Spirit Summons (Ashes) Compendium#
“Even the lowliest spirit, given purpose, can turn the tide.” - the words of the Spirit Tuner
Spirit Summons are one of this game’s rare “official difficulty-dropping” mechanics. With the right ash, a boss that has blocked you for hours can suddenly become almost friendly. This page lays out every ash’s location and strength so you can pick your most reliable battle companions.
Summoning Basics#
How to Get the Spirit Calling Bell#
- Obtained when you meet the witch “Renna” at the Church of Elleh.
- If you miss it, it can also be obtained later at the Roundtable Hold.
How to Summon#
- Equip the Spirit Ash to your quick slot.
- Use it in areas with a summoning marker (tombstone icon).
- Costs FP to summon.
Note: Summoning is only possible in specific areas (combat zones near bosses or Sites of Grace), though some open-field areas also allow it.
Ash Strength Ratings#
I have divided the commonly used ashes into tiers by practical strength to help you choose quickly.
| Tier | Ash | Traits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| S tier | Mimic Tear | Copies your character, extremely strong | Everything |
| S tier | Black Knife Tiche | Highly mobile hemorrhage | Elites/Bosses |
| A tier | Skeletal soldiers | Tanky in groups | Group fights |
| A tier | Azur’s school | High damage | DPS |
| B tier | Lone Wolves | Great early on | Early-game beginners |
Mimic Tear Breakdown#
A late-game ash that “copies yourself”, replicating your equipment, weapons, and skills - effectively another “you” fighting in your place. This is the default choice for most players’ first clear, and the strongest partner against high-difficulty bosses.
Quick Ash Location Reference#
Early game (Limgrave / Weeping Peninsula)#
| Ash | Location |
|---|---|
| Lone Wolves | Limgrave underground catacombs |
| Skeletal soldiers | Picked up in the open field |
| Wandering Knight | Via a quest |
Mid game (Liurnia / Caelid)#
| Ash | Location |
|---|---|
| Skeletal warriors | Caelid |
| Black Knife Tiche | Specific quest |
| Sorcerer | Near the Academy |
Late game (Capital / Haligtree / Hidden)#
| Ash | Location |
|---|---|
| Mimic Tear | Hidden cave |
| Legendary ashes | Random boss drops |
| Haligtree Guardian | Haligtree side path |
Upgrading Ashes#
Ashes are upgraded with Ghost Glovewort, raising their level and stats.
| Glovewort | Upgrade Range | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| Glovewort 1-2 | +0 to +3 | Open field |
| Glovewort 3+ | +4 and above | Higher-tier regions |
| Great Ghost Glovewort | Legendary ashes | Hidden |
Maxing out your main ash noticeably raises its summon strength. A fully upgraded Mimic Tear is nearly like having several copies of yourself.
Summon Pairing Strategies#
Builds by Playstyle#
| Player Style | Recommended Ash |
|---|---|
| Physical melee | Mimic Tear or Black Knife (aggro puller) |
| Mage | Soldier group or heavy armored ash (damage blocker) |
| Bleed build | High-attack fast-hitting ash |
Against Different Enemies#
| Enemy Type | Ash Choice |
|---|---|
| Mobile single target | The mobile Black Knife |
| Clustering mobs | Group ash (soldiers) |
| High-HP giants | Mimic Tear (copied damage) |
Ash Usage Tips#
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Summon before the boss fight | Summon first before engaging, so it takes over the moment combat starts |
| Pull aggro | Ashes draw aggro while you attack from behind |
| Protect your FP | Advanced ashes drink a lot of FP; stock up on blue flasks |
| Overleveled kills | Ashes can tank monsters far beyond your level |
Common Misconceptions#
| Misconception | Correction |
|---|---|
| Thinking ashes are cheating | They are an official mechanic, designed into this game |
| Only carrying low-tier ashes | Remember to upgrade your main ash |
| Ignoring the Mimic Tear | It is the strength ceiling |
| Mindless summoning | Some areas forbid summoning - watch for the marker |
Closing Words#
Ashes are the Tarnished’s “half a teammate” - and for many, their only teammate. Level them up and use them in the right moments, and the bosses that once made you want to throw your controller will suddenly not seem so scary.
Let your spirits fight at your side.
The Role of Ashes and When to Use Them#
Ashes are not an “invincible cheat”; they are a tactical resource. Understanding their role helps you use them better:
| Scenario | Value of Ashes |
|---|---|
| Boss fights | Draw aggro, create damage windows |
| Group fights | Split incoming fire, absorb damage |
| Overleveled exploration | Handle enemies you cannot beat alone |
| Multiplayer | Coordinate with teammates |
Advanced Ash Play#
Skilled players rarely treat ashes as “summon and done”:
- Use ashes to draw the boss’s aggro while you attack from behind or from the sides.
- While the ash pins the boss down, deal with other threats on the field.
- When the ash absorbs a wave, use the opening to drink a flask and reposition.
- When an ash is highly effective in a matchup, use it decisively - do not hold back.
Balancing Ash Strength Against FP Cost#
Stronger ashes usually cost more FP, forcing you to balance:
| Ash | FP Cost | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Low-tier soldiers | Low | Average |
| Elite ashes | Medium | Strong |
| Legendary ashes | High | Extremely strong |
| Mimic Tear | Medium-high | Ceiling |
Practical Ash Selection Advice#
- Early on, field low-FP-cost ashes (wolves, soldiers).
- Mid game, transition to strong elite ashes.
- Late game, the Mimic Tear is a must-upgrade; it can absorb pressure for you in most situations.
- Against specific bosses, choosing an ash tailored to their traits works even better.
Common Misunderstandings About Ashes#
| Misunderstanding | Truth |
|---|---|
| Ashes count as cheating | Official mechanic, designed as such |
| Ashes are always available | Some areas forbid summoning |
| Ashes steal experience | They do not - cooperation benefits both |
| Low-tier ashes are useless | They are crucial early on |
Used well, ashes make your solo journey far easier. May your spirit companions walk with you through every hard battle in the Lands Between.
Suggested Full Ash Acquisition Path#
To collect the strongest ashes, progress in this order:
- Early game, pick up basic ashes like the wolves/soldiers in Limgrave.
- Mid game, search Caelid and Liurnia for stronger elite ashes.
- Advance the main story and side quests to obtain legendary-tier ashes.
- Late game, unlock the hidden Mimic Tear and complete your final upgrades.
Best Ash Pairings by Playstyle#
| Player Style | Recommended Ash |
|---|---|
| Single-target burst | The mobile Black Knife |
| Ranged mage | The tanky soldier group |
| Stationary melee | The aggro-pulling Mimic Tear |
| Bleed build | High-frequency ash |
Final Reminders on Using Ashes#
- Summon before entering the boss room to seize the first move.
- Ash HP and strength can be raised through upgrades.
- Using ashes well is nothing to be ashamed of.
May you and your spirit companions seize the initiative - and victory - in every battle across the Lands Between.