Hey, Tarnished, what's up? Today we're diving into an amazing yet underrated build in Elden Ring, focusing on the Phantom Slash/War Embers build. This build isn't just about raw power; it's about strategy, aggression, and taking on multiple enemies at once. If you've been dormant, now's the time to awaken your inner warrior! To enhance your experience and strengthen your character further, you might want to consider buying Elden Ring Runes to give yourself an edge in combat and maximize the potential of this build.

Why Choose the Phantom Slash?

Phantom Slash is an Ash of War that can catch your opponents off guard. Here's why it's effective:

1. Deceptive Attacks: You can send a clone of yourself to engage one enemy while you target another. This dual-pronged approach can leave your foes vulnerable and confused.

2. Bait and Punish: Many players underestimate the follow-up attack after the initial Phantom Slash. By conditioning your enemies to anticipate one move, you can set them up for a punishing surprise when they least expect it.

3. Combo Potential: This build is ripe for creating fun and devastating combos. If you manage to stun an enemy during the casting of Phantom Slash, follow it up with whatever attack your weapon allows for a powerful combination.

Building Your Character

Stats Allocation

For this build, we’ll focus on the following stats:

· Dexterity (DEX): 50 points. This will increase damage output on your high-Dexterity bleed-scaling weapons.

· Arcane: 38 points (or 48 with buffs). This amplifies blood loss buildup significantly, especially when using items like the Sacred Bloody Flesh.

Equipment Choices

Weapons

While Phantom Slash is limited to certain weapons, here are three potent choices:

· Banish Knight Halberd

· Scythe

· Godskin Peeler

These weapons work harmoniously with a bleed build, maximizing both damage and the effectiveness of bleed status effects.

Armor

The choice of armor can be flexible based on your play style. However, I suggest using:

· White Mask: This piece increases damage output when blood loss occurs in the vicinity, making it a perfect fit for this build.

Talismans

To maximize the effectiveness of this build, consider the following talismans:

1. Shard of Alexander: Boosts the damage of your Ash of War, making Phantom Slash even more formidable.

2. Two-Handed Sword Talisman: Perfect for those moments when you need to emphasize your damage potential with melee weapons.

3. Rotten Wing Sword Insignia: Particularly effective with the Godskin Peeler, which is a multi-hit weapon that benefits from stacking damage.

4. Flexible Last Talisman: I personally recommend either the Bulgos Talisman for tougher foes or Lord of Blood's Exaltation for extra damage in less dangerous encounters.

Gameplay Strategy

Engaging Enemies

The strategy revolves around using the Phantom Slash effectively:

1. Lock-On Targeting: Use the lock-on feature to select one enemy while preparing to engage another. This fluid switching can create openings for devastating attacks.

2. Follow-Up Attacks: Don’t be afraid to use the follow-up after Phantom Slash. Conditioning your enemies to dodge your initial attack can lead to them becoming vulnerable to your surprise hit.

3. Movement and Positioning: Stay nimble! Utilize elevation and cover to dodge incoming attacks and ensure you have the right positioning to execute your abilities efficiently.

Combos and Baiting

As mentioned earlier, baiting your foes is a crucial aspect of this build:

· Initial Attacks: Use Phantom Slash frequently enough that your opponents begin anticipating it. This conditions them to expect certain patterns.

· Punish with Heavies: If they try to avoid or counter your Phantom Slash, hit them with a robust follow-up attack that will catch them off guard.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Phantom Slash/Ash of War build in Elden Ring is very much worth exploring and mastering. With the right stats, weapon choices, and tactics, this build can turn you into a formidable opponent against even the toughest foes. Embrace the surprises, capitalize on your opponents' weaknesses, and enjoy the chaos that this build brings to the battlefield. Additionally, if you're looking to enhance your gameplay experience, consider acquiring cheap Elden Ring Items from trusted sources like MMOEXP. Happy hunting, and I’ll see you on the battlefield!