Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsSome Elden Ring bosses have NPC cooperators you can call by touching a gold summon sign; many do not. The signs are encounter-specific and may depend on an NPC’s quest progress or availability. They are separate from Spirit Ashes and online player summons. This guide lists the encounters established by the available references, but it is not a complete catalog of every possible sign.
Spoiler warning: The Shadow of the Erdtree section names late-game encounters and describes quest progression that can close off summon opportunities.
How NPC boss summons work
NPC cooperators are summoned by interacting with gold signs placed for particular encounters. A sign may be outside the fog gate or inside the arena, depending on the fight. Whether it appears can depend on quest state and whether the NPC is still available; a sign may be absent if you killed that character.
Do not confuse these signs with Spirit Ashes or online co-op. In particular, the Furlcalling Finger Remedy is associated with revealing online player signs and should not be treated as a universal requirement for NPC golden signs. Sign interaction behavior inside arenas has also varied with game version, so if a sign is present but does not respond as expected, check that your game is updated and consult a current encounter-specific guide.
#1 Best Overall
![ELDEN RING - Shadow of the Erdtree - Xbox [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41oWZz2OeeL._SL160_.jpg)
- Playable on 21st June 2024.
- Pre-order now and get the following bonus content for the expansion: ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree Bonus Gesture
- Winner of hundreds of accolades including The Game Awards Game of the Year and Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year, ELDEN RING is the acclaimed action RPG epic set in a vast, dark fantasy world. Players embark on an epic quest with the freedom to explore and adventure at their own pace.
- The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion features an all-new story set in the Land of Shadow imbued with mystery, perilous dungeons, and new enemies, weapons and equipment.
- Discover uncharted territories, face formidable adversaries, and revel in the satisfying triumph of victory. Dive into the riveting interplay of characters, where drama and intrigue intertwine, that create an immersive experience to savor and enjoy.
Base-game bosses with documented NPC summon examples
The following are confirmed orientation points, not an exhaustive boss-by-boss inventory. The references available for this guide do not establish every NPC, sign location, or prerequisite for each encounter; check a dedicated current guide before relying on a particular summon route.
| Boss | NPC cooperator | Sign location | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margit, the Fell Omen | NPC summon available; identity and route not established in the references used here | Not stated in the references used here | Exact prerequisite not established here |
| Godrick the Grafted | NPC summon available; identity and route not established in the references used here | Not stated in the references used here | Exact prerequisite not established here |
| Starscourge Radahn | NPC cooperators are available for the encounter; individual names and conditions are not established here | Not stated in the references used here | Exact prerequisite not established here |
| Fire Giant | NPC summon available; identity and route not established in the references used here | Not stated in the references used here | Exact prerequisite not established here |
Shadow of the Erdtree bosses with NPC summon opportunities
DLC summon signs are tied to character questlines and encounter progression. Their availability is not guaranteed simply because you have reached the boss.
| Encounter | NPC cooperator | Sign location | Availability or missable condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayle the Dread | Igon | Not stated in the references used here | Igon has a summon opportunity during the Bayle fight; the exact prerequisite is not established here. |
| Leda encounter | Sir Ansbach and Thiollier may be involved, depending on quest progress | Not stated in the references used here | Quest-dependent; the available references do not establish every route or condition. |
| Final boss | Sir Ansbach and Thiollier | Not stated in the references used here | Either may be summonable after progressing that character’s questline. The exact steps are not established here. |
What can make a DLC summon missable?
Burning the Sealing Tree is a major progression event that can end associated NPC questlines and the encounter opportunities connected to them. If you want to preserve the possibility of these summons, finish relevant NPC interactions and check the current steps for Ansbach’s, Thiollier’s, and other involved quests before triggering that event. The specific sequence can be intricate, so do not assume that reaching a boss is enough to make a sign appear.
Quick Recap
How to check for a summon before a boss
- Look around the approach to the fog gate for a gold NPC sign; some signs are inside an arena instead.
- If no sign appears, check whether the character is alive and whether you have completed the quest interactions required for that encounter.
- For a DLC fight, verify that you have not passed a major progression point—especially burning the Sealing Tree—that can end the relevant questline.
- Use an encounter-specific, up-to-date guide for the exact route and location. NPC summon conditions are not uniform across bosses, and a short list of known examples cannot confirm that a particular sign should be present in every save.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
