How To Find Warmaster's Shack
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Elden Ring is full of special locations and hidden-away merchants, waiting just off the beaten path for the stray Tarnished to discover. Warmaster’s Shack is one such location, and Knight Bernahl is one such merchant.
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Found in Limgrave before reaching Stormveil Castle and accessible very early in the game, Warmaster’s Shack offers the chance for a Tarnished to acquire some rare Ashes of War and even one of the Legendary Armaments, Devourer’s Scepter.
How To Reach Warmaster’s Shack
From Gatefront Ruins, head west up the hill, riding past the Troll and soldiers, and continue up the hill. Follow the path as it curls northward until you reach Stormhill Shack. Here, you can interact with Roderika, an important NPC who will level up your Spirit Ashes after completing her quest.
From Stormhill Shack, head east/northeast. You should discover a rough path of sorts heading in that direction. You know you’re on the right path when you come across two Kaiden Sellswords patrolling the path just past some ruins. Head directly east from this point, and you will spot a small structure among the trees ahead. You have reached Warmaster’s Shack and the merchant, Knight Bernahl.
If you journey here at night, Knight Bernahl will not be present. Instead, upon entering the shack, you will encounter a potentially deadly field boss, the Bell Bearing Hunter. He only spawns at night, so if you’d rather avoid this encounter, simply visit during daylight hours.
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Knight Bernahl: Ash Of War Merchant
Rest at the site of grace and speak with Knight Bernahl, a warrior who calls this shack a home of sorts. Knight Bernahl will remain at Warmaster’s Shack for a good chunk of the game, but he will relocate to Volcano Manor after you speak with Lady Tanith and pledge your allegiance to Volcano Manor.
Knight Bernahl will act as a vendor, offering a variety of battle arts that can be applied to different weapons and shields to further customize your combat style. These Ashes of War cannot be found anywhere else, and some are extremely useful, so it’s a good idea to pick them all up (Runes allowing).
Knight Bernahl’s Inventory
Ash of War Name | Skill Text | Cost (FP) | Cost (Runes) |
|---|---|---|---|
Ash of War: Stamp (Upward Cut) | This Ash of War grants an armament the Heavy affinity and the following skill: "Stamp (Upward Cut): Brace armament and step into a low stance that prevents recoil from most enemy attacks. Follow up with a strong attack for an upward strike." Usable on swords, axes, and hammers (small and medium swords excepted). | 5(8) | 1,500 |
Ash of War: Kick | This Ash of War grants an armament the Heavy affinity and the following skill: "Kick: Push an enemy back with a high kick. Effective against enemies who are guarding and can break a foe's stance. Sometimes a simple tool is the most effective." Usable on all melee armaments. | 0 | 800 |
Ash of War: Endure | This Ash of War grants an armament the Heavy affinity and the following skill: "Endure: Assume an anchored stance to brace for incoming attacks, briefly boosting poise. Damage taken while using this skill is reduced." Usable on all melee armaments. | 9 | 600 |
Ash of War: War Cry | This Ash of War grants an armament the Heavy affinity and the following skill: "War Cry: Give a war cry to rally the spirit and increase attack power. While active, strong attacks change to charging attacks." Usable on melee armaments (daggers, thrusting swords, and whips excepted). | 16 | 800 |
Ash of War: Spinning Slash | This Ash of War grants an armament the Keen affinity and the following skill: "Spinning Slash: Skill favored by dexterous warriors. Slash foes as your body spins. Additional input allows for a follow-up attack." Usable on swords, axes, and polearms (colossal weapons excepted). | 6(12) | 1200 |
Ash of War: Impaling Thrust | This Ash of War grants an armament the Keen affinity and the following skill: "Impaling Thrust: Skill that lets piercing armaments overcome enemy shields. Build power, then lunge forward for a strong thrust that pierces an enemy's guard." Usable on armaments capable of thrusting (colossal weapons excepted). | 9 | 1000 |
Ash of War: Quickstep | This Ash of War grants an armament the Keen affinity and the following skill: "Quickstep: Skill prized by the crafty and fleet of foot. Perform a quickstep maneuver that allows for circling around lock-on targets." Usable on all melee armaments. | 3 | 600 |
Ash of War: Storm Blade | This Ash of War grants an armament the Quality affinity and the following skill: "Storm Blade: Lost skill of Stormveil. Surround armament with shearing storm winds that can be fired forward. Can be fired in rapid succession." Usable on swords (colossal weapons and twinblades excepted). | 10 | 1800 |
Ash of War: Parry | This Ash of War grants no affinity to an armament, but imparts the following skill: "Parry: Use this skill in time with a foe's melee attack to deflect it and break that foe's stance. This provides an opening to perform a critical hit." Usable on daggers, curved swords, thrusting swords, fists, claws, and small and medium shields. | 0 | 600 |
Ash of War: No Skill | This Ash of War grants no affinity to an armament and replaces any skill present with the following: "No Skill: This armament has no skill. If the armament in the other hand, has a skill, that skill will be used instead." Usable on shields and torches. | N/A | 600 |
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Should You Kill Knight Bernahl?
Knight Bernahl is part of a small quest related to Volcano Manor later on in the game, but you can also slay Knight Bernahl in Warmaster’s Shack for his gear.
It is not recommended to kill Knight Bernahl early. If you slay Knight Bernahl before completing his Volcano Manor quest, you will be unable to acquire the Raging Wolf armor set, one of the iconic armors in Elden Ring. You will still be able to acquire his equipment toward the end of the game if you choose not to slay him early.
If you don’t really care for the Raging Wolf armor set, slaying Knight Bernahl at Warmaster’s Shack does offer you some great loot.
Choosing to kill Knight Bernahl will reward you:
- Bernahl’s Bell Bearing – allows you to acquire his inventory after bringing it to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold.
- Beast Champion Helm
- Beast Champion Armor (Altered)
- Beast Champion Gauntlets
- Beast Champion Greaves
- Devourer’s Scepter – one of the game’s Legendary Armaments.
