Ash Of War Carian Greatsword How To Use

Okay, so picture this: I'm facing off against Malenia, Blade of Miquella. My palms are sweating, my heart's pounding, and I've already died... let's just say more times than I'd like to admit. I'm frantically swapping between different builds, trying to find anything that gives me an edge. Then, I remembered it. The Carian Greatsword. It was gathering dust in my inventory, a relic of a previous mage build I'd abandoned. "What the heck," I thought, "might as well give it a shot." And, well, let's just say things got a little more interesting.

That's where the inspiration for this article came from, folks. If you're like me, you've probably stumbled across the Carian Greatsword Ash of War and wondered, "What's the big deal?" Or maybe you've tried it and found it... underwhelming. But trust me, with a little understanding and practice, this Ash of War can be a serious game changer. So, let's dive in!

What is the Carian Greatsword Ash of War, Anyway?

At its core, Carian Greatsword is an offensive Ash of War that imbues your weapon with magic and allows you to perform a powerful, sweeping attack. It’s attached to various weapons, most notably swords (duh!), and transforms your mundane slash into a flashy, blue-tinged arc of death. Okay, maybe not death every time, but definitely significant damage. Think of it as a budget version of a sorcery you can smack onto your weapon. And who doesn’t love a bit of sorcery?

The beauty of this Ash of War lies in its simplicity and versatility. It's relatively easy to use, doesn't require a ton of FP (Focus Points), and can be incredibly effective in a variety of situations. Plus, let's be honest, it just looks cool. Admit it, you like the blue glow!

Getting Your Hands on the Carian Greatsword Ash of War

Now, before you can start slicing and dicing with magical abandon, you actually need to get the Ash of War. Luckily, it’s not hidden behind some ridiculously difficult boss or convoluted questline. To acquire the Carian Greatsword Ash of War, you need to defeat the Night's Cavalry patrolling the road south of the Liurnia Highway North Site of Grace in Liurnia of the Lakes. This Night's Cavalry only appears at night, obviously. So, if it's daytime, rest at the Site of Grace until nightfall.

A few tips for taking down the Night's Cavalry:

• Use Torrent! Seriously, trying to fight him on foot is a recipe for frustration. Torrent gives you the mobility you need to dodge his attacks and land your own.
• Target his back. This is generally good advice for any mounted enemy. Getting behind him allows you to land critical hits and avoid his front-facing attacks.
• Jump attacks are your friend. When mounted, jump attacks deal significant poise damage, making it easier to stagger him.
• Don't be afraid to run away and heal! Seriously, no shame in retreating to chug a flask. It's better than dying and having to start all over.

Once you've vanquished the Night's Cavalry, he'll drop the Carian Greatsword Ash of War. Congratulations! You're one step closer to becoming a magical swordsman (or swordswoman)!

How to Use the Carian Greatsword Ash of War: The Nitty-Gritty

Okay, you've got the Ash of War. Now what? Well, let's break down the mechanics and strategies for using it effectively.

Basic Usage

The controls are simple: equip the Ash of War to a compatible weapon (straight swords, greatswords, colossal swords, etc.), and then use your weapon skill button (usually L2 or Left Trigger). Your character will perform a powerful, sweeping attack that deals both physical and magic damage. The key is timing. The attack has a bit of a wind-up, so you need to anticipate your enemy's movements. Think of it as a slightly slower, but much flashier, regular attack.

Understanding the Damage

The Carian Greatsword deals a combination of physical and magic damage. This is important because it means your stats will influence the damage output. Strength affects the physical damage, while Intelligence affects the magic damage. If you're building a character specifically around this Ash of War, you'll want to invest in both of these stats.

But wait, there's more! The Carian Greatsword also deals a decent amount of poise damage. This means it can stagger enemies, opening them up for critical hits. This is especially useful against tougher enemies or bosses who are resistant to regular attacks. Poise breaking is your friend, trust me.

Strategic Considerations

So, you know how to use it, but when should you use it? Here are a few strategic considerations:

• Crowd Control: The Carian Greatsword's wide sweep makes it perfect for dealing with groups of enemies. Just position yourself strategically and let loose.
• Staggering Enemies: As mentioned before, the poise damage is a huge asset. Use the Ash of War to stagger enemies and create openings for more attacks.
• Interrupting Attacks: The attack has a decent amount of range and comes out relatively quickly. Use it to interrupt enemy attacks and disrupt their combos. This is particularly effective against enemies with predictable attack patterns.
• Mixing it up: Don't rely solely on the Carian Greatsword. Mix it up with regular attacks, dodges, and other skills to keep your enemy guessing. Predictability is your enemy (pun intended!).

Weapons That Shine with Carian Greatsword

While you can slap the Carian Greatsword Ash of War onto many weapons, some really shine with it. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Lordsworn's Straight Sword: A classic choice. It's readily available and has good scaling.
• Claymore: A solid greatsword with excellent range and damage. Plus, it just feels good to swing.
• Banished Knight's Greatsword: Similar to the Claymore, but with slightly different scaling. Experiment and see which one you prefer.
• Knight's Greatsword: A greatsword with well-rounded stats making it a good choice to use with the Ash of War.

Ultimately, the best weapon is the one that you feel most comfortable with. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

Advanced Techniques and Tips

Alright, now that you've mastered the basics, let's delve into some more advanced techniques and tips for maximizing the Carian Greatsword's potential.

Charged Attacks

Did you know that you can charge the Carian Greatsword attack? By holding down the weapon skill button, you can charge the attack for increased damage and range. This is especially useful for dealing with distant enemies or for landing a devastating blow on a staggered opponent. But be careful! Charging the attack leaves you vulnerable, so make sure you have an opening before you commit.

Roll Catching

The Carian Greatsword can be a surprisingly effective tool for roll catching. Because the attack has a lingering hitbox, it can often catch enemies as they attempt to roll away. This is especially useful in PvP, where players are constantly trying to dodge your attacks. Time your attacks carefully, and you can punish those pesky rollers.

Jump Attacks Follow-Ups

Combining jump attacks with the Carian Greatsword can create some powerful combos. Try performing a jump attack followed immediately by the Ash of War. This can often stagger enemies and leave them vulnerable to further attacks. It takes some practice to get the timing right, but it's well worth the effort.

Stat Allocation and Talismans

As mentioned earlier, Strength and Intelligence are the key stats for maximizing the Carian Greatsword's damage. However, you should also consider investing in Vigor for health and Endurance for stamina. You'll need to be able to survive a few hits and have enough stamina to perform multiple attacks in a row.

As for talismans, here are a few that can be particularly useful:

• Shard of Alexander: Increases the attack power of skills. A must-have for any Ash of War build.
• Magic Scorpion Charm: Increases magic damage. Great for boosting the magical portion of the Carian Greatsword's damage.
• Green Turtle Talisman: Increases stamina recovery speed. Helps you keep the pressure on your opponents.
• Carian Filigreed Crest: Reduces FP consumption of skills. Allows you to use the Carian Greatsword more often. (Thanks, Iji!)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before we wrap things up, let's talk about some common mistakes that players make when using the Carian Greatsword Ash of War.

• Over-reliance: Don't become predictable! Relying solely on the Carian Greatsword will make you an easy target. Mix it up with regular attacks, dodges, and other skills.
• Poor Timing: The Carian Greatsword has a wind-up, so you need to time your attacks carefully. Don't just spam the button!
• Ignoring Enemy Weaknesses: The Carian Greatsword deals magic damage, but some enemies are resistant to magic. Pay attention to your enemy's weaknesses and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Neglecting Stats: Don't neglect your stats! Investing in Strength, Intelligence, Vigor, and Endurance is crucial for maximizing the Carian Greatsword's potential.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Carian Greatsword!

The Carian Greatsword Ash of War is a powerful and versatile tool that can be a game-changer in Elden Ring. It's relatively easy to acquire, doesn't require a ton of FP, and can be incredibly effective in a variety of situations. With a little understanding and practice, you can master this Ash of War and unleash its full potential.

So, what are you waiting for? Go forth, Tarnished, and embrace the Carian Greatsword! Become the magical swordsman (or swordswoman) you were always meant to be. And maybe, just maybe, you'll even have a chance against Malenia. (Okay, maybe not, but you'll definitely look cooler while trying!)

Good luck, and happy hunting!