Elden Ring: How to Defeat Godrick the Grafted
Few bosses in Elden Ring embody the grotesque beauty of the Lands Between quite like Godrick the Grafted. Also called Godrick the Golden, this twisted Demigod is one of the first major Shardbearers you'll face, wielding stolen limbs grafted onto his body and a terrifying arsenal of attacks.
While Godrick is technically an optional boss, he represents a major milestone in your journey. This guide covers Godrick's location, tips for handling his brutal combos, and why defeating him is worth the effort, even if you can bypass him.
Where to Find Godrick the Grafted
Godrick awaits at the climax of Stormveil Castle, the game's first major Legacy Dungeon. Reaching him means working your way through hordes of soldiers, birds, and grafted abominations before finally entering his throne room. The arena itself is a large, open courtyard bordered by trees, rocks, and ruined structures, elements that can both aid and hinder you during the battle.
Do You Have to Beat Godrick
Surprisingly, no. Players can technically skip Godrick and still progress into Liurnia of the Lakes. From Stormhill Shack, follow the path north, cross the broken bridge, then drop down to the western cliffs to bypass Stormveil entirely.
However, skipping Godrick comes at a cost. As a Shardbearer, he carries one of the five Great Runes required for entry into Leyndell, Royal Capital. You'll need to defeat at least two Shardbearers, so most Tarnished eventually circle back to challenge him.
Why Fight Godrick
The rewards for slaying Godrick are more than worth the risk:
Godrick's Great Rune: Restored at the Divine Tower of Limgrave, this rune boosts all attributes when activated, making it one of the most versatile runes in the game.
Remembrance of the Grafted: Can be exchanged for unique Elden Ring Items like the Axe of Godrick or the Grafted Dragon, both iconic weapons.
Elden Ring Runes: Defeating him provides a hefty pile of Runes, invaluable for leveling up early in the game.
Beyond the loot, Godrick also serves as a rite of passage, a brutal test of patience, strategy, and perseverance.
Godrick's Moveset and Threats
Godrick's fighting style combines raw power with grotesque creativity:
Combo Chains: He unleashes long strings of axe swings that punish overaggressive players.
Earthshaking Attacks: Some moves cause area-of-effect damage, making spacing critical.
Phase Transition: At half health, Godrick grafts a dragon's head to his arm, gaining fiery breath attacks that cover wide swathes of the arena.
This phase change forces you to adapt mid-fight, balancing aggression with cautious dodging.
Best Tips for Defeating Godrick the Grafted
1. Learn His Openings
Don't rush in blindly. Godrick's combos often extend longer than expected, and punishing too early can cost you dearly. Wait for his final swing before retaliating.
2. Use the Arena Wisely
The courtyard offers plenty of trees, pillars, and rocks that can block his line of sight or give you breathing room. Just avoid getting trapped, always circle back to the open center when possible.
3. Favor Physical Damage
Godrick is more vulnerable to physical damage than elemental. Melee builds will find success with heavy weapons or well-timed jump attacks.
Rock Sling is a strong choice for Intelligence builds thanks to its stance-breaking power.
Bestial Sling works well for Faith users, delivering quick damage bursts.
4. Positioning Matters
If you're using fist-type weapons or other short-range tools, attack his sides or land jump attacks. Strikes aimed at his front often miss due to hitbox quirks.
5. Inflict Scarlet Rot
The Rotten Stray Ashes are particularly effective. The stray inflicts Scarlet Rot more efficiently than other sources like Rotten Breath, steadily draining Godrick's health while you focus on survival.
6. Summon Wisely
Spirit Ashes are invaluable here. Summons like the Lone Wolf Ashes can distract Godrick, while tankier options like Kaiden Sellsword can withstand his combos for longer. Just remember: summoning also increases Godrick's health pool, so be prepared for a longer battle.
The Rewards
Once Godrick falls, you'll claim:
A large amount of Elden Ring Runes, giving you a significant level boost early in your adventure.
Godrick's Great Rune, which enhances all your stats when activated with Rune Arcs.
Remembrance of the Grafted, exchangeable for unique Elden Ring Items at Enia in Roundtable Hold.
Together, these rewards ensure that your hard-fought victory directly translates into tangible power.
Final Thoughts
Godrick the Grafted is more than just the first major Shardbearer, he's a test of everything you've learned so far in Elden Ring. His devastating combos, fiery second phase, and unsettling design make him a standout fight in the early game.
Though optional, defeating him is highly recommended. Between the flood of Elden Ring Runes, his versatile Great Rune, and the Remembrance that unlocks unique Elden Ring Items, the rewards more than justify the struggle.
Approach with patience, make use of Spirit Summons, and exploit his weaknesses, and soon enough, this grotesque Demigod will fall beneath your blade, marking your first step toward mastering the Shardbearers of the Lands Between.