Unraveling Elden Ring’s Summoning System: Which Finger Summons Help?

The Lands Between are a vast and unforgiving place. Whether you are facing down a demigod or exploring the treacherous landscapes, having a helping hand can make all the difference. So, which finger do you need to rely on when you are in dire need of assistance? In Elden Ring, the Tarnished’s Furled Finger is the item that creates a gold summon sign, allowing other players to be summoned into your world to provide aid. When you see a gold summon sign, this indicates an ally eager to assist you. It is the crucial key to navigating the game’s challenges alongside fellow Tarnished.

Understanding the Summoning Mechanics

Summoning in Elden Ring is a core mechanic that allows players to engage in cooperative gameplay. It’s more than just teaming up to defeat a boss; it’s about sharing the experience, learning from others, and forging bonds in a challenging environment. But before you dive headfirst into summoning, understanding the intricacies of the system is crucial.

The Tools of the Trade

Several items and mechanics play a pivotal role in summoning. It is key to identify which tool, action or item does what.

• Tarnished’s Furled Finger: Creates a gold summon sign, visible to other players, indicating your availability to be summoned.
• Furlcalling Finger Remedy: Consumed to reveal summon signs placed by other players, both gold (allies) and red (invaders).
• Small Golden Effigy: Sends your summon sign to summoning pools near Martyr Effigies, increasing your chances of being summoned for general exploration or boss fights.
• Bloody Finger/Recusant Finger: Used to invade other players’ worlds for PvP combat.
• Martyr Effigies: Small statues scattered throughout the world, particularly near boss arenas, that serve as focal points for summoning. Activating these increases the range and likelihood of finding summon signs.

Types of Summon Signs

Recognizing the color and purpose of summon signs is crucial for ensuring you get the help you need, or avoid unwanted encounters.

• Gold Summon Signs: Represent players offering assistance. Summoning them brings cooperative allies into your world.
• Red Summon Signs: Indicate players looking to engage in PvP combat. Summoning them will bring an invader into your world.

The Summoning Process

Initiating and participating in cooperative gameplay is straightforward once you understand the steps involved.

1. Use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy: This reveals summon signs around you.
2. Locate a Summon Sign: Look for gold summon signs near Martyr Effigies or other areas where players are likely to offer help.
3. Interact with the Sign: Select the summon sign to bring the player into your world.
4. Cooperate: Work together to explore, overcome challenges, and defeat bosses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding summoning, addressing some of the common concerns.

1. Can I summon help anywhere in the game?

Not everywhere. You can only summon in areas where the game allows it, typically in open areas, dungeons, and boss arenas. Some areas, particularly within cities or specific story locations, restrict summoning. You’ll know if you can summon by whether or not you can use the Furlcalling Finger Remedy and see summon signs.

2. What are Martyr Effigies, and why are they important?

Martyr Effigies are small statues that act as focal points for summoning. Activating them increases the range and likelihood of finding summon signs nearby, making it easier to summon help for challenging areas or boss fights.

3. How do I use the Small Golden Effigy?

Activating the Small Golden Effigy sends your summon sign to summoning pools near Martyr Effigies. This increases your chances of being summoned into other players’ games for cooperative play.

4. What is the difference between the Bloody Finger and the Recusant Finger?

The Bloody Finger and Recusant Finger are both used for invading other players’ worlds for PvP. The primary difference is cosmetic, with the Recusant Finger assigning the invader the title of “Recusant” and playing a unique background song during the invasion.

5. Is the Furlcalling Finger Remedy a limited resource?

No, the Furlcalling Finger Remedy is not a limited resource. You can craft it using Erdleaf Flowers, which are commonly found throughout the Lands Between. You can also purchase them from certain merchants. You can hold up to 999 Furlcalling Finger Remedies.

6. Why can’t I see any summon signs even after using the Furlcalling Finger Remedy?

Several factors can prevent you from seeing summon signs. Make sure you are in an area where summoning is allowed. Check your network settings to ensure you are online. Also, consider the level range of the area; if your level is too high or too low compared to other players in the area, you may not see their signs. Restarting the game can sometimes resolve this issue as well.

7. Can I summon specific players to help me?

Yes, you can summon specific players by using a password. In the multiplayer settings menu, set a password, and only players using the same password will see your summon sign. This is useful for coordinating with friends or specific individuals for cooperative play.

8. What happens if the summoned player dies during a boss fight?

If a summoned player dies during a boss fight, they will be sent back to their own world. You will need to summon another player or attempt the fight solo.

9. How does level scaling affect summoned players?

Elden Ring does not have a strict level scaling system for summoned players. Higher-level players assisting lower-level players will have their stats adjusted to balance the encounter, but they will still retain some advantages from their higher level and equipment.

10. Can I summon multiple players at once?

Yes, Elden Ring allows you to summon multiple players, depending on the area and whether you have used a specific item like the White Cipher Ring. Typically, you can summon up to two players for cooperative play.

11. What are Spirit Ashes, and how do they differ from summoning other players?

Spirit Ashes are summonable NPCs that provide assistance in combat. They are different from summoning other players because they are AI-controlled. They can be summoned using FP (Focus Points) and offer a helpful distraction or additional damage output during challenging encounters. You can use these even while also summoning real players.

12. How do I summon someone to help with Dragonlord Placidusax?

To summon someone for Dragonlord Placidusax, you must use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy and look for summon signs near the entrance to the boss arena. There is no Martyr Effigy nearby, so players must place their signs specifically at the entrance. Using online communities like r/BeyondTheFog can help coordinate summons.

13. What level should I be to fight Malenia?

It is recommended to be at least level 120, ideally 125+, with weapons upgraded to +23 or higher, before attempting to fight Malenia.

14. Can I summon people to help me fight Radagon and the Elden Beast?

Yes, you can summon other players and Spirit Ashes to help you fight Radagon and the Elden Beast. Summoning a Spirit Ash is particularly beneficial for distracting the bosses and allowing you to deal damage more safely.

15. How do I find Nepheli Loux to summon her for the Godrick fight?

To summon Nepheli for the Godrick fight, find her in a room off the road outside Godrick’s arena, where the path curves towards him. Exhaust her dialogue to make her summon sign available for the fight.

The Importance of Cooperative Gameplay

Elden Ring’s summoning mechanics foster a strong sense of community. Whether you are struggling with a particularly challenging boss or simply want to explore the Lands Between with a companion, summoning provides a way to connect with other players and share the experience. Beyond just getting help, it provides opportunities to learn new strategies, discover hidden areas, and forge lasting connections within the Elden Ring community. Understanding the summoning mechanics is not just about getting through tough spots; it’s about enriching your overall experience in the game.

To further delve into the educational aspects of gaming and learning, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society website, https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society is a great resource for understanding how games can be used to create engaging learning experiences.

Conclusion

Navigating the summoning system in Elden Ring can initially seem daunting, but with a clear understanding of the items, mechanics, and summon sign types, you’ll be well-equipped to enlist the aid of fellow Tarnished. Remember, the Tarnished’s Furled Finger is your key to offering assistance, while the Furlcalling Finger Remedy allows you to see the helping hands extended by others. Embrace the cooperative aspects of the game, explore the Lands Between together, and overcome the challenges that await.