Age of Ashes: Dark Nuns throws players into a cursed land where evil magic twists the world and survival is earned through strategy and bloodshed. With its mix of gothic horror, tactical combat, and deep RPG systems, this mobile action game stands out for its punishing battles and layered mechanics. New players may find the dark fantasy setting overwhelming, while veterans are constantly pushed to adapt and optimize.

To help you thrive in this shadowy realm, we’ve put together 10 expert tips and tricks that go beyond the basics. These aren’t just about tapping faster—they’re about understanding the systems that make the game tick, maximizing your build, and leveraging every bit of advantage the game offers. Whether you’re just getting started or aiming to master endgame content, this guide will sharpen your edge in battle.

1. Prioritize Skill Chains Early

Skill chains are the backbone of effective combat. Learn how your basic skills combo into more powerful chained abilities. For example, a slash followed by a heavy thrust may activate a bleed combo, adding DoT (damage over time). Chain synergy drastically increases your output in both PvE and PvP.

• Unlock skill fusion early in the Skill Tree.
• Practice in the training arena to test timings.
• Stack skills that have elemental synergy (like fire + bleed or ice + stun).

2. Always Upgrade Rarity Before Level

A level 20 common weapon won’t outperform a level 10 rare weapon. Rarity boosts stats exponentially and unlocks special passive effects. Focus on upgrading to higher rarity gear before wasting resources on leveling.

• Use fusion stones sparingly—save them for rare/epic gear.
• Dismantle low-rarity gear for enhancement materials.
• Check the forge for rarity progression paths.

3. Use Stealth Zones in Exploration Maps

Many maps have hidden “dark zones” where enemies can’t see you unless you act. These stealth spots are great for ambushes, loot recovery, or avoiding elite mobs during quests.

• You’ll recognize them by the fog effect and whispering audio.
• Avoid attacking until you’re fully buffed or ready to escape.
• Some quests require stealth to complete—don’t rush!

4. Always Maintain Buff Rotation

Buffs in Age of Ashes are short-lived but powerful. Use potions, passive aura skills, and environment-based buffs in a rotation. Maintaining uptime on these gives a major advantage.

• Equip potions with 30s or 60s timers.
• Activate passive auras before entering boss rooms.
• Look for shrine buffs in dungeons (marked by glowing purple obelisks).

5. Use Mounts Strategically in PvP

Mounts aren’t just for speed—they grant combat bonuses too. Some mounts grant damage resistance, others provide movement bursts or AoE skills. Don’t just treat them as cosmetics.

• Summon mounts with cooldown timing in mind.
• Use their burst skills for chase or retreat in PvP zones.
• Upgrade mounts separately using mount essence.

6. Join a Guild Early for Resource Bonuses

Guilds provide access to daily quests, shared buffs, and resource zones you can’t get alone. Even if you’re not very social, being in a guild increases XP, silver, and drop rates.

• Complete guild dailies for guild coins.
• Donate weekly for favor points and skill boosts.
• Participate in weekly guild raids for rare gear.

7. Elemental Damage Trumps Raw Stats

Enemies in Age of Ashes have resistances and weaknesses. Matching your skill element to enemy weaknesses often does more damage than raw power upgrades.

• Use the monster log to identify elemental resistances.
• Equip gear that enhances elemental damage instead of just ATK.
• Switch builds in towns when preparing for elemental-specific dungeons.

8. Dodge Cancels Are Essential

You can cancel long skill animations by using the dodge button. This trick lets you reposition while keeping DPS high and avoiding lethal enemy attacks.

• Practice canceling heavy skills with dodge rolls.
• Time dodges for iframe immunity during AoE boss attacks.
• Equip movement-speed boots to reduce post-dodge vulnerability.

9. Use Crafting Wisely, Don’t Spam

Crafting is expensive. Instead of crafting everything available, focus on specific recipes needed for your build. Save high-end materials for endgame gear.

• Prioritize accessories and off-hands over armor sets early on.
• Rare materials should be saved for orange-tier recipes.
• Use the codex to track which recipes are best-in-slot for your class.

10. Build Around Your Class Strength, Not Meta

It’s tempting to copy meta builds, but unless you have the same gear and skills unlocked, it may underperform. Focus on your current class’s strengths—tanks should build HP and taunt radius, ranged classes should boost crit and evasion.

• Identify if your class excels in PvP, PvE, or hybrid roles.
• Enhance core stats through passives, not just gear.
• Review your combat log to see where your damage/healing is coming from.
  

Age of Ashes: Dark Nuns is far more than a typical hack-and-slash RPG. Beneath the dark atmosphere lies a deeply strategic game where player skill, smart decision-making, and mechanical mastery define who thrives and who falls. By incorporating these 10 tips into your daily gameplay, you’ll make faster progress, take on tougher content, and outplay your competition.

Whether you’re sneaking through cursed ruins or leading your guild into battle, every decision you make matters. Keep exploring, keep refining your builds, and don’t be afraid to experiment. With patience and precision, you’ll rise from a wandering soul to one of the most feared warriors in the Age of Ashes. For the best gaming experience, play Age of Ashes: Dark Nuns on BlueStacks!