Introduction

The highly anticipated "Shadow of the Erdtree" DLC for Elden Ring has brought significant changes to the game, focusing primarily on enhancing Spirit Ashes. Patch 1.13 introduces buffs to nearly all Spirit Ashes, with one notable exception: the Mimic Tear Ashes. This guide will cover these changes in detail, explain how they impact gameplay, and provide strategies for utilizing the newly buffed Spirit Ashes effectively.

Spirit Ashes Buffs

General Enhancements

With the release of Patch 1.13, most Spirit Ashes have received substantial buffs, improving their overall effectiveness in combat. Here are the key changes:

Increased Attack Power and Damage Negation:

All summoned spirits now have increased attack power and damage negation when the Revered Spirit Ash Blessing is at level 5 or higher.

Further enhancements occur when Spirit Ashes are upgraded to "+8 or higher," making them more formidable allies in battle.

Improved Resilience:

Summoned spirits will now stagger less easily, allowing them to maintain their offensive and defensive actions more consistently.

Specific Stat Improvements:

Some spirits have individually increased HP, Faith, attack speed, and unique status effect damage such as lightning and fire.

These changes collectively make Spirit Ashes more reliable and powerful, providing players with stronger support during challenging encounters.

Mimic Tear Ashes

Despite the extensive buffs to other Spirit Ashes, the Mimic Tear Ashes remain unchanged. Found in Nokron, Eternal City, the Mimic Tear forms a complete copy of your build, utilizing your weapon arts, spells, and items with stats based on your own. This makes the Mimic Tear the most versatile and robust summon in the game.

For those struggling with tough bosses like Malenia, summoning a Mimic Tear with a great club and the Hammer Talisman can help stun-lock her, simplifying one of the game's most difficult fights.

Torrent Enhancements

While the Mimic Tear Ashes were left out of the buffing spree, Torrent, your trusty steed, received some much-needed attention. The "Shadow of the Erdtree" update introduced two key changes for Torrent:

Summoning During the Elden Beast Fight:

Players can now summon Torrent during the Elden Beast boss fight, a feature that has been highly requested since the game's release. This addition significantly enhances mobility and strategic options during this climactic battle.

Improved Revive Mechanics:

When Torrent "dies," players must use a Flask of Crimson Tears to revive them. Previously, this action brought up an "OK" or "CANCEL" prompt, which defaulted to "CANCEL," requiring extra steps to confirm the revival. The new update changes the default option to "OK," streamlining the process and reducing the risk of accidental cancellations.

While fans have requested an option to disable the prompt entirely, this adjustment is a positive first step towards more user-friendly mechanics.

Patch 1.13: Detailed Patch Notes

For those interested in exploring the full extent of the changes introduced in Patch 1.13, the official patch notes provide comprehensive details. These notes cover all adjustments, including bug fixes, balance changes, and new features, offering players a complete overview of the latest update.

Strategies for Utilizing Buffed Spirit Ashes

Choosing the Right Spirit Ashes

With the buffs in Patch 1.13, selecting the appropriate Spirit Ashes for your build and playstyle is crucial. Here are some recommendations:

Offensive Builds:

Choose Spirit Ashes with increased attack power and unique status effect damage (e.g., lightning or fire) to complement your offensive capabilities.

Defensive Builds:

Opt for Spirit Ashes with enhanced damage negation and higher HP to provide a durable frontline during battles.

Balanced Builds:

Select versatile Spirit Ashes that offer a mix of offensive and defensive attributes, ensuring they can adapt to various combat scenarios.

Upgrading Spirit Ashes

To maximize the benefits of the buffs, ensure your Spirit Ashes are upgraded to "+8 or higher." This investment will significantly enhance their performance, making them invaluable allies in the toughest encounters.

Strategic Summoning

Leverage the improved resilience and increased attack power of the buffed Spirit Ashes by summoning them strategically during key moments in battles. Their enhanced durability will allow them to sustain pressure on enemies, creating opportunities for you to strike effectively.

Conclusion

The "Shadow of the Erdtree" DLC and Patch 1.13 have brought exciting changes to Elden Ring, particularly with the extensive buffs to Spirit Ashes. While the Mimic Tear Ashes remain unchanged, the improvements to other spirits, along with the enhancements to Torrent, provide players with new tactical advantages. Utilize these updates to refine your strategies and conquer the many challenges that await in the Lands Between.

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