Alright, fellow Tarnished, let's talk about one of the most iconic and, let's be real, a little bit broken Ashes of War in Elden Ring—the Bloody Slash. I know, I know, the game's been out for a few years now, but this thing? It's a classic. It's like the OG cheese strategy that never really gets old, even with all the patches and updates FromSoftware throws our way. Finding it early can completely change your playthrough, especially if you're into making bosses' health bars disappear in a satisfying crimson spray. So, grab your favorite flask, and let me walk you through everything you need to know about this bloody brilliant skill.

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First things first, you gotta get your hands on it. The best part? You can snag this bad boy super early. We're talking like, "just-left-the-church-of-Elleh" early. Your destination is Fort Haight, located in the eastern part of Limgrave. It's that little castle perched on a hill, minding its own business. Before you charge in, here's a pro-tip: there's a Golden Seed chilling on the right side of the fort's outer wall. Don't sleep on that; every extra flask charge counts, am I right?

Now, for the main event. The fort itself is pretty straightforward. Clear out the mobs in the central courtyard—standard stuff. Then, you'll want to head to the left side and find a ramp that leads up to the upper walls. It's not hidden or anything. Once you're up top, you'll be greeted by a beefed-up Godrick Knight. This guy is your ticket. Take him down, and he'll drop the Bloody Slash Ash of War. Piece of cake! After that, if you explore a bit further into the fort, you'll also find the Dectus Medallion (Left), which is a nice bonus for your travels later on.

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Okay, so you've got it. Now, how do you use it? Let me break it down for you.

What It Does:

  • Cost: A mere 6 FP per use. The catch? It also drains a small chunk of your own HP to coat your blade in, well, your blood. A bit edgy, but hey, it works.

  • Effect: You unleash a wide, horizontal slash that deals massive damage and applies a hefty amount of Bleed build-up. If you've played any Souls game, you know Bleed is the king of status effects. It doesn't just do flat damage; it takes a percentage of the enemy's max HP when it procs. Against tanky bosses? It's an absolute game-changer.

The Mechanics (The Nitty-Gritty):

This is where it gets interesting. The skill's damage scales directly with your Arcane stat. So, if you're running an Arcane build, this is basically your best friend from the moment you get it. But there's more. When you apply this Ash of War to a weapon, it also gives the weapon the Blood affinity. This means:

Affinity Effect
Blood Adds Bleed build-up to the weapon & changes scaling to prioritize Arcane.

Here's the trade-off, though. Once a weapon has the Blood affinity, its scaling from other stats (like Strength or Dexterity) takes a hit. So, if you're a pure Strength Chad, this might not be your ideal infusion. But for an Arcane-focused build? It's chef's kiss.

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My Personal Take & Tips for 2026:

Even now, in 2026, Bloody Slash holds up. Sure, there are flashier skills, but its efficiency is unmatched for early-to-mid game dominance. Is it a double-edged sword? Literally, yes, because you hurt yourself. But in practice? The damage you deal is always, always worth the HP tax. You're trading a small, manageable amount of your health for a huge chunk of the enemy's. It's a no-brainer.

Here’s how I like to use it:

  1. Early Game Carry: Slap this on a fast sword (like a Scimitar or a Uchigatana if you start as a Samurai). The quick attacks build Bleed fast, and Bloody Slash is your big-damage button.

  2. Boss Melter: Against early bosses like Margit or Godrick, spamming this (while managing your HP, of course) can trivialize the fight. It feels almost unfair, and I'm here for it.

  3. Stat Synergy: Pair it with the Lord of Blood's Exultation talisman (increases attack power when Bleed occurs nearby) for a disgusting damage boost. It's a classic combo that still slaps.

A Quick Recap & Final Thoughts:

  • Location: Fort Haight, Limgrave. Kill the big knight on the upper wall.

  • Best For: Early-game Arcane builds or any build that wants to add massive Bleed potential.

  • Cost: 6 FP + a bit of your HP.

  • Result: Huge damage and insane Bleed build-up that scales with Arcane.

Look, in a game as punishing as Elden Ring, finding tools that give you an edge is part of the fun. Bloody Slash is one of those tools. It's powerful, it's accessible, and it teaches you the value of the Bleed status effect right from the get-go. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, grab it, and start painting The Lands Between red. Trust me, you won't regret it. Happy slashing! \U0001f5e1\ufe0f