There are many schools of magical thought, each offering unique ways to manipulate the forces of nature and weaponize them against your foes. At first, you should choose based on damage output – but once you’re past a certain point, Min-maxing numbers doesn’t matter as much. If you’re like me, you’re more interested in spells that’ll make you look like a bad-ass upon casting them. To become an epic sorcerer in the Lands Between, you must master the ten coolest sorceries in Elden Ring.
10. Carian Phalanx
If it was up to me, I’d recruit an entourage of bodyguards to help me out on my quest to become Elden Lord. Regrettably, nobody seems sane enough to follow a simple directive like “make sure I don’t die,” so I’m left to fend for myself in a world of maniacs. A great alternative is the Carian Phalanx, a flashy spell that summons nine magical straight swords that’ll float in an arch around you until it’s time to shoot forth and protect their master. How to get: Buy it from Seluvis after completing some steps of his questline, or take his Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.
9. Briars of Sin
Anyone roleplaying an edgy character with less-than-virtuous motivations and a strong connection to the dark side of the Force should learn to use Briars of Sin. This aberrant sorcery conjures tendrils of black thorns that spiral around the caster as copious amounts of blood splash all over the place. Those at the Academy of Raya Lucaria consider it blasphemous because it draws power from Faith rather than Intelligence, but nobody can deny that it looks cool as hell. How to get: Briars of Sin is dropped by a Thorn-Fire Sorcerer a small distance northwest of the Artist’s Shack site of grace.
8. Ancient Death Rancor
Death Sorceries are powerful spells developed by Those Who Live in Death to further their somber machinations. Ancient Death Rancor is one of the most powerful and definitely the most flashy. A storm of enraged spirits shoots out of the caster’s staff, spreading “ghostflame” and chasing down your foes. These powerful spirits shine bright with magical energy, creating a beautiful spectacle of death. Ominous and undeniably badass. How to get: Dropped by a Death Rite Bird found south of the Gate Town North site of grace.
7. Loretta’s Greatbow / Loretta’s Mastery
The sixth spot on our ranking is shared by two equally-cool spells: Loretta’s Greatbow, and Loretta’s Mastery. These sorceries allow the caster to summon a massive magical bow and fire potent arcane arrows to devastate unsuspecting targets. Both of them can be charged up for increased range and damage. While Loretta’s Greatbow will shoot a single arrow, Loretta’s Mastery shoots four simultaneously. The latter also has more range, though the Greatbow offers more FP efficiency. How to get: You’ll get the Greatbow early on by defeating Royal Knight Loretta in Caria Manor. Loretta’s Mastery is dropped by the more powerful Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree.
6. Gavel of Haima
What’s cooler than summoning a giant bow? Summoning a giant hammer, of course. The Gavel of Haima is an epic sorcery that’ll materialize an ethereal blue greathammer in your hands so you can bring order from chaos by smashing any rowdy individuals to bits. It’s stylish and brutal in equal parts. How to get: You’ll find this sorcery atop a tower on the northeastern corner of Liurnia of the Lakes.
5. Founding Rain of Stars
Before the world had sorcerers and academies, it had the Astrologers, who found their wisdom in the stars above the Lands Between. The Founding Rain of Stars was the first sorcery bestowed upon them by the celestial bodies up above. This spell is a reenactment of the first rain of glintstone over the Lands Between. It conjures a small nebula above the caster, which releases a deluge of magic projectiles on the area below. How to get: You’ll find this late-game spell inside a chest in the Heretical Rise at the Mountaintops of the Giants, accessed by crossing an invisible bridge.
4. Meteorite of Astel
Astel is one of the coolest and most powerful bosses in Elden Ring. This Eldritch Abomination is living proof of powers beyond our understanding, looking down on the Lands Between from the endless void of outer space. Meteorite of Astel is a manifestation of the beast’s gravitational power. It’s the same devastating rain of meteorites it used to destroy the Eternal City of Nokron long before the game’s events. With it, you’ll look just like Obi-Wan Kenobi fighting Darth Vader in the recent Disney+ series. How to get: Meteorite of Astel is your reward for defeating Astel, Stars of Darkness, within the Yelough Anix Tunnel in the southwestern corner of the Consecrated Snowfield.
3. Rennala’s Full Moon / Ranni’s Dark Moon
Both Carian Queen Rennala and ultimate Elden Ring waifu Ranni draw their power from the moon – though not necessarily the same one. According to the lore, they both encountered their respective moons in their youths, and it has guided their steps ever since. These two sorceries allow the caster to incarnate this celestial body, then shoot it forward toward enemies to reduce their magic resistance and deal substantial damage. Needless to say, it’s a breathtaking spectacle. How to get: The Full Moon is granted by Enia at the Roundtable Hold in exchange for the Remembrance of the Full Moon Queen. The Dark Moon is found in Chelona’s Rise after significant progress in Ranni’s questline.
2. Adula’s Moonblade
Much like the Gavel of Haima, the Carian Greatsword sorcery summons a bright blue blade of light to slash your enemies in half. But that’s the boring version of this spell. Adula’s Moonblade does the same thing, except the massive blade is imbued with the icy cold breath of this mighty dragon. This power is propelled forward in a frosty wave after slashing. It’s both literally and figuratively cool. How to get: Defeat the Glintstone Dragon Adula at the Cathedral of Manus Celes, accessible after major progress in Ranni’s Questline.
1. Comet Azur
What spell could be cooler than a massive stream of pure magic power that melts bosses like ants under a magnifying glass? Comet Azur is a sorcerer’s best friend and arguably the best way to make Elden Ring easier besides summoning a Mimic of yourself. It’s basically a Kamehameha or a Hadouken, except it’s shot from your staff instead of your hands. With it, you’ll dominate the battlefield. How to get: The silent Primeval Sorcerer Azur will grant this most potent spell if you talk to him near the Hermit Village in Mount Gelmir.
