How To Use Spells In Elden Ring

Playing as a mage is a popular build in Elden Ring, allowing you to perform powerful ranged attacks on enemies and bosses. Since spells can be found throughout Elden Ring’s world and putting together a mage build can be somewhat confusing, we thought we’d help by putting together a guide on how to use spells in Elden Ring with information on equipping spells and where to get them.

Other Elden Ring Guides
Elden Ring Area Order
How To Get To Nokron
Limgrave Boss List
What Does Faith Do?
How To Upgrade Summons
What Are The Best Talismans For Mages?
How Many Talismans Are In Elden Ring And How To Unlock Them

Equipping Elden Ring Spells

If you immediately start Elden Ring with a class focused on Intelligence, you’ll already have a few spells. Selecting Astrologer – the starting class with the highest Intelligence – will provide you with the Glintstone Pebble and Glinstone Arc spells. If you select the Prisoner – the starting class with high Intelligence and Dexterity – you’ll have access to the Magic Glintblade spell.

Upon starting the game with either Class, the spells will already be equipped and can be spotted in the upper equipment slot in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. When you find or purchase additional spells or sorceries, you can equip them by resting at a Site Of Grace, scrolling down to the Memorise Spells option, and then making changes by removing equipped spells and adding new ones.

Now, it’s important to note that you’ll only have a select number of spell or sorcery slots in Elden Ring, and you can acquire more by finding mage talismans that boost the number of slots or by finding Memory Stones that can usually be found by either defeating certain bosses or climbing to the top of Rise towers.

Spells each require one sorcery slot, while the larger spells can require two. This means that you’ll need to strategies and work out which Elden Ring spells are worth keeping and which you should leave behind until you acquire more spell slots.

How To Cast Spells In Elden Ring

To cast spells in Elden Ring, you’re going to need a staff. There are several staffs found through the game’s world, but if you select the Astrologer or Prisoner starting classes, you’ll begin the game with the Astrologer’s Staff or Glintstone Staff respectively, both of which can be acquired via story progression, along with a slew of other more powerful staffs and some with bonuses that increase your damage or casting speed.

With the staff equipped as a weapon in either your left or right hand, you can then cast spells by pressing the attack button; R1 or L1 for PlayStation consoles, RB and LB for Xbox consoles, and left and right click on PC. It’s important to highlight that some spells can be charged up by holding down the corresponding attack button, allowing for harder-hitting spells.

As you play through Elden Ring, you’ll want to level your Intelligence stat to increase the damage of your spells and sorceries and to unlock new, more powerful spells. In addition, we suggest you also level your Dexterity to increase casting time speed and level your Mind to increase FP to increase how much magic you can perform.

Where To Get Spells In Elden Ring

You can find spells and sorceries throughout the world of Elden Ring. Many you’ll find while exploring, while others will need to be purchased from NPCs or by exchanging boss Remembrances and Runes with Finger Reader Enia at the Roundtable Hold. There are dozens of Elden Ring spells and sorceries, and we suggest you take a look at our list and locations guide below, which will point you in the right direction.

Glintstone Spells

Glintstone spells are the most common types of sorcery that you’ll come across within the game. There are around 20 Glintstone spells, all of which simply require you to level your Intelligence stat. The Rock Blaster and Shatter Earth Elden Ring spells are boosted by the Digger’s Staff, which is usually dropped by a Sorcerer enemy in the Sellia Crystal Tunnel in Caelid.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Glintstone Pebble	Shoot magic projectiles at enemies	Intelligence: 0 FP Cost: 7 Slots: 1	Available as a starting spell for Astrologer classes Can be purchased from Sorceress Sellen at Waypoint Ruins in Limgrave for 1,000 Runes Can be purchased from Thops at the Church Of Ilrith between Limgrave and Liurnia Of The Lakes for 1,000 Runes Can be purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold for 1,000 Runes with Thops' Bell Bearing
Glintstone Arc	Shoot a horizontal arc of magic at enemies.	Intelligence: 13 FP Cost: 10 Slots: 1	Available as a starting spell for Astrologer classes Can be purchased from Sorceress Sellen at Waypoint Ruins in Limgrave for 1,500 Runes Can be purchased from Thops at Church Of Irith in Liurnia Of The Lakes for 1,500 Runes Can be purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold for 1,500 Runes with Thops' Bell Bearing
Swift Glintstone Shard	Shoots a faster than the basic Glintstone Shard but deals less damage	Intelligence: 12 FP Cost: 5 Slots: 1	Can be purchased for 600 Runes from Preceptor Seluvis, Sorceress Sellen or Miriel Pastor Of Vows after giving them the Academy Scroll
Great Glintstone Shard	Shoots a stronger projectile than the basic Glintstone Shard but takes longer to cast	Intelligence: 16 FP Cost: 12 Slots: 1	Can be purchased for 2,000 Runes from Preceptor Seluvis, Sorceress Sellen or Miriel Pastor Of Vows after giving them the Academy Scroll
Crystal Burst	Shoots a burst of Glintstone projectiles	Intelligence: 18 FP Cost: 14 Slots: 1	Dropped from the Demi-Human Queen boss in the Demi-Human Forest Ruins in Weeping Peninsula
Crystal Barrage	Shoots a slew of stronger Glintstone Crystal Shards	Intelligence: 23 FP Cost: 14 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Sorceress Sellen for 1,500 Runes at Waypoint Ruins in Limgrave
Gavel Of Haima	Creates a magical hammer that can slam enemies	Intelligence: 25 FP Cost: 25 Slots: 1	Can be found in a chest atop the Converted Fringe Tower in Liurnia Of The Lakes
Rock Blaster	Creates a magical shockwave into the ground that is stronger than Shatter Earth	Intelligence: 21 FP Cost: 25 Slots: 1	Can be found in a chest inside a storage shed in the Sellia Crystal Tunnel
Glintstone Stars	Shoots three projectiles that follow and attack enemies	Intelligence: 12 FP Cost: 14 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Sorceress Sellen for 3,000 Runes at Waypoint Ruins in Limgrave Can be purchased from Gowry for 3,000 Runes at Gowry's Shack in Caelid
Cannon Of Haima	Shoots a large and explosive magical projectile	Intelligence: 25 FP Cost: 45 Slots: 1	Can be found in a chest atop of the Converted Fring Tower in Liurnia Of The Lakes
Scholar's Armament	Casts an enchantment on your right-hand weapon, allowing it to deal magic damage	Intelligence: 12 FP Cost: 25 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Sorceress Sellen for 3,000 Runes at Waypoint Runes in Limgrave
Scholar's Shield	Boosts the defence of the shield equipped on your left hand	Intelligence: 12 FP Cost: 30 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Sorceress Sellen for 2,500 Runes at Waypoint Runes in Limgrave
Shard Spiral	Shoots a ranged projectile that forms a spiral as it travels	Intelligence: 27 FP Cost: 14 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Sorceress Sellen for 8,000 Runes at Waypoint Runes in Limgrave after progressing her questline
Shatter Earth	Creates a magical shockwave into the ground	Intelligence: 15 FP Cost: 12 Slots: 1	Found on a corpse in the Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel in Liurnia Of The Lakes
Star Shower	Shoots six homing magical projectiles	Intelligence: 24 FP Cost: 23 Slots: 1	Can be purchased for 10,000 Runes from Preceptor Seluvis, Sorceress Sellen or Miriel Pastor Of Vows after giving them the Conspectus Scroll
Thorps' Barrier	Conjures a shield against spells	Intelligence: 18 FP Cost: 7 Slots: 1	Dropped by Thops outside the Schoolhouse Classroom Raya Lucaria Academy Site Of Grace after completing his questline and giving him the Academy Glinstone Key
Starlight	Conjures a ball of light that illuminates all surroundings	Intelligence: 15 FP Cost: 12 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Thops at Church Of Irith between Limgrave and Liurnia Of The Lakes for 2,500 Runes Can be purchased from Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold for 2,500 Runes via Thops' Bell Bearing
Terra Magica	Conjures a zone that boosts your magic damage whenever damage is dealt to enemies within it	Intelligence: 20 FP Cost: 20 Slots: 1	Found by defeating the Crystalians bosses in the Academy Crystal Cave and taking the elevator up to a tower within Raya Lucaria Academy
Glintstone Cometshard	Shoots a comet that leaves a trail	Intelligence: 36 FP Cost: 19 Slots: 1	Can be purchased for 12,000 Runes from Preceptor Seluvis, Sorceress Sellen or Miriel Pastor Of Vows after giving them the Conspectus Scroll
Comet	Shoots a powerful comet at enemies	Intelligence: 52 FP Cost: 26 Slots: 1	Found in Raya Lucaria Academy after passing an illusory wall before the Debate Parlour Site Of Grace and Red Wolf Of Radagon boss

Carian Spells

There are a total of 10 Carian spells available in Elden Ring, all of which simply require levels in Intelligence. The Carian Glintstone Staff boosts the Carian sword spells and the Carian Glintblade Staff boosts all remaining Carian spells.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Carian Phalanx	Conjures several swords that appear over your head and are fired at enemies when in close range	Intelligence: 34 FP Cost: 26 Slots: 1	Sold by Perceptor Seluvis for 12,000 Runes at Seluvis' Rise in the Three Sisters, Liurnia Of The Lakes Can be purchased from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold for 12,000 Runes via Seluvis' Bell Bearing
Carian Greatsword	Conjures a magical greatsword and performs a horizontal slice attack	Intelligence: 24 FP Cost: 14 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Miriel, Paster Of Vows at the Church Of Vows for 10,000 Runes
Carian Piercer	Conjures a magical sword and performs a thrust attack	Intelligence: 27 FP Cost: 19 Slots: 1	Dropped by the Teardrop Scarab in the gardens of Caria Manor in Liurnia Of The Lakes
Carian Slicer	Conjures a sword that can perform a combo of fast slice attacks	Intelligence: 14 FP Cost: 4 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Miriel, Pastor Of Vows, Sorceress Sellen or Perceptor Seluvis for 1,500 Runes after giving them the Royal House Scroll
Carian Retaliation	Conjures a portal behind an enemy and fires a Glintblade, preventing them from attacking or casting spells	Intelligence: 17 FP Cost: 8 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Preceptor Seluvis for 9,000 Runes at Seluvis' Rise at Three Sisters in Liurnia Of The Lakes
Glintblade Phalanx	Conjures several Glintblades that appear over your head and are fired at enemies when in close range, stronger than the Carian Phalanx	Intelligence: 22 FP Cost: 20 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Miriel, Pastor Of Vows, Sorceress Sellen or Perceptor Seluvis for 2,500 Runes after giving them the Royal House Scroll
Greatblade Phalanx	Conjures several Greatblades that appear over your head and are fired at enemies when in close range, stronger than the Glintblade Phalanx	Intelligence: 29 FP Cost: 35 Slots: 1	Dropped by Bols, Carian Knight at the Cuckoo's Evergaol
Lucidity	Removes all Sleep and Madness build-up	Intelligence: 17 FP Cost: 10 Slots: 1	Dropped by Preceptor Miriam in the Carian Study Hall after using the Carian Inverted Statue
Magic Downpour	Conjures a cloud of magic that fires an onslaught of projectiles	Intelligence: 15 FP Cost: 20 Slots: 1	Dropped by Preceptor Miriam in the Carian Study Hall
Magic Glintblade	Conjures a sigil that shoots an enemy-seeking glintblade	Intelligence: 14 FP Cost: 12 Slots: 1	Starting spell for the Prisoner Class Can be purchased from Miriel, Pastor Of Vows at the Church Of Vows for 3,000 Runes

Claymen Spells

There are two Claymen spells available in Elden Ring, which require you to put levels into Arcane and Intelligence to use. There are no staffs that boost the spells.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Great Oracular Bubble	Conjures a bubble projectile that moves towards enemies until it explodes	Intelligence: 25 Arcane: 18 FP Cost: 16 Slots: 1	Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in a room filled with Claymen past the Worshippers' Woods Site Of Grace
Oracle Bubbles	Conjures several small bubble projectiles that move towards enemies until they explode	Intelligence: 19 Arcane: 15 FP Cost: 12 Slots: 1	Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab on a broken statue past the Siofra River Well Depths Site Of Grace

Aberrant Spells

Aberrant spells are thorn-based. There are two available in the game and although they solely require levels in Faith, they are cast with a staff, not a talisman. The Staff Of The Guilty boosts all Aberrant spells, the Alberich’s Set boosts all spells, and the Albinauric Staff increases Bloodloss buildup by scaling with Arcane.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Briars Of Punishment	Shoots a trail of bloodthorns over the ground to impale enemies	Faith: 21 FP Cost: 13 Slots: 1	Found next to three fire Sorcerers before the bridge to the Golem Archer in the Mountaintops Of The Giants
Briars Of Sin	Shoots large thorns from your own blood	Faith: 24 FP Cost: 9 Slots: 1	Dropped by a fire Sorcerer near the Artist's Shack Grace in Liurnia Of The Lakes

Full Moon Spells

There are two Full Moon spells in Elden Ring, acquired from Ranni and Rennala, Queen Of The Full Moon. Both require high Intelligence to use and the Carian Regal Scepter boosts all Full Moon spells, while the Snow Witch Hat boosts Ranni’s Dark Moon spell.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Ranni's Dark Moon	Conjures a cold, dark moon and launches it at enemies, inflicting them with Frostbite and reducing their magic protection	Intelligence: 68 FP Cost: 62 Slots: 2	Found in a chest atop of the Chelona's Rise tower after progressing Ranni The Witch's quest
Rennala's Full Moon	Conjures a full moon and launches it at enemies, reducing their magic protection	Intelligence: 70 FP Cost: 55 Slots: 2	Purchased from Enia at Roundtable Hold with Remembrance Of The Full Moon Queen after defeating Rennala, Queen Of The Full Moon

Loretta’s Spells

The two Loretta’s spells are based on the two Loretta boss fights in Elden Ring. Both spells work in the same way, conjuring a giant bow with magic arrows, but the latter fires additional arrows. All spells require Intelligence to use and there are no staffs that boost the spells.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Loretta's Greatbow	Conjures a giant bow that fires a magical projectile, can be charged to increase damage	Intelligence: 26 FP Cost: 28 Slots: 1	Dropped by the Royal Knight Loretta boss at Caria Manor, Liurnia Of The Lakes
Loretta's Mastery	Conjures a giant bow that fires four magical projectiles	Intelligence: 46 FP Cost: 43 Slots: 1	Dropped by Loretta, Knight Of The Haligtree boss at Miquella's Haligtree

Night Spells

Night Spells are spells powered by the force of night. There are a total of seven available and the projectile spells are semi-invisible, which means enemies are unable to dodge them when compared to ordinary spells. All night spells require Intelligence and the Night Shard and Night Comet spells are boosted by the Staff Of Loss.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Ambush Shard	Conjures a projectile that shoots enemies from behind	Intelligence: 23 FP Cost: 16 Slots: 1	Found on a body in the underground jail of the Witchbane Ruins
Eternal Darkness	Conjures a black vortex that pulls in other spells	Intelligence: 35 FP Cost: 25 Slots: 1	Found on a body inside a jail cell of the swamp lookout tower in Caelid
Night Comet	Shoots a comet that is invisible to enemies	Intelligence: 38 FP Cost: 24 Slots: 1	Found in a chest in the centre of Sellia, Town Of Sorcery. It's blocked by a barrier that can be removed by lighting the town's braziers
Night Maiden's Mist	Conjures a mist that damages all enemies within it, can be chargeable to increase its radius	Intelligence: 14 FP Cost: 20 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Gowry at Gowry's Shack in Caelid for 5,000 Runes after completing his quest
Night Shard	Shoots a magical projectile that is invisible to enemies	Intelligence: 18 FP Cost: 7 Slots: 1	Can be purchased from Gowry at Gowry's Shack in Caelid for 4,000 Runes after completing his quest
Unseen Blade	Makes your right-hand weapon invisible to enemies	Intelligence: 12 FP Cost: 18 Slots: 1	Can be found atop the Mirage Rise Tower after beating its puzzle
Unseen Form	Makes you and Torrent invisible to enemies, reducing the range at which they spot you	Intelligence: 16 FP Cost: 20 Slots: 1	Can be found atop the Mirage Rise Tower after beating its puzzle

Cold Spells

There are a total of five Cold spells available in Elden Ring, all of which deal frost damage and can buildup Frostbite. Cold spells require Intelligence and the Snow Witch Hat boosts Cold spells.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Adula's Moonblade	Conjures a giant greatsword and performs a slash then shoots a projectile of frost	Intelligence: 32 FP Cost: 26 Slots: 1	Dropped by Glintstone Dragon Adula at the Cathedral Of Manus Celes at Liurnia Of The Lakes after progressing Ranni's quest
Freezing Mist	Conjures a cold mist that deals Frostbite damage	Intelligence: 21 FP Cost: 20 Slots: 1	Can be bought from Perceptor Seluvis for 6,000 Runes at Seluvis' Rise at Three Sisters in Liurnia Of The Lakes Can be bought from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold for 6,000 Runes via Seluvis' Bell Bearing
Frozen Armament	Enchant your right-hand weapon with frost damage	Intelligence: 15 FP Cost: 20 Slots: 1	Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab behind Caria Manor after defeating the Royal Knight Loretta boss
Glintstone Icerag	Shoots an ice glintstone projectile that deals frost damage	Intelligence: 15 FP Cost: 12 Slots: 1	Can be bought from Perceptor Seluvis for 7,500 Runes at Seluvis' Rise at Three Sisters in Liurnia Of The Lakes Can be bought from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold for 7,500 Runes via Seluvis' Bell Bearing
Zamor Ice Storm	Conjure a frost tornado, can be charged to increase damage	Intelligence: 36 FP Cost: 22 Slots: 1	Found on a body at Zamor Ruins in the Mountaintops Of The Giants

Death Spells

There are a total of five Death spells in Elden Ring, all of which require levels in Intelligence and Faith to use. Death spells are boosted by the Prince Of Death Staff.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Ancient Death Rancor	Summons a group of spirits that chase down enemies, more powerful than Ranorcall	Intelligence: 34 Faith: 24 FP Cost: 24 Slots: 1	Dropped by the Death Rite Bird in Liurnia Of The Lakes
Explosive Ghostflame	Conjures an explosion of ghostflame that burns enemies	Intelligence: 42 Faith: 30 FP Cost: 29 Slots: 1	Dropped by the Death Rite Bird on the frozen river near the Apostate Derelict in the Consecrated Snowfield
Fia's Mist	Conjures a mist of death	Intelligence: 23 Faith: 18 FP Cost: 25 Slots: 1	Awarded after defeating Fia's Champions bosses in the Deeproot Depths
Rancorcall	Summons a group of spirits that chase down enemies	Intelligence: 16 Faith: 14 FP Cost: 14 Slots: 1	Dropped by a Teardrop Scarab in an underground crypt of Stormveil Castle
Tibia's Summons	Summons a trio of skeletons that attack enemies	Intelligence: 28 Faith: 20 FP Cost: 20 Slots: 1	Dropped by the Tibia Mariner boss at Wyndham Ruins on Altus Plateau

Magma Spells

Magma spells are unique sorceries powered by lava and are acquired around Mt. Gelmir. There are four Magma spells, they require a mixture Intelligence and Faith to use, and they are boosted by the Gelmir Glintstone Staff.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Gelmir's Fury	Conjures magma that shoots out of the ground	Intelligence: 28 Faith: 15 FP Cost: 27 Slots: 1	Given as a reward by Recusant Bernahl at Volcano manor after completing his request
Magma Shot	Shoots a lump of magma at enemies that explodes on impact, can be charged to increase damage	Intelligence: 19 Faith: 10 FP Cost: 18 Slots: 1	Given as a reward by Tanith at Volcano manor after completing the first assassination request
Roiling Magma	Shoots a lump of magma that explodes after hitting the target, can be charged to increase damage and delay the explosion	Intelligence: 21 Faith: 12 FP Cost: 32 Slots: 1	Found on a body inside the Hermit's Shack in Mt. Gelmir
Rykard's Rancor	Conjures spirits that explode after a short delay	Intelligence: 40 Faith: 18 FP Cost: 35 Slots: 1	Purchased from Enia at Roundtable Hold for Remembrance Of The Blasphemous after defeating Rykard, Lord Of Blasphemy

Primeval Spells

Primeval spells are a special class of powerful sorcery, all of which require high Intelligence to use. Primeval sorceries are not boosted by any other staff.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Comet Azur	Shoots a giant comet that deals immense damage by holding the cast button, but forces you to remain still for the duration of the spell	Intelligence: 60 FP Cost: 40 Slots: 3	Found on Primeval Sorcerer Azur near Hermit Village at Mt. Gelmir
Founding Rain Of Stars	Conjures a rain of stars that showers enemies	Intelligence: 52 FP Cost: 32 Slots: 2	Inside a chest atop the Heretical Rise at the Mountaintops Of The Giants
Stars Of Ruin	Shoots a series of homing projectiles, can be charged to increase damage	Intelligence: 43 FP Cost: 38 Slots: 1	Given by Master Lusat after interacting with him in Sellia Hideaway as part of Sorceress Sellen's quest

Crystal Spells

Crystal spells are all based around the power of crystals, with Intelligence required to use them. There are three spells and they can all be boosted by using the Crystal and Rotten Crystal Staffs.

Spell	Effect	Requirements	Location
Crystal Release	Conjures a mass of crystals that shatter and rain down upon enemies	Intelligence: 41 FP Cost: 38 Slots: 1	Dropped by the Crystalians at the Academy Crystal Cave in Liurnia Of The Lakes
Crystal Torrent	Fires a stream of crystal shards	Intelligence: 47 FP Cost: 24 Slots: 1	Dropped by the Putrid Crystalians bosses at Sellia Hideaway in Caelid
Shattering Crystal	Conjures a crystal that explodes and fires numerous projectiles	Intelligence: 38 FP Cost: 32 Slots: 1	Found on a body at the Church of The Cuckoo in Raya Lucaria Academy in Liurnia Of The Lakes

Best Sorceries And Spells For Mage Builds

If you’re specialising in a pure mage build, there are a number of powerful sorceries and spells you can use. Some of the best sorceries and spells in Elden Ring include the following:

Glintstone Pebble: Excellent for early game but becomes obsolete by mid to late game
Glintstone Arc: Allows you to wipe out groups of enemies
Gavel Of Haima: Great for dealing lots of damage, stunning enemies, and attacking groups
Great Glintstone Shard: A more powerful version of the Glintstone Pebble, great for later areas
Carian Slicer: Allows you to perform quick magic-infused melee attacks in succession
Rock Sling: Excellent for dealing lots of damage, also tracks enemies for an almost guaranteed hit
Loretta’s Greatbow: Perfect for launching a ranged attack on an enemy when other spells cannot reach
Night Shard: Perfect when you dealing with enemies that frequently dodge your spells
Comet Azur: Deals lots of damage if you can hit enemies. Great for large, slow enemies.
Adula’s Moonblade: Excellent for dispatching groups of enemies and launching ranged frost attacks

We hope our guide has helped you work out how to use spells in Elden Ring and has pointed you in the right direction for creating your ultimate mage build.