Factions
Of Ash and Steel Faction Choice Guide
Of Ash and Steel faction choice consequences matter: the decision is irreversible and shapes your damage, stamina, and rewards forever. Compare best faction rewards and test them in the build calculator before committing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Damage, stamina, and exclusive perks compared.
Iron Legion
5% dmgDisciplined steel and reliable defense
Strengths
- Armor shred and guard break multipliers
- Higher poise and safer trades
- Pairs well with heavy stance
Weaknesses
- Lower stamina regen
- Slower repositioning
+5% armored target damage, immunity to minor staggers.
Heavy rune slots that amplify guard breaks and shatters.
Open this in build calculator →Ashen Ordeal
8% dmgRisk, blood, and escalating damage
Strengths
- High bleed buildup and crit refunds
- Great stamina flow for light/balanced stances
- Fast repositioning for punish windows
Weaknesses
- Less defense when trades go wrong
- Requires timing to maximize crits
+8% bleed buildup and +10% sprint speed while in combat.
Ash braids that convert crits into stamina refunds.
Open this in build calculator →Example Builds per Faction
Open in the Of Ash and Steel build calculator and tweak per boss.
FAQ
Quick answers before you swear your oath.
Which faction is best for heavy stance builds?
Iron Legion boosts armor-shredding and poised swings, making heavy stance safer. Test it in the build calculator →
Which faction is best for stamina-focused builds?
Ashen Ordeal grants stamina refunds on crit and sprint speed, perfect for light stance. Test it in the build calculator →
Can I see all faction-exclusive rewards in one place?
Yes—compare passive bonuses above, then test multipliers in the calculator. Test it in the build calculator →
CTA
Choose, then test before committing shards.