How to use Incantation spells in Elden Ring, regardless of your class

Not so obvious.

Elden Ring is a masterpiece, and quite certainly one of the best Xbox games of all time. However, some of its systems are less than obvious in their functionality. One such system is the magic and sorcery feature, which allows players to cast spells and use unique abilities. For Souls veterans, the system may seem obvious, but for newcomers, it's not so simple.

If you're someone who wants to give Incantations a try in Elden Ring, here's exactly what you need to know.

Elden Ring: How to use Incantations

Incantations are separate from Sorcery spells, and are more often Faith- and Arcane-based, rather than Intellect-based. Incantations generally refer to magic abilities that call upon a deity or some sort of primordial force in order to cast, as opposed to sorceries, which are often powered by studious learnings of Glintstone.

All classes and all players can get and use Incantations, providing you tailor your stats to meet their minimum requirements. However, only two classes start with the ability to use Incantations, which I think is where some of the confusion is coming from. Prophets and Confessors start with Incantations (often shortened to Incants), and start with the correct item needed to use them. If you're playing something like a Wretch, or a Vagabond to start with, you need to buy an item to use Incants, and we'll go over where to get that further below.

1. To use an Incantation, you must have a Seal equipped, as shown below.

2. Press the view button or inventory button on your input device to access the equipment area.
3. Equip a seal in either your main hand or your offhand.
4. Pressing left and right on the D-pad lets you cycle through equipment in your offhand and main hand.
5. With the Seal equipped, you will now be able to cast any equipped Incantation.

6. Equip Incantations by memorizing spells at any Site of Grace. You can find Incantations out in the world as loot, rewards for boss kills, or even purchases from vendors.

7. With the seal equipped, press the corresponding bumper (left bumper for left hand, right bumper for right hand) to cast the spell. Many spells can be held down further to increase their damage potency.

Note: Many Incantations have stat requirements. You can find the stat requirements in your inventory menu, where your collected Incantations are listed. Typically, faith and arcane investments are required to use many Incants.

Elden Ring: Where to get a Seal

If you're starting as a Confessor or a Prophet, you start with a Seal already equipped. If you're playing another starting class and want to pick up Incantations a bit later, it's quite easy to get access to one for purchase.

1. First, you'll need to get your horse, Torrent, using this guide here.

2. Once you have Torrent, head to Stormveil castle, via the Castleward Tunnel. It's in the top northwest corner of Limgrave, the starting area.

3. Do battle with Margit. Even if you lose, you'll still be able to unlock access to a Seal.
4. After one encounter with Margit, you'll be able to speak to Melina at any site of grace. She'll describe to you the Table of Lost Grace accessible via the bottom left corner of the map, which gives you access to a new vendor.
5. Head to the Table of Lost Grace with Melina, and you'll find a safe zone hub area. There's also an Incantation vendor here.

6. When you spawn in, head down the left corridor and past the bookshelves. You'll find a small room with two mummified witches who can sell you a Seal for 800 runes.

There are other types of Seals to find in Elden Ring, including the Clawmark Seal and Godslayer's Seal, which let your spells scale on Strength, ideal for warriors who want to use spells on the side.

The darkest fantasy

Elden Ring

$60 at Amazon (Xbox & PlayStation)$60 at Best Buy (Xbox, PlayStation, & PC)$60 at Walmart (Xbox)

Spectacular

Elden Ring will go down in history as one of the greatest games of all time, and it can be yours to own right now. Be wary of its complexity and difficulty, though.