TL;DR
- Spectres provide AI assistance for boss fights but disappear after combat
- Summon using Star Fragments on blue chalices outside boss arenas
- Later game bosses require wishstone support for spectre survival
- Star Fragments drop from elite enemies and can be purchased with Gold Coin Fruit
- Spectres draw aggro allowing safer damage dealing opportunities
While Lies of P doesn’t feature traditional multiplayer co-op, the game provides strategic AI assistance through spectre summons that fundamentally change boss encounter dynamics. Unlike other Soulslike titles where you can summon human players for extended exploration, these spectral allies operate exclusively during boss battles with specific limitations.
Spectres represent a streamlined approach to summoning compared to the often obscure mechanics found in similar games. You can only activate them immediately before engaging boss enemies, and they automatically despawn once either the spectre itself or the boss is defeated. This creates temporary tactical partnerships rather than permanent companions throughout your journey.
To summon a spectre, you must utilize a Star Fragment on the distinctive glowing blue chalice positioned outside every boss arena. These summoning points are consistently placed and visually distinct, eliminating the guesswork often associated with finding summon signs in other games.
Once activated, the spectre materializes when you initiate the boss encounter, providing valuable combat support through diverse attack patterns. More importantly, spectres consistently draw enemy aggression, creating critical windows for you to execute damage-dealing combos without constant pressure. This aggro management becomes increasingly vital against bosses with complex attack sequences and limited safe engagement opportunities.
As you progress through later game chapters, spectre durability becomes a significant concern. These NPC companions face substantial survivability challenges against more aggressive and complex boss mechanics. The introduction of cubes provides a strategic solution—equipping wishstones that heal or enhance your spectre mid-combat can dramatically alter battle outcomes.
Timing your wishstone activation when your spectre’s health drops below 40% or during boss phase transitions maximizes effectiveness. A properly supported spectre that survives through multiple boss phases substantially increases your success probability by maintaining consistent pressure and distraction.
Common mistakes include summoning too early before analyzing boss patterns, neglecting spectre health management, and wasting Star Fragments on easier early-game bosses where solo practice might provide better long-term skill development. Advanced players should experiment with different wishstone combinations to match specific boss mechanics and spectre behavior patterns.
Given spectres’ combat value, maintaining a healthy Star Fragment inventory is essential. These summoning components primarily drop from elite enemies and larger combatants throughout the game world. Strategic farming routes through areas with concentrated elite spawns can yield 3-5 Star Fragments per 15-minute session, ensuring you never face critical boss encounters without summoning capability.
Later in your progression, Gold Coin Fruit becomes an alternative acquisition method, though enemy drops typically provide sufficient quantities for regular summoning needs. For players struggling with specific boss mechanics, our Weapons Unlock guide offers complementary strategies for optimizing your combat approach.
Spectre effectiveness varies significantly based on boss type—they excel against single-target melee opponents but may struggle with area-effect attacks or highly mobile enemies. Learning when to summon versus when to practice solo represents a key skill progression milestone. Additional tactical insights can be found in our comprehensive Complete Guide to advanced combat techniques.
Action Checklist
- Locate blue summoning chalice outside boss arena (30 seconds)
- Use Star Fragment to activate spectre (instant)
- Monitor spectre health during combat phases
- Activate healing wishstone at <40% spectre health
- Farm elite enemies for Star Fragment drops (15-minute sessions)
- Analyze boss patterns before deciding to summon
- Equip appropriate wishstones based on boss mechanics
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Lies Of P Co-Op And NPC Summons Explained Master spectre summoning in Lies of P with strategic tips, boss tactics, and resource management
