Navigating the perilous Lands Between in 2026, Tarnished warriors know that a reliable ally can mean the difference between glorious victory and yet another rune-laden demise. Among the pantheon of Spirit Ashes, one name consistently rises to the top of tier lists and veteran discussions: Finlay. This legendary Cleanrot Knight isn't just another summon; it's a game-changing companion capable of turning the tide in the most brutal boss encounters, especially in challenging New Game+ cycles. But what makes this Spirit Ash so sought after, and more importantly, how can you claim its power for yourself? Let's dive in.
🔍 The Elusive Prize: Where to Find Finlay's Ashes
The journey to claim Finlay is not for the faint of heart. This powerful Spirit Ash is hidden deep within the late-game area of Miquella's Haligtree, a zone notorious for its punishing enemies and treacherous layout. Here’s your step-by-step 2026 guide to securing this legendary ally:
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Starting Point: Begin your hunt at the Prayer Room Site of Grace. This is your sanctuary before the plunge.
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The Path North: Exit through the northern door and follow the winding pathway downward. You'll need to fight through several Haligtree Soldiers and other foes. Stay alert!
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A Fork in the Road: The path will eventually split. You'll see a stairway leading to an upper area on your left. Ignore the main path and head up these stairs to the left. Clear out any enemies here for safety.
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The Leap of Faith: Once the area is secure, move to the right-side rails. Look down and over the edge. You should spot an archway connecting to your platform. This is your target. You must jump over the railing and drop down onto this archway. Precision is key!
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Final Approach: Follow the archway down to a lower platform featuring a distinctive gazebo-like structure.
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The Last Guard: From the gazebo, look through a nearby doorway. You'll see a small room guarded by a single soldier, with a more formidable Cleanrot Knight waiting deeper inside. Defeat both enemies. The Cleanrot Knight can be tough, so use the terrain to your advantage.
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Claim Your Reward: With the guards defeated, open the chest at the back of the room to finally obtain Finlay's Ashes.
Remember, this area is high-level. Coming prepared with strong weapons and ample healing is non-negotiable.
⚔️ Why Finlay Dominates the Meta: Abilities & Combat Uses
So, you've gone through all that trouble. Is it worth it? In a word: absolutely. Finlay isn't just good; it's a top-tier summon that has remained meta-relevant for years. Let's break down why.
Summoning Stats & Tier:
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FP Cost: 127. This is a significant investment, especially for non-magic builds. Managing your Cerulean Tears Flask is crucial.
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Classification: Legendary Spirit Ash. This means superior base stats and scaling compared to common ashes.
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Community Verdict: While the Mimic Tear often takes the #1 spot for its adaptability, Finlay is widely considered the strongest traditional FP-based summon and a solid contender for second-best overall.
Finlay's Combat Toolkit: What truly sets Finlay apart is its incredibly versatile and powerful skill set. This isn't a summon that just tanks hits; it actively contributes to your victory in multiple ways.
| Ability | Effect | Why It's Great |
|---|---|---|
| Blessing's Boon | Casts a heal-over-time (HoT) aura on both itself and you upon summoning. | Incredible sustainability! This heal allows you and Finlay to weather prolonged fights, reducing the pressure on your Crimson Flasks. |
| Haligtree Crest | Uses a spear for long-range thrusts that deal Holy Damage. | Perfect for poking enemies from a safe distance, applying pressure, and breaking enemy stances. |
| Sacred Rings | Projects rings of holy damage over a short area. | Excellent for crowd control or hitting larger bosses with multiple damage ticks. |
| Cleanrot Swordplay | Executes fast, devastating sword combos for close-quarters combat. | Finlay is no slouch in melee. These combos can stagger enemies and deal massive damage up close. |
| Scarlet Rot Affliction | Certain attacks have a high chance to inflict the Scarlet Rot status. | This is Finlay's crown jewel. Inflicting Scarlet Rot on a boss means constant, ticking damage that can whittle down even the largest health bars while you focus on survival. |
Strategic Uses in 2026:
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Boss Melter: When fully upgraded, Finlay's combination of high health, healing support, and Scarlet Rot application makes it exceptional for long boss fights. It can effectively "melt" boss health bars.
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Tank & Spank Partner: With health reserves rivaling the Mimic Tear, Finlay excels at drawing aggro, allowing you to cast spells, heal, or attack from a safer position. Ever wanted a reliable tank for Malenia? Finlay is a prime candidate.
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New Game+ Essential: In higher NG+ cycles where enemy damage and health are inflated, a summon that provides healing and percentage-based Scarlet Rot damage is invaluable.
🛠️ Maximizing Your New Ally: Upgrades & Synergy
Like all Spirit Ashes, Finlay's true potential is unlocked through upgrades. You'll need Grave Glovewort to level it up at Roderika. Each upgrade significantly boosts its health, damage, and ability potency. Don't expect its full power at base level!
Build Synergy Tips:
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Faith Builds: Finlay's holy damage can complement your own incantations.
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Melee Builds: Use Finlay as the aggro-drawing tank. Its HoT lets you play more aggressively.
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General Tip: Equip the Cerulean Amber Medallion or other FP-increasing talismans to ease the 127 FP summoning cost.
In conclusion, the journey to the Haligtree's hidden chest is a trial, but the reward is a companion worthy of a Lord. Finlay offers a unique package of healing, tankiness, holy damage, and the devastating Scarlet Rot effect. In the ever-challenging world of Elden Ring, having such a powerful and versatile ally by your side isn't just an advantage—it's a statement. Are you ready to add this legendary knight to your arsenal?