In the shadowy depths of The Shaded Castle, players face one of Elden Ring’s most formidable foes: Elemer of the Briar. This optional boss, a relentless Bell Bearing Hunter, wields a massive sword imbued with deadly magic, capable of devastating ranged attacks and punishing melee strikes. As you prepare to engage this aggressive adversary, mastering the art of dodging and timing your assaults is crucial. With strategies that exploit his vulnerabilities to bleed and poison, you can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Ready to conquer Elemer and claim the coveted Marais Executioner’s Sword? Dive into our guide for essential tips and tactics to emerge victorious.
This page of our Elden Ring guide is dedicated to an optional boss encounter taking taking place in The Shaded Castle, a region of Altus Plateau. The boss in question is Elemer of the Briar which is an optional encounter – you can skip him and still finish the game. The fight is similar to the Bell Bearing Hunter encounter.
The Shaded Castle is a location in the northwestern part of Altus Plateau. You can find the exact location here . Once you are close to the castle walls, you will have to climb them. From there, you can go downstairs and find the entrance to the castle. Eventually, you will reach a Site of Grace called Shaded Castle Inner Gate. The boss is nearby.
Reward for defeating
Defeating Elemer of the Briar rewards players with significant loot and experience, making the challenging fight worthwhile. Upon his defeat, you will earn 24,000 runes, which can be pivotal for leveling up your character. Additionally, players will receive the Marais Executioner’s Sword, a powerful weapon known for its unique skill attack, and the Briar Greatshield, offering solid defensive capabilities. These rewards not only enhance your arsenal but also contribute to your overall progression in Elden Ring.
For defeating Elemer from Hawthorn you will receive Runes (24,000) and the legendary MaraisExecutioner’s Sword and Briar Greatshield.
General tips
To effectively tackle Elemer of the Briar in Elden Ring, consider these general tips to enhance your chances of success. Stay close to Elemer during the fight; while it may seem counterintuitive, maintaining proximity limits his ability to unleash devastating ranged attacks with his sword. Utilize Spirit Ashes to distract him, allowing you to strike when he is vulnerable. Be aware of his telegraphed moves, especially the grab attack, indicated by a red glow in his hand—dodge immediately to avoid significant damage. Equip gear with high physical resistance and consider using status effects like bleed or scarlet rot, as Elemer is particularly susceptible to these. Finally, practice patience; wait for openings after his attacks to heal or retaliate effectively.
- Hawthorn Elemer is most especially vulnerable to scarlet rot and poison , but bleeding and frostbite statuses can also be placed on him. As a result, make use of these elements.
- To prepare better for the encounter, equip an armor that has a lot of resistance to physical damage.
- The fight is similar to that of the Bell Bearing Hunter which took place in Limgrave.
- When at a distance, the boss uses a ranged combo whose range increases with each sweep. You can recognize the attack as the boss’s sword starts glowing red. In order to avoid it, you need to retreat or dodge at a right moment. It is very likely that this will be the boss’s first attack after the encounter starts.
- We recommend staying in melee range, as if you move away from the boss, he will employ ranged attacks.
- Elemer is very difficult to offbalance, as his stance is strong.
- In melee range, the enemy will utilize his shield – after each such attack, the opponent needs a moment to recover – either use the moment to heal or return with your own attack.
- To make maters easier, make use of Ashes or summon a player.
Melee build – how to fight?
For a melee build in Elden Ring, fighting effectively against Elemer of the Briar requires a combination of agility, timing, and strategic use of buffs. Focus on maximizing your damage output and survivability by selecting weapons that excel in close combat, such as colossal swords or dual-wielded curved swords. Utilize talismans like the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia to enhance damage from consecutive hits, and consider buffs like Golden Vow to increase your overall damage and defense. Maintaining a balance between offense and defense is crucial; dodge Elemer’s powerful attacks while countering with your own swift strikes. Timing your attacks after dodging his moves can create openings for significant damage, making it essential to stay mobile and aware of the battlefield dynamics.
After crossing the barrier, you can stay in the fog and take advantage of the short moment when the opponent is inactive. Now is the time to use Spirit Ashes or items that will help you in combat.
Most likely, after the start of the encounter, the boss will fire a ranged combo. He will swing his sword, with each attack having a larger range than the previous one. In such a case, either move back as far as possible (however, you may not be able to because of the small size of the arena) or dodge towards the enemy, each move getting you closer to the opponent.
Stay close to the enemy at all times during combat. Even more so that Elemer is an enemy that closes the distance often and very quickly – for that reason, take the initiative.
Sometimes, the enemy utilizes his shield, which if not used, stays on his back most of the time. A shield strike will trigger an area of effect attack , albeit its range is low. Dodging on at the precise moment of the attack will save you from losing HP.
When you move away from him a bit, the opponent can use a linear attack. You will know its coming by the way he flexes with a sword held in front of him. It is best to avoid this attack by dodging. This attack has a fairly long range and if you dodge backwards, it can reach you even though it is quite far away.
Some of his shield attacks (ground strikes) will cause an explosion . If you see that after a strike, the boss is bent, it means that the explosion is imminent. If so, it’s best not to get close to him and wait before attacking again. After this attack, the opponent needs a moment to return to action.
What are the best strategies to avoid Elemer’s grab attack
To effectively avoid Elemer of the Briar’s grab attack in Elden Ring, follow these strategies:
- Watch for the Charge-Up: When Elemer raises his left hand and it begins to glow red, this signals that he is about to initiate his grab attack. This animation is crucial to recognize, as it indicates the attack’s imminent execution.
- Immediate Retreat: As soon as you see the glowing hand, back away quickly from Elemer. His grab has a surprisingly long reach, so maintaining distance is essential to avoid being caught.
- Dodge Towards Him: If you find yourself too close when he begins the grab animation, rolling towards his glowing hand can sometimes help you evade the attack. This tactic can also position you for a counterattack once he misses.
- Stay Close During Other Attacks: While it might seem counterintuitive, staying close to Elemer during his other attacks can make dodging easier and reduce the likelihood of triggering his grab. His melee attacks are more predictable at close range, allowing you to anticipate and evade effectively.
- Use Spirit Ashes: Summoning a Spirit Ash can distract Elemer, giving you more time to react and avoid his grab while also dealing damage from a safe distance.
By mastering these techniques, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to Elemer’s devastating grab attack during your encounter.
What are the best ways to counter Elemer’s Shield Charge
To effectively counter Elemer of the Briar’s Shield Charge in Elden Ring, consider these strategies:
- Recognize the Animation: Elemer’s Shield Charge is preceded by a distinct animation where he lowers his shield and prepares to charge. Pay close attention to this cue, as it gives you a moment to react.
- Roll to the Side: The most effective way to avoid the Shield Charge is to roll sideways as he lunges towards you. This maneuver allows you to evade the attack while positioning yourself for a counterattack once he recovers.
- Maintain Close Range: Staying close to Elemer can reduce the chances of him using his Shield Charge, as he tends to use it more when you are at mid-range. When in close proximity, you can also anticipate and dodge his other attacks more easily.
- Bait the Charge: If you find yourself at a distance, you can bait Elemer into using his Shield Charge by moving slightly away and then quickly dodging sideways when he commits to the attack.
- Use Spirit Ashes: Summoning Spirit Ashes can divert Elemer’s attention, allowing you to position yourself better and avoid his charge while your summon takes some of the damage.
By employing these tactics, you can effectively dodge Elemer’s Shield Charge and create openings for your own attacks, increasing your chances of victory in this challenging encounter.
