It goes without saying that Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is very difficult. The expansion was designed for characters who use the Blessings of the Eldritch Tree, and who receive assistance from summons when needed. There is no shame in using them. In the base game, the Mimic Tear is generally considered the ultimate summon, with Tiche a close second. However, there are good reasons not to use the Mimic in the DLC, for example, if its performance is disappointing due to your current build. It is also possible to consider that some of the 20 new Summoning Centers in the expansion are superior to the Mimic.
Big Mouth Imp
FromSoftware knows that everyone hates the imps in the Elden Ring catacombs. So they chose to replace them with new, even more annoying versions, thanks Miyazaki! The most notable is certainly the Imp with a cannon. Its projectile has a straight trajectory, it is very fast and its damage is devastating. You risk having some humiliating deaths under their shots. In return, you will be able to summon one too, and it turns out to be a valuable ally on the bosses. It is fragile, but since it fights at a distance, it generally does not attract the attention of the boss, as long as you are in melee. It will also not hinder you during your movements and dodges. With its cannonballs, it will quickly reduce the life of the bosses, while throwing them to the ground if they are humanoid. Malenia will spend her time eating dust, as long as this little guy is present. As a bonus, its summon cost is very low, making it viable on all builds.
Cost : 60 PC
Obtaining : You will find it in the Black Light Catacombs (see route and map fragments), on the third level. When you face a Giant Big Mouth Imp. Activate the lever on the left of the area, then go collect the ashes in a room on the right, after killing the cannon.
Ashes of the Horned Warrior
Horned Warriors are probably the most dangerous base enemies in the DLC, and by extension, in the game. They seem to be inspired by Dark Souls 3’s Champion Gundyr, including the fact that they are nearly impossible to stagger. They have a wide range of attacks that they can chain together for long seconds, a deadly shoulder bash and kick, and a large area of effect attack. As a bonus, they even trigger bleeds with their hits. It’s no surprise that the summon based on this monster is just as deadly. It’s aggressive, hurts a lot, has a lot of health, and can make bosses bleed. It’s a near-perfect combo.
Cost : 112 PC
Obtaining : In one of the towers of Enir-Ilim, after opening the Tower of Shadows. After the Spiritual Elevation Grace Site, climb the circular stairs. Outside, kill the 4 Stone Birds, before descending onto the stairs below.
Taylew the Blacksmith Golem
Like the monsters it is inspired by, the Golem is a real tank on legs. It is capable of taking an immense amount of damage. Since bosses are not the type to go behind its back to attack its weak point, it is quite easy to keep alive. Its survival is due to its defense rather than its health points, with a Healing Incantation, you can easily heal it completely and let it solo bosses, then also inflict large amounts of damage. Its major flaw is its abominable slowness. If you are facing a very mobile boss and you are targeted, bring it back to the Golems, since you cannot count on them to run after it.
Cost : 138 PC
Obtaining : You will find this golem in the altar of the Ruins of Taylew’s Forge, north of the Ruins of Rauh (bottom).
Florissax the Ancient Dragon
This very hard-to-find summon also has a particularly exotic fighting style. Florissax uses draconic incantations, and more specifically, a sort of dragon arm surrounded by electricity, which attacks from the air. She uses other incantations, such as Florissax’s Lightning. This area buff will reduce all damage taken by the group, which is obviously appreciable, unless you use a similar buff like Golden Wish. Florissax will also weaken her target with her hammer blows, which will amplify the lightning damage she will take by about 12%. If you play a Lightning build too, her presence proves all the more valuable.
Cost : 90 PC
Obtaining : This is one of the possible rewards from the quest of the Priestess of the Draconic Communion. To do this, you must put her to sleep with Thiollier’s concoction, before speaking with her when she wakes up. You must then kill Bayle with Igon’s help. Return to speak to the priestess, and agree to become her new lord.
Jolàn and Anna
Finally, here is what is considered the best summon at the moment. The reason is that you do not summon one fearsome NPC, but two. Jolàn uses a katana with a devastating posture attack. Anna uses claws that launch volleys of projectiles. The two sisters are very aggressive, they are quite robust and above all, they both inflict bleeding effects. It is a bit like if the boss had to face two invaders at the same time. They can hinder you a little in melee, but if you play at a distance, the bosses will be really easy to defeat. Their only real flaw is their high summoning cost.
Cost : 144 PC
How to Obtain: These ashes are difficult to obtain, you must first complete Ymir’s quests, which involves killing Metyr, among other things. After defeating Jolàn in Manus Metyr Cathedral, give him the Iris of Grace. You will obtain Anna’s Summoning Ashes.
The next step is to go to the Shaman Village, then go down the cliff to the south, in order to enter a secret room at the top of the tower of shards below. By interacting with Anna’s puppet there, you will merge her soul with that of her sister. This will then form the invocation of Jolàn and Anna.
