Wandering Noble Ashes: Are They Worth Summoning in Elden Ring?

In the vast and unforgiving world of Elden Ring, survival often hinges on the allies you can summon. Among the earliest Spirit Ashes players can acquire are the Wandering Noble Ashes. These unassuming spirits, five in number, might seem underwhelming at first glance. But are they truly useless, or do they possess a hidden potential?

The short answer is: Wandering Noble Ashes are not good as a primary damage dealing spirit ash, but they can be situationally useful in the early game as cheap distractions. Their extremely low FP cost (only 13 FP) means you can summon them very early on, even with minimal Mind investment. While their damage output is negligible and their HP is abysmal, their main function is to draw enemy aggro, providing you with precious breathing room to heal, buff, or unleash your own attacks. This is especially useful against single, powerful enemies or bosses in the early game. However, as you progress through Elden Ring, the Wandering Noble Ashes will quickly become outclassed by other, more powerful summons.

Understanding the Wandering Noble Ashes

Before diving into their strengths and weaknesses, let’s understand what the Wandering Noble Ashes offer. Summoning them calls forth five spectral nobles to fight alongside you. These nobles are armed with basic weapons and possess very limited health. Their attacks are slow and deal minimal damage.

Their primary purpose is to act as fodder – a group of expendable targets meant to divert enemy attention. This can be invaluable in specific scenarios, such as:

• Drawing Aggro from Bosses: A boss focusing on a Wandering Noble isn’t focusing on you. This allows you to safely attack, heal, or reposition.
• Crowd Control: Against groups of weaker enemies, the nobles can spread out the aggro, making it easier to manage the situation.
• Exploration Distractions: In areas patrolled by powerful enemies, the nobles can briefly distract them, allowing you to sneak past or loot valuable items.

The Downsides: Why They Aren’t a Top-Tier Choice

Despite their potential utility, the Wandering Noble Ashes suffer from significant drawbacks:

• Extremely Low HP: They die incredibly quickly, often within seconds of being summoned.
• Minimal Damage Output: Their attacks barely scratch enemies, rendering them useless as damage dealers.
• Vulnerability to AoE Attacks: Area-of-effect attacks can wipe out the entire group of nobles in a single hit.
• Outclassed by Other Ashes: As you progress, you’ll find many other Spirit Ashes that offer significantly better damage, survivability, or utility.

Situational Usefulness: When to Consider the Nobles

Despite their limitations, there are specific situations where the Wandering Noble Ashes can be helpful:

• Early Game: When FP is scarce and you need a cheap distraction, they can be a viable option.
• Against Specific Bosses: Against bosses with predictable attack patterns and high single-target damage, the nobles can buy you valuable time. An example could be against early bosses like the Tree Sentinel or smaller dungeon bosses.
• As a Supplemental Summon: If you already have a stronger summon, the nobles can provide additional distraction, further reducing the pressure on you.

A Stepping Stone, Not a Destination

Ultimately, the Wandering Noble Ashes are best viewed as a stepping stone on your Elden Ring journey. They are a useful tool in the early game, particularly for players struggling with resource management or specific boss encounters. However, as you progress, you should prioritize finding and upgrading more powerful Spirit Ashes.

These Ashes offer a low-risk introduction to the mechanics of spirit summoning. They teach you the value of distraction and the importance of choosing the right summon for the situation. They encourage experimentation and exploration, which are essential elements of the Elden Ring experience.

Alternatives to the Wandering Noble Ashes

If you’re looking for more effective Spirit Ashes, consider these alternatives:

• Lone Wolf Ashes: A slightly more expensive but significantly more durable early-game option. The wolves deal more damage and have better survivability.
• Spirit Jellyfish Ashes: An excellent early-game option that can inflict poison and draw aggro effectively.
• Skeletal Militiaman Ashes: These skeletons can revive themselves after being defeated, providing sustained distraction.
• Mimic Tear Ashes: The Mimic Tear is undoubtedly the best Spirit Ash in Elden Ring because it makes an exact copy of the player. Moreover, the Mimic Tear can do the following: Use the Player’s Weapons, Armor, Talismans, Spells/Incantations and come with an Unlimited Supply of Bolts and Arrows.
• Lhutel the Headless: She won’t dish out as much damage as some other spirit ashes, but the sheer survivability of this ally is unmatched. She is arguably the best tanking summon you’ll find in the game.

Final Verdict

The Wandering Noble Ashes are not a powerhouse. They are not a game-changer. But they are a tool, and like any tool, they can be useful in the right hands and in the right situation. Don’t dismiss them entirely, but don’t rely on them as your primary means of support. Explore other options, experiment with different summons, and find the allies that best suit your playstyle and the challenges you face.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can Wandering Noble Ashes be upgraded?

No, Wandering Noble Ashes cannot be upgraded. Unlike many other Spirit Ashes, they are not affected by Grave Gloveworts or Ghost Gloveworts.

2. What is the FP cost of summoning Wandering Noble Ashes?

The FP cost is extremely low at just 13 FP, making them one of the cheapest summons in the game.

3. Where can I find the Wandering Noble Ashes?

They are found in a chest within a ruined house in the Stormfoot Cemetery area of Limgrave.

4. Are the Wandering Noble Ashes a one-time use item?

No, they are reusable. You can summon them as many times as you like, provided you have enough FP and are in an area where summoning is allowed.

5. Can I summon the Wandering Noble Ashes for every boss fight?

You can attempt to summon them once per boss fight attempt. If they die, you can resummon them if you die and retry the fight, but not during the same attempt.

6. Are the Wandering Noble Ashes effective against all types of enemies?

No, they are most effective against single, powerful enemies that can be distracted. They are less effective against groups of enemies or enemies with area-of-effect attacks.

7. How do I increase the survivability of the Wandering Noble Ashes?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly increase their survivability. However, you can indirectly improve their chances by drawing aggro away from them or by summoning them in areas where they are less likely to be targeted by AoE attacks.

8. At what point in the game should I stop using the Wandering Noble Ashes?

You should consider replacing them as soon as you find a more powerful summon, typically after the early game in Limgrave or Liurnia.

9. What are some good early-game alternatives to the Wandering Noble Ashes?

Some good alternatives include the Lone Wolf Ashes, the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes, and the Skeletal Militiaman Ashes.

10. Can I summon multiple sets of Wandering Noble Ashes at once?

No, you can only summon one set of Spirit Ashes at a time.

11. Do the Wandering Noble Ashes scale with my character’s stats?

No, their stats are fixed and do not scale with your character’s attributes.

12. Can I use the Wandering Noble Ashes in multiplayer?

Yes, you can use them while playing in co-op, but keep in mind that their effectiveness may be diminished due to the increased number of targets for enemies.

13. Are the Wandering Noble Ashes useful for specific builds?

They are not particularly useful for any specific build, as their main purpose is distraction rather than damage.

14. How do I obtain the Spirit Calling Bell needed to summon Spirit Ashes?

You initially get the Spirit Calling Bell from Renna at the Church of Elleh early in the game. If you miss her, you can purchase the Spirit Calling Bell from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.

15. What makes a Spirit Ash “good” in Elden Ring?

A good Spirit Ash generally possesses a combination of high survivability, decent damage output, and useful utility. The best Spirit Ashes can significantly enhance your combat capabilities and help you overcome challenging encounters. The Games Learning Society studies the role of gameplay, game design and games-based learning. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.