Best Spirit Ashes for Crucible Knight in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive 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.
Choosing the right Spirit Ash can significantly impact your success against the formidable Crucible Knights in Elden Ring. These heavily armored, agile foes pose a considerable challenge, demanding strategy and understanding of their weaknesses. But, contrary to initial assumptions, you can’t actually use spirit summons in the typical one-on-one Crucible Knight boss fights. However, two Crucible Knight spirits can be summoned if you manage to defeat the Spirit-Caller Snail in the Road’s End Catacombs. Therefore, this article will focus on the best Spirit Ashes to use generally in Elden Ring, specifically when you are using them in areas before you meet the actual Crucible Knight bosses, as well as how to handle the one-on-one fight itself.
Understanding the Crucible Knight Challenge
Before diving into optimal summon choices, it’s crucial to understand why Crucible Knights are so difficult. They possess:
- High Physical Defense: They boast considerable armor, making them resistant to most physical attacks.
- Aggressive Attack Patterns: Their attacks are swift, varied, and have surprisingly long reach, including flying attacks, tail swipes, and shield bashes.
- Immunity to Status Effects: Bleed and Frostbite are ineffective against them, eliminating some popular combat strategies.
- Magic and Holy Resistance: Magic and Holy damage deal reduced effectiveness.
Given these factors, you need Spirit Ashes that can either distract them, deal high damage, or survive their onslaught, or better yet, do all of those things.
The Top Spirit Ash Choices for Elden Ring in General
Since you can’t summon in the main boss fights with Crucible Knights, you’ll want a summon that will help you tackle other enemies along the way, while still preparing you to take on the Knight once you do reach him. The best Spirit Ashes for general exploration that will also benefit you against tough enemies like the Crucible Knight include:
1. Mimic Tear
The Mimic Tear stands as the most versatile and powerful summon in Elden Ring. This Spirit Ash creates a clone of your character, complete with your equipped weapons, armor, talismans, and spells.
- Versatility: It adapts to your playstyle, making it effective regardless of your build.
- Damage Output: The mimic uses your equipped weapons and spells, allowing for significant damage.
- Adaptability: It can use projectiles like bolts and arrows, meaning it can engage enemies at range or up close.
- Tanking Ability: Depending on your character’s armor, it can withstand quite a bit of damage.
While it is costly in terms of health to summon, the Mimic Tear is an excellent choice for tackling tough situations. This means it is also useful when clearing areas before facing a Crucible Knight.
2. Black Knife Tiche
Black Knife Tiche is a high-tier summon known for its aggressive nature and high damage output. It is particularly useful for single-target damage.
- High Damage: Her attacks can shred through enemy health bars, dealing massive damage to single targets like Crucible Knights.
- Mobility: She dodges attacks effectively, making her durable enough for lengthy battles.
- Single-Target Specialist: Tiche can focus on one target, quickly weakening or eliminating it.
While not a tank in the same way some other ashes are, Tiche’s ability to quickly take down a tough enemy is extremely useful. She is especially helpful for quickly eliminating the adds that often surround a Crucible Knight.
3. Lhutel the Headless
Lhutel the Headless is a tanky summon designed to draw aggro and take hits.
- High Defense: She uses heavy armor and a greatshield, meaning that she can take a considerable amount of damage.
- Mobility: She has a teleportation skill, meaning she can move to stay on top of opponents.
- Ranged Attacks: She can throw spears at range, offering consistent pressure on targets.
Lhutel can soak up a lot of damage, giving you the opportunity to heal and plan your next attack, making her an ideal choice when facing a variety of opponents.
4. Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff
Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff is another sturdy option.
- Defensive Stance: Equipped with a greatshield and the ability to block many attacks.
- Offensive Pressure: He also deals good damage with his unique move set.
- Reliability: Kristoff can consistently hold his own, drawing the attention of stronger enemies.
Kristoff is reliable in all sorts of situations, making him another very useful summon for tackling the enemies that often accompany Crucible Knights.
How to Handle Crucible Knights in a One-on-One Fight
Remember, you cannot summon for the typical Crucible Knight boss battles. Here are some essential tactics:
- Parry: Learn parry timings to stagger and open up the knight for critical hits.
- Distance: Maintain distance to heal, as the Knight can close gaps quickly.
- Patience: Attack once or twice before retreating to avoid counterattacks.
- Tail Attacks: Watch for the Knight’s tail attacks, which have long reach.
- I-Frames: Use i-frames to avoid damage from their varied attacks.
- Damage: Use Fire and Lightning damage for best results.
- Avoid Holy and Magic: Don’t use these types of attacks, as the Knights are resistant to them.
- No Bleed or Frostbite: Do not use these, as the Knights are immune.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you summon for Crucible Knight Boss fights?
No, you cannot summon other players or Spirit Ashes for most Crucible Knight boss fights. They are designed as one-on-one encounters. However, in a specific optional boss fight in the Road’s End Catacombs, you can summon two Crucible Knight spirit summons, after beating the Spirit-Caller Snail.
2. Are Crucible Knights considered bosses?
Crucible Knights are considered mini-bosses or sub-boss enemies. They are tough but don’t respawn after being defeated (with the exception of one particular instance in the spirit realm).
3. What is the weakness of Crucible Knights?
Crucible Knights are weak to Fire and Lightning damage. They are resistant to Holy and Magic damage, and immune to Bleed and Frostbite.
4. Can you backstab a Crucible Knight?
No, Crucible Knights are immune to backstabs, as well as to staggering effects.
5. What rewards do you get for killing a Crucible Knight?
You receive 2,100 Runes and the Aspects of the Crucible: Tail incantation for killing a typical Crucible Knight. This incantation allows you to perform a tail swipe attack, which is one of the moves that the Knights themselves use.
6. Do Crucible Knights respawn in Elden Ring?
No, Crucible Knights do not respawn after being defeated, making them unique encounters (again, there are exceptions for spirits).
7. Is the Mimic Tear really the best summon?
The Mimic Tear is widely considered the best spirit ash due to its versatility, damage potential, and adaptability. It’s a clone of your character, making it exceptionally powerful.
8. Is Black Knife Tiche a good summon?
Yes, Black Knife Tiche is a fantastic summon known for her high damage output and mobility, making her a great choice against powerful single enemies.
9. How many Crucible Knights are in Elden Ring?
There are 16 Crucible Knights that can be fought throughout the Lands Between, though two of them are encountered as spirits.
10. Can you cheese Crucible Knight?
Yes, there are cheese tactics to defeat the Crucible Knight. You can, for instance, poison or rot them from a safe vantage point before the actual fight starts.
11. What are the Crucible Knight’s key attacks to watch out for?
The most dangerous attacks include his tail swipes, flying attacks, and shield bashes. Learning to predict and dodge these moves is crucial for survival.
12. What are the best shields to use against Crucible Knight?
Greatshields, such as the Crucible Hornshield, are recommended due to their high defense and shield bash capabilities.
13. Why is my flask healing getting interrupted when fighting Crucible Knight?
The Crucible Knight is extremely aggressive, and the only time to safely use your flask is when the Knight is winding up for a big attack. Otherwise, you’ll get knocked out of the animation.
14. Can you skip the Crucible Knight fight at Redmane Castle?
Yes, the Crucible Knight and Misbegotten Warrior boss fight at Redmane Castle is optional and does not affect the game’s endings.
15. What is the reward for defeating the duo at Redmane Castle?
Defeating the Crucible Knight and Misbegotten Warrior duo at Redmane Castle rewards you with the Ruins Greatsword, a Legendary armament.
Conclusion
While you cannot use summons in direct boss fights against Crucible Knights, knowing which Spirit Ashes to use while exploring the Lands Between before those encounters will greatly help you prepare. Furthermore, understanding the unique challenges of Crucible Knights, and employing tactics like parrying, spacing, and using elemental weaknesses is crucial for victory. By choosing the right summons and mastering combat techniques, you can overcome these formidable foes and become the Elden Lord.