\nI remember first setting foot in the Lands Between the year it all began, feeling the chill of uncertainty in the air. Now, as 2026 unfolds, my journey through Elden Ring has become a tapestry of memories—and none more vivid than my pursuit of the cold sorceries. These spells, born from frost and moonlight, have become my companions in the long nights of battling demigods and exploring forgotten ruins. Let me share with you the magic of ice and stars that has defined my path.
To truly understand cold sorceries is to understand Ranni the Witch—that enigmatic figure who weaves fate like threads of silver moonlight. Her influence permeates every frozen incantation, every glintstone touched by frost. There are technically only five dedicated cold sorceries, but when you include the Full Moon spells of Ranni and her mother Rennala, you discover a constellation of frozen possibilities. They may not be the most destructive forces in the Lands Between, but oh, each has its moment to shine like winter's first star.
7. Frozen Armament: The Convenient Chill
Let's be real here: Frozen Armament is the spell you use when you're tired of farming. It's basically Freezing Grease that costs FP instead of crafting materials. I've had those moments—deep in some dungeon, realizing I've used my last bit of Rimed Crystal Bud, thinking "Well, shoot." That's when this spell becomes your best friend.
| Stat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | 15 |
| FP Cost | 20 |
| Effect | Weapons gain Frostbite buildup |
The convenience factor is no joke. No more running around the Consecrated Snowfield looking for plants when you could be, you know, actually playing the game. But here's the tea: most veterans will tell you there are better uses for your FP. Still, if you absolutely despise farming more than you despise Royal Revenants (and let's be honest, who doesn't?), this buff drops from a Teardrop Scarab in Caria Manor, right after you deal with Royal Knight Loretta.
6. Freezing Mist: The Sneaky Frost
Ah, Freezing Mist—the spell that makes you wish enemies would just stand still already! In theory, this should be amazing: create a cloud that builds Frostbite rapidly. In practice? Most enemies have this annoying habit of not wanting to freeze to death. Go figure.
| Stat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | 21 |
| FP Cost | 20 |
| Effect | Creates Frostbite-inflicting mist |
But here's the kicker: this spell doesn't trigger aggro. I've used it to slip past some truly nasty enemies in places like the Haligtree. Need to get through an area packed with those pesky Kindred of Rot? A little mist here, a little patience there, and you're golden. The catch? You'll need to deal with Preceptor Seluvis—everyone's favorite NPC (heavy sarcasm intended). His questline is... an experience.
5. Glintstone Icecrag: The Frosty Comet
Picture this: you're facing down one of those annoying flying dragons in Caelid. You could use Great Glintstone Shard... or you could use Glintstone Icecrag and watch Frostbite do its magic. This spell is essentially the cold cousin of the Comet family.
| Stat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | 15 |
| FP Cost | 12 |
| Effect | Slow Frostbite projectile |
The trade-off is stark: you get Frostbite buildup in exchange for range and speed. But man, when you land that proc and see that health bar chunk down? Chef's kiss perfection. It's one of the better ranged Frostbite options, and yes, Seluvis sells this one too. That guy really has a monopoly on cold magic, doesn't he?
4. Rennala's Full Moon: The Academic's Glory
Now we're getting to the good stuff. Rennala's Full Moon isn't just a spell—it's a statement. A massive, slow-moving moon that says "I have 70 Intelligence and I'm not afraid to use it."
| Stat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | 70 |
| FP Cost | 47 |
| Effect | Launches magic-dispelling moon |
This beauty does two incredible things: it dispels other spells it touches (bye-bye, enemy buffs) and reduces Magic negation by 10%. That second part is the real MVP—it makes every follow-up spell hit harder. The casting speed is slower than Molasses in January, but for opening boss fights? Absolutely worth it. You'll need to trade Rennala's Remembrance with Enia at the Roundtable Hold, and trust me, by the time your Intelligence is high enough to use it, you'll have earned it.
3. Ranni's Dark Moon: The Witch's Signature
If Rennala's moon is academic perfection, Ranni's Dark Moon is poetic rebellion. This is Ranni putting her own spin on her mother's magic, and she adds one crucial ingredient: Frostbite.
| Stat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | 68 |
| FP Cost | 57 |
| Effect | Frostbite-inflicting dark moon |
Here's my rule of thumb: if the enemy can be Frostbitten, start with Ranni's version. If not, use Mom's recipe. The Snow Witch Hat narrows the damage gap between the two, and that fashion alone is worth the stat investment. Finding it requires reaching Chelona's Rise on the Moonlight Altar—a journey that feels like earning a secret shared between you and the stars themselves.
2. Adula's Moonblade: The Anime Slam
Let's talk pure satisfaction. Adula's Moonblade might not have the biggest numbers, but it has the biggest style. You summon a sword that would make Cloud Strife jealous and unleash a frozen wave that says "everything in this general direction is now my problem."
| Stat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | 32 |
| FP Cost | 22 |
| Effect | Frozen slash with projectile |
Here's what makes it special:
-
🌙 Massive range that's hard to dodge
-
❄️ Frostbite buildup on everything it touches
-
🧢 Gets buffed by both Carian Glintstone Staff and Snow Witch Hat
-
🎮 Feels amazing to use (seriously, the animation is chef's kiss)
You earn this beauty by defeating Glintstone Dragon Adula at the Cathedral of Manus Celes. That second fight is no joke, but the reward? Worth it.
1. Zamor Ice Storm: The Risk and Reward
And now, the crown jewel of cold sorceries: Zamor Ice Storm. This spell is all about commitment. You need to get up close and personal, charge it up (and I mean charge—this thing has a windup longer than the lead-up to Radahn's festival), and hope you don't get smacked into next week.
| Stat | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Intelligence | 36 |
| FP Cost | 17 |
| Effect | Creates a frozen tornado |
But here's the thing: when it works, it works. The Frostbite buildup is insane, and the damage? Let's just say you'll see health bars disappear faster than my patience with platforming sections. It's high risk, high reward—the kind of spell that separates the cautious mages from the frost-loving daredevils. Find it in the Zamor Ruins, where the wind howls with memories of ancient warriors.
As I look back on my journeys through the Lands Between, these cold sorceries represent more than just spells in my inventory. They're reminders of Ranni's mysterious path, of Rennala's tragic legacy, of moments where frost turned the tide of battle. In a world of fire giants and frenzied flames, there's something beautifully defiant about choosing the cold path—about embracing the slow, inevitable chill that says, in the end, even gods can freeze.
So here's to the magic of winter, to the witches who teach it, and to all of us still exploring these frozen wonders in 2026 and beyond. May your Frostbite always proc, and your Intelligence stay high. And remember: when in doubt, throw a moon at it. It solves more problems than you'd think.