In Elden Ring, Spirit Ashes are not just companions?they're lifelines, especially in tight boss battles and heavy enemy encounters. During my own playthrough, I found that upgraded Spirit Ashes could turn an overwhelming fight into a manageable one. If you're looking to maximize your potential on the battlefield, upgrading these
Elden Ring items is one of the smartest strategies you can adopt.
Here?s a reliable, experience-based 5-step guide to help you efficiently upgrade Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring, whether you're grinding materials or sourcing upgrades via a trusted elden ring items shop online.

Step 1: Unlock Roderika and Her Upgrade Service
The first step is meeting Roderika, who can upgrade your Spirit Ashes once you progress her quest. You?ll find her at the Stormhill Shack near the entrance to Stormveil Castle. Speak to her until she gives you the Spirit Jellyfish Ash and then continue her storyline until she relocates to Roundtable Hold.
I personally missed this the first time and didn?t realize she could upgrade my ashes. Once she?s at the Hold, speak to Smithing Master Hewg about her potential. Eventually, she?ll be able to upgrade Spirit Ashes for you.
Step 2: Collect Grave and Ghost Gloveworts
These are the core upgrade materials for Spirit Ashes. Grave Gloveworts are used for standard ashes, while Ghost Gloveworts are used for elite ashes. These plants are scattered throughout catacombs and underground zones, such as:
Grave Glovewort: Found in Limgrave?s catacombs and Leyndell?s deeper dungeons.
Ghost Glovewort: Typically found in Nokron and Ainsel River.
During my early gameplay, I overlooked many of these resources. Once I started targeting catacombs specifically for Gloveworts, I saw my ash upgrades progress much faster.
Step 3: Find the Glovewort Picker?s Bell Bearings
To avoid farming endlessly, one of the most efficient ways to secure a steady supply of upgrade materials is by obtaining the Glovewort Picker?s Bell Bearings and giving them to the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold. This lets you buy these items directly.
I got my first bearing after clearing a minor dungeon, and it completely changed how I handled upgrades?no more relying solely on farming. If you prefer skipping the grind, using an elden ring items shop online is also a time-saving option for fast glovewort acquisition.
Step 4: Choose the Right Spirit Ashes to Invest In
Not all Spirit Ashes are created equal. Some are better suited for certain builds or scenarios. Based on my experience:
Mimic Tear: Best for aggressive melee builds.
Black Knife Tiche: Excellent for high-damage single-target fights.
Lhutel the Headless: Great for tanking.
Upgrading all ashes is inefficient. Pick one or two that complement your playstyle and focus your materials on those.
Step 5: Upgrade Gradually and Strategically
Once you have the materials and Roderika?s services unlocked, you can begin upgrading. Early on, even getting your Spirit Ash to +3 can make a big difference. Prioritize the ashes that carry you through boss fights, and don?t rush into maxing out all of them.
I paced my upgrades alongside my main story progress. Every time I entered a new region, I?d check for nearby dungeons to gather more Gloveworts. This rhythm kept my ashes appropriately scaled for the content I faced.
Spirit Ashes are more than summonable allies?they?re integral Elden Ring items that can make or break your encounters. Whether you gather the materials manually or use an
elden ring items shop online for quick upgrades, the efficiency lies in understanding where to find what you need and focusing on the best ashes for your build.
From personal experience, upgrading Spirit Ashes turned the tide of some of my most difficult fights. Use this 5-step guide to ensure you?re always going into battle with your strongest allies at full power.
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