Facing the Grafted Scion in Elden Ring is a rite of passage for many players, as this formidable foe marks your first true challenge in the game. Located in the eerie Chapel of Anticipation, the Scion is a grotesque amalgamation of limbs and weapons, ready to test your skills. Whether you’re seeking revenge after an early defeat or aiming to conquer this optional boss for valuable rewards, mastering the right strategies can turn the tide in your favor. In this guide, we’ll delve into effective tactics and tips to help you emerge victorious against this nightmarish adversary.
Grafted Scion is the first boss you’ll encounter in the game. However, it is not recommended to fight him during the tutorial. Your character is underdeveloped, and you don’t have any healing items. However, you can return to the Chapel of Anticipation later in the game.
To do this, you need to go to The Four Belfries Site of Grace, where on the top of the hill you will find a chest containing the Imbued Sword Key. Use it to unlock and use the teleport in the second bell tower. You will be transferred to the location from the tutorial. More details can be found here, where you can find the description of the White Mask Varre’s side quest.
Reward for defeating
Defeating the Grafted Scion in Elden Ring yields significant rewards that can aid players in their journey. Upon vanquishing this formidable foe, players will receive 3,200 Runes, which can be crucial for leveling up and purchasing items. Additionally, the Grafted Scion drops the Ornamental Straight Sword, a weapon that, while requiring further character development to wield effectively, offers a unique combat style. Players also obtain the Golden Beast Crest Shield, providing solid defense against physical attacks. These rewards make the effort to defeat this boss worthwhile, especially for those seeking to enhance their arsenal early in the game.
For defeating Grafted Scion, you will receive Runes (3,200), the Ornamental Straight Sword and the Golden Beast Crest Shield.
General advice:
To effectively defeat the Grafted Scion in Elden Ring, it’s crucial to adopt a strategic approach. Utilize a shield that offers strong physical defense, as the Grafted Scion employs rapid multi-hit attacks that can overwhelm you if you’re not careful. Maintain a safe distance during the fight; this allows you to avoid its powerful attacks, especially the damaging scream that inflicts madness. The arena is relatively small, so be mindful of your positioning to prevent falling off the edges. When the Grafted Scion’s health drops below 50%, it will enhance its swords with holy magic, increasing damage output—be prepared to adjust your strategy accordingly. Remember, patience is key; wait for openings after its attack patterns to strike effectively while managing your stamina wisely.
- A shield with good defense against physical attacks will be useful in the fight against Grafted Scion. The enemy sometimes makes so many attacks that it is difficult to avoid all of them.
- The opponent, apart from a few swords, also uses a shield. He uses it not only defensively, but also in offensive.
- His scream inflicts madness, so move away from him when he does this attack.
- The arena in which the fight takes place is relatively small, so you need to move around it carefully. It’s easy to fall off the cliff on the left side.
- When the opponent loses half of the HP, he will cover his swords with holy magic, so equip yourself with something that will increase your defense against it.
- It is impossible to use ashes and summon other players to help.
Melee build – how to fight?
To effectively engage the Grafted Scion in melee combat, it’s crucial to adopt a strategic approach. Start by maintaining a safe distance to observe the boss’s attack patterns, as many of its moves consist of multiple slashes due to its numerous limbs. Wait for openings after its attack combinations, particularly when it pauses briefly, which is an ideal time to counterattack. Be cautious of its more dangerous moves, such as the long-held limb attack that leads to rapid strikes; dodging sideways or moving away can help you avoid damage. As the battle progresses and the Scion gains enhanced holy attacks, continue to prioritize distance and mix defensive maneuvers with timely offensives to conserve stamina and maximize your chances of success.
After entering the arena, it is best to keep your distance, because approaching Grafted Scion is not always the best choice. It is worth waiting for a while and see what move he will make.
Many of the Grafted Scion’s attacks consist of multiple slashes – he has many limbs in which he holds swords. Keep your distance to avoid most attacks. This will also help you save stamina. After performing a combination, the boss waits a moment before he attacks again – this is the best time to counterattack.
One of the most dangerous attacks is telegraphed by the opponent keeping one of the limbs in the air for a long period of time. This will be followed by a series of quick and heavy-hittind attacks. They go in a straight line, so you can either perform a few dodges to the side or move away quickly.
Grafted Scion also likes to jump and land while hitting the ground. He also can make a kind of tornado of attacks, which will easily break your guard if you get hit by it with the shield raised.
In the middle of the fight, the opponent will get a little stronger and start using the holy magic that he will use on his swords. Now his tornado will be even more damaging. At this stage, it will be even more important to keep your distance and then go into the offensive. It is also a good idea to mix blocking attacks with dodging to avoid losing all stamina.
What are the best weapons to use against Grafted Scion
To effectively combat the Grafted Scion in Elden Ring, certain weapons stand out due to their unique attributes and synergies with the boss’s weaknesses. Here are the best weapon choices:
Best Weapons Against Grafted Scion
| Weapon | Type | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Uji Katana | Katana | Deals bleed damage, which can significantly reduce the Scion’s health quickly. |
| Blood Weapons | Various | Weapons that inflict bleed are effective, as they exploit the Scion’s vulnerability to bleed. |
| Ornamental Straight Sword | Straight Sword | Acquired from defeating the Scion; it has a unique skill and decent damage output. |
| Greatsword or Colossal Weapons | Heavy Weapons | High damage per hit, useful for stagger and breaking the Scion’s stance. |
Additional Tips:
- Stamina Management: Maintain enough stamina for dodging, as the Grafted Scion has rapid and powerful attack patterns.
- Counterattacks: Wait for openings after the Scion finishes its multi-hit combos to strike back effectively.
- Ranged Options: If using a ranged build, spells like Glintstone Pebble can be advantageous while keeping distance from the boss.
Equipping these weapons and using strategic combat techniques will enhance your chances of defeating the Grafted Scion.
What are the best Blood weapons to use against Grafted Scion
When facing the Grafted Scion in Elden Ring, utilizing blood weapons can significantly enhance your chances of victory due to their ability to inflict bleed damage quickly. Here are the top blood weapons recommended for this encounter:
Best Blood Weapons Against Grafted Scion
| Weapon | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rivers of Blood | Katana | Despite recent nerfs, it offers high damage and excellent bleed buildup, making it a strong choice. |
| Bloodhound’s Fang | Heavy Curved Greatsword | Features a powerful Ash of War that provides both offensive and defensive capabilities; great for staggering enemies. |
| Godskin Peeler | Twinblade | High blood buildup and effective for quick strikes; can be enhanced with the Seppuku Ash of War. |
| Scavenger’s Curved Sword | Curved Sword | Excellent for dual-wielding; when combined with Seppuku, it maximizes bleed potential. |
| Reduvia Dagger | Dagger | Quick attacks with a high bleed proc rate; ideal for fast-paced combat against the Scion. |
Additional Considerations:
- Seppuku Ash of War: This skill is highly recommended as it boosts both damage and bleed buildup significantly, making it particularly effective when applied to curved swords or daggers.
- Dual-Wielding: Using two blood weapons can amplify bleed effects, especially with weapons like the Scavenger’s Curved Sword or Godskin Peeler, allowing for rapid stacking of bleed damage.
Equipping these weapons and employing strategic combat techniques will help you exploit the Grafted Scion’s vulnerabilities effectively.
