Unleash Divine Fury: Mastering Incantations in Elden Ring

In Elden Ring, spellcasters or those who prefer the mystical arts have two distinct paths to follow. One is the traditional and somewhat elitist path of sorceries, while the other is the path of wielding mighty thunder, dragon transformations, and divine wrath – known as incantations. Magic may be for the scholarly and robed, but incantations offer a more thrilling and dynamic connection to divine power. In this guide, we will provide you with the knowledge and insights to effectively utilize incantations in Elden Ring, drawing from the wisdom of experienced players.

Incantations: Not Just Sorceries

Before delving into the mechanics of using incantations, it's crucial to grasp their significance within the world of Elden Ring. These unique spells stand apart from the typical magical spells or sorceries, allowing you to summon supernatural entities, control lightning, wield fire, and more, providing a versatile toolkit for characters of various builds. Incantations are not limited to offensive capabilities; they can also enhance your defenses and offer buffs, making them a multifaceted choice.

One significant distinction is that incantations rely on the Faith stat, unlike sorceries, which depend on Intelligence. This fundamental difference empowers incantations to excel in health restoration, ailment cures, and a diverse range of offensive options, often involving fire or lightning.

How to Harness the Power of Incantations

To harness the power of incantations, you must collect Sacred Seals scattered throughout the game world. These Sacred Seals act as conduits between you and the divine, enabling you to cast incantations.

Locate a Sacred Seal First

Much like a staff is essential for sorceries, a Sacred Seal serves as the catalyst for incantations. These seals come in various types, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some can be purchased from vendors, while others can be obtained by defeating foes or exploring the game world.

If you want to begin your journey with a Sacred Seal, consider selecting the Prophet or Confessor starting classes, as they come equipped with a starter Sacred Seal. Alternatively, you can embark on a quest to find seals as you progress through the game. Each type of Sacred Seal offers unique benefits, so choosing the one that aligns with your character's build is crucial.

Ensure You Have Sufficient Faith

The potency of your incantations is closely tied to your character's Faith stat. Higher Faith levels result in more powerful spells. As you progress through the game, aim to achieve a Faith stat of at least 50 or 60, gradually increasing it. This threshold ensures that your incantations, particularly the offensive ones, deal near-maximum damage to your foes. While other stats are important, prioritizing Faith is the key to unleashing devastating spells.

Additionally, the Mind stat plays a pivotal role in your incantation usage. A high Mind stat reduces the depletion of FP (your mana) and lessens your reliance on the Cerulean flask. Target a Mind level of at least 40 to maintain a comfortable level of FP. The principle is simple: more FP means more capacity for spellcasting.

Acquire Incantations and Equip Them at Sites of Grace

To use an incantation, you must first possess it, much like you acquire knowledge. You can obtain incantations in various ways, including purchasing them from NPCs like Brother Corhyn, D, Hunter of the Dead, and Miriel Pastor of Vows. Alternatively, you can discover them hidden within Prayerbooks scattered throughout the world. Certain dragon incantations can only be unlocked by defeating the numerous dragons spread across the Lands Between in Elden Ring. Each dragon bestows unique powers within the Dragon Communion Church.

Exploration often reveals hidden locations and side areas containing incantations guarded by formidable adversaries. Overcoming these challenges allows you to claim your rewards. With a diverse array of incantations, each with distinct effects and casting costs, select those that best suit your playstyle.

Expand Your Memory Slots

After collecting your incantations, you must equip them by allocating them to your memory slots. Memory slots, distinct from FP, represent a limited pool of spells you have memorized and prepared for combat use. To increase your memory slots, seek out Memory Stones scattered throughout the lone rise towers in the Elden Ring game world. Each Memory Stone grants space for one spell, so gather as many as possible to expand your spellcasting repertoire.

Equip the Sacred Seal and Unleash Your Incantations

Once you've secured your Sacred Seal, equipped your incantations, and ensured you have enough memory slots and FP, you are ready to cast spells. With your Sacred Seal equipped, you can cast the incantation you have currently memorized. Simply select it from your heads-up display (bottom left) and press the attack button. Keep in mind that certain spells have casting times, so timing your incantations correctly is crucial to avoid vulnerability.

The use of incantations consumes FP (Focus Points), which you can replenish by resting at any Site of Grace or by employing Cerulean flasks. During boss battles, the Flask of Cerulean Tears becomes vital for maintaining your FP levels.

Compromises of Embracing Incantations

Mastering incantations in Elden Ring is the key to unlocking their full potential in battle. With powerful spells at your disposal, it's essential to align your character's stats with your desired playstyle. However, it's worth noting that focusing solely on incantations for combat may limit your character's endurance and physical capabilities, as incantations consume FP. This may lead to a sacrifice in stats that would otherwise enhance your character's resilience.

In summary, dedicating more points to Mind and Faith is necessary for effective spellcasting, potentially at the expense of points that a melee or physical damage-oriented character would invest in Endurance. Consequently, your character may be less adept at wearing heavy armor, and their stamina for evading or shield-blocking may be reduced. Nevertheless, the extraordinary power and versatility of incantations, allowing you to channel the might of gods, make this path an enticing one for many Elden Ring players.