Elden Ring
Elden Ring

Boss Strategies: General Approach

Gain strategies for Elden Ring bosses, including boss weaknesses and NPC summons. Master combat against the Grafted Scion and Soldier of Godrick.

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Approaching bosses in Elden Ring requires careful strategy, often involving understanding their attack patterns and exploiting weaknesses. The game's design allows for various approaches, whether you choose to defeat initial bosses like the Grafted Scion immediately or return later with higher levels and better equipment. This adaptability is key to overcoming challenging encounters throughout the Lands Between.

Boss Strategies: General Approach

When encountering bosses, consider the following:

  1. Grafted Scion: This boss is optional. If you defeat it, you acquire equipment for later use. If you lose, the story progresses. You can return to this area at a higher level via The Four Belfries.
  2. Soldier of Godrick: This boss is much easier than the Grafted Scion. Use this fight to master basic combat.

General strategies for bosses:

  • Slashing weapons and pierce damage are often effective.
  • For the Stonedigger Troll, defeating it rewards x1 Roar Medallion and 1800 Runes.

NPC Summons can assist in boss battles:

  • A second Academy Glintstone Key can be obtained from the rafters above the Church of the Cuckoo after defeating the first boss of Raya Lucaria Academy.
  • Summon for the Fire Giant boss fight on the South-East corner of the Mountaintops of the Giants.
  • Found under the Waypoint Ruins East of the lake in Limgrave after a boss fight.
  • Talk to Witch Hunter Jerren a few times. If Jerren is not there, go to Castle Redmane and talk to him in the church on the way to the Radahn Boss Fight and he will leave and appear in the Witchbane Ruins.
  • Found outside and down the path going towards Stormveil's Main Gate from the Secluded Cell Grace outside the boss room. Go from the Grace towards the Main Gate and she will be in a side room on the way. She can then be summoned for Godrick the Grafted boss fight.

Questlines can also lead to boss encounters or provide assistance:

  • Talk to D to learn about the Bestial Sanctum.
  • Talk to Fia and have her hold you (item causes health debuff).
  • Talk to Rogier and mention the face.
  • Have Fia hold you again and talk to her.
  • Go to the Black Knife Catacombs in the North-East corner of Liurnia Lake.
  • In the room with guillotines, ride one up to the pathway above and hop over.
  • Follow the path and roll into walls to find an Illusory Wall leading to the Black Knife Assassin boss fight. A summon sign for D is available.
  • After the fight, talk to Fia, then Rogier. Leave and return to Rogier to learn he wants you to find Ranni.
Step Action
1 Exit the building and follow the path until you cross the bridge to the north.
2 Enter the next area and approach the statue to start the boss battle against the Grafted Scion. The story will proceed even if you lose in this fight.
2.5 If you beat the Grafted Scion, exit to your right and follow the path until you reach the cliff to fall down, die, and proceed through the tutorial.
3 After the cutscene, drop down the cliff where the sitting phantom is and pass through the cave to continue the tutorial.
4 Pass through the fog to the next area and defeat the Soldier of Godrick. This is a much easier boss than the first one, so take your time to master the combat basics.
5 After defeating the boss, continue onward until you reach the area where you fell from earlier, then exit the building to reach Limgrave.
6 Once in Limgrave, prioritize reaching the Site of Grace at Gatefront to meet Melina. With Melina, you can use Runes to level up your character and increase attributes. You will also receive the Spectral Steed Whistle to call upon Torrent, making travel much faster.