U4GM - The Most Useful Ashes of War Ranked (PvE & PvP)
Ashes of War in Elden Ring are more than just flashy skills—they are game-changing abilities that can define your combat style. Whether you’re invading in PvP or conquering late-game bosses in PvE, the right Ash of War can make all the difference. As someone who has spent hundreds of hours experimenting with builds and farming Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting services, I’ve compiled a ranked list of the most useful Ashes of War based on their performance in both PvE and PvP.
If you're still building your character or need a quicker way to experiment with various Ashes, you can find elden ring runes for sale online to speed up your progression.
1. Bloodhound’s Step
Best for: PvP
This is arguably the most essential PvP Ash of War. Bloodhound’s Step gives you an unparalleled dodge mechanic that lets you blink through attacks, spells, and even mob aggression. Its stamina efficiency and ability to break tracking make it invaluable in duels and invasions.
Personal Experience: I once ran into a veteran invader wielding dual Nagakibas. With Bloodhound’s Step equipped, I was able to avoid every aggressive combo and land critical punishes. It completely turned the tide.
2. Flaming Strike
Best for: PvE
Flaming Strike not only adds fire damage to your weapon but also comes with a quick swipe that applies status effects. This is particularly effective against bosses and mobs weak to fire, and the buff persists even if you switch weapons temporarily.
Tip: Combine it with a quality weapon and power stance setup to melt through enemy health bars.
3. Seppuku
Best for: PvE & PvP
Seppuku boosts your bleed build-up, making it essential for high-bleed builds like those using Rivers of Blood or dual Uchigatanas. The self-inflicted damage is minimal compared to the devastating output you can deliver, especially in PvP.
Personal Note: I used Seppuku on both katanas in a bleed build and absolutely shredded Malenia’s second phase, proccing blood loss within seconds.
4. Hoarfrost Stomp
Best for: PvE
Despite being nerfed post-launch, Hoarfrost Stomp remains a powerhouse in PvE. Its large AoE and frostbite buildup are excellent for crowd control, especially in Legacy Dungeons or when farming.
Experience Tip: Pair this with Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting to quickly level into an Intelligence-heavy build for even better results.
5. Lion’s Claw
Best for: PvE
Lion’s Claw lets you flip through the air and slam enemies with a massive overhead somersault. It scales incredibly well with Strength builds and deals staggering amounts of poise damage—ideal for bosses or enemies with high health pools.
Use Case: My Strength-heavy Greatsword build became viable against even Crucible Knights with this Ash equipped.
6. Raptor of the Mists
Best for: PvP
This Ash is underrated but deadly when used with timing. It turns you intangible for a split second, allowing you to dodge high-damage spells or attacks and then counter with precision.
PvP Strategy: I’ve baited countless opponents into wasting FP-heavy skills, only to punish them during the recovery frames.
7. Phantom Slash
Best for: PvE & PvP
Summoning a spectral warrior to assist in your attacks, Phantom Slash adds both burst damage and distraction. It’s versatile, stylish, and synergizes well with aggressive melee builds.
8. Flaming Slam (Giant Hunt)
Best for: PvP
Perfect for dealing with shield turtlers or poking spears. Giant Hunt delivers a powerful upward thrust that breaks stance and deals massive damage. It’s fast enough to catch rolling opponents and brutal in invasions.
9. Storm Blade
Best for: PvE
A great ranged option for Strength builds, Storm Blade lets you send a shockwave with each swing, giving you zone control and ranged poke. It shines when you need space but still want to pressure enemies.
10. Sword Dance
Best for: PvP
Fast, aggressive, and unpredictable, Sword Dance lets you close gaps and apply pressure in duels. It’s especially deadly with curved swords or light weapons that benefit from quick execution.
Whether you're exploring the Lands Between for the first time or optimizing your PvP build at level 125, having the right Ash of War can elevate your gameplay. My advice? Don’t be afraid to experiment. With services like Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting and readily available elden ring runes for sale, there’s no excuse not to fine-tune your setup and discover what works best for your playstyle.
Ashes of War aren’t just tools—they’re expressions of your strategy, creativity, and skill. Equip wisely, and let them carry you through the toughest challenges Elden Ring has to offer.
Limited-Time Info:Elden Ring: How to Duplicate Runes Using In-Game Mechanics