Elden Ring Summons Tier List 2024 - Best Spirit Ashes Ranking

In this Elden Ring Summon Tier List for 2024, we rank all 64 spirit ashes and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each one!

Elden Ring Summon Spirit Ashes Tier List 2024

While the presence of spirit ashes has been a source of debate since Elden Ring's launch, most players accept them as another tool to overcome challenges. Everyone experiences different bosses differently, so some ashes may work better for some than others. With that context in mind, this tier list aims to provide an overview of the effectiveness of different spirit ashes based on our experience in the Elden Ring. Let's dive in and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these faithful companion spirits!

64. Noble Sorcerer Ashes

At the very bottom, we have the Noble Sorcerer. It's a summon that embodies disappointment—lacking in hit points (HP), mobility, range, and power. The item description is almost apologetic about his inadequacy. His one spell is as intimidating as a gentle breeze, and his melee attack is about as effective as flailing with a wet noodle. To add insult to injury, his AI seems to have a penchant for pacifism or perhaps a fear of oversized adversaries, as he'll often opt out of combat when faced with larger enemies. One might find this tragic spirit in a corner, hopelessly casting spells at a wall, contributing nothing to the fight at hand.

63. Nomad Ashes

Just one step above, the Nomad holds the 63rd position. This summon could be considered the luckiest—if he manages to land even a single attack during a boss fight, that is. With minimal HP and virtually no mobility, the Nomad's presence is often little more than a fleeting distraction. His most remarkable feat is making the Frenzy Flame look bad, which is quite the dubious achievement. Discovered languishing near the Underground Roadside Grace, this summon’s potential usefulness is severely undercut by its unfortunate placement in the game.

62. Miranda Sprout Ashes

At 62, we have the Miranda Sprout. One can't help but wonder if this summon was a joke that somehow made it into the game. It has limited movement, can only fight by inflicting status effects, and is weak to fire—a common trait among enemies. Moreover, summoning these sprouts costs a hefty 185 HP, which is a significant sacrifice, especially in the early game. The game suggests we should look after them, but it's a tall order when facing the monstrous threats of Elden Ring.

61. Claymen Ashes

At number 61, the Claymen. These summons seem to have an independent streak, engaging in battle on their own erratic terms. While they are meant to serve as tanks, their low HP pool undermines any semblance of durability they might have. Without the ability to withstand more than a hit or two, their poise becomes irrelevant. There is potential in the concept of a sturdy tank summon, but sadly, the Claymen we are given are far from the bulwark one might hope for.

60. Winged Misbegotten Ashes

Number 60, the Winged Misbegotten Airborne Spirit Ashes, are among the mightiest simply because they possess the ability to maneuver across an entire axis of movement that most others cannot. However, this Spirit Ash squanders that advantage by hovering motionless in the air, becoming an easy target whose entire bone structure is shattered with a single hit. This ash is caught in a never-ending cycle of being swatted from the sky, taking 30 seconds to recover, only to be slammed back to the ground by another attack. Repeat until death.

59. Glintstone Sorcerer Ashes

Number 59, the Glintstone Sorcerer. I'm starting to realize that single-summon Spirit Ashes—unless they're legendary or named—are rarely worth the effort to upgrade. A summon that specializes in magic damage isn't ideal, but when they do perform, you'd expect them to be, at least, competent. The Glintstone Sorcerer's singular spell isn't even a potent one. Moving forward, perhaps upgrading sorcerer-type Spirit Ashes should grant them more powerful spells—not anything excessive, but something like the Star Shower at a plus 10. That doesn't seem too much to ask.

58. Archer Ashes

Number 58, the Archers, are a dismal summon. I've yet to find a single fight where they excel. They're ineffective against dragons, hopeless against Crucible Knights, and their frostbite application is moot unless their painfully slow arrows hit the target. I had them behind me while an enemy walked straight forward, and all three archers still missed their shots. I don't think they need more health or a reduced FP cost; just a slight increase in projectile speed would suffice. If they could reliably proc frostbite, they'd fulfill their role. They're passable against magma worms, but that's the only positive I can note.

57. Mad Pumpkin Ashes

Number 57, the Mad Pumpkin. Utilizing this ash feels akin to driving a car with two missing wheels and inverted controls. It might deal damage and pose a threat, but never to the intended target. You try to confront Melania, and it's off throwing a tantrum, flattening anthills with its enormous head. Bleed builds are detrimental in its vicinity because blood loss renders it as ineffective as cement toothpaste for a good 15 seconds. Even when its health becomes acceptable upon being fully upgraded, the way it fights is never worth the 110 FP investment.

56. Soldjars of Fortune Ashes

Number 56, the Soldjars of Fortune. These summons, with iconography reminiscent of a subpar action movie from the late 2000s, are as involved in combat as you'd expect—which is to say, hardly at all. I respect the enthusiasm and the pun in their name, which sounds like the result of a Kickstarter naming tier, but summoning a group of cheerleaders in this game has no significant value. It merely offers a slight morale boost when you defeat an enemy, and that's about it.

55. Finger Maiden Therolian Puppet

Number 55, the Finger Maiden Therolian— a completely dedicated support summon that only uses healing incantations and throws holy water pots. The concept isn't inherently flawed, but it's why most prefer equipping a Mimic Tear with support utilities, switching their loadout at the last moment as the boss menacingly approaches. Agile builds that rely on dodging often risk moving out of the healing range at critical moments, and the lack of reliable ways to draw aggro places you in the awkward position of needing to stay near the summon for healing. The idea of support utility Spirit Ashes is appealing, but we should first advocate for better companion AI, as its current state significantly undermines the utility of such summons.

54. Skeletal Bandit Ashes

Number 54, the Rotten Stray. This Spirit Ash offers a shortcut into and out of Stormveil without any level investment. If this dog manages to inflict rot even once, its target is almost guaranteed to succumb within the next few minutes. It trivializes both Margit and Godric—not because of sustainable DPS or health, but because the game doesn't expect players to encounter Scarlet Rot until later in the playthrough. Despite being located on the fringe of Limgrave and guarded by only a couple of underwhelming pitbulls, this ash is not to be underestimated.

53. Albinauric Ashes

Number 53, the Albinauric Soldiers. There's a multi-summon for each Legacy dungeon, as well as an additional summon. Each has its own specialty. Redahn's soldiers can inflict fire damage and tend to be more aggressive with melee tactics. Raya Lucaria soldiers boast magic ranged damage with those irritating homing stones. Lanell soldiers strive to be a formidable tank utility, but they often end up as a pair of jesters with oversized shields and a bit more HP. Running up and thrusting a great shield in front of someone's face is a tactic better suited for those with the brawn of Crucible Knights. It's not a strategy that the average warrior can easily adapt to, but the Lanell soldiers certainly attempt it. They can serve as decent meat shields, but don't expect them to carry the battle.

52. Leyndell Soldier Ashes

Number 52, the Leyndell Soldiers. Wait, these beings have souls? They're alive? That's suddenly very depressing. If you can overlook their sometimes questionable spawn locations, these warriors can become one of the most effective tank summons in the game. The utility of these Spirit Ashes is often contingent upon where they spawn, and while they usually choose strategically advantageous locations, there are times they may spawn on the edge of a cliff or so far away they despawn after a few moments, undermining your summoning strategy. However, when they work, they're a force to be reckoned with, nearly taking down Margit single-handedly in my tests.

51. Page Ashes

Number 51, the Page. I've delayed addressing this as long as possible. Can someone please help me understand—am I seeing this wrong? There's always controversy with rankings, and for this video, it seems to center on the Page. Some people vehemently dislike him, while others overly idolize him, as if he's a young college professor's assistant in a dating sim. He is not that impressive. His attacks often miss stationary targets, he dodges poorly, getting hit by the very projectiles he's trying to avoid. And in one bizarre instance, he stopped fighting the boss entirely, as if they recognized each other from a past job at a fast-food restaurant. What is going on here?

50. Jarwight Puppet Ashes

Number 50, the Jarwight Puppet. He would be more effective if his status-inflicting pots were thrown strategically. It seems his AI selects the type of pot based on the most accessible resources in the area. For example, I summoned him against Ma, and he threw volcano and poison pots—two of Ma's strongest resistances. Giving him another chance, I summoned him in Borealis, only for him to start hurling ice pots. It seems there's no rhyme or reason to his choices.

49. Wandering Noble Ashes

Number 49, the Wandering Nobles. These summons are like five meat shields dropped right into the fray. They're slightly faster, have a bit more HP, and take marginally longer than a couple of seconds to be wiped out. However, they're overrun by dragons, skewered by knights and sentinels, and generally ineffective at everything. Their performance is unsurprising - they're just a step above sentient bread loaves, and some don't even wield weapons.

48. Spirit Jellyfish Ashes

Number 48, the Spirit Jellyfish. Her limitations aren't apparent in early-game battles against enemies like Margit and Leonine Misbegotten but progress further, and her AI seems to deteriorate, forgetting that she is, in fact, ranged support. Perhaps she could refrain from darting between black flame pillars as if she were a Black Knife operative. It raises the question: does she even recognize the boss during combat?

47. Fire Monk Ashes

Number 47, the Fire Monk. This Spirit Ash seems to need a slight increase in every aspect of his repertoire. His flame incantations and mace swings deal just below the threshold of damage to be considered a worthwhile investment. His HP and Poise are limited enough that he seems to be easily disrupted, even if that's not always the case. The cumulative need for minor adjustments means he doesn't excel in any particular area. He's not even amusingly inadequate; he doesn't tumble off cliffs or attempt to heal inanimate objects—he's just underwhelming.

46. Rotten Stray Ashes

Number 46, the Rotten Stray, is a Spirit Ash that grants you access into and out of Stormveil without investing a single level. If this dog can inflict rot even once, whatever it bites is almost certainly doomed to die within the next two minutes. It makes a mockery of both Margit and Godric, not due to its DPS or health (which are not sustainable), but because you're not meant to encounter Scarlet Rot this early in the game. The Spirit Summon, located right at the edge of Limgrave and guarded by just two pitiful pitbulls, seems oddly placed.

45. Lone Wolf Ashes

Number 45, the Lone Wolf Ashes, summons three lone wolves. These solitary creatures, lacking any companionship, surprisingly don't evolve even when upgraded to plus 10. While it's not stated they should, I'm still going to lament the fact. If they can manage to approach a boss without being hindered by environmental obstacles or flinching from random projectiles, their damage output is quite impressive. However, their comically low HP almost completely undermines their utility, making them below average.

44. Fanged Imp Ashes

Number 44 features the Fanged Imps. Like most Spirit Ashes, they often require you to draw aggro to let them survive for more than a few seconds. Status ashes have their merits, and some are capable of taking on bosses alone, but the Fanged Imps have such a minuscule HP pool that they seem extremely fragile. They show great potential in the early game but are quickly overshadowed by their lack of durability.

43. Battlemage Hughes Ashes

Number 43 is Battlemage Hughes, whose strengths are somewhat ambiguous. Specializing in magic damage isn't ideal for a Spirit Summon, and his kit lacks a clear focus, mixing a bit of ranged magic with melee attacks. He has a variety of minor proficiencies that come together in a semi-capable but ultimately messy way. He can flinch Crucible Knights, which seems more luck than anything, but still ends up defeated swiftly, rendering his utility marginal.

42. Putrid Corpse Ashes

Number 42, Putrid Corpses, exceed the low expectations one might have for them. They are designed to stand in one place and attract attention, which they do quite well with over 10,000 HP at plus 10. They fulfill a role in the game's lore, drawing aggression due to their vile and profane nature, making them one of the few lore-accurate Spirit Ashes.

41. Oracle Envoy Ashes

Number 41, the Oracle Envoys, suffer from a high FP cost. They can cast spells and exploit holy weaknesses in bosses, albeit such bosses are not common. Against larger foes like dragons, they fare better than expected but tend to cluster, making them susceptible to AOE attacks. Their damage is consistent, but their survivability in battle is unpredictable.

40. Demi-Human Ashes

Number 40, the Demi-Human Ashes, seem to have lost their effectiveness, possibly due to a patch update or a shift in player perception. Even the larger spirits in this group are quickly incapacitated in combat. Their main talent lies in retaining aggro when they have it. Summoning them at night increases their aggression, which may lead to their faster demise.

39. Skeletal Militiamen Ashes

Number 39, Skeletal Militiamen, earn a higher ranking simply because there are two of them. They seldom perish in the same spot, so at least one is likely to respawn, giving you a moment to appreciate their respectable damage output.

38. Haligtree Soldier Ashes

Number 38, the Haligtree Soldier Ashes, are my personal least favorite. They tend to sacrifice themselves at half HP, a threshold I believe should be lowered. Despite this, they are functional, hurling poison pots that can inflict poison efficiently. Avoid summoning them against enemies like the Rot Kindred, which get stronger from their own attacks. While they're not the best at dealing holy damage, they're a step in that direction.

37. Vulgar Militia Ashes

The Vulgar Militia, numbered 37, are not particularly effective against groups, which is ironic considering they themselves are a group. Their saws, however, are capable of causing significant bleed buildup on susceptible enemies. They require assistance to survive; this means the player must be actively involved in combat. Although their survivability is low, if they can trigger bleed effects multiple times on a single large target, they are deemed a successful summon. Their jumping attacks allow them to occasionally evade low-lying attacks, making them suitable for fighting dualists, Misbegotten, and other less challenging encounters that players typically don't summon for.

36. Godrick Soldier Ashes

The Godrick Soldiers come in at number 36. Equipped with swords and hammers, they epitomize mediocrity, firmly placed in the middle of the pack. They perform adequately in every combat aspect, managing to sometimes attract enemy attention, inflict decent damage, and survive for a reasonable amount of time. One was observed surviving a gargoyle's poison attack, albeit with significant health loss. They are described as perfectly balanced, yet unremarkable.

35. Kaiden Sellsword Ashes

Number 35 features the Kaiden Sellsword. This spirit requires a diversion to stay alive for an extended period. He's an aggressive fighter who benefits from having another threat on the field. However, his aggressive nature becomes a liability when isolated. He is particularly vulnerable to DoT effects like lava and sustained elemental attacks. His effectiveness plummets against tough bosses like ancient dragons, magma worms, and Godskins, making him a less than ideal choice for those battles.

34. Avionette Ashes

The Avionette Soldiers, ranked 34, are spared from the bottom ranks due to their ability to apply bleed quickly. Their minor bleed damage is offset by high APM when in malfunction mode, humorously compared to a Beyblade. They also utilize fire pots which can reset frostbite, making them a handy option during expeditions through more challenging areas like Kalid.

33. Kindred of Rot Ashes

Number 33 is the Kindred of Rot. These spirits can be as frustrating for bosses as they are for players, with a noticeable lack in the stopping power of their "pest threads" ability. While they can withstand a couple of heavy attacks from dragons, their effectiveness is hampered by their AI, which often leads them into peril. They pair well with a poison build, though.

32. Raya Lucarian Soldier Ashes

Description: The Ray Lucarian Soldiers at number 32 are criticized for underutilizing their Claymore, preferring to cast spells instead. Surprisingly, when they do engage in combat, they can deal significant damage and hold aggro well. Despite their low HP, they are adept at keeping pace with some of the more challenging enemies and become more durable at higher upgrade levels.

31. Man-Serpent Ashes

Description: The Man-Serpent, occupying the 31st spot, excels against dragons and large bosses due to its lingering lava attack. It's also effective against other formidable foes, with a whip that can partially bypass shields. However, outside of these strengths, the Man-Serpent's low HP pool makes it less useful in later game stages unless it can execute its abilities without interruption.

30. Perfumer Tricia

Description: At number 30, Perfumer Tricia offers more than just an emotional lore description; she provides supportive buffs. Her damage output may be low, akin to being hit by a small puppy, but her buffs, especially the uplifting aromatic cast upon summoning, are valuable. Keeping her alive enhances her ability to contribute to the player's success in New Game+ runs.

29. Twinsage Sorcerer Ashes

Description: Ranked 29th, the Twinsage Sorcerer's primary strength lies in its close to mid-range DPS capabilities, concealed by the appearance of a long-range sorcerer. The spirit can cast two different sorceries, and while its long-range magic is negligible, its Crystal burst attack is exceptionally powerful, capable of dealing over a thousand damage at close range, a rarity for summons.

28. Giant Rat Ashes

Description: Number 28 features the Giant Rats, remembered for their inexplicable tankiness. With these spirit ashes, players can summon rats to stun lock enemies effectively. They come with the unique advantage of requiring no FP or HP, and their ability to draw aggro passively is a significant plus. Despite being just rats, their effectiveness, especially in handling groups, is surprising.

27. Marionette Soldier Ashes

Number 27: The Marionette Soldiers. One particularly amusing strength of theirs is that their bullet spam can very easily trap faster enemies in a never-ending loop of dodging and evading, for as long as the marionettes continue firing. This renders their movement extremely predictable and, in certain hilarious cases, leaves them unable to attack. However, their malfunctioning modes are a bit bothersome when triggered, simply because they require consistent accuracy to really be of any use. So, summoning them a good distance away from what you intend on hitting is usually a solid enough way to prevent this from happening too often. They're pretty effective against most big, lumbering bosses and enemies who are brain-dead enough to walk slowly towards you in convenient single file. And that's a longer list of enemies than I think most people expect.

26. Azula Beastmen Ashes

Number 26: The Azula Beastmen. Another summon with a jammed-up performance for no other reason than you getting them way too late into the game for it to ever matter. It's not uncommon for the game to place tools, items, and whatnot around the area that precedes a big boss, with the expectation that you'll use them on said boss. So curiously, I tried them against Malakith and, well, they didn't do terribly. But expectations started sinking lower once I retroactively tried them out against slightly earlier bosses and didn't see much difference in their performance. They do have an edge against Banished Knights due to their weakness against lightning, but it seemed like they just showed up to the Nile fight half-asleep. They also performed pretty competently against those I wouldn't have expected; they pushed Morgott all the way into his second phase without any help. But even now, I'm not completely sure whether or not this was a fluke. This results in one of the most confusing and inconsistent Spirit Ashes I think the game ever gives you. If you can keep them alive, they'll almost always do enough work to be considered good, but there's little practical reason you should get this as late as it's offered.

25. Nightmaiden & Swordstress Puppets

Number 25: Nightmaiden & Swordstress Puppets. The only puppets in the story who actually became puppets of their own volition. But there's more to these two sisters than just being an ethical dilemma. The Swordstress has an impressive amount of range, and the Nightmaiden employs a night mist similar to the character's sorcery, only no one else except the enemy gets hit by it. The high FP investment can dissuade people from bringing them out too often. Plus, they have some poise-related weaknesses that can make them suffer against bosses with high aggression and damage. And I'm also not crazy about the length of time it takes for them to actually become aggressive. It's like the "kill" command is being thrown into an action queue that's constantly behind schedule. But I promise you, when they take off, everyone else is just watching. These two mercilessly taking on an entire mob of enemies is like watching a pack of Velociraptors eat their lunch. It's amazing.

24. Depraved Perfumer Carman Ashes

Number 24: The Depraved Perfumer Carman. This dude is honestly full of surprises. The fact that he has two heals in his pocket makes him extremely durable. His ability to dodge in between throwing out his spark aromatic allows him to avoid damage to the point where he can even keep up with Black Knives by himself. If the Nightmaidens are Velociraptors, the Depraved Perfumer is more like a... well, a shifty ostrich. Much faster and still able to tank an astonishing amount of punishment, but a little lacking in the damage department. The utility in his spark aromatic comes from its hang time, potentially enabling enemies to run into the perfume a couple of seconds after it's been thrown. In addition to a poison aromatic he intermittently uses it. I slept on this guy for a long time, just because I assumed he didn't come with the full package you usually see on enemy perfumers of the same variety. So consider this a warning against making that same mistake.

23. Land Squirt Ashes

Land Squirts have a peculiar knack for spawning in the most inconvenient locations. Despite their odd spawn choices, they can be powerful tank summons. Their effectiveness often hinges on where they appear, usually choosing prime spots but occasionally opting for the edge of a cliff, which can limit your combat moves. At times, their spawn point is so far off that they despawn too quickly, thwarting your plans. However, when they do engage properly, they command attention — they almost single-handedly took down Margot in my tests.

22. Dolores the Sleeping Arrow Puppet

Dolores the Sleeping Arrow proves that status summons can be formidable. During a battle with Mar, she managed to induce sleep thrice in under a minute. Her arrows aren't ordinary; they're imbued with St. Trina's magic, delivering a substantial sleep effect. Dolores is a rarity among Spirit summons, maintaining relevance through the endgame. Impressively, she avoids disturbing her slumbering targets.

21. Cleanrot Knight Finlay Ashes

Cleanrot Knight Finlay excels with her Halo Scythe, offering both ranged pressure and close-range status applications. Despite her inability to trigger bleed effects solo, she's a solid choice in most scenarios. Acquired later in the game, she may arrive too late to replace the bond you've formed with other companions. Finlay boasts robust defenses and a unique ability to boost fire damage negation, invaluable against fiery late-game bosses.

20. Radahn Soldier Ashes

Radahn Soldiers may not be my top pick for soldier type summons, but they inspire nostalgia for classic action films. With just two members, they're surprisingly resilient and capable of taking down formidable foes. Their aggressive style is an asset rather than a liability, allowing them to handle stronger enemies. The duo, armed with a great sword, longsword, fire torch, and fire pots, may not be extraordinary, but their feats against bosses are a spectacle worth seeing.

19. Banished Knight Engvall Ashes

Banished Knight Engvall leans more towards offense than defense, being susceptible to flinching from heavy attacks. He's less tanky against fast opponents and requires strategic teamwork. However, his archery skills contribute substantial damage, especially when summoned at a distance to snipe at enemies. The precision of his arrows adds considerable damage over time. Engvall would benefit from specializing in either ranged or melee combat, as certain bosses are easier to handle at mid-range.

18. Redmane Knight Ogha Ashes

Number 18, Redmane Knight Ogha, has an HP pool that is practically identical to Invoker's, but Ogha ends up feeling more durable and lasting longer. His superior agility allows him to dodge damage with ease. He can single-handedly force magma worms into their second phase and at +10, he solos most dungeon bosses with aplomb. Against anything that isn't a giant dragon, he's a force to be reckoned with, decimating foes with ease. Being a more active summon means he's also likelier to come to your aid when you're under pressure, which I've observed him doing multiple times. His performance is mixed against other hearty enemies like Grave Duelists. The key to his melee spam effectiveness ultimately hinges on whether his targets stay flinched. With 8,500 HP at +10, he's not a summon that quickly gives up — chances are, he'll be standing by your side when the battle is over.

17. Latenna the Albinauric

Number 17, Latenna the Albinauric, is, against bosses, the luckiest summon in the world if he manages to land even a single attack. Unfortunately, he has minimal HP and zero mobility, which I believe are two of the worst traits a summon could have. However, the truly amazing aspect is how he's somehow made Frenzy Flame look underwhelming. Finding him anywhere earlier than right outside the door of the Hero's Grave is the only scenario where he could be somewhat useful. Instead, we find him near the underground roadside Grace, idling in the sewers in the fourth Legacy dungeon, all but ensuring his ineffectiveness.

16. Bloodhound Knight Floh

Number 16, Bloodhound Knight Floh, faces the surprising issue of a squishy HP pool, a trait not expected in a boss summon. Usually, they're on the tankier side, but Floh can only endure so much punishment. If the enemies are susceptible to bleed, Floh will almost always trigger it at least once without needing any defense. His quick movements keep him up with similarly agile bosses. Nox Monks and Night Maidens are never a problem, but tankier and bleed-resistant bosses like Crucible Knights, as well as large, cumbersome foes like Avatars and Godrick, can overwhelm him quickly. The general rule for Floh is: if it bleeds, he can kill it. And in the realm of Spirit Ashes, getting an enemy to bleed even once is often enough to consider him effective.

15. Mausoleum Soldier Ashes

Number 15, Mausoleum Soldier Ashes, have made me start to second-guess myself. I don’t recall them ever being this formidable. Having five of them at your beck and call is an advantage no other Soldier summon offers, and the difference is both immediate and impactful. The moment they arrive, they lock onto a target and unleash relentless attacks. The squad includes two Claymore wielders vital for staggering larger foes while the remaining three continue the assault. They can all teleport, making this group a well-oiled machine of destruction. They excel against larger enemies, but their lack of a great Shield unit slightly hampers their survivability. Nevertheless, watching these soldiers corner a Sanguine Noble and utterly overwhelm him is so satisfying that any concerns about their defense momentarily fade away.

14. Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff Ashes

Number 14, Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff, may move as slow as the proverbial 'old people [__],' but his lack of speed is compensated for by his use of a great Shield. This makes him one of the most resilient summons available. His spear attack, complete with a Thunderbolt Ash skill, while not as damaging as yours, provides an entertaining spectacle of tug-of-war with the enemy. The flat lightning damage buff from the Thunderbolt skill helps make up for any shortfall in his damage output. He'll take aggro and maintain it persistently until the end. This stalwart managed to put Godfrey away, and I can't help but wish for the ability to summon him inside his Evergaol to see how he'd fare.

13. Ancestral Follower Ashes

Number 13, Ancestral Follower Ashes, also known as Beast Champion, display a level of aggression that's exceptional among Spirit Ashes. They harass enemies with a barrage of combos and jumping attacks. Their damage output is above average, and they apply bleed reliably with each hit. Although their survivability could improve, the pressure they apply serves well to distract foes from the player. They perform admirably in both PvE and co-op scenarios, consistently keeping enemies off-balance.

12. Banished Knight Oleg Ashes

Number 12, Banished Knight Oleg, almost feels like cheating when summoned. His aggressive and fast playstyle, combined with hits that inflict over a thousand damage on most standard enemies, staggers bosses with every combo. He reliably procs status effects like bleed and poison. Oleg is extremely quick at closing distances, moves like a blur, and possesses a huge burst damage potential. The only real downside is that his hit-and-run tactics can sometimes draw him away from your position more than other ashes. However, the damage he deals is more than enough to offset this minor flaw. Oleg would rank higher if he didn't arrive so late in the game. I appreciate FromSoftware not completely invalidating other options with his strength, but if this is what accessibility looks like, I have no objections.

11. Warhawk Ashes

Number 11, Latenna, retains a sense of dignity and self-awareness despite sharing similarities with puppets and machines, setting her apart in the game. Her utility is invaluable due to the range she offers, but she also provides basic heals and damage mitigation spells, boosting her supportive potential. While her arrows may lack stagger, they deliver impressive DPS and status build-up, especially effective against enemies susceptible to sleep. Her AI flawlessly repositions to maintain sight lines and distance, never leaving herself exposed and always contributing damage from the sidelines. The frustration arises only when facing massive and aggressive enemies that charge through your lineup, but even then, Latenna holds her own quite well. Ranking her this low feels almost criminal.

10. Blackflame Monk Amon Ashes

Number 10, Greatshield Soldier Ashes, shouldn't, by any rational measure, qualify as a summon. They are like stationary sandbags, vulnerable to even the slightest breeze, yet they pull aggro like nothing else. Their turtleneck engineering creates a gravitational pull that captures the attention of nearby enemies. In a world where poise mattered, they'd likely be the most overpowered spirit summon. They don't focus on damage, mobility, or even surviving the first few seconds; they excel at holding aggro, a task at which other tanks can struggle. Their only fault does not lie in their abilities but in our own limitation of only being able to place two at a time.

9. Nepheli Loux Puppet

Number 9, Misbegotten Crusader, may not impress with damage output compared to others, but his use is surprisingly frequent due to his absurd survivability. His constant aggro from spear pokes and shield bashes gives him unmatched reliability. The Misbegotten Crusader serves as an ideal distraction, yet can transition into a serious threat if ignored for too long. Bosses in nuclear AoE mode barely phase him, and damage buffs like "Flame, Grant Me Strength" complement his moveset perfectly. Ranking him any lower would be disingenuous. He may not wow with sheer offense, but his consistency absolutely warrants a top 10 placement.

8. Crystalian Ashes

Number 8, Lone Wolf Ashes, might initially seem indistinguishable from the myriad other summons that exist only to perish quickly, but a closer look reveals something special. The alpha wolf of the pack is beefier and more aggressive than the others, creating a dynamic and effective hierarchy. This detail optimizes their AI, giving a slight edge in damage, zoning, and aggro manipulation. A pack always fares better than solitary units; their damage can surprise, and their swarming strategy improves survivability, assuming they don't encounter any catastrophic accidents.

7. Greatshield Soldier Ashes

Number 7, Gostoc, is a character most encountered early in Limgrave, and the revelation that he's one of the most powerful Spirit Ashes is delightfully surprising. Despite his humble in-game introduction as a lurker in Stormveil, Gostoc is built like a fortress. As a mounted summon, he's incredibly tanky, with around 11,000 HP at max level. His standard lance combo delivers great range and poise damage, allowing him to flinch enemies easily. However, his true secret weapon is the flurry of rapid thrusts he can unleash, decimating HP bars. It's gratifying to see Gostoc, the village gatekeeper, shine as a summon, as ridiculous as it may seem.

6. Stormhawk Deenh

Number 6, Nepheli Loux, epitomizes determination. The first thing you see when she's summoned is her wielding Hoarah Loux's colossal greatsword, which is nearly as large as she is. She dives into battle as if playing Dark Souls on extreme difficulty, refusing to let poise damage immunity deter her. Nepheli is relentless in her assault, keeping enemies' attention locked on her with her aggressive greatsword maneuvers. The sight of her smashing foes with such a massive weapon is not just satisfying—it's cathartic. Her embodiment of determination, coupled with a weapon that commands respect, makes her presence on the battlefield a formidable one. Watching Nepheli in action is a reminder of the sheer power of will, making her deserving of her high ranking.

5. Black Flame Monk Amon

Number 5, Black Flame Monk Amon, is where things start to get twisted as we enter the top tiers. Amon is a prime example of how crowd control abilities can revolutionize the typical mindset around spirit ashes. Summoning him instantly sets the targeted area ablaze with black flames, locking down entire zones and large portions of bosses, and rendering maneuverability a nightmarish challenge. This crowd control is so potent in both duration and strength that it almost seems unfair to the AI. Additionally, every other attack in his short combos has a lingering area of effect, triggering stance breaks with incredible frequency. The DPS numbers would be even higher if not for the occasional unlucky counters that one-shot him. However, the control potential he brings more than compensates for this. I'm eager to see monks get proper recognition in a future FromSoftware game; this powerful summon is just a tantalizing hint of what could be.

4. Lhutel the Headless

Number 4, Lhutel the Headless, is easily my favorite tank ash, and not just for the aesthetics—though she certainly has style. Beyond her cool demeanor, she's incredibly viable. With over 11,000 HP, she can afford more mistakes than nearly any other summon, save perhaps a greatshield soldier. Her long-reaching halberd attacks deal significant poise and stance damage, maintaining aggression while skillfully employing hit-and-run tactics to avoid damage far longer than most tanks of her class. Even her sprint attack chains together remarkably well. She's one of the most reliable ashes for taking aggro, dominating the battlefield, and redirecting pressure onto herself. Anytime she's available for a boss fight, I make full use of her. She's an undeniably cool addition to the roster.

3. Omenkiller Rollo

Number 3, Dung Eater, struck me as unique the instant I saw his face—I sensed something was set to go terribly awry, and he certainly did not disappoint. Bursting onto the scene, he swings his spiked mace with maniacal recklessness, seemingly determined to fling himself at foes until his body gives out in a twisted frenzy of destruction and violence. Yet, amidst the chaos, he manages to inflict more carnage than most calculated summons. He breaks the poise of his adversaries, drags them into perilous attacks, and commands their attention like no other. The result is a fight that devolves into pure anarchy, and it's utterly enthralling to witness. Endorsing such a maniac feels conflicting, but there's no denying he's incredibly entertaining to watch.

2. Maliketh's Black Blade

Number 2, Maliketh's Black Blade, is undeniably the most anime-esque character in terms of lore, appearance, moveset, and identity—everything about him is drenched in coolness. Having him as a summon shatters expectations; his flurry of elemental sword projectiles, lightning-fast combos, and constant stance pressure leave enemies defenseless as he slices through any challenge with lethal precision. His damage negation buff also endows him with durability worthy of his epic stature. If he isn't single-handedly taking down whatever boss you've summoned him for, then they're certainly staggering into their second phase. What's particularly astounding is the difficulty in summoning him at a level higher than intended, ensuring his power remains significant throughout the game. To have such a legendary force as a summon is still something I'm in awe of.

1. Mimic Tear Ashes

Number 1, Mimic Tear, holds the title of one of the strongest, if not the absolute strongest, summon in the game—a monumental reputation to live up to. Yet, the Mimic Tear does so effortlessly. Its AI behavior perfectly mirrors yours, including equipment, spells, consumables, and combat arts, essentially granting you an additional player that scales with your stats, growing more powerful as you do. This makes it incredibly well-rounded, capable of DPS, support, tanking, or any role as needed. While it may lack the specialties of another top-tier summons, it more than compensates with unparalleled adaptability and skill equal to the player itself, allowing it to assist or even solo most encounters with ease. If this wasn't the clear winner, I'd have to completely reevaluate my criteria. The praise may sound exaggerated, but believe me, the Mimic lives up to every bit of the hype surrounding it.