Hoarfrost Stomp is one of the most effective Ashes of War in Elden Ring, known for its versatility, powerful area-of-effect damage, and relatively low FP cost. Especially in early and mid-game, many players rely on Hoarfrost Stomp to control groups of enemies, deal with aggressive invaders, or even stagger bosses. Learning how to use Hoarfrost Stomp properly can give you a major advantage in both PvE and PvP situations. With the right weapon, timing, and stats, this Ash of War can become a centerpiece of your combat strategy across the Lands Between.
What is Hoarfrost Stomp?
Ash of War Overview
Hoarfrost Stomp is an Ash of War that imbues weapons with a powerful frost-based ability. When activated, your character stomps the ground, sending a chilling wave of frost in a fan-shaped area in front of them. This wave damages enemies and builds up Frostbite, a status effect that, when triggered, causes a significant burst of damage and reduces the enemy’s damage absorption for a time.
It can be equipped on a wide variety of melee weapons, provided they’re compatible with Ashes of War. Additionally, the skill scales with Intelligence when paired with the Glintstone magic affinity, but it is effective even on standard or cold-infused weapons for mixed builds.
Where to Find Hoarfrost Stomp
Location and Acquisition
To unlock Hoarfrost Stomp, you must defeat an invisible Teardrop Scarab located in the southern section of Caria Manor, in the northwest area of Liurnia of the Lakes. This scarab moves in a predictable pattern along the shallow water, leaving small splashes to indicate its path. Time your attack as it passes to slay it and claim the Ash of War. Be sure to approach stealthily or prepare a quick AoE attack to catch it off guard.
Once acquired, you can apply it to a compatible weapon by visiting a Site of Grace and selecting the Ashes of War menu. Choose the weapon and then apply Hoarfrost Stomp along with your desired affinity, such as Cold or Magic.
How to Use Hoarfrost Stomp Effectively
Activating the Skill
To activate Hoarfrost Stomp, use the skill input for your Ash of War-equipped weapon typically the L2 or LT button, depending on your platform and control scheme. Make sure your weapon is held in two hands or your off-hand doesn’t have a conflicting skill.
When the stomp is triggered, your character slams the ground, unleashing a frost wave in front of you. The wave travels forward and damages all enemies in its path while building up Frostbite. It’s excellent for crowd control and catching enemies off guard, especially in tight corridors or narrow terrain.
Combat Applications
Hoarfrost Stomp works well in several scenarios:
- PvE Boss Fights: The wide frost wave can hit large enemies or bosses multiple times in one cast. When Frostbite triggers, you deal a chunk of bonus damage, which makes it ideal for bosses with large health pools.
- Enemy Mobs: Groups of small or medium enemies can be wiped out quickly, especially when they bunch up. The stomp clears paths and prevents ambushes.
- PvP Duels: The quick animation and large hitbox make it hard to dodge if used cleverly. Opponents who rush in too quickly often get caught in the frost wave.
Stat Scaling and Weapon Pairing
Attributes to Focus On
Hoarfrost Stomp deals frost-based magic damage and scales depending on the weapon’s infusion. If you infuse your weapon with Cold, it adds Intelligence scaling and Frostbite buildup. This makes it highly suitable for Intelligence-based builds but still viable for hybrid builds using Dexterity or Strength as long as the Cold infusion is applied.
Recommended stats:
- Intelligence: For better magic damage scaling when using Cold or Magic infusion
- Mind: To increase your FP pool for repeated use
- Endurance: To ensure you have enough stamina for follow-up attacks after stomping
Best Weapons to Use
You can apply Hoarfrost Stomp to a variety of melee weapons. However, lighter weapons that don’t rely heavily on Strength scaling work best to keep your build flexible.
- Longsword: Balanced and easy to use, pairs well with Cold infusion
- Claymore: Offers good range and stagger potential alongside the frost wave
- Noble’s Slender Sword: Lightweight with fast attack speed; excellent for Intelligence-focused setups
Try to avoid ultra-heavy weapons, since Hoarfrost Stomp handles most of the damage output and doesn’t benefit much from raw Strength scaling.
Combat Tips and Timing
Best Situations for Use
While Hoarfrost Stomp can seem powerful in any situation, timing and positioning make all the difference. For best results:
- Use the stomp just as enemies are winding up attacks many will walk right into the frost wave
- Against shielded enemies, use Hoarfrost Stomp to stagger them and follow up with critical hits
- In narrow corridors or bridges, the wave covers the entire path and guarantees full impact
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Despite its power, Hoarfrost Stomp does have a few drawbacks:
- The animation, while quick, can be punished if mistimed
- Enemies with high magic resistance will shrug off some of the damage
- Stamina usage is moderate, so spamming it can leave you exposed
Always use it as part of a larger combat strategy don’t rely on it as your only damage source.
Frostbite and Status Effects
Understanding Frostbite
Frostbite is a unique status effect that builds up when enemies are hit with Cold damage or frost-based attacks. Once triggered, it causes a burst of damage and lowers the target’s defenses by approximately 20% for a short time. This makes follow-up attacks or magic significantly more effective.
Maximizing the Effect
To maximize Frostbite usage:
- Alternate Hoarfrost Stomp with fast melee attacks to build up the meter quickly
- Apply the Cold infusion to your weapon to stack Frostbite even faster
- Switch targets while one is recovering from Frostbite to spread the debuff
Frostbite resets once it is triggered, so wait a few seconds before reapplying it to the same target to avoid wasting buildup.
Post-Nerf Adjustments
Patch Changes
Hoarfrost Stomp was nerfed in a past update to reduce its damage and increase the FP cost slightly, as it was considered overpowered during the early meta. However, it remains a viable and potent option when used strategically. The frost wave now has a slightly longer wind-up, so timing is more important than ever.
Adapted Playstyle
After the nerf, players are encouraged to blend Hoarfrost Stomp into their combo patterns rather than relying on it as a standalone tool. Smart usage and effective spacing now matter more than pure spam, especially in PvP environments.
Hoarfrost Stomp continues to be a top-tier Ash of War in Elden Ring when used intelligently. It delivers reliable AoE damage, builds Frostbite rapidly, and synergizes well with Cold-infused weapons and Intelligence-focused builds. With proper timing, positioning, and stat investment, you can use Hoarfrost Stomp to control the battlefield, stagger bosses, and punish aggressive players in PvP. Mastering its usage ensures you have a strong tactical advantage throughout your journey across the Lands Between.