The Ultimate Golden Vow Guide For Elden Ring: Incantation Vs. Ash Of War, Stacking, And New DLC Consumable

Golden Vow remains arguably the single most essential and universally applicable buff in all of Elden Ring, a status it maintains even with the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. As of December 17, 2025, understanding the subtle yet crucial differences between its various forms—the Incantation, the Ash of War, and the new Consumable—is vital for maximizing your damage output and survivability in the Lands Between.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the exact numbers, locations, and advanced stacking mechanics of Golden Vow, ensuring your build, whether a pure Sorcerer, a colossal Strength build, or a devoted Faith caster, is optimized for the challenging encounters ahead, from the base game's endgame bosses to the Land of Shadow's most fearsome foes.

Golden Vow: Incantation vs. Ash of War (The Critical Differences)

The core confusion for most players revolves around which version of Golden Vow to use. While both provide an attack and defense boost to the caster and nearby allies, their stat requirements, power, duration, and utility are significantly different. Choosing the right one is the difference between a minor boost and a game-changing power spike.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

Golden Vow (Incantation)

This is the superior, high-investment version of the buff. It is an Erdtree Incantation that requires a Sacred Seal to cast and a hefty investment into the Faith stat.

• Location: Found on a corpse inside the Corpse-Stench Shack in Mt. Gelmir.
• Faith Requirement: 25 Faith.
• FP Cost: 47 FP.
• Duration: 80 seconds (Extended to 104 seconds with the Old Lord's Talisman).
• Attack Buff (PvE): +15% Attack Power.
• Defense Buff (PvE): +10% Damage Negation (All Damage).
• PvP Nerf: In player-versus-player combat, the attack buff is halved to approximately +7.5%.

The Incantation is the definitive choice for any dedicated Faith build or hybrid build that can comfortably meet the 25 Faith requirement, as the extra duration and stronger boost are invaluable in long boss fights against entities like Malenia or Mohg, Lord of Blood.

Ash of War: Golden Vow

The Ash of War (AoW) is the accessible, low-requirement version. It can be applied to most non-unique melee weapons, such as a Dagger or a Greatsword, and is often used by builds that have little to no Faith investment.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

• Location: Dropped by a mounted Godrick Knight (Cavalry) patrolling the cliff southwest of the Deathtouched Catacombs in Limgrave.
• Stat Requirement: None (can be used on any build).
• FP Cost: 40 FP.
• Duration: 45 seconds.
• Attack Buff (PvE): +11.5% Attack Power.
• Defense Buff (PvE): +7.5% Damage Negation (All Damage).

The AoW is a fantastic utility tool for Sorcerer builds, pure Strength builds, or low-level characters. You can place it on a lightweight weapon like a Dagger in your off-hand, quickly cast the buff, and then switch back to your primary weapon or Staff. This allows non-Faith builds to gain a significant, albeit shorter, boost without spending precious level-up points on the 25 Faith requirement.

Advanced Buff Stacking: How to Maximize Golden Vow's Power

A common misconception in Elden Ring is that all buffs stack. This is incorrect. Golden Vow is classified as an Aura Buff. This means it will not stack with other buffs of the same type, such as the skill on the Commander's Standard or the Golden Halberd's unique skill. Attempting to cast a second Aura Buff will simply overwrite the first one.

However, Golden Vow does stack with two other crucial categories of buffs, allowing for devastating power combinations:

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

1. Stacking with Body Buffs

Golden Vow can be perfectly stacked with a Body Buff, which applies a temporary effect directly to your character's body. The most popular and potent combination is with the Incantation Flame, Grant Me Strength.

• Flame, Grant Me Strength: Provides a separate +20% boost to Physical and Fire damage (15% in PvP).
• Total Stacked Buff: By using both the Golden Vow Incantation (+15% All Damage) and Flame, Grant Me Strength (+20% Physical/Fire Damage), you can achieve a massive combined damage increase, making this a staple for many melee and Fire-based hybrid builds.

2. Stacking with Flask Buffs (Wondrous Physick)

The effects from your Flask of Wondrous Physick are considered a unique category of buff and will stack with both Golden Vow and a Body Buff. This creates the ultimate pre-fight ritual.

• Example: Use a Wondrous Physick mix containing the Opaline Hardtear (for defense) or the Cerulean Hidden Tear (for infinite FP).
• The Triple Stack: A fully optimized player will use their Wondrous Physick, cast Golden Vow, and then cast Flame, Grant Me Strength, resulting in a temporary state of immense power that can melt even the toughest bosses like the Elden Beast.

The Shadow of the Erdtree Consumable: A New Option for Non-Faith Builds

The latest expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, introduced a new consumable item that mirrors the Golden Vow effect, offering a third, highly convenient option for players who want the buff without the Faith investment or the weapon slot commitment of the Ash of War. This consumable is a fresh addition to the game's meta.

• Form: A rare consumable item found throughout the Land of Shadow.
• Effect: Provides a 12.75% damage buff and an 8.75% damage negation buff.
• Duration: 45 seconds.

While the consumable is not meant to replace the Incantation, it is a superior alternative to the Ash of War for non-Faith builds in critical situations, as its damage and defense boosts are slightly higher than the AoW version, making it an excellent burst damage tool for encounters with entities like Messmer the Impaler or the various new Field Bosses.

Optimizing Your Build with Golden Vow

Regardless of your chosen playstyle, Golden Vow is a mandatory component for high-level play. Its universal application to all damage types and its defense boost make it indispensable for both PvE and PvP.

Faith-Int Hybrid Builds (Golden Order)

For the classic Golden Order Incantation build, the Incantation version of Golden Vow is non-negotiable. With 25 Faith already met, you gain the full +15% damage and 80-second duration. This pairs perfectly with other Golden Order spells like Triple Rings of Light and Discus of Light, maximizing the power of your Sacred Seal.

Strength/Dexterity Melee Builds

Pure physical builds should rely on the Ash of War: Golden Vow or the new Consumable. By placing the AoW on a lightweight sidearm, you avoid wasting points on Faith. The 45-second duration is more than enough for most trash mobs and can be recast quickly before a boss's second phase. Stacking it with Flame, Grant Me Strength (which only requires 15 Faith, a much easier reach than 25, or can be bypassed with Talismans) is highly recommended for maximum Physical damage.

Sorcerer/Intelligence Builds

Intelligence builds should use the Ash of War or the Consumable. The ability to cast Golden Vow and then immediately switch back to a powerful Staff—such as the Carian Regal Scepter or the Lusat's Glintstone Staff—allows your Sorceries like Comet Azur or Loretta's Greatbow to hit significantly harder. The defense boost is particularly helpful for Sorcerers, who often run lower Vigor for optimal damage output.

In summary, Golden Vow is more than just a simple damage boost; it is a foundational component of any optimized Elden Ring build. Whether you meet the 25 Faith requirement for the superior Incantation or opt for the versatile Ash of War, integrating this buff into your combat ritual will dramatically increase your effectiveness against the game's most challenging entities and ensure you are fully prepared for the latest content in the Land of Shadow.