Choosing Your Weapon: The Best Ashes of War to Buy From Knight Bernahl in Elden Ring
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For those traversing the Lands Between in Elden Ring, Knight Bernahl, initially found at the Warmaster’s Shack in Stormhill, serves as a crucial resource. He’s your early access point to a diverse selection of Ashes of War, which can dramatically alter your combat style and weapon capabilities. The best Ash of War to buy from Bernahl depends entirely on your build and playstyle, but for a general recommendation, Storm Blade is an excellent choice due to its low FP cost and ranged attack capability, invaluable for melee-focused builds seeking a projectile option.
Understanding Bernahl’s Stock: A Foundation for Choice
Before diving into specific recommendations, let’s appreciate what Bernahl offers. His inventory isn’t static; it expands as you progress through the game. Initially, he offers a core selection suitable for early to mid-game builds. These typically include:
- Ash of War: Storm Blade: A fantastic early-game ranged option for melee characters.
- Ash of War: Eruption: Adds a powerful Fire-based skill, great for faith builds.
- Ash of War: Kick: Situational, but useful for staggering enemies and breaking guards.
- Ash of War: Impaling Thrust: Offers increased range and armor penetration.
- Ash of War: Quickstep: A powerful defensive tool that makes you hard to hit and reposition yourself quickly.
- Ash of War: Spinning Slash: Adds area-of-effect damage and crowd control.
- Ash of War: No Skill: A tool that allows you to use the weapon skill of the weapon in your other hand.
It’s important to note that later in the game, as Recusant Bernahl, he offers even more Ashes of War as part of the Volcano Manor questline. However, focusing on his initial offerings allows us to address the needs of players early in their Elden Ring journey.
Top Picks for Different Playstyles
The “best” Ash of War is subjective. Here’s a breakdown based on common builds:
For Strength Builds: Lion’s Claw Alternative
While Lion’s Claw is often considered the best Ash of War for Greatswords, if you’re not quite there yet, Impaling Thrust can be a fantastic option. It delivers solid damage and allows you to pierce through enemy defenses. It is much more useful for thrusting weapons like spears, though. Eruption is also worth considering for adding fire damage to your strength weapon.
For Dexterity Builds: A Need for Speed
Dexterity builds often prioritize speed and agility. Quickstep is an absolute must-have. It allows for incredibly quick dodges and repositioning, making you extremely difficult to hit. Spinning Slash can also provide valuable crowd control.
For Faith/Intelligence Builds: Elemental Infusion
For builds incorporating faith or intelligence, Eruption is a solid choice. This inflicts fire damage which can be scaled via faith.
The Versatile Choice: Storm Blade
Regardless of your specific build, Storm Blade offers incredible utility. It provides a ranged attack option at a low FP cost, allowing melee-focused characters to deal with ranged enemies or to pull enemies from a distance. It’s particularly useful in the early game when resources are scarce.
Considering Weapon Types
The effectiveness of an Ash of War is heavily dependent on the weapon it’s applied to.
- Greatswords: Benefit from Impaling Thrust to add versatility to their moveset.
- Katanas: Pair well with Quickstep for enhanced mobility.
- Spears: Can be used with Impaling Thrust.
Beyond the Basics: Experimentation is Key
Ultimately, the best Ash of War is the one that best suits your playstyle and weapon preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different options to find what works best for you. Bernahl’s offerings provide a solid foundation for exploration. Remember that you can find even more powerful Ashes of War from other NPCs and through world exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you buy more than one of the same Ash of War from Bernahl?
No, Bernahl, like most Ash of War merchants, only sells one copy of each Ash of War in his inventory. If you want a second copy, you’ll usually have to find it elsewhere in the game, often as a drop from specific enemies or as a world item.
2. Does Bernahl’s inventory change as you progress through the game?
Yes, Bernahl’s inventory expands as you complete certain events or progress further in the game. Specifically, advancing the Volcano Manor questline after he relocates there will add more Ashes of War to his stock.
3. What happens to Bernahl if I kill Rykard before finishing his questline?
If you defeat Rykard before completing Bernahl’s quests at Volcano Manor, the NPCs in Volcano Manor will disappear afterwards, preventing you from finishing the questline. However, you can still encounter Bernahl as an invader in Crumbling Farum Azula to obtain his armor and weapon.
4. Where does Bernahl invade you in Crumbling Farum Azula?
Bernahl invades you in Crumbling Farum Azula near the “Beside the Great Bridge” Site of Grace. He’ll be located near a doorway. Be prepared for a tough fight!
5. What does Bernahl drop when you defeat him in Crumbling Farum Azula?
When you defeat Bernahl in Crumbling Farum Azula, he drops the Beast Champion Set (his armor), the Devourer’s Scepter (a unique weapon), and the Blasphemous Claw.
6. How do I get the Blasphemous Claw?
You obtain the Blasphemous Claw by defeating Recusant Bernahl in Crumbling Farum Azula. This item is crucial for parrying certain attacks from Maliketh, the Black Blade.
7. Is it possible to miss Bernahl’s invasion in Crumbling Farum Azula?
If you defeat Maliketh before triggering Bernahl’s invasion, you’ll miss the opportunity to fight him there, since you will no longer be able to access the Fortified Manor. It’s best to exhaust all Volcano Manor questline before progressing too far into the late-game areas.
8. Can I still get Bernahl’s armor and weapon if I kill him at the Warmaster’s Shack?
No, if you kill Bernahl at the Warmaster’s Shack, he will not drop the Beast Champion Set or the Devourer’s Scepter. These items are only obtainable by defeating him in Crumbling Farum Azula after he becomes Recusant Bernahl.
9. What is the best Ash of War for dealing with groups of enemies?
Spinning Slash, available early from Bernahl, is a good option. Many other late game Ashes of War are great for dealing with groups of enemies. Waves of Darkness is mentioned at the start of this article and can be purchased from Enia at Roundtable Hold after giving her the Remembrance of the Naturalborn (Astel).
10. Is Quickstep better than Bloodhound Step?
Bloodhound Step is generally considered superior to Quickstep due to its longer invincibility frames and greater distance covered. However, Quickstep consumes less FP, making it a viable alternative if you’re managing your FP carefully. In early game, if you have not encountered Bloodhound Knight Darriwil, Quickstep is great and obtainable from Bernahl at the Warmaster’s Shack.
11. How do Ashes of War affect weapon scaling?
Applying an Ash of War to a weapon allows you to choose its scaling affinity (e.g., Standard, Heavy, Keen, Quality, Fire, Sacred, etc.). This can significantly impact how well the weapon scales with your character’s stats, so choose an affinity that complements your build.
12. Where can I learn more about Elden Ring builds and strategies?
There are numerous online resources available for Elden Ring, including wikis, forums, and video guides. The Games Learning Society website (GamesLearningSociety.org) also offers insights into game design and learning principles that can enhance your understanding of Elden Ring’s mechanics.
13. Can I remove an Ash of War from a weapon after applying it?
Yes, you can remove an Ash of War from a weapon at any Site of Grace using the “Ash of War” option. This allows you to experiment with different Ashes of War without permanently altering your weapon.
14. Are there any Ashes of War that are particularly good for PvP combat?
Several Ashes of War are effective in PvP, including Bloodhound Step, Quickstep, and Ashes of War that provide quick, unpredictable attacks. The best choice depends on your playstyle and the weapon you’re using.
15. How important is it to upgrade my weapons in Elden Ring?
Upgrading your weapons is crucial for increasing their damage output and scaling. This is especially important in the later stages of the game, where enemies have significantly higher health and defenses. The best Ash of War on a poorly upgraded weapon will not deal much damage.
By carefully considering your build, playstyle, and weapon preferences, you can make informed decisions about which Ashes of War to purchase from Knight Bernahl, enhancing your combat effectiveness and overall enjoyment of Elden Ring. Good luck, Tarnished!