Among the many Ashes of War in Elden Ring, few offer the level of mobility, style, and combat advantage that Bloodhound Step provides. This powerful ability allows players to perform a high-speed dodge that renders them temporarily invisible and invulnerable, making it a favorite among dexterity-based builds and PvP enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re evading deadly boss attacks or repositioning in the heat of battle, Bloodhound Step offers a unique blend of offense and defense. Understanding how this Ash of War works, where to find it, and how to optimize its use can dramatically change the way you approach combat in the Lands Between.
What is Bloodhound Step?
Bloodhound Step is a unique Ash of War that replaces the default weapon skill with a teleport-like dash. When activated, the player character quickly vanishes and reappears a short distance away, typically in the direction of the left stick input. The movement is significantly faster than a standard dodge roll and grants brief invincibility frames, allowing players to avoid even the most precise enemy attacks.
This ability mirrors the movement of the Bloodhound Knights, known for their erratic, lunging attacks and agile movements. With this Ash equipped, players gain a taste of that same supernatural speed, often catching enemies off guard or escaping from otherwise impossible situations.
Key Attributes
- FP Cost: 5 FP per use
- Weapon Compatibility: Can be applied to all melee weapons
- Scaling: Has no direct damage component, so scaling is unaffected
Bloodhound Step doesn’t deal damage directly but enhances survival by allowing faster repositioning and evasive maneuvering. In tight PvP duels or challenging PvE encounters, this skill is incredibly effective for dodging spells, melee combos, and AoE effects.
How to Obtain Bloodhound Step
To acquire the Bloodhound Step Ash of War, players must defeat the Night’s Cavalry located in the Dragonbarrow region of Caelid. This enemy appears only at night and patrols the bridge near the Lenne’s Rise Site of Grace. As with other Night’s Cavalry, this boss is mounted and poses a significant threat, especially at lower levels.
Strategy for the Fight
- Time of Day: Rest at a Site of Grace and pass time until nightfall.
- Mobility: Use Torrent for greater speed and to keep distance from the cavalry’s wide melee swings.
- Hit and Run: Strike once or twice, then retreat. The boss has powerful combos that can punish greedy attacks.
- Ranged Options: Magic and bows can be effective if you maintain distance.
Once defeated, the Night’s Cavalry will drop the Bloodhound Step Ash of War. Equip it at a Site of Grace via the Ashes of War menu, and you’ll be ready to teleport-dodge like a true hunter.
Bloodhound Step in PvP
Bloodhound Step has become one of the most controversial and widely discussed Ashes of War in PvP circles. Its ability to instantly reposition and avoid nearly every attack or spell makes it extremely powerful, especially when used by players with good reflexes and precise timing.
Advantages in PvP
- Unpredictability: The speed and directionality of the step make it hard for opponents to read your movements.
- Punish Potential: After dodging an attack, players can instantly close the gap and counter with a fast weapon.
- Escape Tool: Useful for retreating from unfavorable trades or tight situations.
Due to these advantages, Bloodhound Step is often used by players focusing on dexterity builds, light armor, and bleed weapons like katanas or curved swords. Its synergy with fast weapons makes it even more lethal, as users can quickly get in and out of range with minimal risk.
Using Bloodhound Step in PvE
While its value in PvP is widely recognized, Bloodhound Step also shines in PvE. Many late-game bosses in Elden Ring have fast, wide-reaching attacks or magic spells that are difficult to avoid with normal rolls. Bloodhound Step gives players an edge by allowing quick repositioning and reducing the window of vulnerability.
Best Situations for PvE Use
- Bosses with AoE Attacks: Use Bloodhound Step to escape ground explosions or large magic circles.
- Frenzied Enemies: Dash behind aggressive foes and land backstabs or counterattacks.
- Crowd Control: Evade mob clusters in narrow spaces like catacombs or towers.
For players who prefer melee combat but struggle with traditional dodging mechanics, Bloodhound Step offers a user-friendly way to improve survivability without sacrificing damage output.
Best Builds for Bloodhound Step
Since Bloodhound Step works with all melee weapons, it fits into a wide variety of builds. However, it particularly excels when used with high-mobility, fast-striking setups.
Recommended Build Types
- Dexterity Builds: Lightweight weapons and armor maximize agility and speed, complementing the rapid movement of Bloodhound Step.
- Bleed Builds: Weapons like Rivers of Blood or Blood Uchigatana pair well due to their ability to apply pressure quickly after a dodge.
- Glass Cannon: Players with low Vigor or defense benefit from the added evasiveness, avoiding hits rather than tanking them.
Since Bloodhound Step doesn’t consume stamina like repeated rolling, it helps sustain offensive pressure even in long fights. For those using dual-wielding or two-handed styles, this Ash of War keeps you mobile without draining your endurance bar.
Balancing and Community Reactions
Bloodhound Step has been the subject of balance discussions within the community due to its strength in PvP. Some patches have slightly adjusted its effectiveness, especially concerning how spammable it is or how far it lets you move. Still, it remains one of the most effective movement tools in the game.
In PvE, the skill is generally accepted as a fair and useful tool. But in PvP, it’s seen by some as too strong, particularly when used to endlessly kite or avoid combat. Despite this, many players enjoy the freedom and creativity that Bloodhound Step brings to their playstyle.
Tips and Tricks
- Chain Bloodhound Steps together in different directions to confuse opponents.
- Use it to dodge through enemy hitboxes and land attacks from behind.
- Watch your FP. Although cheap, spamming it too much will drain your resources.
- Combine with lightweight armor to maximize movement speed and stamina regen.
Mastering the timing of Bloodhound Step can be the difference between a flawless duel and a quick death. Practice against both AI and real players to understand its full potential.
Bloodhound Step is an Ash of War that redefines movement in Elden Ring. Whether you’re dodging through magic spells, slipping past a boss’s giant sword, or dancing around a PvP opponent’s attacks, this ability offers exceptional control over positioning and pace. Its usefulness across both PvE and PvP, combined with its accessibility and versatility, make it a staple for players looking to enhance their survivability and combat style. For builds that prioritize agility, speed, or deception, Bloodhound Step isn’t just an option it’s a game-changer.