Elden Ring’s Incantations consist of a lot of unique projectiles, as well as plenty of heals, buffs, and weapon infusions. The different schools of Incantations in Elden Ring are Bestial, Dragon Cult, Dragon Communion, Erdtree, Fire Monk, Frenzied Flame, Fundamentalist, Giant's Flame, Godslayer, Servant of Rot, and Two Fingers. Unlike Sorceries, a handful of Incantations can apply to nearby allies.
Maximum damage alone had limited influence in each Incantation’s strength, considering how subjective damage can be due to combinations of skill scaling, various buff sources, and individual enemy resistances. Instead, the Incantations are best evaluated on their "effectiveness" including range, Status Effect application, FP efficiency, side effects, and comparison to alternatives. Two of the factors that hold some of the Incantations back are how easily their effects can be replicated and whether their buffs apply to nearby allies. Given their variety, Incantation builds can be extremely powerful for solo players and equally powerful for cooperative multiplayer in Elden Ring.
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S-Tier Incantations
A majority of Elden Ring’s Dragon Communion Incantations pack powerful punches with incredible range and unmatched Status Effect applications. Their slow cast speeds have extremely high damage and/or Status Effect application tradeoffs. The Dragon Cult and Dragon Communion Incantations of Elden Ring account for a large amount of the S-tier Incantations for these reasons.
Other than the Dragon schools of Incantations, the most efficient healing, support, and offensive spells belong to the S-tier category. Dedicated Incantation builds in Elden Ring should be utilizing a few spells from this tier of Incantations. In addition to the best support spells, these Incantations are some of the best ways to apply Status Effects to enemies.
Bestial Vitality
- Extremely low FP cost
- Heals 600 HP base value
- 120-second base duration; heals over time
Black Blade
- Superior forward range
- Immediate Status Effect application
- Has follow-up cast
Blessing of the Erdtree
- Heals 1,080 HP base value
- 90-second base duration
- Applies to nearby allies
- Extremely high FP cost
Bloodboon
- Poor tracking/High chance of missing
- Poor forward range
- Superior Status Effect application
- Projectiles linger on ground
Discus of Light
- Superior forward range
- Projectile returns to caster, with potential rebound damage
- Can be chain cast
- Extremely low FP cost
Dragonclaw
- Poor radial range
- Has follow-up attack
- High chance to stagger enemies
Dragonice
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up attack
- Superior Status Effect application
Erdtree Heal
- Extremely high FP cost
- Healing valued based on Faith Skill scaling
- Health is granted on cast; not over time
- Applies to nearby allies
Fortissax's Lightning Spear
- Moderate radial range
- Moderate forward range
- Increases poise while casting
- Enhanced variant of existing Incantation
Frenzied Burst
- Chargeable
- Superior forward range
- Inflicts little Frenzy on Caster
Greyoll's Roar
- Moderate radial range
- Decreases all enemy attacks by 20%
- Increases all attacks on affected targets by 10%
- 60-second base duration
- Damages affected enemies on cast
- High chance to stagger enemies
Golden Vow
- Reduces all incoming damage by 10%
- Increases damage by 15%
- 80-second base duration
- Applies to nearby allies
Immutable Shield
- Shield resists all Elemental damage
- Shield resists all Status Effects
- 30-second base duration
Rotten Breath
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up attack
- Superior Status Effect application
Scarlet Aeonia
- Superior radial range
- Superior Status Effect application
Scouring Black Flame
- Chargeable
- Moderate forward range
- Inflicts Black Flame damage to enemies
Stone of Gurranq
- Superior forward range
- Can be chain cast
- High chance to stagger enemies
Swarm of Flies
- Superior forward range
- Superior tracking
- Superior Status Effect Application
Theodorix's Magma
- Superior forward range
- Has follow-up attack
- Projectile lingers on ground
- Enhanced variant of existing Incantation
Unendurable Frenzy
- Moderate forward range
- Inflicts moderate Frenzy on caster
- Can be continuously cast
A-Tier Incantations
Except for a few unique Ashes of War, the Black Flame Status Effect is otherwise exclusive to Godslayer Incantations. The exclusivity of Black Flame highlights how easily some of the effects of most other Incantations can be replicated, either by Talismans, crafted consumables, the Flask of Wondrous Physick, Ashes of War, or Sorceries. Unlike some of the other inventory items mentioned, spells require players to rest at a Site of Grace to make different selections, making unequipped spells unavailable within combat.
The A-tier consists of slightly less efficient healing and damage options compared to the S-tier. Most of the support Incantations that are rated this high are due to applying to nearby allies, which very few of their alternative sources are capable of. The Incantations from the named Dragons in Elden Ring are rated lower than their standard variants of the Incantations because their higher FP doesn’t balance out their other tradeoffs, except for the Magma Dragon Incantations.
Ancient Dragons' Lightning Spear
- Moderate radial range
- Moderate forward range
- Increases poise while casting
Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike
- Chargeable
- Moderate radial range
- Poor tracking/high chance of missing
- High FP Cost
Agheel's Flame
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up Cast
- Enhanced variant of existing Incantation
Black Flame Blade
- Quick cast speed
- Low FP cost
- 7-second base duration
- Status Effect is exclusive to Incantations
- Superior Status Effect application
Black Flame Ritual
- Chargeable
- Poor radial range
Blessing's Boon
- Heals 720 HP base value
- 90-second base duration; heals over time
- Applies to nearby allies
Borealis's Mist
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up attack
- Superior Status Effect application
- Enhanced variant if existing Incantation
Dragonfire
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up attack
Dragonmaw
- Poor forward range
- High chance to stagger enemies
Ekzykes's Decay
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up attack
- Superior Status Effect application
- Enhanced variant of existing Incantation
Elden Stars
- Superior projectile tracking
- Superior range
- Projectile lingers in motion
Flame of the Fell God
- Moderate forward range
- Moderate projectile tracking
- Extremely slow projectile
- Projectile lingers on floor
Giantsflame Take Thee
- Superior forward range
- Large effect radius
Glintstone Breath
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up cast
Lightning Spear
- Chargeable
- Superior forward range
Lord's Aid
- Low FP cost
- Removes and alleviates Poison, Bleeding, and Sleep Status Effects
- Applies to nearby allies
Lord's Heal
- Healing valued based on Faith Skill scaling
- Health is granted on cast; not over time
- Applies to nearby allies
Magma Breath
- Superior forward range
- Has follow-up attack
- Projectile lingers on ground
Protection of the Erdtree
- Reduces all incoming Elemental Damage by 30%
- 70-second base duration
- Applies to nearby allies
Smarag's Glintstone Breath
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up attack
- Enhanced variant of existing Incantation
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B-Tier Incantations
The B-Tier is where most of the Fire schools of Incantations rank. Since Fire damage doesn’t behave as a damage-over-time Status Effect, these Incantations aren’t quite as effective as the other Status Effects available through Incantations. Even the Incantations from the mighty Fire Giant endgame boss can be outperformed by other Incantations. This isn’t to say that Fire Incantations are ineffective, though to compete with the heavy hitters these Incantations will likely need to utilize Fire-specific buffs.
The rest of the Incantations that make up the B-tier are there because they start to decrease in their efficiency of applying Status Effects in Elden Ring. Some of the offensive Incantations in this rank simply don’t have a related Status Effect, while others have too poor range or tracking to consistently hit targets. At this rank and lower, the Incantations start to become more of a stylized choice that isn’t quite as effective as others.
Aspects of the Crucible: Breath
- Chargeable
- Moderate forward range
Beast Claw
- Chargeable
- Extremely low FP cost
- Superior forward range
Black Flame
- Chargeable
- Superior forward range
Bloodflame Talons
- Poor forward range
- Can be chain cast
- Superior Status Effect application
Burn, O Flame!
- Chargeable
- Superior radial range
- Poor tracking/High chance of missing
Dragonbolt Blessing
- Increases all Status Effect immunities
- Increases incoming Lightning damage by 35%
- Causes incoming light weapon attacks to bounce off the player
- 70-second base duration
Fire's Deadly Sin
- Chargeable
- Moderate radial range
- Inflicts caster's body with Fire Status Effect dealing damage to the player and nearby enemies
Flame, Fall Upon Them
- Chargeable
- Superior forward range
- No projectile tracking/High chance of missing
- Becomes more inaccurate at longer ranges
Great Heal
- Healing valued based on Faith Skill scaling
- Health is granted on cast; not over time
- Applies to nearby allies
Golden Lightning Fortification
- Easily replicated by Talismans and crafted consumables
- Reduces incoming Lightning damage by 60%
- 70-second base duration
- Applies to nearby allies
Heal
- Healing valued based on Faith Skill scaling
- Health is granted on cast; not over time
- Applies to nearby allies
Honed Bolt
- Easily replicated by Ashes of War
- Superior range
- Can be chain cast
- Low FP cost
Inescapable Frenzy
- Poor range
- Inflicts moderate Frenzy on caster
- Superior Status Effect application
- Only works against Tarnished enemies
Lord's Divine Fortification
- Easily replicated by Talismans and crafted consumables
- Reduces incoming Holy damage by 60%
- 70-second base duration
- Applies to nearby allies
Noble Presence
- Chargeable
- Poor radial range
- Inflicts targets with Black Flame damage
Placidusax's Ruin
- Superior range
- Poor tracking/High chance of missing
- Occupies 3 Memory Slots
Radagon's Rings of Light
- Chargeable
- Moderate radial range
- Damages enemies
The Flame of Frenzy
- Chargeable
- Moderate forward range
- Inflicts moderate Frenzy on caster
Urgent Heal
- Healing valued based on Faith Skill scaling
- Low FP cost
- Health is granted on cast; not over time
Whirl, O Flame!
- Chargeable
- Superior forward range
- Slow projectiles allow for multiple strikes on enemies
C-Tier Incantations
The Incantations in the C-Tier are the landmark of style preferences that have more effective alternatives. The offensive Incantations in this rank often have more FP-efficient variants via powerful Ashes of War. The support Incantations in this rank are rated so because of how easily they can be replicated by other sources, given that the support Incantations here don’t apply to nearby allies.
Despite Elden Ring giving players a generous amount of Memory Slots to equip different spells, most support Incantations are often far too specific for their own good. With how diverse the sources of buffs and support bonuses can be, stopping at a Site of Grace to equip different spells is a luxury that isn’t always available. Especially since items in the player’s inventory that aren’t equipped don’t count toward their weight, there’s nothing stopping players from hoarding a ridiculous amount of Elden Ring’s best consumable items.
Aspects of the Crucible: Horns
- Chargeable
- Pierces targets
- Staggers enemies
- Moderate forward range
- Increases poise while casting
Aspects of the Crucible: Tail
- Chargeable
- Has follow-up cast
- Poor radial range
- Staggers enemies
- Increases poise while casting
Barrier of Gold
- Easily replicated by Talismans
- Reduces incoming Magic damage by 60%
- 70-second base duration
Bestial Sling
- Can be chain casted
- Poor forward range
- High chance to stagger enemies
Death Lightning
- Chargeable
- Moderate radial range
- Poor tracking/High chance of missing
- Superior Status Effect application
- Projectiles linger on ground
Flame Sling
- Chargeable
- Superior forward range
Flame, Grant Me Strength
- replicated by Talismans and crafted consumables
- Increases Physical and Fire damage, as well as Stamina recovery
- 30-second base duration
Flame, Protect Me
- Easily replicated by Talismans and crafted consumables
- Reduces incoming Fire damage by 60%
- 60-second base duration
Frozen Lightning Spear
- Moderate forward range
- Poor Status Effect application
Gurranq's Beast Claw
- Superior radial range
Lightning Strike
- Moderate forward range
- Can be chain cast
Lansseax's Glaive
- Moderate forward range
Law of Regression
- Removes and alleviates all Status Effects on caster
- Reveals illusory walls
- Does not reveal transport chests
O, Flame!
- Chargeable
- Poor forward range
- Can be chain cast
- Enhanced variant of existing Incantation
Pest Threads
- Superior Range
- Superior tracking
- Projectiles that circumvent enemy shields can still be blocked
Poison Mist
- Poor forward range
- Superior Status Effect application
- Lingers in the air after cast
Surge, O Flame!
- Moderate forward range
- Can be continuously cast
Triple Rings of Light
- Superior forward range
- Can be chain cast
- Enemies only take damage from 1 of 3 total projectiles
Vyke's Dragonbolt
- Grants Lightning damage to weapon
- Increases Equip Load
- Increases incoming Lightning damage by 35%
- 70-second base duration
Wrath of Gold
- Chargeable
- Moderate radial range
- Damages enemies
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D-Tier Incantations
Given how restrictive Elden RIng is concerning infusing weapons with additional Elements, and how many methods there are for this, the infusion/enchantments make up a majority of the lowest rank for Incantations. If not for the limited availability, the damage bonuses and Status Effects from weapon infusions are otherwise quite effective. In the case of weapon Incantations, it is far more efficient to instead have a weapon that is permanently infused with an element, like the overpowered Bleed weapons in Elden Ring.
The low end of the offensive Incantations, as well as the easily replaceable support Incantations for solo players, are ranked in the D-tier. The Elemental resistance support Incantations in this rank simply can’t compete with how easily players can equip any of Elden Ring’s best Talismans, without needing a safe place to do so. Once again, the remainder of the Status Effect removal support Incantations all have less expensive alternatives via crafted consumables.
Assassin's Approach
- Easily replicated by Talismans and crafted consumables
- 30-second base duration
Bestial Constitution
- Easily replicated by crafted consumables
- Extremely low FP cost
- Alleviates Bleeding and Frost Status Effect build-up
Black Flame's Protection
- Easily replicated by Talismans
- Reduces incoming Physical damage by 35%
- 70-second base duration
- Counter effect: reduces incoming healing
Bloodflame Blade
- Easily replicated by crafted consumables
- 60-second base duration
- Superior Status Effect application
Catch Flame
- Poor forward range
- Can be chain cast
- Quick cast speed
Cure Poison
- Easily replicated by crafter consumables
- Extremely low FP cost
Darkness
- Moderate forward range
- Superior Status Effect application
- Status Effect is exclusive to Incantations
Divine Fortification
- Easily replicated by Talismans
- Reduces incoming Holy damage by 35%
- 90-second base duration
Electrify Armament
- Easily replicated by crafted consumables
- 90-second base duration
- Superior Status Effect application
Flame Fortification
- Easily replicated with Talismans and crafted consumables
- Reduces incoming Fire damage by 35%
- 90-second base duration
Flame, Cleanse Me
- Easily replicated by crafted consumables
- Casting suffers 15 Fire damage
- Alleviates and removes Poison and Scarlet Rot Status Effects
Howl of Shabriri
- Poor radial range
- Inflicts heavy Frenzy on caster
- Superior Status Effect application
- Counter effect: enemies will prioritize caster as target
Law of Causality
- Poor radial range
- Will expire in 120 seconds if not utilized
- Requires caster to take unblocked attacks to activate
Lightning Fortification
- Easily replicated by Talismans and crafted consumables
- Reduces incoming Lightning damage by 35%
- 90-second base duration
Litany of Proper Death
- Moderate forward range
- Prevents defeated enemies from reviving
Magic Fortification
- Easily replicated by Talismans and crafted consumables
- Reduces incoming Magic damage by 35%
- 90-second base duration
Order's Blade
- Prevents defeated enemies from reviving
- 90-second base duration
Order Healing
- Easily replicated by crafted consumables
- Alleviates Death Blight Status Effect
Poison Armament
- Easily replicated by crafted consumables
- 60-second base duration
Rejection
- Chargeable
- Moderate radial range
Shadow Bait
- Superior forward range
- Affects enemies in combat
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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