Should I Summon Dung Eater for Mohg? A Tarnished’s Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of whether to summon Dung Eater for the battles against Mohg, Lord of Blood, or even Mohg, the Omen, is a complex one, steeped in lore, utility, and a healthy dose of moral ambiguity. The short answer is: it depends on your build, play style, and most importantly, where you are in the Dung Eater’s questline. In general, summoning the Dung Eater can be beneficial, but it comes with caveats. Let’s delve deeper.
The Pros and Cons of a Dung Eater Summon
The Upside: Bleed, Tankiness, and a Distraction
The Dung Eater Puppet Ash, obtainable through Seluvis’s questline (with some morally questionable choices), can be a surprisingly effective summon. Here’s why:
- Bleed Build-up: The Dung Eater Puppet’s scream attack inflicts Bleed buildup on enemies. Mohg, both the Lord of Blood and the Omen, is vulnerable to Hemorrhage. This makes the Dung Eater Puppet a valuable source of continuous damage, especially if your own build lacks Bleed potential.
- Tankiness: While not the most potent damage dealer, the Dung Eater Puppet is relatively tanky. It can withstand a decent amount of punishment, diverting Mohg’s attention and giving you breathing room to heal, cast spells, or unleash your own attacks.
- Aggro Management: A summon’s primary role is often to draw aggro. The Dung Eater Puppet excels at this. Mohg’s aggressive nature means he’ll often target the summon, allowing you to flank him or safely cast incantations like Bloodflame Talons.
- NPC Summon Availability: If you progress Dung Eater’s questline by releasing him from his cell, you can find his NPC summon sign outside the Mohg, the Omen boss fight (underneath Leyndell). This provides a tangible body, rather than the Puppet Ash version, adding another layer of tankiness and damage output.
The Downside: Moral Implications and Limited Damage
However, there are downsides to consider:
- Dung Eater’s Questline: The Dung Eater’s questline is arguably the most morally reprehensible in Elden Ring. It involves collecting Seedbed Curses and perpetuating his cycle of defilement. If you’re role-playing a character with a strong sense of justice, summoning him might feel out of character.
- Damage Output: While the Bleed buildup is helpful, the Dung Eater Puppet’s direct damage output is not exceptional. If you’re relying on it to carry the fight, you’ll likely be disappointed.
- Alternative Summons: Elden Ring offers a plethora of Spirit Ash summons, some of which might be more effective depending on your build. Summons like the Mimic Tear, Black Knife Tiche, or even a well-upgraded Spirit Jellyfish (given Mohg’s susceptibility to poison) could be superior choices.
- The Ending: Completing Dung Eater’s quest results in one of the “bad” endings, cursing the Lands Between. If you’re aiming for a specific ending, progressing his quest solely for his summon might not be worth it.
- Seluvis’s Questline: Obtaining the Dung Eater Puppet involves engaging with Seluvis’s equally morally questionable questline, which includes the use of potions and puppets.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Summon Dung Eater
Summon Dung Eater if:
- You are a Bleed build and want to amplify the Bleed effect.
- You need a tanky summon to draw Mohg’s attention and buy you time.
- You are already progressing the Dung Eater’s questline and want to utilize his summon for thematic consistency or to ease the boss fight.
- You are playing a character with less moral concerns and prioritize effectiveness over ethical considerations.
Avoid Summoning Dung Eater if:
- You are playing a character with strong moral principles and want to avoid involvement in his questline.
- You have a better summon option that synergizes with your build.
- You are aiming for a specific “good” ending and don’t want to be locked into the Dung Eater ending.
- You find the Dung Eater’s questline disturbing and want to avoid interacting with it altogether.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to summon the Dung Eater is a personal one. Consider the pros and cons, your character’s alignment, and your overall goals for the game. There is no right or wrong answer, only the path you choose to forge as the Elden Lord.
The Importance of Informed Choices in Gaming
Making informed choices, even in a seemingly frivolous context like choosing a summon in Elden Ring, highlights the engaging and complex decision-making processes involved in gaming. This connection between game mechanics and cognitive skills underscores the value of exploring games in educational settings, a concept championed by organizations like the Games Learning Society. For more on the intersection of gaming and education, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Summoning Dung Eater for Mohg
1. Can I summon the Dung Eater for both Mohg, the Omen, and Mohg, Lord of Blood?
Yes, but the method differs. For Mohg, the Omen, you can find his NPC summon sign near the boss fog if you’ve progressed his questline by releasing him from his cell. For Mohg, Lord of Blood, you primarily use the Dung Eater Puppet Ash.
2. How do I get the Dung Eater Puppet Ash?
You need to progress Seluvis’s questline. This involves giving the Amber Draught to Nepheli Loux (or Gideon Ofnir), then visiting Seluvis’s hidden puppet room behind his illusory wall. After discovering the Dung Eater’s puppet there, speak to Seluvis and purchase the Dung Eater Puppet Ash.
3. Is the Dung Eater Puppet a good summon in general?
It’s a decent summon, particularly against enemies vulnerable to Bleed. Its tankiness and aggro-drawing capabilities are also helpful. However, its damage output is relatively low compared to other summons.
4. What are the Seedbed Curses, and why are they important to the Dung Eater’s questline?
Seedbed Curses are key items found on the corpses of the Dung Eater’s victims. You need to collect and feed them to his physical body in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds to progress his quest and obtain the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse.
5. Is it necessary to complete the Dung Eater’s questline to summon him?
No, obtaining the Dung Eater Puppet Ash through Seluvis’s questline is sufficient for summoning him against Mohg, Lord of Blood. However, to have him as an NPC summon for Mohg, the Omen, you need to release him from his cell.
6. What happens if I kill the Dung Eater instead of releasing him?
If you kill him in his cell, you will not be able to complete his questline or access the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. However, you can still obtain his armor.
7. What are some alternative Spirit Ash summons that are good against Mohg?
Good alternatives include the Mimic Tear, Black Knife Tiche, Lhutel the Headless, and even the Spirit Jellyfish (due to Mohg’s susceptibility to poison). A high-levelled Oleg or Kristoff can provide good tanking capability.
8. Does summoning the Dung Eater affect the ending I can get?
Yes, completing his questline and obtaining the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse allows you to choose the “Age of Despair” ending, which is considered one of the “bad” endings.
9. What is Mohg’s weakness?
Mohg is weak to Bleed (Hemorrhage) and Physical damage. He is also susceptible to poison.
10. Should I use the Purifying Crystal Tear against Mohg, Lord of Blood?
Absolutely. The Purifying Crystal Tear negates Mohg’s Nihil attack, which can significantly simplify the fight. This is almost essential for many players.
11. How does Dung Eater’s Bleed buildup compare to other Bleed-focused summons?
His Bleed buildup is decent, but not exceptional. Summons like the Latenna the Albinauric combined with a Bleed weapon, or even the Black Knife Tiche, might inflict Bleed more rapidly. The Dung Eater Puppet provides Bleed build up through screams which aren’t constant.
12. Can I summon other players to help me fight Mohg in addition to the Dung Eater?
Yes, you can summon other players using Furlcalling Finger Remedies. This can significantly increase your chances of success.
13. Is the Dung Eater a recurring character in FromSoftware games?
The Loathsome Dung Eater is specific to Elden Ring, but FromSoftware often features characters with similar themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in their games.
14. How does the Dung Eater Puppet’s tankiness compare to other tanky summons?
While relatively tanky, the Dung Eater Puppet isn’t the sturdiest summon. Summons like Lhutel the Headless or upgraded versions of common soldiers are generally more resilient.
15. What is the best strategy for using the Dung Eater Puppet against Mohg?
Summon the Dung Eater Puppet at the start of the fight to draw Mohg’s aggro. Focus on inflicting damage while Mohg is occupied, and use items or spells to boost your own damage output. Be prepared to re-summon the puppet if it dies quickly. And, of course, bring the Purifying Crystal Tear!