In Elden Ring, Incantations are a powerful form of magic that allow players to harness the power of faith-based spells for healing, offense, and support. However, many new players may find themselves unsure of where to equip Incantations or how to use them properly. Unlike traditional melee weapons or items, Incantations require a specific setup to function. From equipping a Sacred Seal to unlocking Memory Slots, understanding how and where to equip Incantations is essential to fully utilize their potential in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
Understanding Incantations in Elden Ring
Incantations are a category of magic in Elden Ring that scale with the Faith stat. They differ from Sorceries, which rely on Intelligence. Incantations offer a wide variety of effects such as healing, buffs, fire-based attacks, lightning strikes, poison clouds, and even dragon-based transformations. Before you can use Incantations in combat, there are a few key components you need to have in place.
What You Need to Cast Incantations
- A Sacred Seal: This is the casting tool required to use Incantations.
- At least one Incantation spell: Must be obtained and equipped.
- Sufficient Faith stat: Many Incantations have a minimum Faith requirement.
- A free Memory Slot: Spells must be memorized at a Site of Grace.
Once these elements are in place, you’ll be able to equip and cast Incantations throughout the Lands Between.
How to Equip Incantations in Elden Ring
Equipping Incantations is a two-step process that takes place at specific points in the game, primarily through Sites of Grace. It also requires having a Sacred Seal in your hand. Below is a detailed guide on how to equip and use Incantations effectively.
Step 1: Obtain a Sacred Seal
Sacred Seals are magical tools that serve as the casting implements for Incantations. Without one, you cannot use Incantations, even if you have them equipped.
Some common Sacred Seals include:
- Finger Seal: Available from Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold.
- Erdtree Seal: Scales well with high Faith builds.
- Dragon Communion Seal: Enhances Dragon-based Incantations.
Equip a Sacred Seal in either your main hand or offhand weapon slot through the Equipment menu. It functions similarly to a weapon but is used to cast spells instead of dealing physical damage.
Step 2: Rest at a Site of Grace
Sites of Grace serve as resting points and provide access to important gameplay functions, including memorizing Incantations. To equip your desired spells:
- Rest at any Site of Grace.
- Select the Memorize Spell option.
- Choose available Incantations from the list.
- Assign them to empty Memory Slots.
Each Incantation requires one or more Memory Slots, so the number of spells you can equip at once is limited by your total slot availability. More Memory Slots can be unlocked by finding and equipping Memory Stones.
Step 3: Check Faith Requirements
Each Incantation comes with a minimum Faith stat requirement. If you don’t meet it, the spell cannot be used or will perform poorly. Make sure your character has enough Faith to use the Incantation you’re equipping. You can view these requirements in the spell description while memorizing spells or browsing your inventory.
Step 4: Use the Seal to Cast Incantations
After equipping a Sacred Seal and memorizing your spells, you can begin casting. Use the spell-casting button (default is R1/RB for main hand or L1/LB for offhand) to activate the Incantation currently selected in your spell slot. You can cycle through equipped spells using the D-pad (up) on your controller or assigned keyboard keys on PC.
Where to Equip Incantations in the Menu
In the game’s menu system, there are two key places where you interact with Incantations:
- Memorize Spell menu: Found at a Site of Grace. Used to equip or swap out Incantations.
- Equipment menu: Used to assign your Sacred Seal in a weapon slot.
Both menus must be utilized to ensure your build is set up for spellcasting. Having an Incantation memorized but no Sacred Seal equipped will make it unusable. Likewise, equipping a Sacred Seal without any memorized spells will leave you with nothing to cast.
Increasing Your Incantation Capacity
To cast more Incantations, you need more Memory Slots. These are increased by collecting Memory Stones, which are hidden throughout the world in towers, boss areas, or special vendor inventories.
How to Get More Memory Slots
- Collect Memory Stones from Rise towers or specific locations.
- Each stone adds one slot to your total.
- Use the Moon of Nokstella talisman to boost slot count even more.
Players can typically expect to equip one or two spells early in the game and slowly expand to six or more by late-game depending on how many Memory Stones are found.
Best Places to Practice Incantations
If you’re just starting with Faith builds or using Incantations, practicing them in low-risk environments can help. Some good locations to practice include:
- Church of Elleh right after the tutorial, good for healing practice.
- Weeping Peninsula less challenging enemies for trying offensive spells.
- Stormgate wide-open space to test ranged Incantations like Lightning Spear.
Using Incantations Effectively in Combat
Not all Incantations are meant for the same purpose. Some are best for healing or buffs before battle, while others are offensive spells designed for combat. Here’s how to use them properly in different scenarios:
Pre-Combat Buffs
- Flame, Grant Me Strength: Boosts attack power before engaging.
- Blessing of the Erdtree: Restores health over time.
Offensive Incantations
- Lightning Spear: Fast projectile with good range.
- Black Flame: Deals percentage-based damage over time.
- Beast Claw: Short-range but quick casting and wide hitbox.
Utility and Defense
- Urgent Heal: Fast-casting emergency heal.
- Cure Poison: Useful when exploring toxic areas.
- Flame Cleanse Me: Removes most status ailments.
Equipping Incantations
Knowing where and how to equip Incantations in Elden Ring is crucial for players who want to master Faith builds or simply incorporate magic into their gameplay. Whether you’re healing allies, buffing damage, or calling down divine lightning, Incantations offer a wide range of possibilities. By equipping a Sacred Seal, memorizing spells at a Site of Grace, and ensuring you meet all requirements, you’ll unlock some of the most versatile and impactful tools in the game. As you explore the Lands Between, don’t hesitate to experiment with new spells and strategies to make your build truly divine.