Using Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring, players can summon spirits to assist them in battle. The Spirit Ashes are useful for players who need some extra assistance during tough fights. They can distract enemies, deal damage, or even heal. Here is a comprehensive guide to obtaining, using, and understanding Spirit Ashes.
Understanding Spirit Ashes
Spirit Ashes in "Elden Ring" allow you to summon spectral allies to aid you in combat. They can be crucial for distracting enemies, dealing damage, or even healing.
Acquiring Spirit Ashes
•Exploration: Many Spirit Ashes are found in dungeons, hidden areas, or after defeating certain bosses.
•NPC Quests: Engaging with NPCs can sometimes yield Spirit Ashes. For example, Roderika at the Stormhill Shack eventually moves to the Roundtable Hold where she can upgrade your ashes.
Upgrading Spirit Ashes
•Grave Glovewort and Ghost Glovewort: These plants are used to upgrade Spirit Ashes. Grave Glovewort upgrades regular spirits, while Ghost Glovewort is for renowned spirits. They're found in catacombs or can be purchased later from certain merchants.
•Roderika: After progressing her quest, she'll upgrade your ashes in exchange for Gloveworts.
Strategic Use of Spirit Ashes
•FP Cost: Balance the FP (Focus Points) cost of summoning. More powerful or versatile spirits often require more FP.
•Elemental Affinity: Some spirits might have attacks with elements (like magic, fire, etc.). Use these against enemies weak to those elements.
Match the Ashes to the Situation:
•Tank-like Spirits (e.g., Banished Knight Oleg) are great for bosses as they can take a lot of damage.
•Ranged Spirits (like Latenna the Albinauric) can be helpful in large arenas where they can attack from afar without getting hit.
•Group Summons (like Skeletal Militiamen) can overwhelm single enemies or bosses with numbers.
Advanced Tactics 
•Buffing: Before a major fight, if you have spells or items that buff, use them right after summoning your spirit. This can temporarily increase their effectiveness.
•Distraction and Baiting: Use spirits to distract bosses during their more dangerous moves, allowing you to attack from behind or heal.
•Revival: Spirits like the Skeletal Militiamen, who can revive if not finished off when down, can be particularly useful for prolonged fights.
Synergy with Player Build:
•If your build focuses on magic, summon spirits that can tank or melee to keep enemies at bay while you cast spells.
•For melee builds, spirits that can cast spells or shoot from a distance can complement your close combat.
Post-Shadow of the Erdtree Update Considerations
•New Spirit Ashes: With the introduction of new content, there might be new Spirit Ashes with unique abilities or improvements on how Spirit Ashes interact with game mechanics.
•Revered Spirit Ash System: If this system from the DLC has been integrated into your game version, collecting Scadutree Fragments could make your existing or new Spirit Ashes even stronger, adding another layer of strategy in choosing which ashes to upgrade or use.
Community Sentiment and Tips from X 
There's often talk about how certain Spirit Ashes outperform others in specific scenarios, emphasizing the importance of versatility in your selection based on the fight or exploration ahead.
Conclusion
A player can use Spirit Ashes to deal with difficult encounters in Elden Ring in several ways. It doesn't matter if you want tanky defenders, agile attackers, or supportive allies, Spirit Ash has it all. You can maximize your experience in Elden Ring by understanding how to get, upgrade, and use summons.
