Alright, fellow Tarnished! It's 2026, and guess what? The debate about using Spirit Ashes is so last year. These spectral buddies are literally game-changers, especially when you're staring down some of the DLC's nastier surprises. But here's the tea: if you're not leveling them up, they're about as useful as a wooden greatsword against Malenia. The secret sauce? Those elusive Great Ghost Gloveworts needed for that final +10 upgrade. Back in the day, there were only four in the base game. But with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, we now have a grand total of seven. Let's get you that maxed-out Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche you deserve!
First things first, you need your upgrade guru, the homie Roderika, chilling at the Roundtable Hold (after a little quest, of course). Once she's set up, it's Glovewort hunting season. For the special summons, you need the ghostly variety, and the Great ones are the rarest of the rare. So, grab your map and let's get to it.
Where to Find All 7 Great Ghost Gloveworts
Here’s the rundown, from the DLC additions to the classic finds. I'll tell you straight, some of these are... a vibe. And by vibe, I mean a pain.
7. Fog Rift Catacombs (Shadow of the Erdtree)
To get here, you gotta loop left around Castle Ensis from the Castle Front grace. You'll hit a seriously spooky fog zone—that's your cue. Inside, it's all about navigating spike traps (yikes). When you hit the second ceiling spike trap, don't just run through it! Hop on top, head left, and you'll find your prize. Just be ready for a welcoming committee: a few of Messmer's soldiers and a Black Knight are standing guard. Oh, and pro tip: there's a third soldier playing hide-and-seek behind a wall. Don't let him ambush you while you're dealing with the big guy.
6. Scorpion River Catacombs (Shadow of the Erdtree)
This one's a trek. Head north from the Temple Town Ruins on that winding path until you spot it. This catacomb is... special. It's filled with these weird Basilisk traps that spawn floating eyeballs. Get spotted, and you're getting a nasty dose of Death Blight. Fun times! The Great Ghost Glovewort here is sneaky. You'll come to a platform with a bunch of Imps and a caster. Don't engage them head-on! Look to your right—there's a ladder leading down to the item. Three Basilisks are lurking nearby, but if you're quiet and careful, you can snag the loot without a fight. Sometimes, stealth is the best policy.
5. Darklight Catacombs (Shadow of the Erdtree)
This place is off the main road, but you kinda have to go through it to reach the Abyssal Woods. Access is via a secret path in the Shadow Keep, heading south from the Ruins of Unte. Inside, the Glovewort is easy to miss because it's a drop from a specific enemy: the Giant Bigmouth Imp near the end of the area. You'll need to lower a platform first by pulling a lever in a room to your left. Then, prepare for a boss-like fight against this living cannon. It hits like a truck, so maybe let your Spirit Ash tank for you... oh wait, you're here to upgrade them. Irony.
4. Ainsel River (Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella)
This is probably the first one most players will get, and it's pretty straightforward. Head to the east side of Liurnia of the Lakes, find that elevator, and take the scenic route down to Ainsel River. Work your way through until you face the Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella.
After you put this frosty giant down, check the boss arena near the waterfall. There's a little hidden room with a chest, and inside? Your first Great Ghost Glovewort! Getting a +10 summon here is a massive power spike for the mid-game. Seriously, it makes the next few zones feel way more manageable.
3. Night's Sacred Ground
Most of these Gloveworts are found deep underground, which kinda makes sense lore-wise. This one is no exception. To even access this area, you need to defeat Starscourge Radahn and then take a literal leap of faith down the massive crater in Caelid.
Once in Nokron, Eternal City, you need to get to the Ancestral Woods site of grace. From there, it's a platforming challenge—jump down onto the buildings below. The zone itself isn't too tough enemy-wise, but there are lots of group fights. This is a perfect place to test your newly upgraded Spirit Ash! Let them draw aggro while you pick off enemies. It turns chaotic brawls into a fun, tactical experience.
2. Nokstella, Eternal City
Another underground gem. Start at the Nokstella, Eternal City grace site and head up the stairs. Fight your way through until you hit a bridge guarded by one of those pesky metal ball enemies. Cross the bridge, and you'll see a building. The chest with the Glovewort is inside.
WARNING: This building is an enemy condo. Take it slow. Clear the rooms methodically. And for the love of the Erdtree, LOOK UP. Those sneaky Silver Tears love to drop from the ceiling. A cautious approach makes this a relatively safe grab.
1. Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum
This one's unique—it's the only Great Ghost Glovewort you can pick straight from the plant, just like regular Glovewort! It feels oddly satisfying. You'll find it in the late-game Mohgwyn Palace area. The enemies here hit hard, but remember: you don't have to fight everything. Running is a valid strategy!
From the Dynasty Mausoleum Midpoint grace, walk back into the cave you entered from. The Glovewort plant will be on your left, ready for harvesting. But stay alert! The enemies nearby can grab you or explode, causing massive blood loss. As a sweet bonus, there's a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone in a chest nearby. Talk about a two-for-one deal!
Why Bother in 2026?
You might think, "It's 2026, I'll just summon a real player." But hear me out. Summoning a human co-op buddy gives the boss more health. Your Spirit Ashes? They don't trigger that health boost. They're your loyal, silent partners who don't judge your failed dodges. Especially in the DLC areas, where the difficulty is... let's say inspired, having a maxed-out summon can be the difference between victory and watching "YOU DIED" for the hundredth time.
So there you have it! Seven locations, seven chances to empower your spectral army. Whether you're a veteran returning for the DLC or a new Tarnished in 2026, these Gloveworts are key to mastering the Lands Between and beyond. Now go out there and give those bosses a proper gang-up! They had it coming.