You’re standing outside the fog gate of a demigod. Your heart is racing. You’ve got your buffs ready, your Flask of Wondrous Physick is downed, and you tap that skill button to activate the Golden Vow Ash of War. Suddenly, your character glows gold, your attack power climbs, and you feel invincible. But here is the thing: most players are actually leaving damage on the table or, worse, overwriting their best buffs without even realizing it.
The Golden Vow Ash of War is basically the "Swiss Army Knife" of Elden Ring. It’s a skill that provides a flat percentage increase to both your damage output and your damage negation. It’s legendary. It’s ubiquitous. It’s also deeply misunderstood by the community because of how it interacts—or doesn't—with the spell version of the same name.
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The Raw Math Behind the Gold
Let's get into the weeds for a second because the numbers matter. In Elden Ring, not all "Golden Vows" are created equal. If you are using the Golden Vow Ash of War, you are getting a 10% increase in damage dealt and a 7.5% increase in damage negation in PvE. That lasts for 45 seconds.
Now, compare that to the Golden Vow Incantation. The spell requires 25 Faith and gives you a 15% damage boost and 10% damage negation for 80 seconds. It’s strictly better. If you have the stats for the spell, the Ash of War is basically dead weight on your main weapon. However, for a Strength or Dexterity build with zero investment in Faith, that 10% boost from the Ash is a literal godsend. It’s the difference between leaving a boss with a sliver of health and actually finishing the job.
The real beauty of the Ash version is that it doesn't require a seal. You can slap it on a lightweight dagger—like the Misericorde or a simple Great Knife—and keep it in your second weapon slot. Swap, buff, swap back. It’s a free 10% power creep that costs zero attribute points.
Where to Find This Thing (And Why It’s Easy to Miss)
If you haven't found it yet, you need to head to Limgrave. Specifically, the North-Northwest section. Look for a mounted Godrick Knight wandering around the cliffs above the Deathtouched Catacombs. He’s not a "boss" in the traditional sense, but he’s got a bit more health than your average grunt. Kill him, and the Ash is yours.
Honestly, it’s one of the first things I go for in a new playthrough. You can get it within ten minutes of entering Limgrave. You don't even have to fight Margit first. You just ride Torrent up the storm-swept hills, knock a knight off his horse, and suddenly your early-game struggle becomes a lot more manageable.
The location is key because it sits right near the bridge leading toward Liurnia. Most people just ride past it. They see the knight, think "eh, just another mob," and miss out on arguably the most versatile buff in the entire game. Don't be that person.
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The "Aura Buff" Trap: Don't Cancel Your Hard Work
Elden Ring has a specific hierarchy for how buffs stack. This is where people mess up. Golden Vow (both the Ash and the spell) is classified as an Aura Buff.
In this game, you can generally have one Aura Buff, one Body Buff (like Flame, Grant Me Strength), and one Weapon Buff (like Grease or a Magic coating) active at the same time. If you use the Golden Vow Ash of War and then immediately use something like the Uplifting Aromatic or Commander’s Standard (Rallying Cry), you are going to overwrite the first one.
I’ve seen so many streamers and players stack five different things thinking they are becoming a god, when in reality, they are just wasting FP. The Golden Vow Ash of War will not stack with:
- The Golden Vow Incantation.
- Rallying Cry from the Commander's Standard.
- Uplifting Aromatic perfume.
However, it does stack with Flame, Grant Me Strength because that's a Body Buff. It stacks with the Jellyfish Shield (Contagious Fury) because that’s a unique shield buff. It stacks with any Talisman like the Ritual Sword Talisman. If you play your cards right, you can push your damage nearly 50% higher than base, but you have to understand the categories.
The Dagger Method: Professional Efficiency
If you’re serious about your build, you aren't putting the Golden Vow Ash of War on your primary weapon. That’s a waste of a slot. Your primary weapon should have something that deals active damage or provides utility, like Lion's Claw, Bloodhound's Step, or Sword Dance.
The "pro" move is the Dagger Method.
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- Find a dagger (lightest weight possible).
- Apply the Golden Vow Ash of War to it at a Site of Grace.
- Put that dagger in your right-hand slot 2.
- When you get to a boss, switch to the dagger, hit the skill, and immediately switch back to your main weapon.
The buff stays on your character even if the weapon that cast it is put away. This is a massive tactical advantage. It allows you to keep your "real" Ash of War on your main sword while still enjoying the 10% damage boost. It’s essentially a free ring slot if you think about it.
Nuance: PvP vs. PvE Scaling
You have to be careful if you take this into the Colosseum or Invade. FromSoftware "nerfs" specific buffs in PvP to prevent players from one-shotting each other too easily.
In PvP, the Golden Vow Ash of War is significantly weaker. Instead of 10% damage, you’re looking at something closer to 5%. The damage negation also takes a hit. Is it still worth it? Maybe. If your build is already optimized, every percentage point counts. But if you’re relying on it to win a duel, you might be disappointed. The 45-second timer also feels a lot shorter when a dual-Katana user is breathing down your neck.
Why the Ash version is sometimes better than the Spell
I know I said the spell version has better numbers. I stand by that. But the Ash version has one massive advantage: Speed. The casting animation for the Golden Vow Incantation is long. It involves your character kneeling, praying, and a big circle of light forming. It’s slow. In the middle of a frantic boss fight—like against Maliketh or Godfrey—you will never find the time to recast that spell.
The Ash of War version is a quick "rally" animation. Your character sticks their weapon in the air and shouts. It’s faster. If your buff runs out mid-fight, you actually have a decent chance of squeezing the Ash version in during a boss's recovery window. The spell version? Forget about it. You’ll get flattened before you finish the prayer.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Session
To get the most out of this tool, you need a routine. Stop just clicking buttons and start layering.
First, get your "long" buffs out of the way. If you’re using a Physick, drink it first. Then, pull out your "Golden Vow" dagger and pop the skill. Following that, use your "Body Buff" (like Flame, Grant Me Strength or a boiled prawn for defense). By the time you enter the fog, you have maximized every second of that 45-second timer.
Also, consider the weight. If you are struggling with "Fat Roll" (Heavy Load), check that second weapon slot. If you have a heavy mace equipped just to hold Golden Vow, swap it for a 1.5 weight dagger. Those few points in equip load could be the difference between a successful dodge and a trip back to the loading screen.
Finally, remember that this Ash of War is a "Sacred" affinity by default, but you can use the Iron Whetblade to make it "Heavy," "Keen," or "Quality." This doesn't change the buff itself, but it ensures that if you do accidentally swing that dagger, it scales with your actual stats.
Go to North Limgrave. Kill the knight. Put the skill on a dagger. Stack it with a body buff. Stop overwriting your auras. It’s the most consistent way to boost your power without needing a single point in Faith.