Elden Ring: 20 Best Spirit Ashes, Ranked (2024)

FromSoftware undoubtedly has taken the entire gaming community by storm with the release of Elden Ring, which combines elements from previous games like Bloodborne and Dark Souls. But, one of the biggest differences Elden Ring has compared to prior games is that it gives players complete freedom to decide where and what to do.

So, if a player gets stuck at a difficult World Boss (which Elden Ring has plenty of), they can move on to a different area of Lands Between. Fortunately, Elden Ring has plenty of items to help a player win even the hardest of battles, and one such item is Spirit Ash. But, with so many Spirit Ashes available (64 to be exact!), it can be challenging for players to know which one to use.

Updated December 22nd, 2023: There are a lot of amazing spirit ashes that players can use to gain an edge in Elden Ring. Some are much stronger than others and some require players to fight difficult opponents. A good example are the Battlemage Hugues Ashes. To better help players with how to beat Battlemage Hugues and retrieve the ashes in Elden Ring, the following list has been updated to include a video.

20 Spirit Jellyfish Ashes

Effect:

• Summons a Spirit Jellyfish

Spirit Jellyfish Ashes aren't the most powerful, but players can get it extremely early. Although relatively passive, the summon can poison opponents and can take a few hits too, so it doesn't just die at the start. It is handy in single-enemy boss fights where the boss can be poisoned, such as Godrick the Grafted.

Now where to find it? All players need to do is find Roderika at Stormhill and talk to her. It can't get any simpler than that.

19 Fanged Imp

Effect:

• Summons Two Fanged Imp Spirits

Players who have faced Imps before know that these little creatures are nimble and cause Blood Loss buildup over time, making them very annoying to fight (but surprisingly not the most annoying enemies to fight in Elden Ring). The good news is that players can summon two annoying Fanged Imps that'll distract enemies and bosses.

And while they're not the strongest of the bunch, they can move around quickly, which means they can survive longer. Players can get the Fanged Imp Ash as a keepsake at the beginning of the game, or they can buy it from a merchant near the Main Academy Gate.

18 Skeletal Militiaman

Effect:

• Summons Two Skeletal Militiaman Spirits

Players often encounter Skeletal Militiamen while farming for Deathroots for Gurranq Beast Clergyman since the bosses that guard this foul item usually are Necromancers. And even though the Skeletal Militiaman is far from powerful, its ability to resurrect after being slain is what makes it worthy of being called one of the best Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring.

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So, players can use the Skeletal Militiaman Ash to distract enemies and bosses since they will resurrect after a short period. However, enemies or bosses that use slam AoE attacks will stop them from resurrecting. Players can obtain this Spirit Ash by defeating Tibia Mariner Field Boss in Summonwater Village.

17 Mausoleum Soldier Ashes

Effect:

• Summons 5 Mausoleum soldier spirits

The main advantage of these is the ability to overwhelm an opponent, as there are 5 of them. It also helps that they can teleport around and avoid some damage or be more aggressive; however, their AI is weird in that they can sometimes be passive and struggle against AOE attacks. They can function well as DPS and tanks but are primarily used as damage dealers.

They can be found at the base of a small dead tree at the edge of a cliff in the Deeproot Depths.

16 Perfumer Tricia

Effect:

• Summons Spirit of Perfumer Tricia

Most players use Spirit Ashes to distract or attack enemies and bosses, but Perfumer Tricia brings a whole different set of skills since she mainly supports players by buffing them. And the reason why she's one of the best Spirit Ashes is that she can cast a shield over the player that'll negate 90% of the next incoming attack, and she can do this several times during a fight.

But, players will need to travel to Mt. Gelmir and fight Perfumer Tricia herself plus her Misbegotten Warrior before they can start using this useful support summon.

15 Battlemage Hugues Ashes

Effect:

• Summons Battlemage Hugues ash

Hugues is perfect as an all-rounder Spirit Ash. He uses his Cannon Of Haima spell at range and the Gavel at close range, so he is effective against enemies weak to magic and can take a few hits too. For enemies strong against magic, he also has his club that he can swing. All of this comes at the hefty 122 FP cost.

These ashes can be obtained as a reward for killing Battlemage Hugues in the Sellia Evergaol in the Dragonbarrow.

14 Crystalian Ashes

Effect:

• Summons the spirit of a Crystalian

Crystalian Ashes have the highest Poise of anything in the game, including boss opponents. Crystalian is basically immune to attack types that are not strike damage. It is a very good defensive summon and only falls short when it comes up against strike damage which shatters it and makes it incredibly vulnerable. It's not a damage dealer, just a very effective damage soaker.

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Their location is a bit tricky—they are found in Sellia Hideaway, behind an illusory wall north of the Church of Plague site of Grace.

13 Nightmaiden & Swordtress Puppets

Effect:

• Summons Nightmaiden & Swordstress Spirits

Even though obtaining this Spirit Ash isn't easy since players will need to fight two powerful Swordstresses, it's well worth the risk as they'll prove useful in boss fights. The Nightmaiden & Swordstress Spirits are great aggro summons that can last throughout an entire battle, mostly because they can easily dodge attacks.

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Their only downside is that they're slow walkers, which means that bosses who teleport or move around a lot will quickly lose their aggro. So, players should make sure they use them against slow-moving bosses or enemies.

12 Redmane Knight Ogha Ashes

Effect:

• Summons Redmane Knight Ogha ashes

Ogha uses a great bow with arrows charged with gravity magic. If players use a War Cry skill, he will roar in response, gain a temporary damage buff, and fire a rain of arrows. He only fires the rain of arrows once per summon, though. He is also good at close-range combat as he will switch to a sword and has access to the Lion's Claw Ash of War which is very effective.

Players can get him as a reward for killing the Putrid Tree spirit in the War-Dead catacombs, which are located on the northern side of the Radahn boss fight arena; players can only access these after beating Radahn.

11 Azula Beastman

Effect:

• Summons Two Azula Beastman Spirits

The Azula Beastman is a towering creature that can stagger enemies with relative ease, even more so since players can summon two of them. Furthermore, they are extremely aggressive, so they'll attack enemies nonstop until they perish. Players may recognize them if they fought Beastman Of Farum Azula in Groveside Cave since they're practically the same.

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Unfortunately, Azula Beastman Spirit Ash is a late-game pick-up since it's found below the Dragon Temple Site of Grace in the Crumbling Farum Azula area. On top of that, even though they have a powerful attack, they tend to die faster than others since they're constantly getting into fights.

10 Bloodhound Knight Floh

Effect:

• Summons Spirit of Bloodhound Knight Floh

Players that like to play aggressively in Elden Ring often find that some Spirit Ashes can't keep up with them, but Bloodhound Knight Floh changes that since it's perhaps the most aggressive Spirit Ash in Elden Ring. On top of that, Bloodhound Knight Floh can stagger and cause Blood Loss on enemies or bosses who are susceptible to it.

But, due to Bloodhound Knight Floh's aggressive nature, players will need to act fast since it doesn't last too long in a fight. Players that wish to use this Spirit Ash can obtain it after defeating Red Wolf of the Champion in Gelmir Hero's Grave.

9 Latenna The Albinauric

Effect:

• Summons spirit of Latenna

Latenna is a very unique summon. She can't physically move and acts more like a turret. Due to her stasis, players must summon her in strategically viable locations and situations. Latenna uses her bow to fire three arrows at a time. She can shoot very far and does massive DPS.

Latenna can be found in human form at the end of the Lakeside Crystal Cave on the southwest shore of Liurnia. Tarnished will need to have talked to Albus the Albinauric and have the Haligtree secret medallion right for her to cooperate and become a Spirit Ash.

8 Radahn Soldier

Effect:

• Summons Two Radahn Soldier Spirits

The Radahn Soldier Spirit Ash is quite useful against bosses since they have high defense stats (since they wield a shield), plus their weapons are imbued with Fire. Unfortunately, Radahn Soldiers have a mind of their own and often walk away searching for more enemies, which can be annoying while exploring the open world.

Players can find this Spirit Ash in War-Dead Catacombs, but players should come prepared as they'll have to face Imps, Cleanrot Knight Spirits, Radhan Soldier Spirits, and the world boss: Putrid Tree Spirit.

7 Banished Knight Oleg

Effect:

• Summons Spirit of Banished Knight Oleg

Banished Knights are among the most fearsome enemies in Elden Ring since they are nimble, hit hard, and have a powerful leap attack that can stagger players. So, as players can expect, its Spirit Ash counterpart is capable of all that and has a better AI.

Unfortunately, acquiring one of the best Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring comes at a price, fighting an Ulcerated Tree Spirit Boss in Fringefolk Hero's Grave. So, players should prepare for this fight as the Ulcerated Tree Spirit is among the most challenging world bosses in Elden Ring.

6 Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff

Effect:

• Summons Spirit of Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff

One of several Legendary Spirit Ashes, Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff is the perfect companion for Sorcery or Incantation builds with minimal Vigor since he's quite beefy and can take a beating. Moreover, he has a decent ranged attack where he strikes foes with thunderbolts, plus imbues his weapon with Lightning!

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Unfortunately, obtaining him can be a challenge, which is why he's not ranked higher since players will need to pass Leyndell the Royal Capital and then complete Sainted Hero's Grave. This location is home to Imps that players can only attack after a light is shone at them.

5 Greatshield Soldier

Effect:

• Summons Five Greatshield Soldier Spirits

The go-to Spirit Ash for any glass cannon build, the Greatshield Soldiers are nearly invincible, especially at +9 and +10. Moreover, players that have healing-type Incantations like Lord's Heal (which is among the best Incantations in Elden Ring) will be able to heal them, making them even more invulnerable.

But, all that defense comes at a price since they barely damage enemies, which is why players shouldn't rely on their damage output. Players can find this Spirit Ash on a corpse in a graveyard in Nokron, Eternal City.

4 Omenkiller Rollo

Effect:

• Summons Spirit of Omenkiller Rollo

Rollo is a versatile summon. His move set expertly uses his abilities: fire breath when he backs off and his constant lunge attacks that can stagger and proc Bleed very effectively. His biggest downfall is the high FP cost of 113.

Rollo is obtained as a reward for beating the Fell Twins' boss fight at the Capital Outskirts.

3 Black Knife Tiche

Effect:

• Summons Spirit of Black Knife Tiche

Perhaps the most controversial Spirit Ash is the Black Knife Tiche since many players find her too OP, especially during boss fights. This Spirit Ash has melee and ranged attacks imbued with Black Flame, which creates a DoT effect on enemies.

RELATED: Elden Ring: Black Knife Catacombs Walkthrough

Some players have even noticed that the Black Knife Tiche can out-damage them in certain fights, which is why some feel that using her makes Elden Ring too easy. And players that like the Black Knife Armor can get one by traveling to Consecrated Snowfield.

2 Lhutel The Headless

Effect:

• Summons Spirit of Lhutel the Headless

Lhutel the Headless has high-defense stats, powerful melee and ranged attacks, and can teleport around the area, so what more can a player ask for? Moreover, players that invest in her will quickly realize that she can play the role of a super tank and a damage dealer, making her the ideal Spirit Ash of choice.

But why is she not first on today's list? The main reason is that Lhutel the Headless isn't reliable in aggroing enemies or bosses, mostly due to her teleporting around the area. So, players who rely on Spirit Ashes to aggro enemies will quickly notice that she doesn't do a very good job at that. Players can obtain her by defeating the Cemetery Shade in the Tombsward Catacombs.

1 Mimic Tear

Effect:

• Summons Mimic Tear Spirit

The Mimic Tear is undoubtedly the best Spirit Ash in Elden Ring since 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
• Unlimited Supply of Bolts and Arrows
• Stat Increases as Player Levels Up

These perks will make a boss fight trivial since it's essentially another player fighting alongside the player. But, summoning this Spirit Ash comes at a price since it'll consume 660 HP from the player. Furthermore, the Mimic Tear cannot swap weapons, so whatever weapon players currently have equipped will be the one it uses. But, other than that, the Mimic Tear has nearly endless power since it scales with the player, making it truly the best Spirit Ash.

Elden Ring is available now for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X/S.

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