To use an Ash of War on console in Elden Ring, you activate its special skill by pressing L2 on PlayStation controllers or LT on Xbox controllers, provided the Ash of War is equipped to your active weapon. This action consumes a portion of your Focus Points (FP) and executes a powerful, unique ability tied to that specific Ash of War.
Ashes of War are versatile tools that not only grant a weapon skill but also often change a weapon's affinity, influencing its damage scaling. Mastering their use is crucial for any Tarnished seeking to overcome the challenges of the Lands Between.
Activating Ashes of War in Combat
Once an Ash of War is successfully applied to a weapon, using its special ability in combat is straightforward:
Console Controls for Weapon Skills
- PlayStation (PS4/PS5): Press the L2 button.
- Xbox (Xbox One/Series X|S): Press the LT button.
This will trigger the associated weapon skill, which can range from powerful attacks and defensive maneuvers to unique buffs. Ensure you have enough FP (Focus Points) in your blue bar, as each skill activation consumes a specific amount.
Practical Activation Tips
- Two-Handing: For most weapons, you must be two-handing the weapon to use its Ash of War. If you are one-handing a weapon and also have a shield equipped with its own Ash of War, pressing L2/LT will typically activate the shield's skill. To use your main weapon's skill while one-handing, your shield must have the "No Skill" Ash of War equipped, or you must equip the weapon in your off-hand.
- FP Management: Keep an eye on your blue FP bar. Using skills often can quickly deplete it, so carry Flasks of Cerulean Tears or utilize talismans that boost FP recovery.
- Timing: Like all combat actions in Elden Ring, the timing of your Ash of War activation is key. Some skills have long wind-up animations, leaving you vulnerable, while others are quick and precise.
- Stance Breaking: Many Ashes of War are excellent for breaking enemy stances, leading to critical hit opportunities.
Equipping Ashes of War to Weapons
Before you can use an Ash of War, it must first be equipped to a compatible weapon. This process allows you to customize your arsenal to suit your playstyle.
Steps to Equip an Ash of War
- Find an Ash of War: Acquire Ashes of War by defeating specific enemies, looting chests, or purchasing them from merchants.
- Access the Menu: Go to a Site of Grace or speak with Blacksmith Hewg at the Roundtable Hold.
- Select "Ashes of War": Choose the "Ashes of War" option from the menu.
- Choose Your Weapon: Select the weapon you wish to modify. Not all Ashes of War are compatible with all weapon types (e.g., an Ash of War for a Greatsword cannot be applied to a Dagger).
- Select the Ash of War: Choose the desired Ash of War from your inventory.
- Choose an Affinity: When applying an Ash of War, you often get to choose an "affinity." This not only determines the scaling of your weapon (e.g., Keen for Dexterity, Heavy for Strength, Magic for Intelligence) but also impacts its base damage. You will need the appropriate Whetblade to unlock all affinities.
- Confirm: Confirm your selection to apply the Ash of War. Note that some Ashes of War are unique and cannot be duplicated without a "Lost Ash of War" item, while others can be freely swapped between compatible weapons.
Understanding Ash of War Types and Affinities
Ashes of War are more than just weapon skills; they are a core customization mechanic.
Skill vs. Affinity
Every Ash of War provides a unique weapon skill. In addition, most Ashes of War allow you to choose a weapon affinity, which alters the weapon's attribute scaling and base damage.
| Affinity Type | Primary Scaling Impact | Damage Type / Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Maintains original scaling | Physical |
| Heavy | Increases Strength scaling | Physical (often lowers other scalings) |
| Keen | Increases Dexterity scaling | Physical (often lowers other scalings) |
| Quality | Balances Strength and Dexterity | Physical |
| Magic | Adds Intelligence scaling | Magic damage, adds Int scaling |
| Frost | Adds Intelligence scaling | Magic damage, adds Frostbite buildup |
| Flame | Adds Faith scaling | Fire damage, adds Faith scaling |
| Fire | Adds Strength scaling | Fire damage, adds Strength scaling |
| Lightning | Adds Dexterity scaling | Lightning damage, adds Dex scaling |
| Sacred | Adds Faith scaling | Holy damage, adds Faith scaling |
| Poison | Adds Arcane scaling | Physical damage, adds Poison buildup |
| Bleed | Adds Arcane scaling | Physical damage, adds Blood loss buildup |
| Occult | Adds Arcane scaling | Physical damage, adds Arcane scaling & status |
Note: Some unique weapons cannot have their Ashes of War or affinities changed.
Examples of Ashes of War
- Bloody Slash: A powerful, blood-infused attack that creates a projectile. Often used with the Blood affinity for high bleed buildup.
- Lion's Claw: A leaping somersault attack that deals significant damage and can break enemy poise. Often paired with Heavy or Keen affinity.
- Hoarfrost Stomp: An area-of-effect ice attack that creates a freezing mist, dealing damage and building up Frostbite. Commonly used with Magic or Frost affinity.
Optimizing Your Build with Ashes of War
Choosing and using Ashes of War effectively is a cornerstone of character building in Elden Ring.
Considerations for Your Build
- Stat Allocation: Match your weapon's affinity to your character's primary damage-dealing stats (e.g., Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane).
- FP Efficiency: Some Ashes of War are very FP-hungry. Consider your Mind stat and FP-boosting talismans if you plan to frequently use high-cost skills.
- Weapon Compatibility: Ensure the Ash of War you want to use is compatible with your chosen weapon type.
- Synergy: Look for Ashes of War that synergize with your chosen playstyle. For example, a defensive player might favor skills that grant poise or create distance, while an aggressive player might prefer high-damage attacks.
By understanding both the activation mechanics and the underlying customization options, you can fully leverage the power of Ashes of War to conquer the challenges of Elden Ring.
