Summary
Elden Ringis a difficult game, with tough boss encounters, relentless enemies, and hazardous areas. Luckily for the player, the game supplies many weapons, armor, sorceries, and incantations to use while exploring the Lands Between. Players get to build a character that works for them, creating unique warriors ready to take on the dangers ofElden Ring. Some of the most overpowered spells in the game are incantations.
Incantations are faith-based spells that have a more primal feel to them. Where sorceries often deal with cosmic energy, Incantations use flame, blood, and earth. They also have a strong connection with many of the gods of the setting, from the Erdtree itself to the Frenzied Flame. Incantations can turn the tide of a fight, dispatching multiple enemies at once or dealinggreat damage to single foes. Many of these spells are spectacular when cast and are as beautiful as they are deadly.
Updated May 13, 2025 by Andy Chapman:Elden Ring’s stunning DLC,Shadow of the Erdtree, brought new attention to the successful action RPG. The massive expansion has introduced a vast map, new enemies, weapons and armor, and new spells to the game. Shadow of the Erdtree provides hours of additional content for its legion of fans and unveils new secrets within the lore.
Some of the best new spells in the DLC are incantations, which offer faith-based players new ways of achieving victory. This article has been updated to include incantations found in the Land of Shadow.
1Flame, Cleanse Me
Burns Away Scarlet Rot
Not every overpowered spell inElden Ringis used for attacking enemies. Flame,Flame, Cleanse Meis a fire monk incantation that makes certain areas in the game a lot easier. Using this spell will cure both poison and scarlet rot, as well as alleviate any build-up the player has.
Scarlet Rot, in particular, is one of the most dangerous effects in the game. It can sap HP from players very quickly and, without this spell, will often kill many players before they realize their health is low. With the Fire, Cleanse Me incantation equipped, dangerous areas such as the Lake of Rot and Caelid become almost harmless to the player. Additionally, any boss that uses scarlet rot or poison to weaken players becomes a lot less threatening. By burning away the damaging effects, the player saves their health flasks, ready for the area’s enemies and tough boss battles. Players will find this spell early in the game in the Lake Of Liurnia region. It is found on a corpse in a Fire Monk camp.
2Wrath Of Gold
Call Forth A Golden Wave To Knock Enemies Back
This dazzling Erdtree Incantation is extremely overpowered when players are surrounded by enemies. The spell may cost a large amount of FP, but its quick use and wide AOE ensure all enemies will feel the full force of the incantation. Some of the most dangerous times inElden Ringare when enemies swarm and overwhelm the player. This incantation can completely trivialize these situations. In addition, the spell’s holy damage makes it even more effective against undead enemies, instantly stopping them from regenerating. Hordes of skeletons will instantly fall when exploring the many catacombs of the game, sending them to a permanent death.
Wrath of Golddoesn’t only deal damage, but can also knock some enemies off their feet. For lower-level enemies, this incantation will completely overpower them. This spell is located in the Altus Plateau region, within the Woodfolk Ruins. Players will find it after descending the stairs and opening the chest at the bottom.
3Black Blade
Slash Single Foes With Deadly Precision
One of the strongest incantations inElden Ring, theBlack Bladeis capable of one-shotting many lower-level enemies and making short work of common bosses in the game. This incantation is first seen inthe fight with Maliketh, where he rises into the air and shoots devastating waves of light at the Tarnished. For players, this long-range incantation can be a lifesaver in deadly situations and can easily clear enemies before they even agro. In addition to the initial attack, the spell reduces the enemy’s max HP and continues to sap HP for a short time afterward, which can be great for finishing off a boss without getting too close.
The spell is a must-use for players using a faith-build character. While it is only available in the later game, the spell can be devastating against all enemies. Players can acquire the incantation after defeating Maliketh and acquiring the Remembrance of the Black Blade.
4Ekzykes’s Decay
Drain Enemy’s HP With Clouds of Scarlet Rot
While dragon breath spells can be tricky to use,Ekzykes’s Decaycan be one of the most devastating spells in the game. Scarlet Rot is as dangerous for players as it is for other enemies. This Dragon Communion Incantation allows players to rise from the ground and breathe a cloud of scarlet rot directly at their foes. Enemies inflicted with rot will be drained of HP. Some of the most dangerous bosses in the game can be beaten without ever getting close to them. All the player needs to do is avoid their attacks and let the scarlet rot eat away at their health.
The downside to this incantation is its long wind-up. Getting hit will cancel the attack, meaning distance and good timing are required to use the spell effectively. Inflicting bosses with scarlet rot can give struggling players a much-needed advantage and can be seen as one of the game’s “easy mode” options. Ekzykes’s Decay is one of the best incantations to do this. Players can acquire the spell from the Cathedral of Dragon Communion in Caelid, after defeating Decaying Ekzykes nearby.
5Placidusax’s Ruin
Decimate Enemies With The Power Of The Dragonlord
Unlike Dragon Communion-type spells, this unique incantation does not require points in arcane.Placidusax’s Ruinengulfs an area, decimating any enemies close to the Tarnished. The spell inflicts both lightning and fire damage on enemies and, if well-timed, can be extremely damaging to many of the game’s bosses, ending the encounter before it has really begun.
Likemany dragon breathspells, Placidusax’s Ruin can leave the player open to attack, so it does require good timing. However, the spell lasts a long time, so any enemies caught in its effect are likely to die before they can get close. The incantation also takes up 3 spell slots for the player, giving limited options for other powerful spells. All this aside, Placidusax’s Ruin hits extremely hard and, if used correctly, can clear an area of enemies with its destructive beams of death.
6Burn O’Flame!
Pillars Of Flame Destroy Enemies
This Fire Giant Incantation is extremely effective against groups of enemies, killing them outright before they even have a chance to attack. Players press their hands to the ground and call forth several pillars of flame that deal high amounts of damage and can knock enemies from their feet. This spell is a must for pyromancer builds and will become a common attack used throughout the game.
Burn, O Flame!can be used quickly, so it can be beneficial when surrounded as most enemies in the game will fall to this incantation’s overpowered AOE. Using this incantation in a boss battle is also a good strategy, as each pillar deals significant damage. This works especially well when there are multiple enemies in a boss fight. For any bosses that are weak to flame, this incantation is a must-use and can quickly turn a fight in the player’s favor. This spell can only be acquired after defeating the Fire Giant and receiving the Remembrance of the Fire Giant.
7Giantsflame Take Thee
Throw A Massive Ball of Flame To Engulf Foes
For players looking for the perfectpyromancer incantationto beatElden Ringwith, this Fire Giant spell is the ultimate weapon. Simple, yet highly effective, this spell hurls a large fireball at enemies, dealing large amounts of damage. In all of Fromsoftware’s Souls games, fireball attacks can trivialize boss encounters.Giantsflame Take TheeisElden Ring’sversion of this attack. Although the range is shorter than many other spells, and its FP cost is considerable, it is one of the deadliest spells in the game. In short, Giantsflame Take Thee is a must-have incantation.
Like many of the spells inElden Ring, charging this overpowered incantation will make it even more dangerous. Players will be able to acquire this spell from either Brother Corhyn or Miriel, Paster of Vows, after giving them the Giant’s Prayerbook. This book is found in the Mountaintop of the Giant’s region, in the Guardians’ Garrison.
8Messmer’s Orb
Destroy Many Enemies with Messmer’s Flame
Messmer has fast become one of the most notoriously difficult bosses inShadow of the Erdtree. His speed and relentless attacks can quickly overwhelm players, even using summons. However, defeating Messmer unlocks one of the best new incantations in the DLC.
Messmer’s Orbis a powerful slam and AOE attack that can break an enemy’s stance, leaving them open to a critical attack. When cast, the player rises in the air and then slams down into the ground, causing a large explosion. The effect has a wide range, meaning this is excellent for large groups of enemies. While charging the spell will increase its damage and range, its standard cast time is quick, meaning players can spam the attack, dealing a lot of damage in a short time.
9Scarlet Aeonia
Overwhelm Enemies With Rot
This Servants of Rot Incantation is maybe one of the most beautiful-looking spells in the game. Using Scarlet Aeonia, players create a huge flower that bursts into a brilliantdisplay of deathly power. Although the spell is slow to start, if timed correctly, enemies will either instantly die or quickly be infected with scarlet rot when activated. Any subsequent playthroughs of the game will be a stroll in the park when using Scarlet Aeonia, especially against many of the early game enemies.
This may also be one of the toughest incantations to acquire in the game. It is only available after defeating the notorious Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Once players have got the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess, this effective spell will decimate any remaining foes the game has to offer. Although the FP cost is high, few enemies will be able to stand against this spell.Scarlet Aeoniaknocks enemies back, deals a lot of damage, and inflicts large amounts of scarlet rot quickly, ensuring that even if they don’t immediately die, they soon will.
10Bayle’s Flame Lightning
Decimate Foes with Destructive Power
The lead-up to the epic boss fight against Bayle The Dread is one of the most dramatic inShadow of the Erdtree. With multiple dragon battles along the way up Jagged Peak, the build-up is only a taste of the fight to come. Bayle the Dread is one of the best Dragon Boss battles in FromSoftware history and is both challenging and spectacular. Defeating this ancient and battered dragon rewards players with The Heart of Bayle, which can be exchanged forBayle’s Flame Lightning.
This powerful incantation will decimate enemies throughout a new game. Mixing a powerful slam attack with a small AOE, this incantation is one of the best Dragon Communion spells in the game. The attack deals both physical and lightning damage and can knock enemies down, as well as break their stance, which leaves them open to a critical attack. The spell will easily take down large groups of enemies and melt many bosses' health bars.
