Learn expert tips and strategies on how to defeat Godric the Hundred-Handed in Elden Ring. Conquer this formidable boss with skill and perseverance.
Godric the Hundred-Handed is the ruler of Stormvale Castle. He wields a large golden axe, which he waves around to show his power and intimidate potential challengers to his throne. He is a mandatory story boss that is impossible to avoid when playing Elden Ring.
How to Defeat Godric the Hundred-Handed in Elden Ring
Adviсe
Godric is a very powerful enemy. His attacks are slow, but they hit the area, and not a small one. He uses power-ups in the fight and, like most bosses in the game, the fight is divided into two phases.
Here are some tips to defeat him:
- To successfully fight Godric the Hundred-Handed, it is better to have a weapon with a sharpening of at least +3, or even higher. It would be good to pump up the characteristics and not go at early levels.
- There is a place of grace nearby where you can fly after leveling up or traveling. First, it is worth practicing with other mobs, for example, in somersaults and avoiding damage.
- If you can’t cope alone, we recommend getting an ally summon sign. You can do this by talking to Nefeli, to get to her, go along the big road to the tree with the golden seed. Next to it you will see a cage with the necessary NPC, after talking to her, return to the Fortress. Find Nefeli again and she will place a sign of help.
- The boss mainly uses close combat, periodically strengthening himself with magic to hit harder and further. So, after hitting him a couple of times, move away from him.
- His abilities can break through the shield or stun you, so it’s worth choosing dodges over parries.
- Study the arena’s surroundings. There are tombstones and rocks that you can accidentally crash into when rolling. You can’t hide behind them, as the boss’s attacks pass through them.
What are the attacks?
First phase
Delayed Strike – The boss will walk towards the player, leaving sparks from his axe on the ground. He will then strike powerfully, throwing the enemy into the air. To avoid damage, you need to try to dodge, but this requires precise timing.
Close combat combo – swings the axe behind the left shoulder, strikes with it and immediately attacks with the hand. Then strikes in the opposite direction and after a pause repeats it from above (up to four times). Often uses this series after rolling to another part of the arena. Sometimes the first lunge with the axe is not used.
Slow Strikes – Makes one or two swings with the axe with a long delay. At this point, you can go behind the boss. Sometimes this attack suddenly turns into a melee combo.
Vertical Strike – Swings the axe for a long time, then strikes from top to bottom. We recommend dodging, as it will be difficult to parry.
Jump Strike – Grabs the weapon with both hands: the blade and the handle. Jumps up and strikes down, performing a slashing attack.
Leap Forward – Attacks in an arc, before moving the axe behind his back and jumping towards you. You can dodge it by rolling.
Furious Combo – grabs an axe with both hands and swings it very slowly, tricking us into thinking we’ll have time to damage him. But after a delay, he does five consecutive hits. They look like air slashes.
On your knees! – slams the blade onto the ground, creating a large AoE attack that works twice. If you don’t manage to dodge it with a roll, you’ll be thrown into the air. There will be three waves in the second phase, so remember that. So if you see an axe in the ground, run to the other side of the arena.
Storm Petrel – starts spinning around with an axe in his hands like a top, creating two whirlwinds. They deal damage and can parry arrows. A little later, the boss kicks the ground and a third whirlwind appears. The end of this combo looks different, depending on your location on the map:
- Close– Godric rolls towards you, jumps and hits you from above.
- Far– Slams the ground, throwing up arena particles. The projectiles deal damage, but can be blocked with a shield.
Second phase
The first phase attacks remain, but new focuses appear:
- Fire Breath– Releases a stream of fire, moving the dragon’s head from left to right. You have two options: either run to the edge of the arena, or take a risk and run behind the boss through the left side. The attack is scripted to appear after the second phase is activated, but can be repeated.
- Fire Breath Down– Similar to the previous one, but it goes along the ground from the boss to you. If you get hit by the cast, you will fly up into the air and be stunned for some time. The tactics are similar: first, run back as far as possible, and when the reload occurs, run to the boss to hide behind him.
- Dragon Grab– A new dragon head arm opens its mouth in an attempt to grab you. When hit, the character is grabbed, fire damage is dealt, and you are thrown to the side. You can avoid it by doing a head roll at the moment of the dash.
Where is it located?
The boss is located in the north of the Storm Veil Castle location. There are two ways to get to the arena:
- Main gate– you will have to go through a large number of enemies and ballistas. After that, you will be able to get to the place of grace, and go to the boss.
- Secret Passage – There is a secret passage in the wall, which you can find out about by talking to the nobleman to the left of the main gate. This method is easier, since you don’t have to fight, but it will take longer.
Fight
First phase
Unlike other demigods, Godric has multiple limbs, allowing him to perform a variety of attacks. His first phase attacks deal massive damage, and can be lethal at early levels.
Here are some tips for fighting the boss:
- Use spirits, such as lone wolves or skeletal militiamen. Godric’s strikes are guaranteed to destroy one target, so it’s best to summon several at once.
- Almost all of the boss’s moves have a characteristic animation, which allows us to remember the timing. The most dangerous moment will be when the arms are raised up and the head is down, followed by a flurry of lunges.
- To avoid damage from Godric while he’s jumping, roll under his feet, causing him to simply jump over you.
- Remember that all the moves depend on your actions on the battlefield. An example would be the boss’s roll after the whirlwinds if you are standing next to him. And if you are standing far away, he will use magic.
- It’s best to replenish health after heavy attacks, such as shockwave. After casting, the boss slows down and this is your chance to survive.
Second phase
Once you have reduced Godric’s health by half, a cutscene will begin. It shows the boss improving his body and abilities. He loses one arm and gains a dragon’s head. Now he is not only stronger, but also more dangerous. You should be wary of him in both close and long-range combat.
To win the second phase of the battle, remember these things:
- After the cutscene, a fire attack will immediately begin, it is slow and fairly easy to dodge.
- The boss has become much stronger, so if you have less than half of your health, any hit will be fatal.
- More complex mechanics appear. For example, three shockwaves with a large radius of damage. They appear right in front of Godric, so it is worth running behind him and hitting him in the back.
- Keep your distance from the boss until he starts using fire. Run towards him and find a safe place to land a few jabs from. Fire spells have unique animations using an axe.
Awards
Defeating Godric the Hundred-Handed will advance the story and reward you with 20,000 runes, a memory of Godric the Hundred-Handed, and a Greater Rune of Godric.
Take the memory to Fingerreader Enya in the Round Table Fortress. She will offer you a unique weapon, spells, or additional runes. You will not be able to use the Great Godric Rune immediately after the battle.
After clearing the castle by killing Godric, rest at the nearest grace. The location will update and a new NPC will appear in this location – Gostak.