Commander Gaius, the relentless mounted menace of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, is a test of precision, patience, and strategy. Battling atop his armored boar and wielding devastating gravity magic, this optional boss combines speed and power to overwhelm even seasoned Tarnished. Ready to claim his rare rewards? Here’s how to outmaneuver his deadly charge, exploit his holy weakness, and survive his brutal second phase.
Rewards for defeating
Rewards for Defeating
Defeating Commander Gaius in Shadow of the Erdtree comes with significant rewards. Upon his defeat, players receive 230,000 Runes and the Remembrance of the Wild Boar Rider, which can be exchanged at the Roundtable Hold for either the unique Sword Lance weapon or a powerful Gravity magic spell. Additionally, defeating Gaius grants access to the Scaduview area, where players can collect five valuable Scadutree Fragments near the Scaduview Chalice.
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For defeating the boss, you will receive 230,000 runes and Remembrance of the Wild Boar Rider. The boss is also protects the Scadutree Chalice, in front of which you will find as many as five Scadutree Fragments.
You can exchange the image with Fnger Reader Enia for:
- Sword Lance – heavy thrusting sword, combines the moveset of heavy swords and great spears,
- Blades of Stone – a spell that creates sharp stone spikes on the ground.
Gaius in a nutshell
Commander Gaius, known as the “Boar Rider,” is a formidable optional boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Mounted on an armored boar and wielding gravity magic alongside a massive lance, Gaius combines relentless melee pressure with devastating ranged attacks. His erratic hitboxes and overwhelming moveset, including AoE explosions and unpredictable charges, make him one of the most frustrating encounters in the DLC. Despite his difficulty, exploiting his weaknesses—such as holy damage—and using strategic positioning can turn the tide in this challenging fight.
- The boss rides on a huge boar and can perform powerful charges.
- When you get behind the boar, it will kick you – you can provoke it to kick and avoid the attack to gain an opportunity to counterattack.
- Watch out for ranged attacks – an electric projectile from the boss’s lance and gravity stones through which you can dodge.
- Stick to the boss’ side – lance attacks are easier to predict than boar tusks.
- Frontal combinations are often accompanied by the boar kicking – do not attack until the boss stops.
- Halfway through the fight, the boss will become electrified – watch out for the animation, as it deals damage.
- To avoid the corkscrew attack, dodge about three seconds after the boss jumps into the air.
- When Gaius throws a gravity orb, run away from it – fortunately, the arena is large, so you have plenty of space.
How to defeat Gaius?
To defeat Commander Gaius in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, preparation and strategy are key. Gaius, mounted on his armored boar, combines devastating melee attacks with gravity magic, making him a formidable foe. He is weak to bleed, fire, and freeze damage, so equipping weapons or spells that exploit these weaknesses is highly effective. Summoning Spirit Ashes, particularly melee-resistant ones, can help distract him while you attack from a distance using ranged magic or long-range Ashes of War. During the fight, avoid staying directly in front of him to dodge his charge attacks and gravity spells. Instead, aim to stay to his side or rear, taking advantage of openings after his combos. In the second phase, be cautious of his aerial gravity slam and new ranged attacks. With persistence and careful timing, you can overcome this challenging boss and claim his valuable rewards.
The fight with Gaius takes place in a large, open arena. The boss wields a long lance and rides a huge boar. If you move away from him, Gaius will start charging towards you – you can block the charge or dodge.
The rider’s lance attacks are quite predictable, consisting of simple swings and thrusts. However, the boar’s kicking and attacks with its tusks are much less predictable. For this reason, you should try to stick to the side of the boss instead of his front – Gaius will then mainly use lance attacks, so you won’t have to worry too much about the boar.
If you approach the boss from behind, the boar will try to kick you. Remember to avoid this attack – you can also deliberately provoke him to kick to gain a moment to counterattack after blocking or dodging. When the boar starts kicking, focus on defense – its movements are then very unclear and it is difficult to spot a good opportunity to attack.
The boss also has two ranged attacks at his disposal – shooting a lightning from the electrified lance and throwing stones torn from the ground. Both of these attacks can be dodged, but they deal damage when blocking.
When Gaius drops to about half his health, he will electrify himself and start using gravitational powers. His attacks now deal minor damage even through block. Beware of the electrified animation that marks the transition to next the phase, as it can deal damage to you.
In the second phase, Gaius gains a corkscrew attack – he will jump into the air and after a while he will hit you while spinning around his own axis. To avoid damage, you should dodge towards the boss about three seconds after he jumps into the air.
What are the best strategies to avoid Commander Gaius’ ranged attacks
To avoid Commander Gaius’ ranged attacks in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, follow these strategies:
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Charged Gravity Lance: Wait for Gaius to begin moving his lance, then dodge at the right moment to avoid both the strike and the gravity projectile.
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Gravity Rocks: When he lifts rocks with gravity magic, dodge forward as the projectiles approach to evade them effectively.
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Black Hole: During Phase 2, Gaius fires black holes that pulse damage and pull you in. Time your dodges through each pulse and stay away from the center when it explodes.
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Use Cover: At the start of the fight, run left and hide behind the wall indentation to avoid his initial charge and prepare for ranged attacks safely.
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Positioning: Stay to the side or rear of Gaius to force him into turning frequently, reducing his ability to aim ranged attacks effectively.
What are the best shields to use against Commander Gaius’ charge
The best shields to use against Commander Gaius’ devastating charge include:
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Verdigris Greatshield: This shield offers excellent physical resistance and can withstand Gaius’ charge without breaking guard when paired with Scholar’s Shield and the Greatshield Talisman.
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Fingerprint Stone Shield: Known for its high stability, this greatshield is ideal for blocking through Gaius’ charge, especially when enhanced with buffs like Scholar’s Shield.
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Brass Shield: A medium shield with 100% physical damage negation, suitable for Tarnished who prefer lighter equipment while still effectively blocking his charge.
Equipping any of these shields alongside stamina-boosting items ensures better survivability against his powerful opening attack.
