Godrick the Grafted, the ruler of Stormveil Castle, is one of the first major challenges players encounter in Elden Ring. His grotesque appearance and daunting abilities can make this fight intimidating, but with the right strategies and preparation, you can stand a better chance at winning.
Preparation
Upgrade Your Equipment
Before facing Godrick, ensure your weapons are upgraded to at least +4. This will significantly boost your damage output, making the fight more manageable. Collect and use Smithing Stones found throughout the game to enhance your gear.
Summon Help
Nepheli Loux, an NPC ally, can assist you in this battle. To summon her, find her in a room near the courtyard with the giant troll. Exhaust her dialogue options, and a golden summon sign will appear near Godrick’s fog gate. Additionally, using Spirit Ash Summons can help distract Godrick and give you opportunities to attack.
Phase 1: Strategies and Tactics
Attack Patterns
Godrick’s attacks in the first phase are a mix of wind-based moves and powerful physical strikes. Here are some key attacks to watch out for:
- Cyclone Slash: Godrick swings his axe in the air, creating a damaging windstorm around him. Back away quickly to avoid the damage.
- Charge Attack: He drags his axe along the ground before swinging it upwards. Dodge into the attack to use your invincibility frames effectively.
- Five-Hit Combo: This combo starts with a wind-up. Either back away or prepare to dodge the series of fast swings.
- Ground Slam: Godrick slams his axe into the ground, causing area-of-effect damage. Stay clear of the impact zone and be ready to dodge the follow-up.
Staying Agile
Keep moving to avoid getting hit by his wide-reaching attacks. Using a medium-sized shield can help block some damage, but dodging is generally more effective. After dodging his combos, capitalize on the short recovery window to land a few hits.
Utilizing Nepheli Loux
Summoning Nepheli Loux is crucial. She acts as a tank, drawing Godrick’s attention and giving you openings to attack. Summon your spirits as well to maximize the distractions.
Phase 2: Enhanced Abilities
At half health, Godrick will enter his second phase by grafting a dragon head onto his arm, adding fire-based attacks to his arsenal. Here’s how to handle this phase:
New Fire Attacks
- Flamethrower: Godrick spews fire in a horizontal stream. Dodge roll through the flames to avoid damage.
- Fireball Barrage: He slams the dragon head into the ground, sending fireballs raining down. Move quickly to a different location to evade them .
Combined Wind and Fire Attacks
Godrick’s wind attacks now have added fire damage. Avoid blocking these with a non-fire-resistant shield. Continue to dodge and stay agile to minimize damage.
Close-Range Opportunities
During this phase, Godrick’s attack patterns remain similar, but the fire element makes them more dangerous. Use the same strategy as in Phase 1: dodge his attacks and retaliate during his recovery periods. Summons can still distract him, allowing you to get in close for melee hits.
Consumables
Consider using items like the Fireproof Dried Liver to increase your fire resistance. This can be crafted using recipes from the Armorer’s Cookbook, found early in the game.
Final Tips
- Patience and Precision: Godrick’s delayed attack animations can bait you into dodging early. Stay calm and time your dodges carefully.
- Positioning: Utilize the environment to your advantage. Use the large stone pillars in the arena for cover when avoiding his fire attacks.
- Persistent Pressure: Keep up the pressure, especially when he’s distracted by your summons. The more aggressive you are (while being mindful of your health), the quicker you’ll deplete his HP.
