Elden Ring Character Skills guide screenshot

Character Skills

Character Skills Guide for Elden Ring



This guide covers every major skill category in Elden Ring: Weapon Skills (Ashes of War), Sorceries, Incantations, Unique Weapon Skills, Spirit Ashes, and Flask of Wondrous Physick. Each entry includes effects, costs, scaling, synergies, recommended builds, and when to use the skill.

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1. Weapon Skills (Ashes of War)



Ashes of War are equippable skills that replace your weapon's default skill. They can be swapped freely at Sites of Grace. Skill damage scales with weapon upgrade level and your stats (usually Strength, Dexterity, or both). There are no cooldowns—only FP costs and stamina consumption.

#### Key Examples

##### Lion's Claw
  • Type: Physical, Poise-breaker

  • FP Cost: 20

  • Stat Requirements: None

  • Scaling: Weapon damage (str/dex)

  • Effect: Leap forward and slam the weapon with a spinning overhead strike. Deals heavy poise damage and knocks down most enemies.

  • Use Cases: Against large bosses or enemies that can be staggered. Excellent for interrupting attacks.

  • Combos: Follow with a charged heavy attack or another Lion's Claw.

  • Synergies: High poise weapons (Greatswords, Colossal weapons). Best on Strength builds with high endurance for stamina management.

  • Recommended Builds: Pure Strength, Quality (Str/Dex), or Strength/Faith with heavy weapons.


    • ##### Bloodhound's Step
  • Type: Utility, Evasion

  • FP Cost: 8

  • Stat Requirements: None

  • Scaling: N/A

  • Effect: Quick and long-distance dodge with extended invincibility frames. Leaves a blue afterimage. Can be used to bypass enemies or escape combos.

  • Use Cases: Evading boss attacks, repositioning, or avoiding multi-hit combos. Essential for glass cannon builds.

  • Combos: Spam repeatedly for near-continuous invincibility. Pair with critical hits after evading.

  • Synergies: Light armor (keeps fast roll), low-commitment weapons (daggers, katanas).

  • Recommended Builds: Any build that needs mobility; especially useful for mages and rogues.


    • ##### Flaming Strike
  • Type: Fire, AOE

  • FP Cost: 16

  • Stat Requirements: None

  • Scaling: Weapon damage + Faith (if weapon has Faith scaling) or base fire damage

  • Effect: Slams the weapon into the ground, creating a fire wave. Brief follow-up the weapon is coated with fire.

  • Use Cases: Crowd control, against ice enemies, or applying fire damage.

  • Combos: Use the fire wave to stagger, then follow with a jump attack or heavy.

  • Synergies: Weapons with inherent fire damage or high AR. Faith builds can further boost fire damage.

  • Recommended Builds: Strength/Faith, Quality, or any melee build needing fire.


    • ##### Parry
  • Type: Utility, Counter

  • FP Cost: 0

  • Stat Requirements: None (but weapon must be a parry tool)

  • Scaling: N/A

  • Effect: Deflect an incoming attack, staggering the enemy and allowing a riposte. Timing is crucial.

  • Use Cases: Against humanoid enemies and bosses (e.g., Crucible Knights, invaders).

  • Combos: Riposte with a dagger (for critical damage) or a high-damage weapon.

  • Synergies: Small shields (buckler, small shield) have the largest parry windows. Use with Dagger talisman for higher crit damage.

  • Recommended Builds: Any skill-based build; parry is a high-risk, high-reward technique.


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    2. Sorceries



    Sorceries are Intelligence-based magic spells cast using a staff. They must be memorized at a Site of Grace. Spells scale with Intelligence and staff upgrade level. FP cost varies.

    #### Key Sorceries

    ##### Glintstone Pebble
  • Type: Projectile

  • FP Cost: 7

  • Int Requirement: 10

  • Scaling: Intelligence

  • Effect: Fires a single blue pebble. Fast, low damage, but spammable.

  • Use Cases: Default ranged attack for early game. Chip damage from safe distance.

  • Combos: Chain multiple pebbles quickly; or use as a finisher.

  • Synergies: Staffs that boost Glintstone spells (e.g., Academy Glintstone Staff).

  • Recommended Builds: Pure Intelligence mage, or battle mage with a melee weapon.


    • ##### Comet Azur
  • Type: Beam

  • FP Cost: 40

  • Int Requirement: 60

  • Scaling: Intelligence

  • Effect: Fires a continuous beam of blue energy. Incredibly high damage but long cast time and high FP consumption.

  • Use Cases: Boss melting, especially when supported by the Cerulean Hidden Tear (no FP cost for a brief time).

  • Combos: Use Flask of Wondrous Physick with Cerulean Hidden Tear, then cast Comet Azur. Can one-phase many bosses.

  • Synergies: Lusat's Glintstone Staff (increased damage but more FP). Terra Magicus spell increases magic damage if standing in the sigil.

  • Recommended Builds: Pure Intelligence glass cannon. Requires high Mind for FP.


    • ##### Carian Slicer
  • Type: Melee

  • FP Cost: 4

  • Int Requirement: 14

  • Scaling: Intelligence

  • Effect: Forms a magic sword that slashes downward. Very fast, low FP cost, high damage for its speed.

  • Use Cases: Close-range combat, stun-locking enemies, or finishing off weakened foes.

  • Combos: Alternate Carian Slicer with Carian Greatsword (another spell) for mix-ups.

  • Synergies: Staffs that boost Carian spells (e.g., Carian Glintstone Staff).

  • Recommended Builds: Battle mage (Int with melee), or pure mage in close quarters.


    • ##### Terra Magicus
  • Type: Buff

  • FP Cost: 20

  • Int Requirement: 20

  • Scaling: N/A

  • Effect: Creates a glowing sigil on the ground. While inside, your magic damage is increased by 35% (multiply by 1.35). Lasts 30 seconds.

  • Use Cases: Before boss fights or tough enemies. Place sigil before casting high-damage sorceries.

  • Combos: Cast immediately before Comet Azur or Stars of Ruin.

  • Synergies: Any high-damage spell. Can be stacked with other buffs like Flask of Wondrous Physick (Magic Shrouding Cracked Tear).

  • Recommended Builds: Every sorcery build, especially ones relying on single powerful spells.


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    3. Incantations



    Incantations are Faith-based spells cast using a Sacred Seal. They encompass healing, buffing, and offensive magic (fire, lightning, holy). Scaling is with Faith and seal level.

    #### Key Incantations

    ##### Catch Flame
  • Type: Fire, Melee

  • FP Cost: 7

  • Fth Requirement: 8

  • Scaling: Faith

  • Effect: Releases a burst of fire from your hand. Extremely fast, low FP cost, decent damage.

  • Use Cases: Quick close-range attack, interrupting enemy combos, or as a finisher.

  • Combos: Can be chained quickly; use after a roll to punish.

  • Synergies: Fire damage boosting seals (Godslayer's Seal) or Fire Scorpion Charm talisman.

  • Recommended Builds: Faith melee (e.g., Strength/Faith), or pure Faith for early game.


    • ##### Lightning Spear
  • Type: Lightning, Projectile

  • FP Cost: 18

  • Fth Requirement: 17

  • Scaling: Faith

  • Effect: Hurls a bolt of lightning. Long range, good damage, can be charged for more damage.

  • Use Cases: Ranged damage against all enemies, especially those weak to lightning (dragons, heavy armor).

  • Combos: Charge for extra damage; follow with melee attack after landing.

  • Synergies: Gravel Stone Seal boosts lightning incantations. Use with Lightning Scorpion Charm.

  • Recommended Builds: Pure Faith caster, or Strength/Faith with a lightning infusion weapon.


    • ##### Flame, Cleanse Me
  • Type: Utility, Heal

  • FP Cost: 14

  • Fth Requirement: 12

  • Scaling: N/A

  • Effect: Cures Scarlet Rot, Poison, and Frostbite. Does not heal damage.

  • Use Cases: Essential for Lake of Rot or against Scarlet Rot enemies. Must-have for those areas.

  • Combos: Use before or after taking status damage.

  • Synergies: None specific; purely utility.

  • Recommended Builds: Any build with 12 Faith (can be achieved with two fingers talisman).


    • ##### Dragonice
  • Type: Frost, Breath

  • FP Cost: 32

  • Fth Requirement: 15 (also requires Dragon Hearts to purchase)

  • Scaling: Faith and Arcane (if Dragon Communion Seal)

  • Effect: Breathes a stream of ice that builds up frostbite. Frostbite reduces damage negation and deals chunk damage when procs.

  • Use Cases: Against bosses weak to frost or to apply status quickly.

  • Combos: Use to proc frostbite, then switch to a fire weapon to reset the status and proc again.

  • Synergies: Dragon Communion Seal (scales with Arcane). Frost damage boost items.

  • Recommended Builds: Arcane/Faith hybrid (Dragon Communion build).


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    4. Unique Weapon Skills



    Some weapons (often Legendary Armaments) have unique skills that cannot be changed. They are powerful and define the weapon's identity.

    #### Key Examples

    ##### Transient Moonlight (Moonveil)
  • Weapon: Moonveil Katana

  • FP Cost: 26 (heavy) / 14 (light)

  • Stat Requirements: 12 Str, 18 Dex, 23 Int

  • Effect: Sheathes the blade and performs a quick slashing draw, releasing a magic wave. Light version is faster; heavy version deals more damage and poise.

  • Use Cases: Versatile skill for both melee and ranged combat. Excellent for PvE and Invasion.

  • Combos: Use heavy version to stagger, then follow with R1 attacks.

  • Synergies: Intelligence/Dexterity build. Magic Scorpion Charm and Shard of Alexander (skill damage boost).

  • Recommended Builds: Int/Dex hybrid (spellblade).


    • ##### Taker's Flames (Blasphemous Blade)
  • Weapon: Blasphemous Blade

  • FP Cost: 32

  • Stat Requirements: 22 Str, 15 Dex, 21 Fth

  • Effect: Plunges the sword into the ground, creating a fiery explosion that heals the user for 10% of max HP per enemy hit. High damage and stagger.

  • Use Cases: Clearing groups or healing mid-fight. Excellent against slow bosses.

  • Combos: Use when surrounded or when health is low.

  • Synergies: Faith/Strength build. Fire damage boosters. Shard of Alexander.

  • Recommended Builds: Strength/Faith (Paladin).


    • ##### Corpse Piler (Rivers of Blood)
  • Weapon: Rivers of Blood Katana

  • FP Cost: 39 (full combo)

  • Stat Requirements: 12 Str, 18 Dex, 20 Arc

  • Effect: Unleashes a series of blood slashes that build up Bleed quickly. Can be performed multiple times with successive inputs.

  • Use Cases: Bleed builds; melts bosses vulnerable to bleed (e.g., Fire Giant, Malenia).

  • Combos: Spam L2 until out of FP. Use with Lord of Blood's Exultation talisman.

  • Synergies: Arcane/Dexterity build. White Mask and Blood Lord's Exultation boost damage when bleed procs.

  • Recommended Builds: Pure Arcane (Dex secondary) for maximum bleed buildup.


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    5. Spirit Ashes (Summons)



    Spirit Ashes are consumable summons that assist in combat. They cost FP or HP (if using certain ashes). They can be upgraded using Grave Glovewort or Ghost Glovewort. Each has unique abilities.

    #### Key Spirit Ashes

    ##### Lhutel the Headless
  • Type: Tank, Teleporting

  • FP Cost: 104

  • Effect: Summons a headless knight wielding a spear. She can teleport to avoid damage, taunt enemies, and deal decent physical and holy damage.

  • Use Cases: Drawing aggro from bosses. Good for casters or bow users.

  • Upgrades: +10 offers good survivability.

  • Recommended Builds: Any, but especially squishy builds.


    • ##### Mimic Tear
  • Type: Copy of the player

  • FP Cost: 660 HP (not FP)

  • Effect: Creates a copy of your character with your current equipped weapons, armor, and items. The copy uses consumables and skills.

  • Use Cases: Utterly broken for most bosses. The mimic draws aggro and deals damage. Best used with high FP builds where the mimic can spam spells.

  • Upgrades: +10 gives high HP and damage.

  • Recommended Builds: All, but especially casters benefit from mimic using AoW or spells.


    • ##### Black Knife Tiche
  • Type: Assassin, Dodging

  • FP Cost: 132

  • Effect: Summons a Black Knife assassin that moves quickly, dodges often, and uses the Blade of Death skill which reduces max HP and deals damage over time.

  • Use Cases: Against bosses that are fast or have high HP pools. Tiche can avoid many attacks.

  • Upgrades: +10 gives high survivability and damage.

  • Recommended Builds: Any, but excels against Malenia.


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    6. Flask of Wondrous Physick (Special Item)



    This is not a skill but a consumable item that can be mixed with two tears to create a one-time use potion with powerful effects. Essential for optimized builds.

    #### Example Tears
  • Cerulean Hidden Tear: Eliminates all FP cost for 15 seconds. Perfect for Comet Azur spam.

  • Magic Shrouding Cracked Tear: Boosts magic damage by 20% for 3 minutes.

  • Spiked Cracked Tear: Boosts charged attack damage by 15%.

  • Stonebarb Cracked Tear: Increases poise damage by 30%.


    • How to Use: Equip at a Site of Grace. Use the flask (hold down use button) to activate. Effects last until duration or death. Can only be used once per rest.

    Synergies: Combine with corresponding damage type spells or skills. For example, Magic Shrouding + Terra Magicus + Comet Azur.

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    General Tips



  • Skill Management: You can only have one Ashes of War and one set of spells equipped per weapon. Memorize spells carefully based on situation.

  • FP Management: Invest in Mind stat to increase FP pool. Use Cerulean Flasks to restore FP.

  • Weapon Scaling: Skills that do elemental damage can be buffed with corresponding Scorpion Charms or Shard of Alexander (skill damage).

  • Upgrade Path: Weapons and seals/staves upgrade separately. Priority depends on your primary damage source.

  • Cooldowns: There are no cooldowns in Elden Ring; only FP and stamina costs. Thus, skill spam is viable as long as resources permit.


This guide covers the most impactful skills across all categories. Experiment and adapt to your playstyle. The Lands Between offer endless possibilities—master your skills and become the Elden Lord.