Is It Worth Upgrading Spirits in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

Absolutely! Upgrading your Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring is one of the most impactful investments you can make in your journey through the Lands Between. While some may find the challenge of soloing bosses appealing, Spirit Ashes offer a strategic advantage that can turn the tide of battle, especially against the game’s most formidable foes. Upgrading them significantly boosts their attack power and defenses, making them more durable and effective in combat. Ignoring this mechanic is akin to tackling Mount Everest in flip-flops – possible, but agonizingly difficult.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Spirit Ashes

Let’s delve into the core reasons why upgrading your Spirit Ashes is crucial for a smoother and more rewarding Elden Ring experience.

• Enhanced Survivability: Upgrading Spirit Ashes drastically increases their ability to withstand enemy attacks. This extended lifespan is invaluable, as it allows them to draw aggro, giving you breathing room to heal, strategize, or unleash your own offensive maneuvers. A well-upgraded Spirit Ash can essentially act as a tank, absorbing damage that would otherwise be directed at you.

• Increased Damage Output: It’s not just about defense; upgraded Spirit Ashes hit harder. The increase in attack power can be substantial, transforming a weak summon into a formidable damage dealer. This added DPS can significantly shorten boss fights, reducing the window for mistakes and increasing your chances of success.

• Versatility for Different Encounters: Not all Spirit Ashes are created equal, and certain encounters demand specific strengths. Upgrading a variety of Spirit Ashes allows you to tailor your summons to the challenge at hand. For instance, a tanky summon like Lhutel the Headless might be ideal for absorbing damage from a powerful boss, while a more offensive summon like the Mimic Tear can provide significant DPS alongside you.

• Overcoming Difficulty Spikes: Elden Ring is notorious for its challenging bosses and areas. Upgrading your Spirit Ashes can provide the edge you need to overcome these difficulty spikes. A well-upgraded summon can make a seemingly insurmountable boss fight manageable, allowing you to progress through the game without hitting a brick wall.

• Making Specific Builds More Viable: Some character builds struggle in certain areas of the game. Spirit Ashes can bridge these gaps by providing additional support or damage output that complements your build. For example, a mage build might benefit from a tanky summon to draw aggro, while a melee build could use a DPS-focused summon to maximize damage.

The Upgrade Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Upgrading your Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Unlock Roderika: You’ll first encounter Roderika at the Stormhill Shack. Progress through her questline by speaking with her and Master Hewg at the Roundtable Hold multiple times.

2. Roderika’s New Role: Eventually, Roderika will relocate to Master Hewg‘s room at the Roundtable Hold and become a Spirit Tuner.

3. Gathering Upgrade Materials: You’ll need specific upgrade materials to enhance your Spirit Ashes:

   • Grave Gloveworts: Used to upgrade standard Spirit Ashes.
   • Ghost Gloveworts: Used to upgrade renowned Spirit Ashes.

   These materials can be found throughout the Lands Between, often in graveyards, catacombs, and other somber locations. Explore thoroughly and keep an eye out for these valuable resources.

4. Upgrading at Roderika: Once you have the required Gloveworts and enough Runes, speak to Roderika at the Roundtable Hold. She’ll offer to upgrade your Spirit Ashes, increasing their stats and effectiveness.

5. Upgrade Levels: Spirit Ashes can be upgraded to a maximum of +10. Each upgrade requires a specific type and quantity of Gloveworts, as well as a Rune cost.

Identifying Key Spirit Ashes to Upgrade

While experimentation is encouraged, some Spirit Ashes stand out as particularly worthwhile investments:

• Mimic Tear: Widely considered the best Spirit Ash in the game, the Mimic Tear creates a copy of your character, complete with your equipped weapons, armor, and spells. Its versatility and damage potential are unmatched.

• Black Knife Tiche: This agile assassin deals significant damage and can dodge enemy attacks with ease. Her unique skill, which inflicts a percentage-based health drain, is particularly effective against bosses.

• Lhutel the Headless: A tanky and resilient summon, Lhutel the Headless can absorb a tremendous amount of damage, making her ideal for drawing aggro and protecting you from harm.

• Nightmaiden & Swordstress Puppets: These dual-wielding puppets are surprisingly effective at inflicting bleed buildup, which can quickly decimate enemy health bars.

• Omenkiller Rollo: A powerful melee fighter, Omenkiller Rollo deals high damage and possesses a strong attack that can stagger enemies.

FAQs: Maximizing Your Spirit Ash Potential

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get the most out of your Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring:

1. How many times can I upgrade Spirit Ashes?

Spirit Ashes can be upgraded a total of 10 times, from +0 to +10. Each upgrade requires specific Gloveworts and Runes.

2. What’s the difference between Grave Gloveworts and Ghost Gloveworts?

Grave Gloveworts are used to upgrade standard Spirit Ashes, while Ghost Gloveworts are used to upgrade renowned Spirit Ashes. Renowned ashes are usually boss rewards or obtained later in the game.

3. Is it worth upgrading the Lone Wolf Ashes?

While the Lone Wolf Ashes are a decent early-game option, they become less effective as you progress. Investing in more powerful Spirit Ashes is generally recommended.

4. Can I use two Spirit Ashes at once?

No, you can only summon one Spirit Ash at a time. Additionally, Spirit Ashes cannot be used during multiplayer co-op sessions.

5. Does upgrading Spirit Ashes affect their FP cost?

No, upgrading Spirit Ashes does not change their FP cost.

6. What are the best early-game Spirit Ashes to upgrade?

The Spirit Jellyfish and Godrick Soldier Ashes are good early options. The Spirit Jellyfish inflicts poison, while the soldiers provide decent support. However, don’t be afraid to explore and experiment.

7. How do I find more Gloveworts?

Gloveworts can be found in graveyards, catacombs, and other dark and somber locations throughout the Lands Between. Use the interactive map at the Elden Ring wiki to assist in locating the materials.

8. Is the Mimic Tear still good after the nerf?

Yes, despite a slight reduction in damage, the Mimic Tear remains the best Spirit Ash in the game due to its versatility and ability to mimic your playstyle.

9. What’s the tankiest Spirit Ash in Elden Ring?

Lhutel the Headless is arguably the tankiest Spirit Ash, with high health and the ability to teleport and dodge attacks.

10. Can I use Spirit Ashes in every boss fight?

No, you can only use Spirit Ashes in certain areas and boss fights. Look for the white icon of a gate on the left side of the screen to show they can be used in your location.

11. Does upgrading my character stats affect my Spirit Ashes?

Indirectly, yes. Since many Spirit Ashes scale with your stats (particularly the Mimic Tear), increasing your character’s attributes will indirectly boost their effectiveness.

12. Which Spirit Ash is best for a mage build?

Black Knife Tiche is a great option for mages due to her high damage and ability to distract enemies, allowing you to cast spells from a safe distance. The Mimic Tear is a strong alternative.

13. Is it worth upgrading multiple Spirit Ashes?

Yes, upgrading several Spirit Ashes is highly recommended. Different summons excel in different situations, providing you with tactical flexibility.

14. Do Spirit Ashes benefit from my Talismans?

The Mimic Tear benefits from the equipped Talismans at the moment you summon it. Other Spirit Ashes do not benefit from your equipped Talismans.

15. Can Spirit Ashes inflict status effects like bleed or poison?

Yes, some Spirit Ashes, such as the Nightmaiden & Swordstress Puppets (bleed) and the Spirit Jellyfish (poison), can inflict status effects on enemies.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Power of Spirit Ashes

In conclusion, upgrading your Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring is not just worthwhile; it’s essential for maximizing your combat potential and enjoying a more balanced and accessible gaming experience. By investing in a variety of summons and upgrading them strategically, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the challenges that await you in the Lands Between. Don’t underestimate the power of these spectral allies – they can be the difference between victory and defeat.

For more in-depth analyses of games and their impact on learning, explore the resources available at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. Understanding the mechanics and strategies within games like Elden Ring can provide valuable insights into player behavior, problem-solving, and engagement.