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Elden Ring is the newest Soulsborne game from genre pioneers FromSoftware. While each of the studio’s entries in the genre incorporates its setting, mechanical tweaks, and stylistic changes, plenty of mechanics and features remain consistent across the entire catalog. This helps FromSoftware ensure that the games feel consistent with one another so that fans are satisfied and allows the studio to iterate on their formula with every release. One of the most critical of those common mechanics is summoning.
Key Info Up Front
Summoning is an Elden Ring mechanic that allows players to summon extra help for bosses or challenging encounters. It allows players to summon spirits, NPC fighters, and other players for cooperative or competitive play. Each option has its systems for players to master and has many different options to choose from.
NPC Summoning Overview
Summoning NPC characters to aid you is a staple of FromSoftware’s Soulsborne titles. The system works the same as it does in their previous titles, with players being able to find summon signs near the fog gates to boss battles to bring the characters into their world to help them out as long as you have completed the required side quests and interactions beforehand. Each of these characters has a particular loadout they can use. Some characters that can be summoned can even be called in multiple locations or can be found throughout Elden Ring’s world. To build a small squad for the fight, particular boss fights even have multiple summoning signs near their fog doors. However, the NPCs are not immortal, and if they take too much damage, they die, requiring players to summon them again if they die during that attempt. Thanks to the new Spirit Ashes summoning mechanic, these summons tend to be used less than they used to be.
Spirit Ashes Summoning Overview
Spirit Ashes summons are a compelling mechanic in Elden Ring. These summons are largely preferred over regular NPC spirits because of the player’s ability to pick a specific one that works the best with their build and skills. To summon each one, players have to find their Spirit Ashes and then use a Spirit Calling Bell at the cost of either FP or HP.
To start being able to use Summoning Ashes, players have to meet with Renna the Witch in the Church of Elleh Grace checkpoint to get the Spirit Calling Bell. Renna can be found in the eastern part of Limgrave, directly north from where you first enter the area. She will give you the bell and your first spirit to summon, but you can get plenty more from other sources and even upgrade them. To upgrade each Spirit Ashes, you have first to help Roderika at the Stormhill Shack.
To find Roderika in Limgrave, you’ll want to go to Stormhill Shack just off the main path leading to Stormveil Castle, next to a Site of Grace. She will ask you to get her the Chrysalid’s Note when you talk to her there. This is found after you defeat Margit, the Fell Omen, and gain access to the Rampart Tower Site of Grace. Go outside along the walls and across the rooftops until you come to a ladder. Climb down the ladder where you can see a knight down below and take a right into a dining room lit with a fireplace.
You’ll then be able to find a room with a giant’s corpse hanging from the ceiling, and below it is the Chrysalid’s Note. Once you get your hands on it, you’ll want to travel to the Roundtable Hold to talk to Roderika next to the fireplace in the first room. Talk to her, and she’ll give you a Golden Seed. Take that to Smithing Master Hewg in the Hold and talk to him through the new dialogue option. Exhaust that dialogue and then return to Roderika before going back to Hewg. Then, next time you go to Roundtable Hold, Roderika will have set up shop next to Hewg to upgrade your Spirit Ashes with runes and Grave Glovewort.
The Spirit Ashes, their information, and where to find them are listed below.
| Spirit Ashes | Effect | Location |
| Albinauric Ashes | Summons two Albinaurics | On a dead body in the graveyard east of Caria Manor after defeating Royal Knight Loretta. |
| Ancestral Follower Ashes | Summons one ancestral follower | Has a chance to drop when you kill an Ancestor Spirit |
| Archer Ashes | Summons three archers | On a dead body in Nokstella, Eternal City |
| Avionette Soldier Ashes | Summons two avionette soldiers | On a dead body near the elevator in Raya Lucaria Academy |
| Banished Knight Oleg Ashes | Summons Banished Knight Oleg | Dropped by Ulcerated Tree Spirit |
| Black Knife Tiche Ahses | Summons Black Knife Tiche | Dropped by Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader in Ringleader’s Evergaol within Southwestern Liurnia |
| Demi-Human Ashes | Summons five Demi-humans | Dropped by Erdtree Burial Watchdog |
| Fanged Imp Ashes | Summons two Fanged Imps | It can be started during character creation or is bought for 2,000 runes from the Isolated Merchant by the Main Academy Gate Site of Grace. |
| Finger Maiden Therolina Puppet | Summons Finger Maiden Therolina Puppet | Purchased using Starlight Shards from Seluvis’ body after you complete Ranni’s questline |
| Giant Rat Ashes | Summons three Giant Rats | Found in the West Windmill Pasture |
| Glintstone Sorcerer Ashes | Summons Glintstone Sorcerer | Has a chance to drop from the Spirit-Caller Snail at Road’s End Catacombs |
| Godrick Soldier Ashes | Summons two Godrick Soldiers | Found next to a grave in the cemetery to the west of Stormhill |
| Greatshield Soldiers Ashes | Summons five Greathsield Soldiers | Looted from a dead body in Nokron, Eternal City |
| Jarwight Puppet | Summons Jarwight Puppet | Purchased with Starlight Shards from Seluvis’ body after finishing Ranni’s questline |
| Kaiden Sellsword Ashes | Summons Kaiden Sellsword | Drops when you kill the optional boss Erdtree Burial Watchdog in Cliffbottom Catacombs |
| Lhutel the Headless Ashes | Summons Lhutel the Headless | Has a chance to be dropped by a Cemetery Shade in Tombsward Catacombs |
| Lone Wolf Ashes | Summons three Lone Wolves | Given by Renna at the Church of Ellehg in Limgrave. |
| Mad Pumpkin Head Ashes | Summons Mad Pumpkin Head | Dropped by the Erdtree Burial Watchdog bosses at Minor Erdtree Catacombs |
| Marionette Soldier Ashes | Summons two Marionette Soldiers | Found by the Church of the Cuckoo Site of Grace within Raya Lucaria Academy |
| Mimic Tear Ashes | Summons a Mimic Tear | In a chest behind the locked imp statue door in Night’s Sacred Ground |
| Nightmaiden & Swordtress Puppets Ashes | Summons Nightmaiden & Swordtress Puppets | In a chest behind the locked imp statue door in Nokstella, Eternal City |
| Noble Sorcerer Ashes | Summons a Noble Sorcerer | Found in Stormfoot Catacombs |
| Nomad Ashes | Summons a Nomad | Found on a dead body in Subterranean Shunning-Grounds |
| Omenkiller Rollo | Summons Omenkiller Rollo | Dropped by the Fell Twins in Capital Outskirts |
| Page Ashes | Summons Page | Found in Cliffbottom Catacombs |
| Raya Lucaria Soldier Ashes | Summons three Raya Lucaria Soldiers | Hidden behind the illusory wall at the end of Road’s End Catacombs |
| Skeletal Bandit Ashes | Summons a Skeletal Bandit | Dropped by Tibia Mariner in Liurnia of the Lakes |
| Skeletal Militiaman Ashes | Summons two Skeletal Militiamen | Dropped by Tibia Mariner in Liurnia of the Lakes |
| Spirit Jellyfish Ashes | Summons a Spirit Jellyfish | Found on a dead body near the graveyard by Stormhill Shack |
| Stormhawk Deenh Ashes | Summons Stormhawk Deenh | In a chest on the roof of the south wing of the Chapel of Anticipation |
| Twinsage Sorcerer Ashes | Summons a Twinsage Sorcerer | Has a chance to be dropped by Cemetery Shades in Black Knife Catacombs within Liurnia of the Lake |
| Wandering Noble Ashes | Summons five Wandering Nobles | Found in the Stormfoot Catacombs within Limgrave |
| Winged Misbegotten Ashes | Summons a Winged Misbegotten | Found on a dead body in Unsightly Catacombs |
| Rotten Stray Ashes | Summons a Rotten Stray | Found on a dead body to the north of the Sellia Under-Stair Site of Grace |
| Warkhawk Ashes | Summons a Warhawk | Found at the Church of Pilgrimage at the Weeping Peninsula |
| Latenna the Albinauric Ashes | Summons Latenna the Albinauric | Can be found in the Lakeside Crystal Cave after beating the boss in Liurnia of the Lake with the Haligtree Secret Medallion equipped |
| Perfumer Tricia Ashes | Summons Perfumer Tricia | Dropped by Perfumer Tricia and Misbegotten Warrior in Unsightly Catacombs within Mt. Gelmir |
| Bloodhound Knight Floh Ashes | Summons Bloodhount Knight Floh | Found in a chest in Gelmir Hero’s Grave |
| Vulgar Militia Ashes | Summons three Vulgar Militia | Found on a dead body in Auriza Hero’s Grave |
| Leyndell Soldier Ashes | Summons two Leyndell Soldiers | Found in Sainted Hero’s Grave within Altus Plateau |
| Miranda Sprout Ashes | Summons five Miranda Sprouts | Found behind a hidden wall to the right of the stairs in Caelid Catacombs |
| Kindred of Rot Ashes | Summons Kindred of Rot | Has a chance to drop from Cemetery Shades in Caelid Catacombs |
| Land Squirt Ashes | Summons three Land Squirts | Found on the east shore of Liurnia Lake |
| Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff | Summons Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff | Found in Sainted Hero’s Grave within Leyndell |
| Azula Beastman Ashes | Summons two Azula Beastmen | Found on a dead body in Dragon Temple within Crumbling Farum Azula |
| Banished Knight Engvall Ashes | Summons Banished Knight Engvall | Dropped by Grave Warden Duelist in Murkwater Catacombs within Limgrave |
| Battlemage Hugues Ashes | Summons Battlemage Hugues | Dropped by Battlemage Hugues in Sellia Evergaol |
| Blackflame Monk Amon Ashes | Summons Blackflame monk Amon | Dropped by the Stray Mimic tear as long as you have both pieces of the Haligtree Secret Medallion |
| Clayman Ashes | Summons two Claymen | Found on a dead body at Ainsel River in Liurnia of the Lakes |
| Cleanrot Knight Finlay Ashes | Summons Cleanrot Knight Finlay | Found at Elphael in Brace of the Haligtree Legacy dungeon after you beat Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree |
| Crystalian Ashes | Summons a Crystalian | In a chest at Sellia Hideaway in Caelid to the north of the Church of the Plague Site of Grace |
| Depraved Perfumer Carmaan Ashes | Summons Depraved Perfumer Carmaan | Found on a corpse behind a hidden wall at Altus Plateau in Mt. Gelmir that is in the room you gain access to with Lady Tanith’s key. |
| Dolores the Sleeping Arrow Puppet Ashes | Summons Dolores the Sleeping Arrow Puppet | Dropped by Pidia, Carian Servant if Nepheli Loux did not dring Seluvis’ Potion at Caria Manor |
| Dung Eater Puppet Ashes | Summons Dunge Eater Puppet | Purchased with Starlight Shards from Seluvis after using Seluvis’ Potion on Dung Eater |
| Fire Monk Ashes | Summons a Fire Monk | Found on a corpse in Giant’s Mountaintop Catacombs |
| Haligtree Soldier Ashes | Summons four Haligtree Soldiers | Behind the stone bowl in Brace of the Haligtree within Elphael after beating Loretta, knight of the Haligtree |
| Man-Serpent Ashes | Summons a Man-Serpent | Found on a body at Volcano Manor in Mt. Gelmir. |
| Mausoleum Soldier Ashes | Summons five Mausoleum Soldier | Found at the base of a dead tree on the edge of the cliff in Deeproot Depths |
| Nepheli Loux Puppet Ashes | Summons Nepheli Loux Puppet | Gotten from Pidia if Nepheli Loux drank Seluvis’ Potion after completing ranni’s questline |
| Oracle Envoy Ashes | Summons four Oracle Envoys | Found at Miquella’s Haligtree in Haligtree Town |
| Putrid Corpse Ashes | Summons a Putrid Corpse | Dropped by the Frenzied Duelist in Gaol Cave |
| Radahn Soldier Ashes | Summons two Radahn Soldiers | Found at War-Dead Catacombs in Radahn’s arena |
| Redmane Knight Ogha Ashes | Summons Redmane Knight Ogha | Dropped by the Putrid Tree Spirit at War-Dead Catacombs in Caelid |
| Soldjars of Fortune Ashes | Summons three Soldjars of Fortune | Found in Auriza Side Tomb |
Player Summoning Overview
Players who want to play with one another can also summon each other for some help or to battle it out and test their skills against one another. when players are summoned into another player’s world. It is only temporary. If the host or visiting player dies or they defeat a boss together, the visiting player is returned to their world. If you want to get some help from other players, the first thing you need to do is find a Martyr Effigy. These are small statues of a person in a Y-shape scattered across the game map near boss fights. Once you interact with one of these statues, it will activate its summoning pool that groups players who want to be summoned to help others in that area of the game.
If you want to go to the worlds of other players, you can use an item called a Tarnished’s Furled Finger to draw a sign on the ground that will appear for other players near that summoning pool if you want to help them. If you instead want to put yourself out there for PvP, you use the Duelist Furled Finger. Then, any player can accept your summoning sign and you will be teleported to their world. If you want to invite another player into your world, on the other hand, you’ll need to use an item called Furlcalling Finger Remedy to be able to see the summoning signs of other players.
Gold signs are those for players who will come into your world to help you, while red ones are for PvP encounters that will see you have to kill the player you summon. Both of the fingers to put your signs down are given to the player early in the game. At the same time, Furlcalling Finger Remedies can be dropped by numerous enemies throughout the world while also being craftable with just two Erdleaf Flowers.
FAQs
Question: Can you miss getting the Spirit Calling Bell from Renna in Elden Ring?
Answer: Yes. Any player can miss or ignore many elements of Elden Ring, and the Spirit Calling Bell from Renna is no different. Thankfully, you can also go and get it at any point, so if you did miss it you can always return and get it later.
Question: Does Elden Ring feature covenants for multiplayer?
Answer: No, unfortunately, Elden Ring does not have any covenants or factions like those present in the Dark Souls series.
Question: How many players can play together at once in Elden Ring?
Answer: The player limit in Elden Ring is three, so you can invite two random players or friends to help you tackle the game’s bosses and dungeons.
Conclusion
Summoning plays a more significant role in Elden Ring than in any Soulsborne games before. Not only are the spirit Ashes often tantamount to defeating the game’s most challenging bosses, but the game’s multiplayer is also what will likely help keep the game’s community alive for years following its release. Many fans have voiced their disappointment at Elden Ring not featuring a covenant system similar to that in Dark Souls. Still, its omission does help keep Elden Ring’s online elements as accessible as possible for all players.