With the arrival of Shadow of the Erdtree, it’s clear to many that Elden Ring has yet another challenge on top of it. On that note, the debate around using Summons and Spirit Ashes continues to go on, and whether it puts the game on “easy mode”.
While some veteran players think that playing the game completely solo is the way to go, others continue to believe that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking NPCs (or other players) for help when going against tough foes.
Summons and Spirit Ashes Make the Game Much Simpler
In a tweet recently, video game writer and journalist Alanah Pearce spoke about this ongoing debate recently. She sarcastically mentioned how there’s a good reason why FromSoftware chose to put so many Summon options in the game, along with Spirit Ashes that can be called in whenever the player fights in a challenging area in the Lands Between or Shadow Realm.
With the arrival of the DLC, more and more players are going to choose these options to fight against daunting enemies, as not everyone is equipped or well-versed enough to fight completely on their own. Safe to assume, that most players actually have no concerns about this and are happy to help whenever a player needs assistance.
For instance, there’s the subreddit dedicated to players who are willing to help others out, or simply ask for help themselves. Co-op has been a huge part of most games by FromSoftware and, Elden Ring is no different. Almost anytime a player needs help from another player, they can choose to do so in most areas of the game.
However, for those looking to skip this step and ask in-game NPCs for help, that’s a choice too. But this depends on what bosses they are fighting and which NPC is available to help out. Additionally, having a Spirit Ash like Mimic Tear can be incredibly helpful when fighting unforgiving bosses.
Shadow of the Erdtree May Require You to Ask For More Help
In my review of the game, I talked about some incredibly challenging enemies. Regardless of how experienced you may be with the game, going completely solo isn’t something that is an absolute requirement.
Indeed there’s good reason why FromSoftware chose to put so many Summon signs and Spirit Ash options for players to explore. In fact, Shadow of the Erdtree introduces a lot of new Spirit Ashes like Divine Bird Warrior Ornis and Curseblade Meera who can be formidable allies in battle.
It’s fascinating to see FromSoftware still explore these options that seemingly make the game simpler for those looking to turn the challenge down a notch. It’ll be even more interesting to see how veteran players help out new players in Shadow of the Erdtree.
What are your thoughts on players using Summons and Spirit Ashes in the game? Let us know in the comments below.
