The 13 Best Ashes Summons in Elden Ring

As a Tarnished in the Lands Between, you‘ll need all the help you can get to defeat the demigods and become Elden Lord. That‘s where ashes summons come in – these spirits of fallen warriors can be recalled to fight alongside you and help take down even the mightiest foes.

But with so many options available, it can be tough to decide which ashes summon is the right fit for your build and playstyle. That‘s why I‘ve put together this definitive guide to the 13 best ashes summons in Elden Ring. I‘m a passionate gamer who has sunk over 500 hours into exploring the Lands Between, so you can trust my advice on which spirits are worth investing in.

How I Chose the Best Ashes Summons

When ranking the top ashes summons, I considered several factors:

• Power – How much damage and poise break can the spirit deal out? Stronger spirits can shred through bosses.

• Survivability – Does the spirit have high HP and/or defensive capabilities? Longer lasting spirits are more valuable.

• Cost – What‘s the FP cost to summon each spirit? Cheaper summons can be used more frequently.

• Obtainability – Can the ashes be obtained early or late game? Easily acquired spirits are ideal for new players.

• Utility – Does the spirit provide utility beyond raw damage? Some apply status effects or draw aggro.

Keeping these factors in mind, these spirits rose to the top as the best supportive tools for any Tarnished.

Comparison Table

Here‘s a quick overview of my top 13 picks:

Now let‘s take an in-depth look at each ashes summon!

Lone Wolf

• FP Cost: 55
• Description: Summons 3 wolves that aggressively attack enemies
• How to Get: Purchase from Renna after accessing Roundtable Hold

If you‘re just starting out, Lone Wolf is an excellent introductory ashes summon. The three wolves deal heavy DPS at close range, shredding through early game mobs and mini-bosses faster than you can. Their quick movement allows them to dodge attacks while dishing out cruel bites.

However, Lone Wolf does suffer when against AOE attacks or bosses that out-range them. Their individual HP bars also drop quickly, making them less viable in late game. But as an affordable early option, you can continually use this summon to unleash a flurry of lupine fury!

Skeletal Militiaman

• FP Cost: 44
• Description: Summons 2 shield-wielding skeletons as distractions
• How to Get: Defeat Tibia Mariner in Summonwater Village

Another solid early game option is the Skeletal Militiaman. For just 44 FP, you get two shield-and-sword wielding spooks to draw enemy aggression. While their damage output leaves a lot to be desired, they can occupy foes long enough for you to set up attacks.

One major advantage is their 30 second duration, allowing you to strategically time your next move in boss fights. And early on, just having them distract normal enemies while you escape, heal up or assassinate more dangerous threats is incredibly handy. For newer players still learning strategies, Skeletal Militiamen make wonderful expendable bait.

Imps

• FP Cost: 69
• Description: Summons 5 bloodthirsty imp allies
• How to Get: Defeat Erdtree Burial Watchdog in Impaler‘s Catacombs

Once you start beefing up and taking on more difficult foes, Imp ashes help shred through them with reckless abandon. These impish creatures unleash savage melee combos; while individually frail, collectively they rip most standard enemies to pieces.

Their real advantage though is against slow, lumbering bosses. By relentlessly hacking away they can stagger and poise break much stronger creatures. Spreading out and surrounding helps mitigate their fragility. And at mid-game with enough Mind you can continually resummon them as needed. If you want tiny terrors to unleash pandemonium, Imps deliver beautifully.

Greatshield Soldier

• FP Cost: 74
• Description: Summons 5 greatshield soldiers to hold the line
• How to Get: Underground roadside just before Leyndell, Royal Capital

Not everyone plays aggressively however. For more cautious players, Greatshield Soldiers make the perfect protective line. Just look at the size of those greatshields! Even colossal Crushing weapons bounce right off them.

While their confidence outpaces their mediocre swordsmanship, that shield wall buys you ample time to sling spells or arrows. Their innate elemental and status resistances also help against a slew of late game enemies and hazards. Expect them to cleave right through early zones and still prove a meaningful distraction against formidable foes.

Fanged Imps

• FP Cost: 52
• Description: Summons 5 blood loss inducing Fanged Imps
• How to Get: Defeat Elemer of the Briar

Want to turn your enemies into geysers of crimson rain? Fanged Imps represent your bloody option for ashes summons. As they relentlessly maul the opposition, they rapidly inflict hemorrhage buildup leading to massive loss of HP. This even cripples typically blood-resistant bosses when pushed into higher tiers.

And despite their charming size, their jumping heavies can stagger impressively weighty foes. Their wild, erratic attack patterns also keep enemies busy trying to squash them. While manageable one on one, their power snowballs in packs. If you want blood instead of ichor, unleash these sadistic little beasts.

Banished Knight Oleg

• FP Cost: 102
• Description: Summons a reliable knight with shield to battle fiercely by your side
• How to Get: Defeat the Fell Twins in Grand Cloister

Once you reach mid-game and have a few Memory Slots/Sacred Tears for FP under your belt, Banished Knight Oleg enters the fray. This stalwart, upright warrior charges in to crush your foes beneath his colossal stonesword. His shield also allows him to tank hits reasonably well as he presses the assault.

But what truly sets Oleg apart is his adaptability. He seamlessly transitions between ranged and melee attacks to match your style. His somersaulting dive kick and earth shatter give you excellent opportunities to follow up for critical blows. While more single target focused, by dividing aggression you and Oleg can systematically dismantle tough encounters.

Mimic Tear

• FP Cost: All of it (600)
• Description: Creates an exact copy of you at current power level
• How to Get: Defeat Radahn then access Nokron, Eternal City

Eventually in your quest to become Elden Lord you must defeat the legendary Starscourge Radahn. This opens the way to Nokron, Eternal City, where you can obtain the ultimate spirit summon – Mimic Tear. This bizarre mirror version perfectly clones your statistics, weapons, spells and even consumable items for peak co-op.

Have a purely melee build? Then it fights just like you. Rely exclusively on ranged attacks? It will fire alongside you. Mix magic and weapons? Your Mimic embodies that blend of arts. And because it copies your flasks too you get double the healing items to outlast even lengthy encounters. This makes Mimic the easy choice for late game and New Game+ cycles.

Finger Maiden Tiche

• FP Cost: 179
• Description: Summons the silent assassin spirit Tiche to rend your enemies apart
• How to Get: Defeat the Baleful Shadow in Leyndell, Royal Capital

Deep within Leyndell rests an Evergoal cell containing the Baleful Shadow – a formidable duo boss. But defeating them earns Tiche‘s service. She elegantly dances between targets unleashing vicious flurries with her black knives. Her innate stealth also enables occasional backstabs and critical attacks.

While quite offensively potent, she truly shines against solo bosses. Her repeated hit and run tactics constantly pressure enemies to lethal effect. I‘ve watched her solo the likes of Godrick, Radahn and Maliketh thanks to her unique attack style and Evasive Leap ability. If you desire a kindred assassin by your side, Tiche delivers death with poise and dignity.

Cleanrot Knight Finlay

• FP Cost: 205
• Description: Summons the stalwart Cleanrot Knight Finlay with sword and board ready for glory
• How to Get: Complete Finlay‘s quest at Prayer Room Site of Grace (drain moat)

Deeply embedded in Leyndell outskirts lies the Prayer Room Site of Grace. Here the noble Cleanrot Knight Finlay may be summoned to uncover a hidden passage. Aid her in her quest to drain the moat, then exhaust her dialogue to attain her services in combat.

What Finlay lacks in speed she makes up for with raw power and staggering bulk. Her greatshield turns aside nearly any attack as she steadily advances. Once in range her broad longsword crushes knight and monster alike. And thanks to her Rotten Winged Sword Insignia she inflicts Rancorcall to continually punish her foes.

While best saved for end game and New Game+ challenges, Finlay dominates both as a tank and damage dealer. With the remaining ashes summons they can drop even the mightiest demigods and arch-dragons. May your victories etch Finlay‘s valor into legend!

Kristoff the Flame Arrow

• FP Cost: 160
• Description: Summons a magical archer to rain fiery projectiles upon your enemies
• How to Get: Activate summoning pool in Altus Tunnel

Sometimes you only want a spirit to soften up foes before you rush in to deliver the finishing blow. That‘s where Kristoff shines as his Flame Arrows steadily whittle bosses and mobs from a safe distance. Capable of attacking both grounded and aerial targets he provides great coverage.

And while his damage per shot underwhelms, Kristoff fires at an incredible pace. Combined with above average range and homing capabilities he reliably pressures groups. Since he hovers movement isn‘t an issue and his ostentatious appearance draws attention. While you should finish weakened foes, Kristoff weakens them tremendously.

Dung Eater

• FP Cost: 194
• Description: Unleashes the sinister warrior Dung Eater to wreak havoc with his massive club
• How to Get: Complete Dung Eater questline and unlock the Dung Eater Ashes in Leyndell, Royal Capital

Have you heard screams echo from the Leyndell sewers? Those tortured wails emanate from none other than Dung Eater imprisoned deep below the capital. But by completing a quest to unlock the Descent into Death, you can set him temporarily free and bind his combat prowess.

Dung Eater‘s colossal club pounds enemies into oblivion. And thanks to its innate madness buildup even demigods are left staggering under its crushing blows. Dung Eater also uses this to transition fluidly into heavy combo chains. Very few creatures can withstand more than a few hits.

Now keep in mind Dung Eater is as terrifying as he is powerful. His very presence saps nearby health and slowly maddens you. But sometimes a little madness is necessary to defeat greater evils. Just have your purifying boluses ready!

Black Knife Tiche

• FP Cost: 179
• Description: Summons the stalwart assassin Tiche to eviscerate foes with her black knife
• How to Get: Defeat the Ringleader Evergaol in southwest Liurnia of the Lakes

If you‘ve explored Liurnia‘s toxic scarlet rotlake you likely discovered an impenetrable gaol housing the Black Knife Ringleader Alecto. This shadowy woman leads the black knife assassins on a quest to….well that‘s rather opaque at this point. But best her in combat and you unlock summoning her most potent agent Tiche.

Whereas the standard Spirit Tiche relies on relentless aggression, her black knife variant focuses on debilitating critical strikes. A few spins of her circular black blades inflict blood loss and rapidly sap enemy life bars. This cripples even the heartiest adversaries, leaving them vulnerable for you to finish off.

For fellow rogues and assassins Black Knife Tiche makes an invaluable ally. Striking from the shadows to hamstring beasts and demons so you can emerge with blades bared. Together no target can escape your lethal judgement.

Lhutel the Headless

• FP Cost: 104
• Description: Summons the valiant headless knight Lhutel to bring her holy lance against your most hated foes
• How to Get: Defeat the Cemetery Shade in Tombsward Catacombs

Deep in the Tombsward graveyard Lhutel‘s headless specter roams guarding the place of her final rest. Providing comfort to those who have strayed from the guidance of grace. Offer her solace by defeating the vile Cemetery Shade then summon Lhutel forth to continue her everlasting mission.

Even bereft of her head this holy knight charges into battle with blessed lance stoically held before her. Though headless both her golden parma and iron determination guard her from harm. And once within range no darkness remains unpierced by her luminous golden lance.

Lhutel adapts seamlessly to close quarters and ranged combat. Either unleashing elegant lance combos or hurling lightning fast projectiles as the situation demands. And by your side she imbues allied weapons with her sacred golden light. Truly no greater spirit against creatures of darkness than Stalwart Lhutel!

I hope this guide gives you deeper insight into the ashes summon options Elden Ring offers. Your choice should complement your own playstyle and needs. The best summon enables your strengths while covering any weaknesses. But more importantly they create fond memories struggling together against shared foes.

May Lhutel‘s golden light guide your path forward, fellow Tarnished. The legacy of the Elden Ring rests in your capable hands!