How To Get Bloody Slash In Elden Ring

The Bloody Slash Ash of War is a powerful tool in Elden Ring, imbuing your weapon with the ability to unleash a devastating blood-infused attack. Obtaining it is crucial for players aiming to build bleed-focused characters, particularly early to mid-game. This guide details the necessary steps to acquire Bloody Slash.

Location: Fort Haight

Bloody Slash is located within Fort Haight, a relatively small fort situated in the eastern region of Limgrave. More specifically, it's located in the Weeping Peninsula, south of Limgrave proper. Weeping Peninsula is accessible from the start of the game, although it contains some challenging enemies for low-level characters.

Navigating to Fort Haight

From the First Step Site of Grace (the initial spawn point), head south. Cross the Bridge of Sacrifice, which is guarded by several soldiers. Proceed through the Weeping Peninsula, following the main road south. Be cautious of the various enemies along the way, including demi-humans and wandering nobles.

Continue down the road until you reach the Fort Haight West Site of Grace. This provides a convenient respawn point should you fall during your exploration of the fort. From the Site of Grace, the fort is just a short distance to the east.

Acquiring Bloody Slash: Defeating Godrick Knight

Bloody Slash isn't simply lying around for pickup. It's obtained by defeating a Godrick Knight inside Fort Haight. This knight acts as a mini-boss within the fort.

Entering Fort Haight

Approach the main gate of Fort Haight. Be prepared to face several soldiers guarding the entrance. These are relatively weak but can be overwhelming if you rush in without a plan. Consider using stealth to pick them off one by one or employing ranged attacks to thin their numbers before engaging in melee.

Once inside the fort, you'll find more soldiers patrolling the courtyard. Clear these enemies to secure the area before proceeding further.

Reaching the Godrick Knight

The Godrick Knight resides at the top of the fort. Look for a staircase or ramp leading up to the battlements. Be aware that there may be more soldiers positioned on the walls, so proceed cautiously.

Ascend the stairs, eliminating any resistance along the way. Eventually, you'll reach a higher level of the fort. This area typically has a ladder leading to the top. Climb the ladder to reach the final section where the Godrick Knight awaits.

The Godrick Knight Encounter

The Godrick Knight is a challenging opponent, particularly for low-level characters. He's equipped with a sword and shield and uses standard knight attacks. However, he also employs some more powerful techniques, including guard counters and shield bashes.

Here's a breakdown of strategies for defeating the Godrick Knight:

• Observe his attack patterns: Pay close attention to the knight's movements. Learn the timing of his attacks to effectively dodge or block them.
• Utilize Guard Counters: If you have a shield with high guard boost, blocking his attacks and immediately using a guard counter can break his stance and allow for a critical hit.
• Employ Spirit Ashes: Summoning Spirit Ashes can distract the Godrick Knight, allowing you to deal damage from behind or create openings for attacks. Lone Wolf Ashes or Skeletal Militiamen are excellent choices early in the game.
• Take advantage of openings: Attack after the knight completes his attack sequence. Don't be greedy; get in a few hits and then retreat to prepare for his next attack.
• Use ranged attacks: If you have access to spells or ranged weapons, keep your distance and pepper the knight with projectiles. This can be a safer approach, although it may take longer to defeat him.

Defeating the Godrick Knight will reward you with the Bloody Slash Ash of War.

Applying and Using Bloody Slash

Once you've acquired Bloody Slash, you can apply it to compatible weapons at a Site of Grace through the Ashes of War menu. Not all weapons are compatible; the game will indicate which ones can be infused with Bloody Slash.

Bloody Slash typically scales with Strength and Arcane, so consider these stats when choosing a weapon and planning your character build.

Weapon Compatibility

Bloody Slash is primarily compatible with swords, including:

• Straight Swords
• Curved Swords
• Katanas
• Twinblades

The specific list of compatible weapons will be displayed when attempting to apply the Ash of War at a Site of Grace.

Using Bloody Slash

When equipped, Bloody Slash replaces the weapon's default Weapon Skill. Activating the skill causes your character to perform a quick slash that coats the blade in blood, dealing significant damage and inflicting blood loss buildup on enemies. The skill consumes a moderate amount of FP (Focus Points).

Bloody Slash can be a highly effective tool for dealing burst damage and inflicting blood loss, making it particularly useful against bosses and tough enemies. The blood loss effect can quickly drain an enemy's health, especially if they are vulnerable to it.

"The Bloody Slash Ash of War is a powerful addition to any bleed-focused build in Elden Ring."

Optimizing Bloody Slash

To maximize the effectiveness of Bloody Slash, consider the following:

• Upgrade your weapon: Upgrading your weapon at a blacksmith will increase its base damage, which will in turn boost the damage of Bloody Slash.
• Increase your Strength and Arcane stats: Bloody Slash scales with Strength and Arcane, so investing points in these stats will increase its damage output.
• Equip talismans that boost attack power or blood loss buildup: Certain talismans can enhance your attack power or increase the speed at which you inflict blood loss. The Lord of Blood's Exultation talisman is particularly useful for bleed builds, as it increases attack power when blood loss is inflicted on a nearby enemy.
• Use buffs: Consumable items or spells that increase attack power or inflict status effects can further enhance the effectiveness of Bloody Slash.

Why Bloody Slash Matters

Bloody Slash is a valuable Ash of War in Elden Ring because it offers a potent combination of damage and blood loss buildup. Its accessibility early in the game makes it an attractive option for players who want to create a bleed-focused build. While other bleed options become available later on, Bloody Slash provides a reliable and effective tool for inflicting this status effect. Furthermore, it allows players to experiment with the powerful blood loss mechanic, encouraging them to refine their builds and playstyles. The ability to quickly dispatch enemies and deal significant damage to bosses makes Bloody Slash a worthwhile acquisition for any Tarnished seeking to master the arts of combat in the Lands Between.