Ranking All 14 Sorceries in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

All the sorceries in Elden Ring: SotE, ranked.

Game Guide by Nine_toes on Jun 30, 2024

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree adds 14 new sorceries to the game which is kind of a big deal for those who prefer this build. Although some of these incantations are cool in concept, they are not worth using due to either low damage output or high FP cost. So, we’ve ranked all the sorceries found only in the Land of Shadow so you know which ones are worth your effort!

14. Mantle of Thorns

Coming in at the bottom, we have Mantle of Thorns. For 9FP and a bit of your HP, you wrap yourself in thorns that deal damage when you roll into enemies. The damage is laughable, though, and it feels like FromSoftware’s obsession with thorny rolls persists in every game. Sure, it stacks with the Briar Armor for some “respectable” damage, but let's be real—it’s still not worth it.

13. Miriam’s Vanishing

Next up is Miriam’s Vanishing. This spell gives you a fancy dodge with lots of i-frames for 9FP. Sounds good, right? Well, the start-up frames are painfully slow, making it useless for reactive dodging. It might have some niche uses, like dodging boss AoEs or setting up spells mid-dodge, but overall, it’s more of a PvP gimmick than a solid PvE tool.

12. Rellana’s Twin Moons

Rellana’s Twin Moons lets you float and shoot out moon projectiles in a cool combo. However, no hyper armor and a short range make this spell a pain. Add in a 47FP cost and two-slot requirement, and it’s a hard pass. There are better moon sorceries out there that deal more damage, have better range, and even debuff enemies.

11. Cherishing Fingers

Cherishing Fingers is another short-range AoE spell without hyper armor. While you’ll still get your damage even if staggered, the damage itself is underwhelming. At 20FP, there are more efficient spells that do more damage at a safer distance. Even fully charged, it’s just not worth the risk.

10. Mass of Putrescence

Mass of Putrescence is like a clunky version of Cannon of Haima. It lobs a projectile that explodes in an AoE, but Cannon of Haima is cheaper, stronger, and more consistent. Mass of Putrescence does inflict frost, but other spells do it better and faster. It’s just not worth the long cast time and high FP cost.

9. Glintstone Nail

Glintstone Nail is a straightforward projectile that’s super FP-efficient. For just 10FP, it delivers solid damage with aggressive tracking. If you’re looking for a cheap, reliable spell to pepper enemies with, this one’s a keeper. It’s not a DPS powerhouse, but it’s great for consistent damage without burning through your FP.

8. Vortex of Putrescence

Vortex of Putrescence is a ghost flame spell requiring 26 Faith. It shoots a ghost flame AoE, dealing magic damage and causing frost buildup. It’s great for crowd control and proccing frost quickly, but the 29FP cost and two-slot requirement are steep. Other spells do similar things for less cost, but it’s still a solid option if you meet the Faith requirement.

7. Rings of Spectral Light

Rings of Spectral Light is another ghost flame spell that’s efficient and reliable. For 14FP, it deals decent damage, inflicts frost, and has a delayed projectile that’s great against dodging enemies. It’s not the best for proccing frost quickly, but its efficiency and range make it a good pick. However, Glynstone Trio might edge it out due to no Faith requirement and higher damage.

6. Glintstone Nails

Glintstone Nails fires zigzagging magic projectiles with crazy tracking. Fully charged, it can even turn 180 degrees to hit enemies. It’s great for hitting small, fast enemies and does decent stance damage. While not the highest DPS, its ease of use and reliable tracking make it a solid choice.

5. Gravitational Missile

Gravitational Missile shoots a gravity bolt that pulls enemies in and then explodes. It’s fantastic for stun-locking foes and setting up other attacks. The explosion isn’t instant, so mobile enemies might escape, but it’s great for passive damage and stance damage over time. It’s not higher on the list because another spell does similar things but better.

4. Glintblade Trio

Glintblade Trio is an upgraded version of Magic Glintblade. It shoots three delayed projectiles that track well and deal great damage for a low FP cost. Perfect for dealing with dodgy enemies, it also delivers solid stance damage. It’s not as strong as Knight’s Comet, but it’s versatile and efficient, making it a top-tier choice.

3. Fleeting Microcosm

Fleeting Microcosm summons a black orb that travels towards the player, pulsating and exploding for substantial AoE damage. This spell excels in crowd control and can be further enhanced with specific DLC equipment. Its efficiency and power make it a top-tier choice. This spell is fantastic for crowd control and packs a punch with its AoE explosions. You can even boost its damage with the right staff. It’s one of the best for clearing groups of enemies and bosses alike.

2. Blades of Stone

Blades of Stone is a gravity-based spell dealing pure physical damage, making it ideal against magic-resistant enemies. Its three-hit combo delivers excellent damage and stance damage for just 18FP. Despite its high intelligence requirement, its effectiveness justifies its use. It's a great spell for taking down enemies resistant to magic.

1. Impenetrable Thorns

Impenetrable Thorns stands out as the most powerful sorcery in the DLC. For 15FP, it unleashes three thorn projectiles with immense damage and blood loss buildup. Its range, efficiency, and point-blank potential make it a game-changer, although it’s likely to face nerfs soon. This spell is so overpowered it’s almost unfair. It deals massive damage, causes crazy blood loss, and has incredible range. Use it up close for even more devastating effects. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it’s bound to get nerfed.

Also, check out our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review and other guides below:

- How To Unlock Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
- Shadow of the Erdtree: Scadutree Fragments & Revered Spirit Ash Locations
- Elden Ring: Shadow of The Erdtree | How to Find All Map Fragments
- Shadow of the Erdtree – Full Story and NPC Quest Guide
- Top 10 Optional Bosses in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
- All Remembrance Duplication Coffin Locations in Shadow of the Erdtree
- Top 10 Best Weapons in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
- Top 10 Best Ashes of War in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
- Top 10 Best Armors in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
- Top 10 Talismans in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
- Top 10 best Incantations in Elden Ring DLC: Shadow of the Erdtree
- All Helmets, Armor Pieces with Special Effects in Shadow of the Erdtree
- Elden Ring: Top 10 Best Weapons and Where to Find Them
- Elden Ring: Top 10 Best Ashes of War and Where to Find Them
- Elden Ring: Top 10 Armor Sets and Where to Find Them