Elden Ring’s best Spirit Ash summons — and how to upgrade them (2024)

The Lands Between are a hard place to be lonely. Fortunately, for maidenless Tarnished looking to graduate to Elden Lord status, Elden Ring gives you numerous AI-controlled companions, in the form of Spirit Ashes, to aid you in battle. There are dozens of Spirits you can summon in boss battles to fight alongside you. But knowing which Spirit Ash, and where to find them, isn’t as easy as ringing the bell for some cooperative play.

Here are some of the best Spirit Ashes you can call upon in Elden Ring, plus a few more who can punch above their weight and might just save your skin in the game’s early hours. Plus, we’ll tell you how to upgrade those summons to maximize their potential.

Hear me out! The Lone Wolf Ashes are weak, but also one of the earliest Spirit Ashes players will find. They’re also good for distracting and staggering enemies, and since there are three of them, they’ll split enemies’ attention easily.

Where to find it: In Limgrave, at the Church of Elleh, after acquiring Torrent, the Spectral Steed from Melina. Renna, an NPC, will appear in the church and give you the Spirit Calling Bell and the Lone Wolf Ashes.

Cost to summon: 55 FP

Upgrades with: Grave Glovewort

Look, the Spirit Jellyfish isn’t going to become Elden Lord by itself anytime soon. It’s one of the weakest summons in the game, but it’s also one of the first you can find. And she’s a helpful distraction in early fights, in case you need a breather. I actually managed to defeat one of the game’s major bosses, Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, thanks to the Spirit Jellyfish’s poisoning ability, so she has a special place in my heart.

Where to find it: In Limgrave, at the Stormhill Shack. Speak to Roderika there until she gives you the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes.

Cost to summon: 31 FP

Upgrades with: Grave Glovewort

Another early-game find, Lhutel the Headless is a capable warrior that will hold you over until something better comes along. She’s a tank, absorbing damage and using teleporting skills to avoid damage, but requires a relatively hefty amount of FP to summon early on.

Where to find it: In the Weeping Peninsula, inside the Tombsward Catacombs south of the Pilgrimage Church, after defeating the Cemetery Shade boss.

Cost to summon: 104 FP

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

The Ancestral Follower Ashes were my go-to summon for many hours in Elden Ring, because it’s great at range — you’ve probably fallen victim to their arrows down in Siofra River — and capable in close-quarters melee combat. It’s also great for pulling aggro on bosses, giving you a chance to breathe.

Where to find it: In Siofra River, after defeating the Ancestor Spirit optional boss.

Cost to summon: 63 FP

Upgrades with: Grave Glovewort

Fighting Banished Knights in Elden Ring can be a nightmare, but having one on your side can be a dream. Banished Knight Oleg can be found relatively early in the game, but acquiring him isn’t easy. You’ll need two Stonesword Keys for one thing, and you’ll have to defeat an Ulcerated Tree Spirit to get the Ashes. But Oleg’s pretty capable in battle, dealing decent damage and generally being pretty hardy.

Where to find it: In Limgrave, at Fringefolk Hero’s Grave, after defeating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit boss (who will also give you a Golden Seed).

Cost to summon: 100 FP

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

Banished Knight Engvell might be the easier of the two to find. He’s virtually identical to Oleg, but instead of twin swords, he’s got a halberd.

Where to find it: In West Limgrave, at Murkwater Catacombs, after defeating the Grave Warden Duelist boss.

Cost to summon: 100 FP

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

This is the GOAT. The Mimic Tear is basically you, but better. Well, sometimes better. You’ll summon a clone of yourself, meaning you’re effectively twice as powerful in every fight the Mimic Tear shows up to. The only catch? Summoning your Mimic eats up a good chunk of your health, so be ready to heal up as soon as you ring that Spirit Calling Bell.

Where to find it: In Nokron, Eternal City, in a treasure chest behind an imp statue door (you’ll need a Stonesword Key) in Night’s Sacred Ground. Nokron is accessible after defeating Starscourge Radahn in Caelid.

Cost to summon: 660 HP (that’s right, hit points!)

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

Fighting the Knights of Leyndell sucks! They’re the heavily armored jerks who summon lightning strikes. That’s why Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff is so good — he’s one of them! Kristoff has good range, thanks to his partisan and lightning, and a strong defense, thanks to his greatshield.

Where to find it: In Altus Plateau, at the Sainted Hero’s Grave, after defeating the Ancient Hero of Zamor boss.

Cost to summon: 108 FP

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

If you want a fast-moving melee master, Black Knife Tiche is your friend. But she comes with a high summoning cost, and she’s only available rather late in the game. Still, her fast, relentless attacks will help put many bosses on the backs of their heels.

Where to find it: In southwest Liurnia, at the Ringleader’s Evergaol, after defeating Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader.

Cost to summon: 132 FP

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

More of a summonable turret than a well-rounded fighter, Latenna is best for long-range fights and in more open spaces. But she’ll shoot the sh*t out of some bosses while you otherwise hack away at them. And while she’s not too difficult to acquire, getting Latenna’s ashes requires more than just beating a boss.

Where to find it: In Liurnia of the Lakes, at the Slumbering Wolf’s Shack, which is accessible after completing the Lakeside Crystal Cave. You’ll also need the right half of the Haligtree Secret Medallion, which you can get from Albus (who is disguised as a pot!) in the Village of the Albinaurics. Whew!

Cost to summon: 74 FP

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

A summonable version of the Radahn Knights you’ll encounter throughout Caelid, Ogha is a beast. He’s got a powerful bow and a big sword, making him a strong, well-rounded fighter. You’ll need to defeat Starscourge Radahn in order to access the catacombs where Ogha’s Ashes reside.

Where to find it: In Caelid, in the War-Dead Catacombs, after defeating the Putrid Tree Spirit boss

Cost to summon: 118 FP

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

This guy will kill you, curse you, and defile your corpse just for snorin’ too loud, but you can also turn this loathsome sad*st into a puppet! Haha! Doing so requires following both Ranni’s questline and Dung Eater’s questline, up to the point where the latter is tied up in his chair at the Subterranean Shunning Grounds and Seluvis gives you Seluvis’ Potion. Use that potion on ol’ Dung Eater and bring Seluvis five Starlight Shards. All that effort is worth it; Dung Eater is a powerful summon.

Where to find it: From Seluvis, at Seluvis’s Rise, as part of the aforementioned quest steps

Cost to summon: 118 FP

Upgrades with: Ghost Glovewort

Spirit Ashes are a personal choice, and you might find another that’s better suited to your play style. Here are some other great Spirit Ashes to watch out for, try out yourself, and potentially upgrade:

At the Roundtable Hold, Roderika will serve as your Spirit Tuning resources. Make sure you speak to her early on at the Stormhill Shack in Limgrave until you exhaust her dialogue (and she gives you the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes). She’ll move to the Roundtable Hold main area. Speak to her and Master Hewg, the Roundtable Hold blacksmith, multiple times. Eventually, Roderika will set up shop in the same room as Hewg, and will upgrade your ashes.

Leveling up your Elden Ring Spirit Ashes requires Grave Gloveworts or Ghost Gloveworts, depending on the ash, as well as runes. Grave Gloveworts can be found throughout the world of Elden Ring, and at some merchants, while Ghost Gloveworts are typically found in catacombs.