U4GM - Step-by-Step Guide: How to Upgrade Spirit Ashes Using Elden Ring Items
Spirit Ashes are one of the most valuable tools available to Tarnished in Elden Ring. These ghostly companions can dramatically shift the tide of boss fights and tough encounters. However, simply acquiring a Spirit Ash isn’t enough—you’ll need to upgrade them to unlock their true potential.
After extensively testing different summons and playing through multiple characters—both solo and through Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting—I can confidently say that properly upgraded Spirit Ashes can carry you through some of the toughest fights in the game. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to upgrade them step by step, using essential Elden Ring Items along the way.
Step 1: Unlock the Spirit Tuning System
Before you can upgrade Spirit Ashes, you need to unlock the ability to Spirit Tune.
How to unlock:
Progress Roderika’s quest. You’ll meet her at Stormhill Shack in Limgrave.
Talk to her until she mentions her purpose and desire to be a Spirit Tuner.
Continue to Roundtable Hold and speak to the blacksmith Hewg.
Return to Roderika and then speak to both her and Hewg a few more times.
Eventually, Roderika will move to the Roundtable Hold and become your Spirit Tuner.
Personal tip: Don’t skip this quest—it’s quick, and the dialogue adds meaningful context to the game’s lore. I always complete it early on when preparing for Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting sessions.
Step 2: Collect Glovewort Materials
Spirit Ash upgrades require two main categories of Elden Ring Items: Grave Glovewort and Ghost Glovewort.
Grave Glovewort: Used to upgrade standard Spirit Ashes.
Ghost Glovewort: Used to upgrade elite, renowned, or special Spirit Ashes (like Lhutel the Headless or Mimic Tear).
Where to find them:
Found in catacombs and underground dungeons.
Early-game players should explore the Tombsward Catacombs (for Grave Glovewort) or the Siofra River (for Ghost Glovewort).
Higher-tier Glovewort can be found in late-game areas like Nokron, the Deeproot Depths, and Elphael.
My experience: I usually stock up during exploration rather than farming directly. If you're in a rush, you can always check vendors later in the game who sell Glovewort once you give them Bell Bearings.
Step 3: Speak to Roderika at Roundtable Hold
Once you've gathered enough Glovewort, head to the Roundtable Hold.
Speak with Roderika, who will now offer the option to upgrade Spirit Ashes.
Select the Ash you want to enhance.
Ensure you have enough Runes and the right type of Glovewort.
The upgrade path typically goes from +1 to +10.
Each tier requires a higher level of Glovewort (e.g., +1 needs Grave Glovewort [1], +2 needs [2], and so on).
Upgrade example:To fully upgrade the Mimic Tear (one of the best summons), you’ll need Ghost Glovewort [1] through [9] and Great Ghost Glovewort for the final +10.
Step 4: Choose the Right Spirit Ash for Your Build
Not all Spirit Ashes are equal. Some are designed for tanking, others for swarming, and some mimic your character entirely.
Recommended Spirit Ashes for different playstyles:
Lone Wolf Ashes: Fast and useful for distracting enemies early-game.
Banished Knight Oleg: High poise and damage; great for melee builds.
Mimic Tear Ashes: Copies your full build—extremely powerful when upgraded.
Latenna the Albinauric: Ranged specialist for tactical fights.
From my runs: The Mimic Tear became my go-to during Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting. Its versatility in both PvE and co-op made it invaluable. I always upgraded it first when starting a new character.
Step 5: Acquire Bell Bearings (Optional for Buying Glovewort)
If you're short on time or Glovewort materials, you can find Bell Bearings to unlock Glovewort purchases at the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold.
How to get them:
Found in areas like the Haligtree, Consecrated Snowfield, and Nokron.
Once offered, you can buy unlimited quantities of lower-tier Glovewort.
Alternative: If you want to skip farming entirely, look for Elden Ring Items bundles that include upgrade materials—an efficient option if you're deep into late-game or simply want to speed things up.
Upgrading Spirit Ashes changed how I approached boss fights. They’re not just distractions—they can tank, deal damage, or apply status effects that turn the tide. In my co-op experiences and Elden Ring Nightreign Boosting efforts, I’ve seen players go from struggling to dominating just by upgrading their Spirit Summons.
If you’re investing in a long playthrough or preparing for endgame content, Spirit Ashes are as important as your weapon or armor. Explore, gather the right Elden Ring Items, and make your spirit allies as strong as you are.
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