Elden Ring takes the classic Souls formula and expands on it, adding huge open areas and even more freedom to explore. You'll have access to a massive suite of weapons and tools to make fighting your way through The Lands Between a bit easier. For one, you can unlock checkpoints, as well as use massive wind vents that hurl you up to higher platforms.
The biggest boost to your arsenal is Torrent, a spectral horse that you can ride across the map. Using the horse, you can cover great distances quickly, and can even fight while on horseback. Even though the Spectral Steed is a massive part of Elden Ring, you won't have access to it at the start of the game. You'll need to interact with Sites of Grace to unlock an item, which will let you summon the horse in most areas.
In this guide, we'll explain how to unlock the horse in Elden Ring. You'll need to have cleared the tutorial area, arriving in the open area of The Lands Between. Once here, speak to the NPC in front of you, before heading down the hill and onto the plains.
How to Unlock the Horse
To unlock the horse in Elden Ring, you will just need to find and rest at three Sites of Grace out in The Lands Between. There's one just as you exit the first cave, one up by the ruined church, and another over by the entrance to the Stormgate area that leads to the castle.
Once you have rested at your third Site of Grace, a short cutscene will trigger. A character will give you the Spectral Steed Whistle, which can be assigned in the Tools quick-menu.
Using the Spectral Steed Whistle
To use the Spectral Steed Whistle, make sure you have it equipped in the 'Equipment' menu. You can then cycle through your tools with left and right on the D-pad. Once you have the Spectral Steed Whistle selected, press down on the D-pad.
- Prepare for boss-battles: Elden Ring Boss List
Can't Summon Your Horse?
If you cannot summon your horse, two things could be happening. The first is that your horse has been killed (more on this in the next section). The more likely reason is that you are in an area where horse summoning is locked. These are generally caves and inside areas. Some boss arenas also lock your Spectral Steed Whistle.
How to Revive Your Horse
If your horse takes too much damage, it will die. You'll need to either consume a Flask of Crimson Tears, or rest at a Site of Grace to revive your steed. Until then, you won't be able to summon your horse at all.
That's everything we know so far about using the horse in Elden Ring. For more on the game, why not check out our guide on Elden Ring's PC Specs and Requirements. Once you're done there, give our Elden Ring Crafting Guide a read.