Can I Summon and Use Ashes? A Comprehensive Guide to Elden Ring Summons
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Yes, absolutely! You can summon and use Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring to aid you in your journey across the Lands Between. These spectral allies can be a game-changer, offering invaluable support in battles against formidable foes. However, the summoning system is not without its nuances. There are specific rules and limitations to keep in mind, which this guide will help clarify. Let’s delve into the details of summoning Spirit Ashes and how to make the most of them.
Understanding Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring
Summoning Mechanics
Spirit Ashes can only be summoned in specific locations. These locations are typically areas where challenging encounters are expected, often before boss battles or in particularly dangerous zones. You’ll know when summoning is available because a white gravestone icon appears on the bottom left side of your screen. This icon indicates you’re within the Spirit Calling range.
Once you are within range and have the gravestone icon showing, you can summon a Spirit Ash from your inventory. The process will consume Focus Points (FP), so be sure you have enough before summoning. Spirit Ashes will disappear if you move out of the Spirit Calling range or after a boss has been defeated.
Restrictions on Summons
It’s critical to understand that only one type of Spirit Ash may be summoned at a time. This means you can’t have multiple different Spirit Ashes fighting alongside you simultaneously. Furthermore, Spirit Ashes cannot be used during multiplayer; choosing to summon a player for co-op means you can’t call upon your spectral allies. It’s crucial to think strategically about whether to engage in multiplayer or utilize Spirit Ashes because playing multiplayer increases the HP and damage output of bosses, while Spirit Ashes do not.
Reusing Summons and Dismissals
After summoning in a given area, you are not allowed to summon again in that area until you rest at any Sites of Grace or Fast Travel. This prevents you from continuously spamming summons. Fortunately, players can reuse the Spirit Ashes to dismiss a summon if desired, giving you some flexibility in how to manage your spectral companions.
The Value of Spirit Ashes
Differentiating Elden Ring
Spirit Summon Ashes help differentiate Elden Ring from previous Souls games by adding a unique layer to combat. This system allows players to approach battles in new and creative ways. It also means that the game is easier to play solo, as you can rely on your AI allies to distract enemies, tank hits, or dish out extra damage.
Strategic Use
The strategic use of summons is vital to your success in the Lands Between. Some Spirit Ashes, like the Mimic Tear, are incredibly powerful and can significantly change the tide of a battle. Others, like the Jellyfish or Rotten Stray, may be more niche, focusing on status effects. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each spirit ash and choosing the right one for specific challenges is critical.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Summons
1. Can I summon other players AND Spirit Ashes?
No, you can’t summon both players and Spirit Ashes simultaneously. It’s one or the other. If you choose to summon another player for co-op, Spirit Ashes will become unavailable, and vice-versa.
2. Are Spirit Ashes consumable? Can I run out of them?
No, Spirit Ashes are not consumable. They are reusable and can be used an unlimited number of times in areas where summoning is permitted. There is a limit on how often you can summon them per encounter, based on the white gravestone icon availability.
3. What is the best Spirit Ash in Elden Ring?
The Mimic Tear is widely regarded as the best Spirit Ash. It essentially creates a copy of your character, complete with your weapons, armor, and spells, making it an incredibly powerful ally.
4. What are some of the worst or least useful Spirit Ashes?
Generally, Spirit Ashes that primarily apply status effects, like the Jellyfish or Rotten Stray, are less useful. While status effects can help, you can often achieve similar results with consumables made through the crafting system. These summons tend to not add much damage.
5. How do I obtain the Spirit Calling Bell if I missed Renna at the start?
If you miss encountering Renna early on, you can purchase the Spirit Calling Bell from the Twin Husks merchant at Roundtable Hold. This becomes available after progressing in the game.
6. How many times can I use ashes?
You can use ashes once per boss fight attempt. They are not used up by doing so. No, they’re more like spells, though there’s a limit on how often you can summon them per encounter. They are not consumable. Unlimited use in specific areas.
7. Why can’t I summon my Spirit Ash?
If there isn’t a white gravestone icon on the side of your screen, that means you can’t summon your Spirit Ash in the current area. This could be because you are not in an area where summoning is permitted or you have already summoned a spirit ash and have not rested at a site of grace.
8. What is the highest damage summon in Elden Ring, besides Mimic Tear?
Beyond Mimic Tear, some of the strongest spirit summons include Lhutel The Headless, Black Knife Tiche, and Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff. These summons are known for their survivability and damage output.
9. Is Banished Knight Oleg or Engvall better?
Oleg is often considered better for his higher DPS, as he wields twin greatswords. While Engvall has a halberd, Oleg’s overall damage output and tanking capabilities make him a preferred choice for many.
10. Can I summon Spirit Ashes for all bosses, like Mohg and Malenia?
You can use spirit summons in many boss fights. In some special cases, you might also find NPC summons. For example, Dung Eater can be summoned for Mohg if you have progressed his quest. Black Knife Tiche is considered one of the best summons to use against Malenia, for her ability to dodge and inflict DPS.
11. How do I get the Dung Eater summon?
To get Dung Eater as a summon, you must advance his questline to the point where he is in a chair waiting for a seed bed curse. Give him Selivus’s potion. After this, Dung Eater will then appear in Selivus’s puppet shop.
12. How do I upgrade my Spirit Ashes?
You can upgrade your Spirit Ashes by speaking to Roderika after she moves her shop to be in the same room as Master Hewg at Roundtable Hold. You will need Grave Gloveworts or Ghost Gloveworts and runes to upgrade your summons.
13. What does the Bloody Slash Skill do?
Bloody Slash coats the blade in the user’s own blood before unleashing a wide, arcing slash that can deal significant damage, often one-shotting standard enemies.
14. Where can I find the Mimic Tear Ashes?
The Mimic Tear Ashes can be found in Nokron, Eternal City, in a chest behind an imp statue within the Night’s Sacred Ground area. This area is only accessible after defeating the Mimic Tear boss.
15. Can I summon Melina and Dung Eater for Morgott?
Yes, you can summon both Melina and Dung Eater as NPCs for the Morgott boss fight if their respective questlines are followed. Melina’s summon sign will be found on the ground before entering the fog gate for the boss encounter.
Conclusion
Spirit Ashes are a vital tool in Elden Ring, providing valuable assistance in tough battles. Understanding how to use them effectively, where they can be summoned, and which ashes are most suited to your playstyle can significantly impact your success in the game. Use them wisely, and the Lands Between will feel a little less daunting.