Elden Ring Ash of War Tier List 2023 – Ranking Best Ashes of War in Eleden Ring 1.08 Patch
Here we present an updated Elden Ring Ash of War Tier List for the 1.08 Patch. This list features the most powerful spirit ashes or weapon skills for optimal str, dex, int faith, and arcane bleed builds. With the recent changes from Patch 1.08, some Ashes of War have become more potent, while others have fallen out of favor. Taking into account nerfs and adjustments from recent patches, we have compiled a new Ash of War Tier List for 2023. Let’s dive in:
S Tier
1 – Bloodblade
Bloodblade takes the top spot in the S tier due to its massive damage buff and the ability to cause bleed. This weapon is perfect for close-range encounters, allowing you to deal significant damage and build up bleed. It shines in both PvE and PvP scenarios, making it a reliable choice for any content where bleed is relevant.
2 – Seppuku
Although Seppuku has been nerfed, it still remains a powerful Ash of War. With two weapons equipped with Seppuku, you become a formidable opponent, especially in bleed-focused builds. While there is now a cost associated with using this weapon, it remains worthy of its S tier ranking.
3 – Giant Hunt & Lion’s Claw
Giant Hunt and Lion’s Claw are interchangeable in terms of strength. Giant Hunt received a buff in the previous patch, improving its recovery and Poise damage, making it ideal for trading and staggering opponents in both PvP and PvE situations. Lion’s Claw, on the other hand, offers a slightly better thrust for PvP counter-attacks. Both ashes are incredibly potent and reliable for all types of content.
4 – Royal Knight’s Resolve
Royal Knight’s Resolve enhances your weapon, allowing your next strike to deal increased damage. This ash is perfect for maximizing damage output in a single hit. While it may have been slightly nerfed in a previous patch, it remains an undeniably valuable Ash of War.
A Tier
5 – Cragblade
Cragblade received a significant buff in Patch 1.07, providing longer-lasting and more potent Poise damage. This ash is especially useful for trading and staggering opponents in PvP and PvE scenarios. While it was slightly toned down in the 1.08 patch, it remains a valuable tool, particularly for slower weapons.
6 – Piercing Fang & Impaling Thrust
Piercing Fang and Impaling Thrust are interchangeable ashes that received buffs in the previous patch, improving their motion speed, attack power, and recovery. Piercing Fang, with its better Poise damage, holds a slight advantage for PvP. Both ashes are excellent choices and deserve their A tier ranking.
7 – Stormcaller
Stormcaller shines in Patch 1.08, boasting massive damage and improved poise. Its recent buffs make it incredibly effective in both PvE and PvP scenarios. This ash is especially useful for staggering opponents and dealing significant damage.
8 – Bloody Slash
Bloody Slash has become a strong contender thanks to the buffs it received in the previous patch. Trading some health for a powerful hit and reductions in status build-up, this ash is an excellent choice for early bleed builds. Its increased damage and improved recovery make it effective across various content.
9 – Sword Dance
Sword Dance allows you to spin around with many weapons and deliver a powerful slam strike as the combo concludes. The slight recovery improvement in the previous patch enhances its effectiveness. While not overpowered, it remains a great early-game Ash of War, deserving its A tier ranking.
B Tier
10 – Storm Blade
Storm Blade is a versatile option that saw improvements in Patch 1.07, reducing the FP cost and extending its range. It offers a competitive alternative to Beast’s Roar, especially if you’re not using the Roar Medallion. Storm Blade’s speed and reliable damage make it a solid choice for both PvE and PvP.
11 – Prayerful Strike
Prayerful Strike received a buff in the previous patch, increasing its power and Poise damage. It pairs well with a mimic tier, allowing for continuous spam and stagger-heavy strategies in PvE. While its impact in PvP is less impressive, its strength in boss fights and open-world PvE content earns it a B rating.
12 – Flame of the Redmanes
Flame of the Redmanes has been downgraded to a B tier Ash of War due to a significant nerf to its Poise damage. However, it still deals respectable fire damage and remains useful in close to medium-range encounters. While it may not be as reliable as before, it continues to be a valuable asset in both PvE and PvP situations.
13 – Flaming Strike
Flaming Strike is a straightforward Ash of War that casts fire, followed by a heavy strike that lights your weapon on fire. While it was slightly nerfed in the latest patch, reducing the duration of the fire’s active damage, it remains a reliable choice. It excels against enemies weak to fire damage, making it a great early-game pick.
14 – Loretta’s Slash
Loretta’s Slash received buffs in Patch 1.07, improving its Poise damage and recovery. Its impressive hyper armor and spammable nature make it an incredible choice for trading and dealing damage in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Loretta’s Slash is visually appealing and offers high effectiveness, earning it a spot in the B tier.
15 – Beast’s Roar
Beast’s Roar remains in the B tier, competing favorably with Storm Blade. This ash is spammable, inexpensive, and effective across multiple build types. With no significant changes, it retains its position, providing a solid option for both PvE and PvP engagements.
16 – Ice Spear
Ice Spear offers a short-range ice shot followed by a strike, making it great for building up Frost damage and dealing respectable overall damage. While easy to predict and avoid in PvP, it shines in PvE encounters. The ability to spam Ice Spears and reduce enemy stamina makes it a valuable ash for frost-focused builds.
17 – Glintblade Phalanx
Glintblade Phalanx remains a useful utility ash, offering a ranged magic option. By enhancing Glintblade Phalanx with other ranged effects, such as fire or bleed, you can further diversify your build. Although it receives no changes in this or the previous patch, it maintains its spot in the B tier.
18 – Phantom Slash
Phantom Slash has seen improvements in directional control and recovery in the previous patch. You can target enemies and use the follow-up strike to reposition and attack simultaneously. This visually impressive ash excels in both PvE and PvP situations, particularly for weapon types that are less common.
C Tier
19 – Unsheathe
Unsheathe remains unchanged in the latest patch. This simple yet effective ash allows you to do a light or heavy attack after activating and holding the button. While its early-game potential in PvE is fantastic, it falls behind other options in PvP. Nevertheless, it serves as a useful ash for the early to mid-game stages.
20 – Hoarfrost Stomp
Hoarfrost Stomp, once an absolute powerhouse, has been nerfed but still maintains some relevance. This ice-based AOE ash offers reasonable range and the ability to strike through obstacles and terrain. While it may not be as strong as before, it remains a decent choice for both PvP and PvE scenarios.
21 – Spectral Lance
Spectral Lance received a slight damage improvement and performs better at longer ranges in the previous patch. It offers great utility against large targets such as Giants or Dragons, staggering them and allowing for additional damage opportunities. While its effectiveness outside of PvE is limited, it still holds a spot in the C tier.
22 – Glintstone Pebble
Glintstone Pebble saw a nerf in the PvP counter-attack thrust damage in Patch 1.08. However, it remains a solid ash choice, particularly for PvP situations. While its ranking has been affected, it still holds a place in the C tier due to its overall usefulness.
And there you have it, the complete Ashes of War Tier List for Patch 1.08. Each tier represents the strongest Ashes of War on the left and the weaker ones on the right. However, keep in mind that many of these ashes are closely matched in terms of power and utility. Choose the ones that best suit your playstyle and make your mark in Elden Ring.
