Elden Ring Nightreign's Incantations and magic don't usually drop the way normal weapons and items do. Spells almost always come from fixed locations and are much less likely to drop from bosses and lesser enemies, so if you're running a Recluse, Revenant, or even Duchess, making it a point to visit these locations before the third night is essential.
This Elden Ring Nightreign guide explains where to find Incantations, seals, magic, and staves, and why it's often best to take what you find even if the spells aren't that great.
Incantations are equally as rare and only have three fixed places, one of which isn't even marked on the map with an icon. Incantations are guaranteed to drop in the hidden shrine under cathedrals, though not every cathedral has one. In our experience, only the ones with fire monks or ghostly soldiers have underground chambers. Cathedrals with a golem inside or a squad of Oracle Envoys usually have nothing underneath, but there will be a corner on the ground floor with a small shrine that contains seals.
Once you find the right cathedral, drop down the central hole in the ground. Follow the path ahead and turn right. You'll see a small shrine, and interacting with it produces two seals, each with two Incantations attached to it. What Incantations they come with is completely random, though, as with every other weapon in Nightreign.
There's also a standard field boss, either a larger monk or soldier, in the chamber opposite the shrine, so head in there for a chance to get more Runes and another item drop.
Cathedrals with no underground chamber have their shrines tucked in a corner instead.
You can find a similar shrine at Limveld's version of the Stormhill Shack. The shack isn't marked on the map, but if you check the overview while the map is displayed, you'll see an icon indicating a seal that's not associated with a merchant.
Speaking of merchants, you can buy a standard seal from merchants, though their stock is randomized in each expedition and may not always include seals.
There's also a chance of obtaining an Incantation after defeating a field boss or the boss who appears at the end of a night, though the chance seems to be quite low.
The staves that cast sorcery spells are also guaranteed only in specific places, though those are much easier to find. A tower at the top of the large castle in the center of Limveld has a small room inside with a map that marks scarab locations on your map and a rack that holds two staves. Any smaller fort will have a similar tower, with a similar map and two more staves.
In our experience, these tend to drop more often from bosses and other enemies compared to Incantations, though the rate is still rather low unless you're playing as the Recluse. The Albinauric Staff and Staff of the Guilty are comparatively common drops, for example, though more powerful spells are much rarer. It's worth checking any rise you unlock as well, since these may include a rare or even legendary weapon.
When you find a staff or seal, make sure to check the passive effects it comes with. Even if the spell isn't useful for your purposes, it may confer a buff such as reduced FP cost for spells or increased power for charged magic. Stick it in your inventory to get that effect without having to equip it.
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This Elden Ring Nightreign guide explains where to find Incantations, seals, magic, and staves, and why it's often best to take what you find even if the spells aren't that great.
Where to find Incantations and seals
A comparatively weak boss is always in the chamber opposite this shrine.Incantations are equally as rare and only have three fixed places, one of which isn't even marked on the map with an icon. Incantations are guaranteed to drop in the hidden shrine under cathedrals, though not every cathedral has one. In our experience, only the ones with fire monks or ghostly soldiers have underground chambers. Cathedrals with a golem inside or a squad of Oracle Envoys usually have nothing underneath, but there will be a corner on the ground floor with a small shrine that contains seals.
Once you find the right cathedral, drop down the central hole in the ground. Follow the path ahead and turn right. You'll see a small shrine, and interacting with it produces two seals, each with two Incantations attached to it. What Incantations they come with is completely random, though, as with every other weapon in Nightreign.
There's also a standard field boss, either a larger monk or soldier, in the chamber opposite the shrine, so head in there for a chance to get more Runes and another item drop.
Cathedrals with no underground chamber have their shrines tucked in a corner instead.
You can find a similar shrine at Limveld's version of the Stormhill Shack. The shack isn't marked on the map, but if you check the overview while the map is displayed, you'll see an icon indicating a seal that's not associated with a merchant.
Speaking of merchants, you can buy a standard seal from merchants, though their stock is randomized in each expedition and may not always include seals.
There's also a chance of obtaining an Incantation after defeating a field boss or the boss who appears at the end of a night, though the chance seems to be quite low.
Where to find magic and staves
Every fort and castle has a tower chamber with a rack that holds two staves.The staves that cast sorcery spells are also guaranteed only in specific places, though those are much easier to find. A tower at the top of the large castle in the center of Limveld has a small room inside with a map that marks scarab locations on your map and a rack that holds two staves. Any smaller fort will have a similar tower, with a similar map and two more staves.
In our experience, these tend to drop more often from bosses and other enemies compared to Incantations, though the rate is still rather low unless you're playing as the Recluse. The Albinauric Staff and Staff of the Guilty are comparatively common drops, for example, though more powerful spells are much rarer. It's worth checking any rise you unlock as well, since these may include a rare or even legendary weapon.
When you find a staff or seal, make sure to check the passive effects it comes with. Even if the spell isn't useful for your purposes, it may confer a buff such as reduced FP cost for spells or increased power for charged magic. Stick it in your inventory to get that effect without having to equip it.
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