Mastering Spirit Summons in Elden Ring: The Ultimate Guide to Ethereal Allies

In the treacherous lands of Elden Ring, even the most seasoned Tarnished can find themselves overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught of formidable foes. Fortunately, FromSoftware has bestowed upon players a powerful tool in their arsenal: Spirit Summons. These spectral companions can turn the tide of battle, providing crucial support when facing overwhelming odds. This comprehensive guide will delve deep into the intricacies of summoning spirits and upgrading them to unleash their full potential, equipping you with the knowledge to conquer the Lands Between.

Unlocking the Power of Spirit Summons

Before you can call upon these ethereal allies, you must first acquire the essential tool for summoning: the Spirit Calling Bell. This mystical artifact serves as the conduit between the world of the living and the realm of spirits. To obtain this crucial item, venture to the Church of Elleh in Limgrave during nightfall. Here, you'll encounter the enigmatic witch Renna (also known as Ranni), who will bestow upon you the Spirit Calling Bell and your first Spirit Ash.

The acquisition of the Spirit Calling Bell marks a significant milestone in your journey, opening up a new dimension of strategic gameplay. It's worth noting that you don't need to equip the bell itself; simply having it in your inventory is sufficient to access its power. This design choice by FromSoftware streamlines the summoning process, allowing players to focus on the heat of battle rather than inventory management.

The Art of Summoning: Mastering the Basics

With the Spirit Calling Bell in your possession, you're ready to begin your journey as a summoner. The process of calling forth your spectral allies is elegantly simple, yet governed by specific rules that add depth to the gameplay:

1. First, equip your chosen Spirit Ash in a quick slot for easy access during combat.
2. Keep an eye out for the Rebirth Monument symbol – a small white tombstone icon that appears on the left side of your screen. This icon indicates that summoning is possible in your current location.
3. When the icon is visible, use the corresponding quick slot to summon your spirit ally.

It's crucial to understand that Spirit Ashes can only be summoned in specific areas, typically near boss fights and in particularly challenging locations. This limitation serves two purposes: it preserves the game's balance by preventing overreliance on summons, and it adds an element of strategy to when and where you choose to call upon your spectral companions.

Expanding Your Spiritual Arsenal: A Journey of Discovery

While the Lone Wolf Ashes serve as an excellent starting point, Elden Ring offers a vast and diverse array of Spirit Summons, each with unique abilities and strengths. Collecting these Spirit Ashes becomes a game within itself, encouraging exploration and rewarding thorough investigation of the world.

There are several methods to expand your collection:

• Defeat bosses and mini-bosses, many of which drop unique Spirit Ashes as rewards.
• Explore the world thoroughly, as many Spirit Ashes are hidden in obscure corners of the map.
• Purchase them from select NPCs, such as the enigmatic Seluvis, whose questionable morals belie his access to powerful summons.

Some notable Spirit Ashes to keep an eye out for include:

• Mimic Tear: Perhaps the most infamous of all Spirit Ashes, this summon creates an exact copy of your character, complete with all equipped items and spells. Its versatility and power have made it a favorite among players, despite post-launch nerfs to balance its effectiveness.

• Black Knife Tiche: A swift assassin with powerful attacks, Tiche excels at dealing damage over time and can even reduce an enemy's maximum health.

• Lhutel the Headless: A tanky defender with teleportation abilities, perfect for players who need a robust frontline fighter.

• Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff: A formidable warrior capable of unleashing devastating lightning attacks, ideal for crowd control and area-of-effect damage.

Each of these summons brings something unique to the table, catering to different playstyles and tactical approaches. Experimenting with various Spirit Ashes and learning their strengths and weaknesses is key to mastering the art of summoning in Elden Ring.

Upgrading Spirit Ashes: Unleashing True Potential

To truly harness the power of your spectral allies, you'll need to upgrade them. This process requires the assistance of a special NPC named Roderika, whose own journey from a timid survivor to a master spirit tuner mirrors the player's growth throughout the game.

Unlocking Roderika's Spirit Tuning Services

Accessing Roderika's abilities is a quest in itself, reflecting Elden Ring's intricate narrative design:

1. Initially, you'll find Roderika at Stormhill Shack. Exhaust her dialogue to begin her questline.
2. Progress through Stormveil Castle and locate the Chrysalids' Memento, a key item in Roderika's story.
3. Return the Chrysalids' Memento to Roderika, triggering the next phase of her development.
4. You'll next encounter Roderika at the Roundtable Hold. Speak with her to advance the quest.
5. Engage in a dialogue between Roderika and Blacksmith Hewg, acting as a mediator between the two.
6. Leave and return to the Roundtable Hold; Roderika will now offer Spirit Tuning services.

This questline not only unlocks a crucial gameplay mechanic but also tells a poignant story of growth and finding one's purpose in the harsh world of Elden Ring.

The Intricacies of the Upgrade Process

Spirit Ashes are divided into two categories: Standard and Renowned. This distinction affects not only their base power but also the materials required for their improvement:

Standard Spirit Ashes

These common spirits require Grave Gloveworts for upgrading. As you progress through the game, you'll need to find Glovewort Picker's Bell Bearings to unlock access to higher-level upgrades from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.

Renowned Spirit Ashes

These more powerful spirits demand Ghost Gloveworts for their enhancement. Similarly, Ghost-Glovewort Picker's Bell Bearings are necessary to access the rarer, higher-grade materials.

The upgrade level of the Spirit Ash determines the grade of Glovewort needed. For example, a +5 upgrade requires a Grave Glovewort [5] or Ghost Glovewort [5], depending on the Spirit Ash type. This system creates a satisfying progression curve, with players constantly searching for rarer materials to power up their favorite summons.

Maximizing Your Upgrades

Reaching the coveted +10 upgrade level represents the pinnacle of Spirit Ash enhancement:

• Standard Ashes require a Great Grave Glovewort
• Renowned Ashes demand a Great Ghost Glovewort

These rare materials are typically found in late-game areas or as rewards for particularly challenging content, ensuring that fully upgraded Spirit Ashes feel like a true accomplishment.

It's important to note that each upgrade also costs Runes, the game's primary currency. This creates an interesting economy where players must balance investing in their own character's levels with powering up their spectral allies.

Tactical Considerations for Spirit Summons

When deciding which Spirit Ashes to upgrade and use, several factors come into play:

• Match the spirit's strengths to the challenges you face. For instance, a tanky summon like Lhutel the Headless can be invaluable against hard-hitting bosses, while a group summon like the Marionette Soldiers can help control crowds of weaker enemies.

• Consider the FP (Focus Points) cost of each summon. More powerful spirits generally require more FP to call forth, which can impact your ability to cast spells or use weapon skills.

• Some spirits excel at tanking damage, while others are better for dealing damage. Understanding these roles can help you choose the right summon for each situation.

• Certain spirits have unique abilities that can be game-changing in specific situations. For example, the Jellyfish summon can poison enemies, which can be particularly effective against bosses with large health pools.

• Experiment with different spirits to find those that complement your playstyle. A mage character might benefit from a melee-focused summon to keep enemies at bay, while a close-combat fighter might appreciate ranged support.

The Impact of Spirit Summons on Game Balance

The introduction of Spirit Summons in Elden Ring has been a topic of much discussion within the Souls community. While these spectral allies can significantly ease the difficulty of many encounters, some players argue that they diminish the challenge that is core to the Souls-like experience.

It's worth noting that FromSoftware has carefully balanced the game with Spirit Summons in mind. Many late-game bosses and encounters are designed with the assumption that players may be using summons, featuring more complex attack patterns and area-of-effect abilities to challenge both the player and their spectral companion.

Ultimately, the choice of whether and when to use Spirit Summons is left to the player. This flexibility allows for a more customizable difficulty curve, catering to a wider range of player skills and preferences. Some may choose to use summons freely to experience the game's rich lore and world design, while others might save them only for the most challenging encounters or forgo them entirely for a more traditional Souls-like challenge.

Conclusion: Embracing the Spirit of Adventure

Spirit Summons in Elden Ring represent a bold evolution of the Souls formula, offering a fascinating layer of strategy and support to your journey through the Lands Between. By mastering the art of summoning and investing in upgrades, you'll forge powerful bonds with ethereal companions that can help you overcome even the most daunting challenges.

Remember, the path of a summoner is one of constant growth and experimentation. Don't be afraid to try new Spirit Ashes and upgrade strategies as you progress through the game. Each spectral ally offers a unique way to approach the game's challenges, potentially opening up new strategies or allowing you to overcome obstacles that once seemed insurmountable.

With dedication and the right spectral allies by your side, you'll be well-equipped to unravel the mysteries of Elden Ring and claim your place as Elden Lord. So go forth, Tarnished, and may the guidance of grace – and the power of your summoned spirits – light your way through the shadows of the Lands Between.