Exploring the vast lands of the Elden Ring continues to captivate players in 2025, with spirit summons remaining an essential part of many builds. Among these ethereal allies, the Fire Monk spirit ash stands as a unique option for those venturing into the treacherous Lands Between. This fiery companion, while often overlooked, offers distinct advantages in specific situations that deserve closer examination.

What is the Fire Monk Spirit Ash?

The Fire Monk spirit ash summons the spirit of a stout monk who once monitored the Giants' Flame. According to the item's lore, this dedicated sentinel was charged with keeping watch over the sacred flame but eventually succumbed to its allure after years of solemn duty. The spirit wields fire incantations and possesses natural resistance to fire damage, making it particularly useful against enemies vulnerable to this element.

The summon appears as a mace-wielding warrior capable of delivering strike damage with physical attacks while complementing its arsenal with short-range fire incantations. Since the 2024 updates, this spirit ash has seen some improvements compared to its original release state.

Where to Find Fire Monk Spirit Ash in Elden Ring

Obtaining the Fire Monk spirit ash requires venturing into one of the game's more challenging late-game dungeons:

1. Travel to the Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs

2. Descend the first lift you encounter

3. Send the lift back up by stepping on the pressure plate again

4. When fully raised, locate a second platform on the lift that takes you to the lowest levels

5. Navigate past two dangerous frost breath traps

6. Find the chest behind the second trap containing the Fire Monk ashes

This area is notably guarded by two powerful Burial Watchdogs that seem to have more health than their counterparts in other regions. Many players report that these guardians can be more challenging than expected, suggesting the developers intended to make this spirit ash somewhat difficult to acquire.

Performance and Combat Capabilities

Following Patch 1.13, the Fire Monk spirit ash received notable improvements. The update addressed some previous weaknesses by:

• Increasing its overall HP

• Boosting its fire attack power

• Reducing how easily it staggers in combat

At +9 or +10 upgrade level, the Fire Monk demonstrates surprising tankiness and can withstand multiple hits from late-game enemies. Its aggressive combat style and variety of flame-based attacks make it particularly effective against:

• Beast-type enemies

• Opponents with fire vulnerabilities

• Groups of smaller foes (thanks to AoE fire attacks)

One player noted: "He's aggressive, can take a few hits, and has a wide variety of flame-tinged attacks with large AoEs. When you need fire damage, he's quite effective, especially considering the FP cost."

Upgrading and Optimization

Like other spirit summons of its tier, Fire Monk spirit ash upgrades using Grave Gloveworts. The progression from +0 to +10 shows steady improvements in both survivability and damage output, with the most noticeable jumps occurring at +9 and +10.

Comparison to Other Spirit Ashes

When evaluating the Fire Monk spirit ash in 2025's meta, it's important to consider its relative position among other options:

• Timing Issue: Many players note that you acquire this ash relatively late in the game when you likely already have legendary summons

• Specialized Role: While not a top-tier all-purpose summon, it excels against fire-vulnerable enemies

• Blackflame Monk Amon: Often considered a direct upgrade, costing only 30 more FP but offering stronger stats and percentage-based Black Flame damage

Community Perspectives

The Elden Ring community remains divided on the Fire Monk's utility. Some players dismiss it as "not worth the time/effort," while others have found success with it in specific scenarios. One player shared: "I have them up to plus 9 and they have been destroying mobs. When I used him on a crystallian duo, he was able to do more damage than me on the bosses."

The Fire Monk spirit ash represents an interesting example of Elden Ring's design philosophy – providing tools that excel in specific situations rather than universal solutions. While not the most powerful spirit summon available in 2025, its unique fire abilities and improved durability make it worth considering for certain builds and encounters.

For players seeking to explore all the options available in the Lands Between, the Fire Monk provides yet another fascinating choice in Elden Ring's rich tapestry of strategic possibilities.

Industry insights are provided by Eurogamer, a leading source for European gaming news and reviews. Eurogamer's coverage of Elden Ring spirit ashes often emphasizes the importance of situational summons like the Fire Monk, noting how their elemental strengths can turn the tide in specific boss encounters and late-game dungeons, especially after recent balance patches.