How to Upgrade Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring?

• What Spirit Ash Upgrades Actually Do
• How to Unlock Spirit Ash Upgrading
• Materials Required for Upgrading
• Step-by-Step Upgrade Process
• Where to Find Glovewort Materials
• Which Spirit Ashes Are Worth Upgrading
• Tips for Getting the Most Out of Upgrades

 

Spirit Ashes are one of the most powerful tools available in Elden Ring, especially during difficult boss fights. These summoned companions can distract enemies, deal damage, and give players valuable breathing room. However, many players don’t realize that Spirit Ashes can be upgraded to become significantly stronger.

Upgrading your Spirit Ashes increases their survivability and damage output, making them far more effective in combat. The process is not immediately obvious, as it requires unlocking a specific NPC and collecting the right materials. Once set up, though, it becomes a core part of character progression.

Here is everything you need to know to upgrade your Spirit Ashes efficiently.

1. What Spirit Ash Upgrades Actually Do

Upgrading Spirit Ashes improves their overall combat performance. Each upgrade level increases their attack power, defense, and effectiveness in battle. (eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com)

Stronger Spirit Ashes can survive longer against bosses and deal more consistent damage, which makes a noticeable difference in tougher encounters. Some summons also gain additional benefits, such as improved AI behavior or increased durability.

For example, tank-type summons become better at holding enemy attention, while damage-focused summons can apply more pressure over time.

Because you can only summon one Spirit Ash at a time, investing in upgrades ensures your chosen summon remains useful throughout the game.

2. How to Unlock Spirit Ash Upgrading

Before you can upgrade Spirit Ashes, you must unlock the Spirit Tuning feature through an NPC named Roderika.

First, find Roderika at the Stormhill Shack early in the game. Speak with her and progress her dialogue. After certain story progression, she will move to the Roundtable Hold. (Pro Game Guides)

At the Roundtable Hold, you need to:

• Talk to Roderika multiple times

• Speak with the blacksmith and discuss her

• Continue alternating dialogue between them

• Rest at a Site of Grace

After completing these steps, Roderika becomes a Spirit Tuner and will sit near the blacksmith. At this point, she gains the ability to upgrade your Spirit Ashes. (eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com)

This step is essential, and many players miss it early on, delaying their access to stronger summons.

3. Materials Required for Upgrading

Upgrading Spirit Ashes requires specific materials called Gloveworts. There are two main types, depending on the type of summon.

• Grave Glovewort – used for standard Spirit Ashes

• Ghost Glovewort – used for renowned or special Spirit Ashes (eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com)

Each upgrade level requires a higher-tier version of these materials. For example, upgrading from +1 to +2 requires a higher-level Glovewort than the previous upgrade.

To reach the maximum level of +10, you will need rare versions called Great Gloveworts.

These materials are typically found in catacombs, underground areas, and dungeons throughout the game world. (eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com)

Managing these resources carefully is important, especially in the early game when they are limited.

4. Step-by-Step Upgrade Process

Once Spirit Tuning is unlocked, upgrading your Spirit Ashes becomes straightforward.

Go to the Roundtable Hold and speak with Roderika. Select the upgrade option, and you will see a list of your available Spirit Ashes.

Choose the summon you want to upgrade. If you have the required Glovewort and runes, you can increase its level immediately.

Each upgrade consumes:

• One Glovewort of the appropriate tier

• A small amount of runes

After upgrading, the Spirit Ash becomes stronger instantly and can be used in your next summon.

This process can be repeated until the Spirit Ash reaches its maximum level.

5. Where to Find Glovewort Materials

Gloveworts are primarily found in catacombs and underground dungeons scattered across the Lands Between.

These locations often contain multiple tiers of Glovewort, allowing players to gather materials for several upgrade levels in one run.

Later in the game, players can unlock Bell Bearings that allow merchants to sell Gloveworts. This makes it easier to upgrade multiple Spirit Ashes without relying entirely on exploration.

However, the highest-tier materials needed for the final upgrade are limited per playthrough, so choosing which Spirit Ash to fully upgrade is an important decision.

Exploring thoroughly and clearing dungeons regularly ensures a steady supply of upgrade materials.

6. Which Spirit Ashes Are Worth Upgrading

Not all Spirit Ashes provide the same value, so prioritizing upgrades can make a big difference.

Tanky summons are useful for absorbing damage and distracting bosses, making them ideal for players who need more survivability.

Fast or aggressive summons work well for applying pressure and dealing consistent damage over time.

Some of the most popular choices among players include summons that balance durability and damage, allowing them to stay alive while contributing meaningfully in combat.

Upgrading a frequently used summon is usually more effective than spreading resources across multiple weaker ones.

Because upgrade materials become more available later in the game, early investments are not permanent mistakes—but focusing on one strong summon early can make progression smoother.

7. Tips for Getting the Most Out of Upgrades

Timing your upgrades can greatly improve your experience. If you are struggling with a boss, upgrading your Spirit Ash even by a few levels can significantly increase your chances of success.

Pay attention to the type of enemy you are facing. Some Spirit Ashes perform better against groups, while others are more effective in one-on-one fights.

It is also helpful to balance Spirit Ash upgrades with your own character build. A strong summon can complement your playstyle, whether you prefer melee combat, ranged attacks, or magic.

Players who focus on smooth control and consistent input during combat often benefit from stable hardware setups as well, since precise movement and timing are critical during intense encounters.

With the right upgrades and strategy, Spirit Ashes can become one of the most reliable tools in your arsenal.

Have you found a Spirit Ash that completely changed how you approach boss fights?

 

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