Mastering Elden Ring The Complete Guide To Finding And Using Swift Slash Ash Of War

In the vast, punishing world of *Elden Ring*, every advantage counts. Among the most versatile and widely used Ashes of War is Swift Slash—a skill that delivers rapid, precise strikes ideal for breaking enemy posture or escaping dangerous situations. Whether you're a dexterity-focused duelist or a hybrid build testing new options, mastering Swift Slash can redefine your combat rhythm. This guide details exactly where to find it, how to use it effectively, and which weapons and builds unlock its full potential.

Where to Find Swift Slash: The Exact Location

Swift Slash is not earned through defeating a boss or hidden in a secret cave—it’s purchased from an NPC after completing a short questline. The vendor is **Alexander, the Omen**, found imprisoned in the **Church of Inhibition** in Caelid. To access him, follow these steps:

1. Travel to the Church of Inhibition Site of Grace.
2. Defeat the two Omen Killers guarding Alexander.
3. Speak to Alexander to begin his questline.
4. Rescue him again at the Avenue Balcony Site of Grace in Leyndell.
5. After reuniting, he returns to Roundtable Hold.
6. Once back at Roundtable Hold, speak to him again and purchase Swift Slash for 1,500 Runes.

Tip: Don’t skip Alexander’s dialogue after rescuing him in Leyndell—he won’t return to Roundtable Hold otherwise.

Upon purchase, Swift Slash becomes available for application on any compatible weapon via the Weapon Tuning menu at a Smithing Table or Melina.

How Swift Slash Works: Mechanics and Advantages

Swift Slash is a light, thrusting attack that scales primarily with Dexterity and, to a lesser extent, Strength. It's executed with a charged right-hand attack (R2/LT) when equipped as your active Ash of War. Key attributes include:

• Quick forward lunge with minimal commitment.
• Moderate posture damage, effective against slower enemies.
• Low FP cost, making it sustainable in prolonged fights.
• Excellent mobility—ideal for hit-and-run tactics.

The move excels in interrupting casting enemies or staggering foes mid-animation. Unlike heavier Ashes like Square Off or Royal Knight’s Resolve, Swift Slash doesn’t trade power for speed—it fills a niche as a precision tool rather than a finisher.

“Swift Slash isn't about raw damage—it’s about timing, spacing, and controlling the flow of combat.” — Kaelen, Elden Ring Speedrun Strategist

Best Weapons for Swift Slash: Maximizing Effectiveness

Not all weapons benefit equally from Swift Slash. Its effectiveness depends on weapon class, scaling, and animation synergy. Below is a curated list of top-tier matches:

Weapon	Compatibility	Why It Works
Rapier	Excellent	Natural thrusting motion enhances reach and precision; ideal for bleed or guard break setups.
Scorpion’s Sting	Excellent	Already has quick thrusts; Swift Slash integrates seamlessly into its aggressive tempo.
Coded Sword	Good	Faith-scaling adds magic damage; great for hybrid holy/thrust builds.
Claymore (one-handed)	Fair	Surprisingly mobile; useful for tankier characters needing a quick escape option.
Uchigatana	Poor	Slashing weapon; thrust animations feel awkward and disrupt flow.

Weapons with natural thrusting animations perform best. Avoid applying Swift Slash to greatswords or hammers unless you’re experimenting with unconventional tank-strafe strategies.

Step-by-Step: Optimizing Your Build for Swift Slash

To get the most out of Swift Slash, your build must support speed, accuracy, and responsiveness. Follow this optimization sequence:

1. Choose a thrust-capable weapon—preferably a rapier, estoc, or dagger variant.
2. Invest in Dexterity (70+ recommended) to maximize scaling and reduce required stat allocation elsewhere.
3. Balance Vigor and Mind—aim for at least 40 Vigor for survivability and 30–40 Mind for FP management.
4. Select a shield or dual-wield if defense is needed; otherwise, keep both hands free for faster execution.
5. Equip gear that boosts thrust damage—such as the Winged Sword Insignia or Godskin Swaddling Cloth.
6. Upgrade your weapon to +10 or higher before focusing on Ash of War mastery.

Tip: Pair Swift Slash with the Assassin’s Cerulean Set for increased critical damage after dodging—perfect for flanking thrust combos.

Real Combat Application: A Case Study

Consider a player facing off against Maliketh, the Black Blade, in the final stages of the game. The boss’s sweeping cleaves and teleporting attacks make close-range engagement risky. Here’s how Swift Slash changes the fight:

A dexterity-based knight uses a fully upgraded Rapier with Swift Slash. Instead of trading heavy blows, they wait for Maliketh to finish a combo, then dash in, activate Swift Slash, and retreat. Each lunge chips away at Maliketh’s posture. After three well-timed thrusts, the boss staggers—creating a window for a critical strike. This approach avoids high-risk exchanges and leverages positioning over brute force.

This example illustrates how Swift Slash shifts combat philosophy: from endurance to precision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced Tarnished fall into traps when integrating new Ashes of War. Watch out for these pitfalls:

• Using it on incompatible weapons—applying Swift Slash to a greataxe wastes upgrade potential.
• Overcommitting to the lunge—the move leaves you exposed if blocked or dodged.
• Ignoring FP costs during long dungeons—spamming it without enough Flask charges leads to vulnerability.
• Equipping it as a primary Ash without testing alternatives—sometimes Impaling Thrust or Repeating Thrust offer better results.

“The best Ash of War isn’t the strongest—it’s the one that fits your rhythm.” — Lysara, Elden Ring Theorycrafter

FAQ: Swift Slash Essentials

Can I apply Swift Slash to magic or faith weapons?

Yes, as long as the weapon supports thrusting attacks. For example, the Golden Order Greatsword works despite being faith-based because it has a thrust animation.

Does Swift Slash scale with Intelligence or Faith?

No. Swift Slash only scales with Strength and Dexterity. Elemental or magical weapons will deal their base added damage, but the Ash itself does not scale with magic stats.

Is Swift Slash worth it late-game?

Absolutely. While it doesn’t deal massive damage, its utility in posture breaking and spacing makes it valuable even against endgame bosses like Malenia or Radagon.

Final Checklist: Mastering Swift Slash

✅ Rescued Alexander twice?

Ensure you’ve completed his full questline to unlock purchases.

✅ Purchased Swift Slash at Roundtable Hold?

Talk to Alexander after Leyndell to buy it for 1,500 Runes.

✅ Applied to a thrust-compatible weapon?

Use Smithing Table to attune it to rapiers, estocs, or spears.

✅ Tested in combat against agile enemies?

Try it on Cleanrot Knights or Scadutree Blessbacks to gauge timing.

✅ Balanced stats for Dexterity and FP?

Don’t neglect Mind if you plan to use it frequently.

Conclusion: Turn Speed Into Victory

Swift Slash may not flash with pyrotechnics or roar with raw power, but in the right hands, it becomes a scalpel of efficiency. From navigating the rotlands of Caelid to challenging the demigods of the Lands Between, this Ash of War rewards patience, precision, and smart decision-making. Now that you know where to find it, how to use it, and how to optimize your build around it, the next step is practice. Equip it, test it, refine it—and let every swift strike bring you closer to becoming Elden Lord.

💬 Which weapon did you pair with Swift Slash? Share your favorite build in the comments and help others discover powerful combinations!