Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree adds 28 new incantationss to an already very well-stocked list, but as always, they are far from all interesting. They are often redundant or poorly balanced. After the best Weapons, Ashes of War, Talismans and Sorceries, we tested the Incantations, and here are those that we consider to be the best at the moment.
Golden arches
Holy damage is much more viable in the expansion than it was in the base game, and several powerful spells based on the golden bows have been introduced. This spell is similar to one of Jori’s attacks, the Chief Inquisitor. They are hard to dodge, have good damage and range, and have a low CP cost. This makes them a viable base spell in many situations. There is a variant of this spell that fires a single giant bow, but we found it less versatile.
Position : Start from the southeast of the Moorth Ruins in Occult Altus. Go down the platforms at the very bottom of the hole, until you reach 3 inquisitors guarding a chest containing this incantation.
Messmer’s Orb
This spell is identical to Messmer’s initial attack, at the beginning of his fight. You will rush towards the enemy, with a fireball in your hand. Your aerial movements can even be controlled to a certain extent, which is very rare. A large explosion then goes off. It is a formidable incantation, which inflicts heavy damage and will knock down many opponents. Using it in a loop also gives a rather amusing result.
Position : Trade Messmer’s Memory at the Round Table. This boss is fought atop the Black Castle Seed Warehouse.
Messmer Elden Ring: How to beat this boss?
The headliner of ER’s SotE DLC awaits you atop the Black Castle, with its flames and snakes. Check out a video of the fight, as well as a written guide with tips and tricks, to kill him more easily.
Flame Serpent
Many enemies in the DLC use this spell, including Messmer, so you should have an idea of its effects. It is very difficult for enemies to dodge, due to the delay between its casting and the actual projectile being fired. In addition, its ability to track its target is impressive.
This is a good damage spell, and has a fairly low CP cost. This makes it the ideal choice for killing your enemies from afar. It doesn’t have the highest DPS of any spell, but its versatility and ease of use make it a viable tool in almost any situation.
Position : Go through the East entrance of the Black Castle, in order to enter the Flooded Religious Quarter. Take one of the elevators in the area, which will take you to the storage area of the Seed Warehouse. This is a section that you cannot access via the main entrance. Climb the very long ladder, then search the balcony on the far right of the area. The spell is on a corpse, perched on the railing.
Distant care
This can be considered the ultimate healing spell in the game. It can heal a large amount of your allies’ health, from very far away. Whether in cooperative mode, or with a summon, its effect will be felt. You can even heal yourself with it, by targeting a nearby area before rushing into it. It is also the ultimate Revenant killer. The Faith requirement is low (18) and it only requires one spell slot. All this makes it a perfect spell in its category.
Position : At the foot of the golden tree, in the perfumers’ cave between Altus Occulte and the small poison swamp to the north of the area.
Knight’s Lightning Lance
Lightning Spear is considered one of the best spells in Elden Ring, it’s no surprise that its upgraded version is even better. It’s the spell used by the fearsome Death Knight bosses. Charging the attack will unleash several waves of devastating lightning on the target. The animation is pretty fast, the spell really hurts a lot, and its requirements aren’t too high. It’s perfect for killing your targets from a distance in one or two hits.
Position : In the Scorpion Catacombs northwest of the Ruins of Rauh (bottom). In one of the rooms, you will come across Malemort’s eyes scanning a large part of the area, with a giant spiked plate that will try to crush you. You have to go around it, then climb on the plate when it is in the low position. It will serve as an elevator to the eyes. Take the corridor behind the eyes, in order to find the spell.
Spear of rotten threads
Once again, we are treated to a heavy version of a very popular spell from the base game. The Plague Threads of the Rotting Insects may traumatize you once again, but it must be admitted that their favorite spell is devastating against large enemies. Their range, their ability to track their target and the speed of casting make these threads some of the most powerful spells in the game.
Using them on a mount is simply enjoyable. The Rotten Thread Lances will kill your targets even faster if they are large, whether it is a dragon or the Beast of Elden, we can no longer speak of a victory, but of pure and simple humiliation, even in New Game Plus. The prerequisites for this spell are also very reasonable as a bonus.
Position : In the area just before Romina, the Saint of the Bud. Search the area full of insects and scarlet rot, behind the stairs leading upstairs. You will find a corpse with this spell.
Unfortunately, Bayle’s draconic incantations aren’t great compared to those already available in the base game, which is quite disappointing.
