Best 11 Elden Ring Items to Use for Crowd Control

In Elden Ring, few challenges are as overwhelming as getting swarmed by a mob of enemies. Whether you're exploring Caelid’s corrupted lands or navigating the winding corridors of Leyndell, knowing how to manage multiple foes at once can mean the difference between victory and a quick trip back to your last Site of Grace. Fortunately, the game offers plenty of tools for crowd control—if you know where to look.

Here are the 11 best Elden Ring items you should consider using when the odds are stacked against you.
1. Swarm of Flies

This blood-based incantation is a favorite among players who love status effects. It sends a cloud of blood flies at enemies, causing Bleed buildup and making it easy to chip away at groups from a distance. While it won’t necessarily kill everything outright, the chaos it creates buys you precious breathing room.
2. Beast Repellent Torch

It may look like just a torch, but it actually wards off specific enemy types like wolves, rats, and dogs. This is especially helpful in dungeons and caves where these creatures tend to ambush in packs. It’s also a great tool for low-level runs or rune farming.
3. Freezing Pots

Crafted from Rime Crystal Buds, Freezing Pots slow enemies and apply Frostbite buildup. They’re incredibly effective when tossed into a group, especially if you’re fighting aggressive humanoid enemies who tend to rush together. They give you just enough of an opening to heal or reposition.
4. Glintstone Arc

One of the best early-game sorceries for crowd control. It fires a horizontal wave of magic that can slice through multiple enemies in a single cast. It’s low-cost and efficient—perfect for mopping up weaker mobs before focusing on tougher foes.
5. Dragonfire

While many Dragon Communion spells are great for spectacle, Dragonfire is actually quite practical. It bathes a wide area in flames, dealing damage over time and making it hard for enemies to close the gap. Excellent when you need to reset the battlefield.
6. Stormcaller

This Ash of War is available relatively early and is especially useful for melee builds. When activated, it creates a spinning storm around you that knocks enemies back and deals damage. Great for tight spaces where you might otherwise be cornered.
7. Night Maiden’s Mist

A lesser-used but powerful spell, this one creates a cloud of dark magic that continuously damages enemies inside it. The best part? It doesn’t alert enemies when cast, making it ideal for stealth-based crowd control or softening up groups before engagement.
8. O, Flame!

This incantation may be short-ranged, but it delivers a powerful fire burst that affects multiple enemies. It’s particularly useful for Faith builds that want to keep their casting time short but effective.
9. Perfume Bottles (Spark Aromatic)

Perfumes may seem niche, but Spark Aromatic delivers a burst of fire damage and knockback, giving you a quick crowd-control tool with a bit of flair. Just make sure you’ve got the crafting materials ready—you’ll want to stock up if you're heading into mob-heavy zones.
10. Spirit Ashes (Latenna the Albinauric)

When it comes to controlling space, Latenna is a top-tier pick. Though she’s immobile, her long-range frost arrows can thin out groups from afar. Position her wisely, and she’ll do much of the work for you.
11. Sleep Pots

Underrated and often overlooked, Sleep Pots can instantly take enemies out of the fight for a short duration. They’re particularly effective on humanoids and can turn a 5v1 into something much more manageable. Craft a few and keep them handy for invasions or ambushes.


Elden Ring offers plenty of ways to control the battlefield if you prepare accordingly. Whether you lean on sorcery, incantations, items, or spirit summons, the right crowd control tools can save your life countless times over. Of course, preparation takes resources. If you’re short on upgrade materials or just want to skip the grind, many players look for Elden Ring runes for sale to help speed things along. And if you’re hunting for specific tools or equipment, a well-stocked elden shop can sometimes make the difference between a failed build and a dominant one.

In the Lands Between, knowledge is as powerful as any blade—so gear up smart, and take control of the chaos.