Facing off against Godrick the Grafted in Elden Ring can feel like stepping into the arena with a true titan. As the first major boss you’ll encounter after Margit, Godrick serves as both a gatekeeper and a test of your skills in the perilous Lands Between. With his grotesque appearance and a combat style that combines devastating melee attacks with the ability to unleash fiery breath from a dragon’s head—grafted onto his arm in a shocking transformation—this demi-god is not just a foe but a formidable challenge that will push your strategies to their limits. Prepare to learn his patterns, summon allies, and adapt your tactics as you strive to conquer this pivotal battle that unlocks new realms of adventure.
The boss is in the Stormveil Castle. It is a mandatory boss, required to complete the game. You will reach the boss arena by going through the fog near the Site of Grace called the Secluded Cell.
Locations
Godrick the Grafted is located at the Secluded Cell within Stormveil Castle, which serves as the first major dungeon players encounter in Elden Ring. This area is accessible after defeating Margit the Fell, and players can reach it through two main routes: the direct approach via the main gate or a more secretive path that offers a less confrontational experience. The Secluded Cell is situated at the northernmost point of the castle, where players will face Godrick, a formidable demi-god and Shardbearer, who wields a grotesque combination of limbs from his victims, including a dragon head grafted onto his arm during the second phase of the battle.
Godrick the Grafted at Stormveil Castle:
The real version of the main boss can be found in Stormveil Castle.
Godefroy the Grafted in the Altus Plateau:
The second version of the boss is can be found in the Altus Plateau, more specifically in the Golden Lineage Evergaol.
Reward for defeating
Defeating Godrick the Grafted rewards players with significant loot that enhances their journey in Elden Ring. Upon his defeat, players receive Godrick’s Great Rune, which grants powerful buffs and abilities when activated at a Site of Grace. Additionally, players obtain the Remembrance of the Grafted, a valuable item that can be exchanged for unique weapons, spells, or other enhancements, allowing for further customization of character builds. For those looking to maximize their rewards, using a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot before the battle can increase the number of Runes earned from this encounter, making it a strategic choice for resource gathering as well.
The reward for defeating Godrick the Grafted is Godrick’s Great Rune. To use it, you need to restore its power – this will progress the story. In addition, you will receive the Remembrance of the Graftedand20,000 Runes.
General tips
When preparing to face Godrick the Grafted in Elden Ring, it’s essential to adopt a strategic approach to maximize your chances of success. Familiarize yourself with his attack patterns, as many of his moves are well-telegraphed, allowing for effective dodging and counter-attacking. Staying close can be advantageous for melee fighters, as dodging towards him often helps avoid his wide-sweeping attacks. Utilize the environment to your benefit; the arena contains obstacles that can shield you from Godrick’s more devastating moves. Summoning NPC allies like Nepheli Loux can provide valuable distraction and support during the fight. Lastly, be mindful of his second phase, where he gains new abilities, including fire-based attacks from the dragon head he grafts onto his arm, which require careful positioning and timing to evade effectively.
- Despite his size, the boss is fast and agile. He also has a good range, and if you move away from him, the boss will often jump and then land with a devastating attack.
- Many of his attacks work within a specific area. Like his tornado – this attack can be easily blocked with a shield. You can also move away from it. You can defend all attacks with the shield, especially in the first phase, but the stronger ones will probably cost you the entire stamina bar and stun you for a moment.
- Using the land to your advantage may be the key to success. You can use the hills (like stairs) at the ends of the location, as well as the dragon’s carcass in the center. This will make it easier to block his attacks. Characters with short weapons will gain advantage by standing below the boss, while those using long weapons should stand above him.
- Godrick is vulnerable to bleeding, so it is worth having a weapon that inflicts this status. Upon receiving this status, the opponent will lose about 1,000 health points.
- Strong jump attacks that tend to knock the opponent off balance can be useful. After several such attacks, you may get a chance to deal a critical hit.
- When the boss is far away, you should use a few daggers on him to make it harder for the boss to regain his balance.
- There will be a cut-scene after you deplete half of the boss’s health. After it, you should run straight to the place where you walked through the fog. The second phase begins with Godrick’s attack, during which almost the entire area will be covered in fire. Hiding behind a cover won’t help here.
- In the second phase of the fight, the enemy will use fire attacks, so it is worth wearing clothes that increase your defense against this element.
- There are cliffs to the left and right – it is easy to fall off of them, especially when trying to avoid the fire AoE attack.
- The summonable NPC on the right can help you in the fight. Nepheli Loux, a warrior, will draw his attention well, giving you many opportunities to attack. However, she does not deal too much damage.
- You an also summon ghosts.
Mage build – how to fight?
To effectively fight Godrick the Grafted as a mage in Elden Ring, focus on exploiting his vulnerabilities while maintaining distance. Begin by utilizing spells that deal high damage, particularly those that inflict Rot or Poison, as Godrick is notably weak to these effects. During the first phase, keep an eye on his telegraphed attacks, which often leave openings for spellcasting. In the second phase, when he wields a dragon head, be cautious of his new fire-based abilities; dodging sideways can help avoid his deadly breath attacks. Summoning allies like Nepheli Loux can also provide valuable distractions, allowing you to cast spells safely while he is occupied. Always manage your distance and stamina to maximize your effectiveness in this challenging encounter.
Godrick is a very agile and fast boss for his size. Therefore, your projectiles should be used when the boss is standing still or has finished rolling sideways. After entering the arena, it is worth summoning reinforcements that will help you in combat. Unfortunately, a pack of wolves or demi-humans is not necessarily a good choice here, as Godrick has many area attacks.
However, if you don’t have ashes that summon a single, stronger ally, you can use wolves to keep Godrick busy for a moment.
Although playing a mage should encourage players to keep their distance, in the case of fighting Godrick, the best possible solution is to keep mid-range instead of fighting from far away. Mainly due to the fact that after rolling, Godrick can you one of the two different attacks, depending on the distance between you and him. If you stand farther, he will create gusts of wind that will deal a lot of damage.
When the distance between you and Godrick is not too big, he will jump on you instead of creating gusts of wind and attack when he lands. This attack deals more damage, but is much easier to dodge.
Also, watch out for an attack signalized by Godrick dragging his weapon on the ground. After a while, he will attack with a straight strike. There are many ways to avoid this attack. If you are keeping a long distance, go back. If the boss is close to you, shorten the distance and run behind the his back. The boss will not attack immediately when this animation starts.
Remember to use spells whenever you can to lower Godrick’s health bar as quickly as possible. When Godrick has around 55% of HP, he will kneel for a moment – this will grant him a significantly increased defense against all damage. Don’tattack him with magic –savethe mana.
After kneeling down and cutting off one of his hands, you will watch a cut-scene. After that, you will start the second phase of the fight. Go backwards – Godrick always starts this phase by breathing fire.
Most of his attacks will be similar, but he strengthens them with fire. It will be a good idea to equip a medallion for this phase that significantly reduces fire damage.
It’s also good to have a melee weapon that inflicts bleeding. When fighting Godrick, there’s a good chance that you won’t kill him with magic alone, as you simply won’t have enough mana-restoring bottles. Godrick, on the other hand, has a very low resistance to bleeding, so you can deal him a lot of damage.
However, watch out for this way of fighting. When you are close to Godrick, he will create several gusts of wind around him, throwing your character off balance and dealing damage. Since you are a mage, you won’t necessarily have a lot of health and stamina.
Melee build – how to fight?
To effectively engage in melee combat against Godrick the Grafted in Elden Ring, players should focus on a build that maximizes both damage output and survivability. Key strategies include:
- Weapon Choice: Utilize powerful melee weapons like the Giant-Crusher or the Rivers of Blood, which excel in dealing high damage and staggering enemies.
- Stat Allocation: Prioritize strength and endurance to enhance damage and increase stamina for dodging and attacking.
- Talismans and Buffs: Equip talismans such as the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia for increased damage with consecutive hits, and consider using buffs like Golden Vow to boost overall attack power.
- Combat Techniques: Master timing for dodging Godrick’s attacks while executing quick strikes, especially after he performs his more telegraphed moves. Utilizing jump attacks can also help in dealing significant damage while avoiding counterattacks.
By combining these elements, players can create a robust melee build capable of overcoming the challenges posed by Godrick the Grafted.
You start the fight quite far away from him. This is a good opportunity to throw a few daggers. The stairs here are a good spot to fight. If you are using a short weapon, position yourself under them – it will make blocking or dodging attacks a bit easier. If you are using a longer weapon, stand on the stairs and try to have the boss beneath you. Strong jump attacks can be useful, but they require the right moment to use. If you do not want to risk exposure to attack, use two light strikes and then retreat a bit with your shield raised.
When the distance between you and Godrick is short, he will often surround himself with “tornadoes”. This attack is signaled by him swinging the ax above his head. The first two tornadoes are relatively weak, but the third one can deal a lot of damage. Therefore, when you see that he is starting to do this move, get away from him. Be prepared to avoid a devastating attack from above, because after such a tornado, the enemy likes to roll and jump into the air while spinning and then smashing the ground, which can be fatal for you. A good moment to perform a dodge will be when the opponent is in the air for a fraction of a second, or when he is just about to hit you.
Godrick’s another dangerous attack is the one where he laughs while lifting the axes up and then driving them into the ground. The first crack in the ground won’t take too many health points, but the second one can kill you. You have about 3 seconds to prepare for the first attack, the second one follows in less than a second. It is safest to move away when he starts to raise his axes above his head. However, you will lose the opportunity to attack after performing two successful dodges.
If you need to heal yourself, move away to at least a medium distance. If you fight together with Nephela, you will have many opportunities to heal – the warrior is very good at drawing his attention.
If Godrick starts screaming with great pain, the fight is moving into its second phase. A cut-scene will start. After that, run back to the place where you walked through the fog. Or you can run to the other side of the location, depending on where you are. Keep your distance – when Godrick breathes fire, the surroundings won’t protect you from it.
When Godrick raises his left hand (the one with the dragon’s head) and then stabs it in the ground and spins it, it means he will be bombarding the area around him with fireballs. If you keep an average distance, you should be safe. Otherwise, start circling him to get behind Godrick’s back. This way, you will be able to attack him and avoid the fireballs that land relatively far away from him.
If the opponent lifts the scorched and roaring dragon’s head up, it means that he will breathe fire and walk forward, shortening the distance. In such a situation, you should run away and try to go behind his back, and then attack several times.
What are the best weapons to use against Godrick the Grafted
When preparing to face Godrick the Grafted in Elden Ring, selecting the right weapons can significantly enhance your chances of victory. Here are some of the best weapon choices based on player experiences and strategies:
Recommended Weapons
- Uchigatana: This katana is favored for its bleed damage, which is particularly effective against Godrick. Players have reported success using dual Uchigatanas, with one equipped with the Quickstep Ash of War for mobility and the other with Unsheathe for powerful strikes.
- Bloodhound’s Fang: Known for its strong weapon art that deals high damage and provides iframes, this weapon allows players to dodge through attacks while delivering significant hits.
- Grafted Blade Greatsword: Although it requires a high strength stat (40), this weapon is powerful and can deal substantial damage. Players who are over-leveled have found it effective against Godrick.
- Flail: Upgraded to +3 and used in combination with bleed effects, the Flail can be a solid choice when paired with the Jellyfish Ashes to distract Godrick during the fight.
- Partisan with Magic Affinity: A versatile polearm that can deal decent damage up close or from a distance when combined with magic skills like Glintstone Pebble. This strategy allows for both melee and ranged attacks2.
- Estoc: This thrusting sword is noted for its speed and reach, making it useful for quick strikes while maintaining distance from Godrick’s powerful attacks.
Strategy Tips
- Focus on Bleed Damage: Weapons that inflict bleed damage tend to be particularly effective against Godrick, as they can quickly build up his bleed meter, leading to devastating damage over time.
- Lightweight Weapons: Consider using faster, lightweight swords that require less stamina per swing. This approach allows for more frequent attacks without exhausting your stamina bar, which is crucial during Godrick’s aggressive phases.
- Summon Allies: Utilizing spirit summons like the Jellyfish or co-op partners can help divert Godrick’s attention, allowing you to land more hits safely2.
By equipping these weapons and employing strategic tactics, players can improve their chances of defeating Godrick the Grafted and progressing further in Elden Ring.
What are the best ash of war to use against Godrick
To effectively combat Godrick the Grafted in Elden Ring, utilizing the right Ashes of War can significantly enhance your damage output and survivability. Here are some of the best Ashes of War to consider:
Best Ashes of War Against Godrick
- Poison Mist: This Ash of War is particularly effective due to Godrick’s vulnerability to poison damage. It creates a cloud that inflicts poison over time, allowing you to deal consistent damage while maintaining distance from his powerful attacks.
- Bloodhound’s Step: This Ash provides excellent mobility, granting you the ability to dodge through attacks while closing the distance on Godrick. Its invincibility frames can help you avoid his more devastating moves, especially during his second phase.
- Unsheathe: Ideal for katanas like the Uchigatana, this skill allows for a powerful thrust attack that can deal significant damage and build up bleed, which is effective against Godrick’s health pool.
- Glintstone Pebble: For players focusing on magic, this ranged spell can be attached to weapons with a magical affinity. It allows you to deal damage from a safe distance while keeping Godrick at bay during his slower attacks5.
- Flame of the Redmanes: If you want to deal fire damage, this Ash can be useful in phase one before Godrick becomes resistant to fire in phase two. It can help stagger him and create openings for additional attacks.
Strategy Tips
- Timing and Positioning: Use these Ashes strategically based on Godrick’s attack patterns. For instance, activate Poison Mist when you have space and can avoid his melee strikes, and use Bloodhound’s Step to dodge critical hits.
- Summon Allies: Pairing these Ashes with spirit summons like the Jellyfish or Nepheli Loux can distract Godrick, allowing you to safely apply your chosen Ashes without drawing too much attention.
By leveraging these Ashes of War effectively, players can maximize their chances of defeating Godrick the Grafted and progressing through Elden Ring.
