Elden Ring: Best Ashes of War for the Bandit's Curved Sword

In Elden Ring, few weapons combine speed, range, and flexibility as effectively as the Bandit's Curved Sword. Its long reach, excellent scaling potential, and Elden Ring Runes rapid attack chains make it one of the strongest choices for high-DPS builds, especially when dual-wielded. Whether you prefer Bleed, Frost, or elemental setups, this curved sword can adapt to nearly any aggressive playstyle.

What truly elevates the weapon, however, is the Ash of War system. Choosing the right skill can transform the Bandit's Curved Sword from a fast slashing weapon into a devastating boss-melting machine. Here are the most exciting and effective Ashes of War to maximize both fun and performance.

Sword Dance - The King of Aggression

Sword Dance is widely considered one of the best Ashes of War for curved swords, and for good reason. The skill launches your character into two rapid spinning slashes that close distance quickly, followed by an optional heavy slam finisher.

Why It Works So Well

Exceptional Gap Closing

Many enemies in Elden Ring rely on spacing to punish melee builds. Sword Dance eliminates that weakness by allowing you to instantly pressure enemies from mid-range.

Strong Mobility

Unlike slower weapon arts, Sword Dance keeps you agile throughout the animation. This makes it easier to avoid retaliation while maintaining offensive momentum.

Excellent PvE and PvP Utility

Against bosses, Sword Dance delivers fast burst damage. In PvP, its unpredictable movement can catch dodging players off guard.

For players who love relentless aggression, this is arguably the ultimate choice.

Double Slash - The "Mini Rivers of Blood"

Double Slash turns the Bandit's Curved Sword into a whirlwind of rapid strikes. The skill unleashes a six-hit combo that synergizes perfectly with status-effect builds.

Best Uses for Double Slash

Bleed Builds

When paired with Blood affinity, Double Slash can trigger Hemorrhage incredibly quickly. Boss health bars can disappear in seconds once Bleed procs repeatedly.

Frostbite Pressure

Frost setups also benefit heavily because each rapid strike contributes to Frostbite buildup.

Stylish Combat

Beyond raw efficiency, Double Slash simply looks fantastic. The flowing animations perfectly match the curved sword's elegant fighting style.

Players seeking fast, flashy gameplay with huge burst potential will love this Ash of War.

Flaming Strike - Fire and Power Combined

Flaming Strike offers one of the best combinations of damage, utility, and visual flair in Elden Ring. Activating the skill creates a sweeping flame arc before following up with a lunging slash that coats the weapon in fire.

Why Flaming Strike Is So Effective

Powerful Fire Buff

The temporary fire enchantment significantly boosts attack damage, allowing your normal combos to hit much harder.

Area Control

The initial flame sweep can stagger or pressure groups of enemies, making it useful in crowded encounters.

Excellent Against Aggressive Enemies

The lunging follow-up punishes opponents trying to rush into melee range.

For Strength/Dexterity hybrid builds or fire-focused characters, Flaming Strike is both practical and visually satisfying.

Raptor of the Mist - High Skill, High Reward

Raptor of the Mist introduces a unique counter-focused playstyle. When activated at the right moment, your character briefly vanishes upon being struck before launching upward into the air.

The Secret to Its Power

Devastating Jump Attacks

Dual curved swords possess some of the strongest jumping attacks in the game. Raptor of the Mist lets you chain directly into these powerful aerial combos.

Counterplay Potential

Experienced players can use the skill to punish boss attacks while avoiding damage entirely.

Extremely Fun Mechanics

The timing-based gameplay adds excitement and creativity to combat encounters.

This Ash rewards mastery and is ideal for players who enjoy reactive, stylish combat.

Spinning Slash - The Reliable Classic

Spinning Slash may seem simple compared to newer skills, but it remains incredibly effective.

Why It Still Dominates

Crowd Clearing

The wide spinning attacks easily hit multiple enemies at once.

Fast Activation

Its quick startup makes it useful against agile foes that dodge slower attacks.

Consistent Damage

Spinning Slash performs well in nearly every area of the game without requiring complicated setups.

Sometimes simplicity wins, and this classic Ash continues to prove its value.

Final Thoughts

The Bandit's Curved Sword remains one of the most versatile and rewarding weapons in Elden Ring. Whether you prefer aggressive rushdowns, elemental explosions, or precision counterplay, the right Ash of War can completely redefine your build.

From the relentless offense of Sword Dance to the stylish devastation of Raptor of the Mist, these skills offer some of the most entertaining and buy Elden Ring Runes powerful gameplay experiences available in the Lands Between.