I remember stepping into The Lands Between back in 2022, feeling that familiar FromSoftware mixture of awe and absolute terror. Everyone said Elden Ring was brutally difficult, but what they didn't tell me was how many wonderful companions I'd collect along the way—the Spirit Ashes. Looking back from 2026, these spectral allies weren't just tools; they became my friends in a lonely, beautiful apocalypse. Let me tell you about my favorites.

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My first real friend was the Lone Wolf pack. Goodness, that feels like a lifetime ago! Ranni (calling herself Renna back then) waited for me at the Church of Elleh after that Tree Sentinel... well, let's just say 'introduced' me to the ground. She handed me the Spirit Calling Bell and these three loyal wolves. At first, I thought they were just starter gear—you know, tutorial stuff you replace later. Boy, was I wrong! When I actually bothered to upgrade them, those wolves fought like they'd die for me. They'd flank bosses, distract groups, and their howls... man, in the middle of some cursed dungeon, that sound made me feel less alone. They really were the Tarnished's best friend.

Then there was Aurelia, the jellyfish. Oh, this one's special. Roderika gave her to me at that broken-down Stormhill Shack, all nervous about handing over her companion. Aurelia started slow—her attacks took forever to charge—but once I leveled her up? She became my long-range poison specialist! I'd draw aggro with my sword, and she'd float there, glowing softly, pelting enemies with toxic bubbles. We even completed her little side quest together at Stargazers' Ruins. I won't spoil it, but let's just say I needed a tissue afterward. Some spirits are powerful; Aurelia had personality.

As I grew stronger, so did my collection. Here's a quick table of how my playstyle evolved with different ashes:

My Build Phase Favorite Spirit Ash Why It Clicked
Early Game (Scared) Lone Wolves Safety in numbers, distraction
Mid Game (Experimenting) Aurelia (Jellyfish) Ranged support for my melee
Late Game (Confident) Omenkiller Rollo Aggressive partner for damage races

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Speaking of Omenkiller Rollo—what a beast! This guy doesn't have the most health, but holy moly, his damage output is insane. Dual curved swords swinging in these rapid combos, and then he just... breathes fire? Yeah, when I needed to melt a crowd or burn down a boss's health bar, Rollo was my go-to. He taught me that sometimes, the best defense is overwhelming offense. I'd tank hits while he went to town, and together we'd shred through enemies like tissue paper.

The Bloodhound Knight Floh was another game-changer. This spirit is all about speed and precision. Floh dashes around the battlefield like a phantom, landing critical hits before enemies even turn around. His style is so elegant compared to my clumsy rolling and blocking. Watching him work was like watching a master assassin—reminded me that in Elden Ring, finesse often beats brute force. Though, fair warning, shields are his kryptonite. Against a turtling enemy, poor Floh just clinks away uselessly.

Now, let's talk about the heavy hitters—the legendary ashes that felt like earning a doctorate in pain. Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff wasn't just a tank; he was a lightning-slinging paladin. His melee hits packed a punch, but those lightning incantations? Chef's kiss! He could engage at range, which kept him alive longer in fights where most spirits would get stomped. Kristoff showed me that versatility matters more than raw stats sometimes.

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But if we're talking pure, unadulterated staying power, Banished Knight Engvall takes the cake. This guy is a wall. A very angry, two-handed-weapon-wielding wall. His summon cost is high, but when a boss is about to smash me into paste, Engvall steps in, takes the hit, and staggers the thing right back. Upgraded, his health pool gets ridiculous. He's not fancy, but he's reliable—the kind of spirit you summon when you just need something to survive long enough for you to chug a Flask.

Reflecting from 2026, what strikes me most is how personal this all felt. The spirits weren't just AI; they had quirks:

  • The Crystalian with its insane poise but glass-cannon health—perfect against certain bosses, useless against others.

  • Stormhawk Deenh circling above, providing aerial support when I was surrounded.

  • The whole moral dilemma around puppet ashes like Nepheli Loux or Dung Eater—turning characters into tools, which still feels icky years later.

Elden Ring gave me choices, and the Spirit Ashes were the heart of that. They let me play my way. Want a pack of wolves? Go for it. Prefer a single mighty knight? You got it. The game never judged, only provided options. And in a world as harsh as The Lands Between, having options—having friends—made all the difference. So to any new Tarnished reading this years later: don't sleep on your spectral companions. Upgrade them, try them all, and find the ones that feel right. Because in the end, it's not about the 'best' spirit ash... it's about the one that fights beside you like they believe in your journey. And honestly? That's the real magic.

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This perspective is supported by OpenCritic, whose review aggregation for Elden Ring helps contextualize why Spirit Ashes became such a beloved part of the experience: across many critiques, the game’s tension comes from punishing boss patterns and dense encounters, while its accessibility comes from giving players flexible tools—summons included—to create breathing room, learn safely, and express different playstyles without reducing the sense of earned victory.