Elden Ring continues to impress its community with a wealth of weaponry, Ashes of War, and creative builds that allow players to experiment with both PvE and PvP combat. Among the myriad of tools available, the Wild Strikes Ash of War has remained surprisingly underutilized. In this article, we're going to dive deep into a Wild Strikes-focused build, make Elden Ring Items, exploring its mechanics, strengths, and some of the hilarious and intense moments it produces in invasions and PvP scenarios.

 

Understanding Wild Strikes

 

The core appeal of the Wild Strikes Ash of War lies in its versatility and multi-hit potential. When you first engage it, Wild Strikes functions as a consecutive slash, which can be followed by either a light attack or a heavy attack. Each follow-up has situational advantages:

 

 Light Attack Follow-Up: Faster, less stamina-intensive, and excellent for keeping pressure on aggressive opponents.

 

 Heavy Attack Follow-Up: Slower but with higher poise damage and the potential to stagger or roll-catch enemies if timed correctly.

 

One of the most interesting aspects of Wild Strikes is the ability to walk forward while attacking. This gives the player strong poise during the animation, meaning enemies have a harder time interrupting you, especially when you pair the Ash of War with the Consecutive Attack Talisman and Shard of Alexander. These two items further enhance the multi-hit potential and make it ideal for dealing with groups of foes in tight spaces.

 

Weapon Choice and Build

 

While Wild Strikes can technically be applied to a variety of weapons, the Great Katana stands out as the premier choice. Its impressive reach offsets the slow startup of the Ash of War, allowing players to punish enemies from a distance while still being aggressive.

 

The build focuses primarily on strength, with some added dexterity to accommodate the Milisonense Prosthesis, which provides additional utility in combat. Armor choice is largely personal preference, though the setup used in this build provides 111 poise and high defense, making it resilient against both PvP and PvE encounters.

 

Talismans and Buffs

 

The talisman setup complements the multi-hit nature of Wild Strikes perfectly:

 

 Consecutive Attack Talisman: Increases the effectiveness of multi-hit moves.

 

 Shard of Alexander: Amplifies weapon skills, making each hit count even more.

 

This combination allows the player to maximize the potential of the Wild Strikes Ash of War, turning what seems like a simple consecutive slash into a devastating combo that can overwhelm opponents.

 

Wild Strikes in Action

 

When applied in invasions, Wild Strikes truly shines. The initial approach to enemies can feel almost comical-slowly walking up to them with a spinning katana, yet maintaining high poise and delivering punishing attacks. This can disorient opponents, forcing them into mistakes and overextensions.

 

During one recorded session at the War Dead Catacombs, multiple phantom invaders were caught off-guard by the Wild Strikes setup. The build's poise and multi-hit mechanics allowed the user to punish overly aggressive enemies and even tank through counterattacks in some instances. This kind of adaptability makes it ideal for high-level invasions, where predictability can be deadly.

 

One of the most memorable aspects is the ability to bait enemies into confined areas. Because Wild Strikes maintains forward momentum, players can funnel enemies into narrow corridors and unleash a flurry of attacks that often leaves them unable to escape. This strategy was particularly effective against aggressive groups, turning chaotic skirmishes into controlled scenarios where skillful timing and positioning dominate.

 

Combating Aggressive Players

 

The Wild Strikes build also excels against opponents who rely heavily on spammed attacks or aggressive behavior. The multi-hit component allows you to roll-catch and punish predictable movements, while the heavy follow-up provides the extra poise damage needed to interrupt attacks.

 

During encounters in the Howic Tree, the build allowed players to control the pacing of fights against multiple invaders simultaneously. By alternating between light and heavy follow-ups, the Wild Strikes user could adapt to both defensive and offensive players. When paired with proper buffs, such as Shard of Alexander, this Ash of War becomes almost unfair in its ability to force opponents into unfavorable situations.

 

Even highly defensive players who tried to maintain distance were not safe. The build's reach, combined with its poise, allowed the user to consistently apply pressure. Notably, during one PvP encounter, a phantom running around corners with projectile spells was neutralized by careful positioning and precise multi-hit execution. The versatility of this setup becomes apparent as it can punish aggressive melee players and ranged spellcasters alike.Wild Strikes and Environmental Advantage

 

Another fascinating aspect of this build is its synergy with terrain and environmental features. In multiple sessions, players could manipulate their positioning in areas like the Consecrated Snowfield and Mountaintop of the Giants to maximize the impact of Wild Strikes.

 

For instance:

 

 Pillars and obstacles can be used to control enemy movement, forcing them into the multi-hit AoE of the Ash of War.

 

 Narrow corridors and small arenas allow the multi-hit portion to hit multiple foes simultaneously.

 

 Elevated or sloped areas can help maintain distance while still keeping forward momentum.

 

This environmental synergy turns ordinary maps into strategic playgrounds, allowing the player to dominate seemingly chaotic invasion encounters.

 

PvP Encounters and Strategy

 

A key part of this build's success in PvP is its unpredictability. Because Wild Strikes is underutilized, most players are unfamiliar with its range and combo potential. This creates opportunities for mind games and baiting, as seen in encounters with hosts like Umbra, Mingle, and Jimmy.

 

 The forward momentum allows for slow pressure, baiting panic rolls or defensive stances.

 

 The heavy follow-up can stun opponents who overcommit, allowing for a quick finish.

 

 Multi-hit attacks often interfere with other players' combos, disrupting spellcasting or weapon swings.

 

Interestingly, even players attempting projectile spam or unconventional builds (like poison madness or self-buffing incantations) were countered effectively. The combination of range, multi-hit potential, and poise makes this build versatile against a wide range of strategies.

 

Tips for Maximizing Wild Strikes

 

For those looking to replicate this build, here are some crucial tips:

 

1.Timing Is Everything: Light and heavy follow-ups have different animations and poise potential. Learn when to chain them for maximum effect.

 

2.Positioning Matters: Use terrain to your advantage. Narrow spaces, pillars, and corridors amplify the multi-hit potential.

 

3.Buff Strategically: Always apply the Shard of Alexander and multi-hit talismans before engaging, especially against groups.

 

4.Adapt to Enemy Behavior: Aggressive players are perfect targets for roll-catches, while defensive players can be forced into the multi-hit spin.

 

5.Mix Light and Heavy: Alternating follow-ups can confuse opponents and maximize damage output in varying situations.

 

Why Wild Strikes Deserves More Attention

 

Despite its power, Wild Strikes remains one of the most overlooked Ashes of War in Elden Ring. Its multi-hit design and adaptability make it exceptional in both solo and multiplayer content. Unlike more commonly used Ashes of War, Wild Strikes allows for creative playstyles:

 

 PvE Efficiency: Can clear multiple enemies in small spaces efficiently.

 

 PvP Control: Strong poise and range make it excellent for invasions.

 

 Fun Factor: The visual flair of spinning katana attacks adds an element of excitement not found in standard builds.

 

In addition, pairing Wild Strikes with a pure strength build enhances its lethality, while still allowing some dexterity investment for prosthetics or secondary weapons. The result is a build that balances raw power, versatility, and creative engagement in both invasions and duels.

 

Conclusion

 

The Wild Strikes Ash of War is a hidden gem in Elden Ring's arsenal. While it may not be the flashiest or most popular, its combination of multi-hit attacks, poise, and adaptability makes it a force to be reckoned with in PvP and PvE scenarios alike.

 

Key takeaways for aspiring Wild Strikes users:

 

 Choose a weapon with reach, like the Great Katana, to complement its multi-hit potential.

 

 Prioritize strength for damage, with dexterity as needed for auxiliary equipment.

 

 Utilize the Shard of Alexander and consecutive attack talismans for maximum effect.

 

 Exploit terrain and environmental features to control enemy movement.

 

 Mix light and heavy follow-ups to adapt to both aggressive and defensive players.

 

Whether you're engaging in invasions, exploring dungeons, or dueling in PvP, Wild Strikes offers a unique playstyle that rewards creativity, timing, Elden Ring Runes and strategic thinking. Its underutilization means many opponents won't know what hit them, giving you a psychological edge as well as a mechanical one.

 

For players looking to break out of conventional builds and explore a more unconventional approach to Elden Ring combat, this Wild Strikes strength build is a must-try. Between the satisfaction of multi-hit combos and the versatility in both PvE and PvP encounters, it's a perfect example of how creative builds can breathe new life into the game's combat system.

 

If you're ready to turn heads in the Lands Between and surprise every invader, the Wild Strikes Ash of War is waiting.