons, incantations, and strategies to find what works best for your playstyle. You can find more resources for gaming and learning from the Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org. Good luck, Tarnished!