Elden Ring’s Ashes of War are the key to unlocking your weapon’s potential and customizing it to your liking. In the Dark Souls series you had to use a confusing variety of specialized upgrade materials like “twinkling titanite” and “chaos gems” to improve different types of weapons, but Elden Ring does away with all that mess.
You can simply equip an Ash of War to a weapon to imbue it with specific properties, turning a plain old sword into a magic blade that scales with your Intelligence stat. Elden Ring’s weapon system is so much simpler and less resource-intensive by comparison, and you don’t have to wait until late in the game to start cultivating a specialized arsenal.
You can apply Ashes of War to weapons at Sites of Grace to change the scaling of a weapon, while also giving it a skill that consumes FP—basically a more flexible version of the weapon arts from Dark Souls 3. Every weapon also has a default skill that the Ashes of War will replace.
Most of the early Ashes of War you find scale on basic stats like strength and dexterity, but there are also others with more exotic properties: fire, lightning, magic, and even blood. The skills on the “plain” Ashes of War might let you swing your weapon quickly as with Wild Strikes or charge forward and thrust as with Charge Forth, while the rarer elemental ones may let you fire a projectile blade of blood or holy light.
Certain Ashes of War can only be equipped with certain weapons. Below we explain which weapons different Ashes of War can be used with and break down their skill—and tell you where to find them, of course. Some Ashes of War drop from the Teardrop Scarabs pushing around glowing white balls in the Lands Between, while others you’ll have to find in chests or win by defeating bosses.
The best thing about the Ashes of War system is that they can easily be swapped out and reused without changing your weapon’s upgrade level, so you can switch out damage types to take advantage of boss weaknesses.
Here’s what you need to know about Elden Ring Ashes of War and how to get the Whetstone Knife item you need to apply them. Don’t worry—it’s easy to get right from the start of the game.
Whetstone Knife
Where to find the Elden Ring Whetstone Knife
You’ll need the Whetstone Knife to apply Ashes of War to weapons, and luckily it’s not too hard to find. It’s located in the Gatefront Ruins in West Limgrave—head down the stairs to find a chest in the basement containing the knife and Ash of War: Storm Stomp.
You need to head to a Site of Grace to use it, and you’ll then be able to replace your weapon’s default Ash of War with a different one. You can also choose one of two affinities options, which affect scaling. Don’t stress about this decision: this won’t permanently replace your weapon skill. You can flick back and forth between the two options to see which will deal more damage based on your current stats.
You can unlock other affinity choices to go along with your skill by finding other crafting knives as you get further into Elden Ring. The Glintstone Whetblade, for example, unlocks the magic and cold affinities. Check further down in this guide for where to find the other whetblades.
Smith Master Hewg in the Roundtable Hold can also duplicate Ashes of War if you have Lost Ashes of War, a rare upgrade material. You can get some of these from in front of the locked main gate in Leyndell, Royal Capital, later in the game.
Affinity list
Elden Ring Ashes of War affinity types
Every Ash of War has an affinity that’s independent of the skill it provides. For example, you can choose the “standard” affinity to leave your weapon’s scaling unchanged. Each Ash of War also has a second base affinity you can choose to change its scaling.
Here are the affinity types, and how they affect weapon scaling:
- Keen: Strength scaling -1, dex scaling +1
- Quality: Strength scaling +1, dex scaling +1
- Heavy: Strength scaling +2, dex scaling disappears
- Magic: Strength scaling -1, dex scaling -1, adds D tier intelligence scaling, and magic damage
- Sacred: Strength scaling -1, dex scaling -1, adds D tier faith scaling, and holy damage
- Blood: D tier strength, D tier dex, adds D tier arcane scaling, and blood loss buildup
- Occult: Strength scaling -1, dex scaling -1, adds C tier arcane scaling
- Poison: Strength scaling +1, dex scaling +1, Arcane scaling +1, adds poison buildup
- Cold: Strength scaling -1, dex scaling -1, adds D tier intelligence scaling, and frost buildup
- Fire: D tier strength, E tier dexterity, and adds fire damage
- Lightning: E tier strength, D tier dexterity, and adds lightning damage.
Elden Ring Ashes of War locations
You can get Ashes of War by killing certain Teardrop Scarabs, and you can tell where they are by the faint chiming noise these invisible enemies make. Others come from defeating bosses and specific chests. Here’s what we’ve found so far, broken down by affinity.
Standard Ashes of War
No Skill
Removes the skill from a shield, allowing you to use the skill on the weapon in your other hand instead without two-handing it.
🛡 Weapon type: All shields, torches
🗺 Where to find: Sold for 600 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack
Parry
Adds parrying to a variety of weapons.
🛡 Weapon type: Daggers, thrusting and curved swords, shields, and fist and claw weapons
🗺 Where to find: Sold for 600 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack
Storm Wall
This shield skill can create a wall of storm winds in front of you to deflect arrows and other physical projectiles.
🛡 Weapon type: Small and medium shields
🗺 Where to find: In West Limgrave. Head to the end of the broken bridge east of Stormveil Castle, and head west along the cliff to find a scarab.
Mighty Shot
Ready a shot, and pull the bowstring to its limit to penetrate the enemy’s guard.
🏹 Weapon type: Light bows and longbows
🗺 Where to find: In the Weeping Peninsula. Heading south from West Limgrave, across the Bridge of Sacrifice, head along the road past the broken carriage, the dogs, and the troll. A little further on you’ll spot a scarab on the road in front.
Barrage
Hold the bow horizontally and fire off a series of shots faster than the eye can see.
🏹 Weapon type: Light bows
🗺 Where to find: Just north of the Seethewater River site of grace in southern Mt. Gelmir you’ll spot a scarab.
Shield Crash
Two-hand the shield and charge forward while maintaining guard. Weaker enemies will be shoved backwards. Hold to extend.
🛡 Weapon type: All shields
🗺 Where to find: In the Lux Ruins due north of where the Grand Lift of Dectus comes up in the Altus Plateau. You’ll find a scarab in the northern part of the ruins.
Enchanted Shot
Fire an enchanted arrow that flies faster than a regular arrow and can seek its target.
🏹 Weapon type: Light bows and longbows
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in Nokron, Eternal City.
Barricade Shield
Temporarily hardens your shield to withstand more powerful blows.
🛡 Weapon type: All shields
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by Night’s Calvary boss found at night on the road in the Weeping Peninsula south of Limgrave.
Sky Shot
Fires an arrow into the sky to strike an enemy from above.
🏹 Weapon type: Light bows and longbows
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab near the Isolated Merchant’s Shack in Caelid.
Keen Ashes of War
Keen Ashes of War scaling: Strength -1, dex +1
Quickstep
Perform a fast, short distance dash to get behind a target.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Sold for 800 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack.
Impaling Thrust
Charge up power, then perform a lunging attack that can pierce an enemy’s guard.
🤺 Weapon type: All thrusting weapons (except colossal weapons)
🗺 Where to find: Sold for 1,000 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack.
Spinning Slash
A spinning slash attack that can be chained into a follow-up heavy attack
⚔ Weapon type: Swords, axes and polearms (except colossal weapons)
🗺Where to find: Sold for 1,200 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack.
Repeating Thrust
Twist to build power, then unleash a flurry of thrusts.
🤺 Weapon type: All thrusting weapons (except colossal weapons)
🗺 Where to find: In West Limgrave. Defeat the Night Cavalry world boss on the bridge south of the Agheel Lake North Site of Grace. As you may guess from the name, this boss only appears at night.
Sword Dance
Quickly close in to perform a series of spinning upward slashes.
⚔ Weapon type: Swords, axes, and polearms capable of slashing (except colossal weapons and great spears)
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in west Liurnia. From the Revenger’s Shack site of grace, head south past the statue of the old map, and through the cliff passage with bats towards the Road’s End Catacombs. You’ll spot a scarab along the road.
Unsheathe
Sheathe your blade and assume a ready stance, then unleash a fast light or heavy slashing attack.
⚔ Weapon type: Katanas
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in southeast Agheel Lake.
Bloodhound’s Step
Like a more maneuverable version of Quickstep that travels a greater distance, Bloodhound’s Step performs a fast paced dash move that grants brief invincibility as you disappear during the dash.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Night’s Calvary boss at night in Lenne’s Rise, in northeast Caelid.
Beast’s Roar
Emit a battlecry that focuses air into a projectile attack.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Rewarded by Gurranq, Beast Clergyman in exchange for three Deathroot.
Double Slash
A low stance slashing attack that can be repeated for two more successive strikes.
⚔ Weapon type: All swords and polearms capable of slashing (except colossal weapons)
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab on a lofty root in the western portion of Selia, Town of Sorcery.
Raptor of the Mists
A dodge skill that makes you crouch when activated. If an enemy attack connects after casting, you’ll sprout wings to leap into the air, positioning you for a retaliatory jump attack.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Reward for helping Bloody Finger Hunter Yura in a battle on the bridge in Raya Lucaria.
Quality Ashes of War
Quality Ashes of War scaling: Strength +1, dex +1
Storm Stomp
Stomp hard on the ground to kick up a momentary storm.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: The Gatefront Ruins camp in West Limgrave. Head down the stairs into the basement to find it along with the Whetstone Knife.
Stormcaller
Spin your weapon around to surround yourself with storm winds. This is the skill Godrick uses in his fight.
⚔ Weapon type: All swords capable of slashing (except small and colossal weapons)
🗺 Where to find: In East Limgrave. In Stormveil Castle, before Godrick’s fog door, go through the left doorway, and kill the scarab there. Watch out for the big pot-man above.
Determination
Hold your sword against your face to boost your next attack.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: In West Limgrave. Head south along the road from the Agheel Lake North Site of Grace and you’ll spot a scarab by a campfire near a group of soldiers. Watch out for the Night Cavalry if you haven’t defeated him and it’s night.
Square Off
Level your sword to perform a normal attack to slash up through an enemy’s guard, or a running thrust with your strong attack.
⚔ Weapon type: All straight swords
🗺 Where to find: In Siofra River. From the Siofra River Bank Site of Grace, head north-east to find a portal on an island. Head through this, and you’ll spot a scarab just below a waterfall to your left.
Charge Forth
Quickly charge forward, carrying the momentum into a thrust. Hold to cover greater distance.
⚔ Weapon type: Polearms, heavy swords, and twin blades capable of thrusting
🗺 Where to find: In North Liurnia. Head north from the Fallen Ruins of the Lake site of grace near the Academy Gate Town, to spy a scarab attached to the underside of a bridge arch. Below will be poison sacks, and on the other side, a giant crab. Shoot it with a bow to knock it off, then quickly run it down.
Heavy Ashes of War
Heavy Ashes of War scaling: Strength +2, dex disappears
Stamp (Upward Cut)
Enter a bracing stance with high poise, then perform a heavy attack to swing upwards with a strong slash.
🪓 Weapon type: Swords, axes, and hammers (except small and medium swords)
🗺Where to find: Sold for 1,500 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack.
Stamp (Sweep)
Brace weapon and step into a low stance that prevents recoil from enemy attacks. Follow up with a strong attack for a sweeping strike.
🪓 Weapon type: Swords, axes, and hammers (except small and medium swords)
🗺 Where to find: West Limgrave. Dropped by the invisible scarab that leaves glowing tracks on the beach north-west of the Stranded Graveyard.
Kick
Perform a high kick to knock an enemy backwards and break their stance.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺Where to find: Sold for 800 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack.
Endure
Step into a bracing stance to boost poise and reduce damage from incoming attacks.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺Where to find: Sold for 600 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack.
War Cry
Perform a loud cry to increase attack power and turn strong attacks into charging attacks.
⚔ Weapon type: Most melee weapons (except for thrusting swords, daggers, and whips)
🗺Where to find: Sold for 800 runes by Knight Bernahl in the Warmaster’s Shack.
Wild Strikes
Swing your weapon with wild abandon. Hold to keep swinging or follow up with a normal or strong attack.
🪓 Weapon type: Axes and hammers
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in West Limgrave. The scarab is on the road winding up to Stormveil Castle from the Gatefront Ruins.
Ground Slam
Launch into the air before crashing down on the ground in front of you, emitting a butt-powered shockwave.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab west of the Minor Erdtree in Mistwood, the forest on the eastern side of Limgrave.
Lion’s Claw
Somersault forward to perform a whirling overhead strike.
⚔ Weapon type: Most Swords, axes, and hammers (except small weapons and thrusting swords)
🗺Where to find: Reward for defeating the Lion Guardian in Fort Gael.
Hoarah Loux’s Earthshaker
Shake the ground by slamming down both hands. Follow-up with a second use to perform another tremor.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺Where to find: Give the Remembrance of Hoarah Loux to Enia in Roundtable Hold.
Cragblade
Increases the strength of your weapon by reinforcing it with earth.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons (except whips)
🗺Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab west of the Impassable Great Bridge, in the sword monument.
Magic Ashes of War
Magic Ashes of War scaling: Strength -1, dex -1, adds D tier intelligence scaling, and magic damage
Glintstone Pebble
Fire a small glintstone magical beam. Follow up the skill with a heavy attack to perform a lunging thrust while the blade is still imbued with glintstone.
⚔ Weapon type: Swords and thrusting polearms
🗺 Where to find: Bought for 1,500 runes from Sorcerer Rogier in Stormveil Castle or Roundtable Hold.
Carian Greatsword
Transform your sword into a magical greatsword and swing it downward. Attack can also be charged for greater damage.
⚔ Weapon type: All swords (except colossal swords)
🗺 Where to find: Bought for 2,500 runes from Sorcerer Rogier in Stormveil Castle or Roundtable Hold.
Glintblade Phalanx
Summon a set of magical glintblades, which will automatically seek out foes. Perform a strong attack to follow-up this skill with a lunging thrust.
⚔ Weapon type: Swords and thrusting polearms (except colossal swords)
🗺 Where to find: Attached to Rogier’s Rapier, rewarded by Sorcerer Rogier in Roundtable Hold after defeating Godrick the Grafted.
Gravitas
Thrust your weapon into the ground to create a gravity well, dealing damage and pulling enemies in.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons (except small arms and whips)
🗺 Where to find: In West Limgrave. Defeat the sorcerer on the closed beach surrounded by ruins to the southeast of the Stranded Graveyard. If you head around the edge to where the Seaside Ruins site of grace is, there’s a way you can descend with Torrent from platform to platform.
Thop’s Barrier
Deflect sorceries and incantations with a magical barrier by swinging your shield. Also allows you to perform a standard parry.
🛡 Weapon type: Small and medium shields
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in Liurnia, on a small island in the central west section of the lake.
Carian Retaliation
Parry sorceries and incantations by swinging your shield, turning spells into glintblades that damage your attackers. Also allows you to perform a standard parry.
🛡 Weapon type: Small and medium shields
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab on a small island northwest of the Temple Quarter site of grate in Liurnia.
Caria Grandeur
Transform blade into a magical greatsword and swing it down. Can be charged to increase power by two levels.
⚔ Weapon type: Swords (except colossal weapons)
🗺 Where to find: In West Liurnia. In Caria Manor, head from Manor Upper Level Site of Grace through the garden with the wolves, up the stairs past the Troll Knight, and the Pages on the stairs above. Instead of going into the room with the circle of chairs, head left. Drop down from platform to platform, then cliff to cliff, taking care of the Pot Men. Eventually, you’ll get to the top of a gatehouse. This is on a body above the gate.
Loretta’s Slash
Leap forward, imbuing the blade with magic, then descend into a sweeping slash.
⚔ Weapon type: Polearms and twinblades
🗺 Where to find: In West Liurnia. In Caria Manor, in the far north of the region, defeat Royal Knight Loretta in the room with the circle of chairs surrounding the pool, after the Troll Knight and the Pages on the stairs.
Waves of Darkness
Slam your weapon into the ground to create three shockwaves of darkness. Follow-up with a strong attack to perform a sweeping strike.
⚒ Weapon type: Warhammers, greataxes, and colossal weapons
🗺 Where to find: Reward for trading Remembrance of the Naturalborn to Enia in Roundtable Hold.
Sacred Ashes of War
Sacred Ashes of War scaling: Strength -1, dex -1, adds D tier faith scaling, and holy damage
Sacred Blade
After charging up, fire a golden bladed projectile.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons (except small arms and whips)
🗺 Where to find: In East Limgrave. Head southeast of Summonwater Village, near the Bestial Sanctum portal, and you’ll spot a scarab on a hillside.
Golden Vow
Raise your weapon in the air in salute to the Erdtree to gain increased attack power and defense.
⚔ Weapon type: Usable on all melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: In West Limgrave. Dropped by a mounted knight on Stormhill, on a ridge to the west of the Saintsbridge site of grace.
Golden Slam
Jump into the air and crash down with your butt, causing a shockwave of holy light.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in the Altus Plateau. In the forest with the Erdtree in the north, you’ll find the Woodsfolk Ruins on the east side. There is a scarab inside along with some enemies.
Vow of the Indomitable
Hold a shield overhead to gain brief invincibility.
🛡 Weapon type: All shields
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in southwest Liurnia, almost directly south of the Folly on the Lake site of grace.
Sacred Order
Raise your weapon overhead to imbue your weapon with holy power.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in Atlus Plateau. Head north from the Abandoned Coffin site of grace to find it.
Prayerful Strike
Raise your weapon overhead and slam it to the ground to restore HP to yourself and nearby allies if it makes contact with an enemy.
⚒ Weapon type: Axes and hammers
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by an invisible enemy on the lake by the western entryway to Leyndell Royal Capital.
Sacred Ring of Light
Summons a ringed beam of light in your weapon before firing it as a projectile. A short cooldown means multiple rings can be shot in quick succession.
⚔ Weapon type: Polearms (except for great spears)
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in the southeastern part of the Aeonian Swamp in Caelid.
Golden Land
Slam a weapon into the ground to charge up darts of holy energy. Using a heavy attack as a follow-up will perform a sweeping attack.
🪓 Weapon type: Greataxes, warhammers, and colossal weapons
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in Deeproot Depths, near the Great Waterfall Crest site of grace.
Blood Ashes of War
Blood Ashes of War scaling: D tier strength, D tier dex, adds D tier arcane scaling, and blood loss buildup
Bloody Slash
Coat your blade in your own blood and fire a blood-bladed projectile.
⚔ Weapon type: Usable on swords (except colossal weapons)
🗺 Where to find: In East Limgrave. Defeat the commander of Fort Haight on the battlements. The fort is at the southernmost point of East Limgrave overlooking the sea.
Blood Blade
Coat your blade in your own blood to unleash a rapid-fire airborne blood-blade.
⚔ Weapon type: Small and medium swords
🗺 Where to find: In the Altus Plateau. Head north-east from where the Grand Lift of Dectus comes up then turn north past some army camps into a swampy valley filled with dead trees. You’ll find a scarab here.
Blood Tax
A flurry of thrusts that deals damage and inflicts bleed.
⚔ Weapon type: All thrusting weapons (except colossal weapons)
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab on the eastern edge of the blood lake in Mohgwyn Dynasty.
Seppuku
Stab yourself to coat your blade with blood, increasing its attack power and blood loss efficacy.
⚔ Weapon type: Swords and thrusting polearms (except small and colossal swords)
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by an invisible Teardrop Scarab near the Freezing Lake site of grace.
Occult Ashes of War
Occult Ashes of War scaling: Strength -1, dex -1, adds C tier arcane scaling
Spectral Lance
Hurl a phantasmal spear at foes.
⚔ Weapon type: Polearms (except reapers)
🗺 Where to find: In North Liurnia. In the graveyard of Raya Lucaria Academy. Head across the rickety wooden bridge, and go straight to spy a fallen gravestone that you can walk over to drop down into a sloped area with a scarab and dogs. It’s tricky to get the scarab while fighting the dogs, so I recommend using AoEs to hit them all at the same time.
Lifesteal Fist
A punch that renders foes unconscious and steals their HP. Effective against humans.
👊 Weapon type: Fists and claws
🗺 Where to find: In Caelid. From the Rotview Balcony Site of Grace, head east along the road that slowly veers south. Go past the ruined convoy, the Caelem Ruins, and the Smoldering Wall site of grace and you’ll see a scarab just off to the left side of the road.
Assassin’s Gambit
Wound yourself to silence your footsteps and become nearly invisible to enemies.
⚔ Weapon type: Small and medium straight and thrusting swords
🗺 Where to find: Bought from Recusant Bernahl in Volcano Manor.
Fire Ashes of War
Fire Ashes of War scaling: D tier strength, E tier dexterity, and adds fire damage
Flame of the Redmanes
Emit a burst of flames in a wide arc in front of you.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by an invisible Teardrop Scarab near the Fort Gael North site of grace.
Flaming Strike
Emits flame in a wide frontward arc and coats the weapon with fire.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons (except colossal weapons and whips)
🗺 Where to find: In Caelid. At Redmane Castle in the most southeasterly point of the map, fight your way to the main gate with the troll. Head right around the side of the fort, jumping the gaps and fighting the bats until you get to the graveyard. You will spot a scarab here.
Eruption
Slam a weapon into the ground, then raise it to summon a burst of lava.
⚒ Weapon type: Large and colossal swords, hammers and axes
🗺 Where to find: Bought from Recusant Bernahl in Volcano Manor.
Black Flame Tornado
Spin a weapon overhead and then strike the ground to create a black flame whirlwind. Holding the attack will also create a flame tornado during the spin.
⚔ Weapon type: Twinblades and polearms
🗺 Where to find: Reward for defeating the Godskin Duo boss.
Lightning Ashes of War
Lightning Ashes of War scaling: E tier strength, D tier dexterity, and adds lightning damage
Lightning Slash
Call a bolt of lightning into your weapon and swing it down to create an explosive shock. This imbues the weapon with lightning.
🪓 Weapon type: Swords, axes, and hammers
🗺 Where to find: In the Altus Plateau. Near the northernmost gate through the outer wall of Leyndell, you’ll find a soldier camp with a scarab inside.
Lightning Ram
Coat yourself in lightning before tumbling forward to electrocute enemies you come in contact with. Can be used in quick succession.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab south of Sainted Hero’s Grave on the Atlus Plateau.
Thunderbolt
Call down a bolt of lightning. Can be cast multiple times in quick succession.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab northwest of the Leyndell, Royal Capital. Where the dragon statue’s wing brushes the main road, follow some stairs upward to an area where you hear crying. The Ash of War is hidden in a well in a corner of the area.
Cold Ashes of War
Cold Ashes of War scaling: Strength -1, dex -1, adds D tier intelligence scaling, and frost buildup
Hoarfrost Stomp
Stomp the ground to create a wave of freezing mist that applies the frost status to enemies.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by an invisible Teardrop Scarab southeast of Caria Manor in Liurnia.
Chilling Mist
Apply frost to a weapon and then slash forwards, spreading a freezing mist. The frost effect stays applied to the weapon for a brief time.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons (except fists, claws, and whips)
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in the ruins just south of Renna’s Rise in northern Liurnia.
Ice Spear
Spin a weapon to conjure a spear of ice.
⚔ Weapon type: Thrusting spears and twinblades
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Night’s Cavalry boss at night near the Gate Town Bridge in eastern Liurnia.
Poison Ashes of War
Poison Ashes of War scaling: Strength 1, dex +1, Arcane +1, adds poison buildup
Poison Moth Flight
Slash forwards, inflicting poison. If an enemy is already poisoned, the follow-up hit will deal extra damage.
⚔ Weapon type: Small and medium swords (except twinblades)
🗺 Where to find: Dropped by a Night’s Cavalry at night on the road in central Caelid, south of the Heart of Aeonia site of grace.
Poisonous Mist
Coats weapon in poison, then emits a cloud of poison with a forward slash. Poison coating remains on weapon for a brief time.
⚔ Weapon type: All melee weapons (except fists, claws, and whips)
🗺 Where to find: Found in the southwest corner of Aeonia Swamp in Caelid, very close to the Aeonia Swamp Shore site of grace.
Vendors who sell Ashes of War
Can you buy Ashes of War?
In East Limgrave, you can actually purchase a selection of Ashes of War at the Warmaster’s Shack on Stormhill, which is hard to find if you’re not looking. While he doesn’t sell any that grant bleed, magic, fire, or holy damage, he does have lots of the default skills you get for certain weapons:
- Stamp
- Kick
- Endure
- War Cry
- Spinning Slash
- Impaling Thrust
- Quickstep
- Stormblade
- Parry
- No skill
Speciality Whetblade locations
Elden Ring Iron Whetblade location
The Iron Whetblade lets you add the Heavy, Keen, or Quality affinities to weapons that don’t already have them. You can find it in Stormveil Castle behind a fog door locked with a Stonesword Key:
- Head to the Liftside Chamber Site of Grace and head through the courtyard with flamethrowers to the doorway, directly opposite of where the stairs come down.
- Now head through this small, lit chamber into the big room with the tables, the Grafted Scion, and body parts hanging from the ceiling.
- Bear right along the wall, then turn right again to enter a small courtyard where the door is.
- The Iron Whetblade is inside on a body by the fire, though beware of the enemies.
Elden Ring Glintstone Whetblade location
This crafting knife is found in the Raya Lucaria Academy and lets you add the magic and cold affinities to any of your weapons, no matter the skill you’re using. From the Debate Parlor Site of Grace, head out into the courtyard and look up to the left to see a body in a window with an item. This is the Glintstone Whetblade, but it’s a little more complex to get to it:
- Skirt the courtyard ledge until you can drop down onto the gantries below.
- Run across one and jump onto steps leading up to the double doors.
- As you run up, stick to the sides to avoid the giant rolling balls.
- You’ll arrive in a courtyard where you’ll be invaded. Defeat the invader and head left until you get to the door you can open.
- Kill the two sorcerers just past it, then head down the stairs to where all the enemies are.
- Circle back on yourself and head into the room with a further sorcerer to find the Glintstone Whetblade.
We’ll be sure to add more crafting knife locations when we find them.