Does Killing Godrick Lock You Out of Anything in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

In short, yes, killing Godrick the Grafted does impact the game world and available activities, but the lockouts are relatively minor and primarily affect co-op opportunities in Limgrave. The main consequence is that the immediate Limgrave area, specifically the overworld section outside Stormveil Castle, becomes less conducive to cooperative play. This is a common mechanic in FromSoftware games, designed to encourage players to move on to new areas and challenges once a region’s main boss has been defeated. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics and explore potential missable content related to Godrick’s demise.

Understanding the Limgrave Co-op Lockout

Once Godrick falls, the game assumes you’re ready to progress beyond Limgrave. As such, the availability of summoning other players for cooperative assistance in the open-world portion of Limgrave significantly decreases. This doesn’t mean co-op becomes entirely impossible, but it becomes far less frequent. You can still summon friends in specific dungeons and for other world bosses in Limgrave that persist even after Godrick’s defeat (like the Flying Dragon Agheel), but the broad, open-world experience changes.

It’s crucial to clarify that this lockout mainly affects the availability of summons for general exploration and minor world bosses within Limgrave’s overworld. Dungeons, caves, and catacombs within Limgrave remain accessible for co-op even after Godrick’s defeat. If you’re keen on experiencing every nook and cranny of Limgrave with friends, ensure you’ve thoroughly explored the area before taking down the Grafted King.

Quests and NPC Interactions: What Changes?

Fortunately, killing Godrick has minimal impact on quests and NPC interactions. The most notable change is Rogier’s movement to the Roundtable Hold. However, this doesn’t prevent you from progressing or completing his questline. In fact, it’s a necessary step in his quest. The article you cited is correct – Rogier’s questline doesn’t offer a particularly significant reward upon completion, but for lore enthusiasts and completionists, experiencing every questline is part of the game’s appeal.

Nepheli Loux is another NPC tied to the Stormveil area. While you can summon her for the Godrick fight, killing Godrick doesn’t lock you out of her broader questline. You will still be able to find her back at the Roundtable Hold and continue her quest. Nepheli’s quest is part of a larger, more intricate series of events involving other NPCs, so it’s worth pursuing if you’re invested in the game’s narrative.

The key takeaway is that no major questline is completely locked out or made impossible due to Godrick’s death. However, it is a good idea to exhaust all NPC dialogues in and around Stormveil Castle before defeating Godrick, as some minor dialogue options might change afterwards.

Runes, Remembrance, and the Great Rune

On a more tangible level, defeating Godrick rewards you with a substantial amount of Runes (approximately 20,000, though this can vary based on your game progress and difficulty modifiers). You’ll also receive the Remembrance of the Grafted, which can be exchanged for powerful items at the Roundtable Hold with Enia, the Finger Reader. Finally, you’ll obtain Godrick’s Great Rune, a powerful item that requires activation at the Divine Tower of Limgrave to fully unlock its potential.

These rewards are significant and contribute to character progression. The Runes can be used to level up or purchase equipment, the Remembrance offers unique weapons or spells, and the Great Rune provides a substantial stat boost when activated.

Skipping Godrick: A Viable Option?

Elden Ring offers a remarkable degree of freedom. As mentioned in the source text, it is possible to skip Margit and Godrick altogether. The game allows you to circumvent Stormveil Castle and access Liurnia of the Lakes via a hidden path. This is particularly useful for experienced players on subsequent playthroughs or those seeking a different progression path.

However, skipping Godrick means missing out on the rewards mentioned above. You’ll forgo the Runes, the Remembrance, and the Great Rune. Furthermore, bypassing Stormveil Castle means missing out on a wealth of items, weapons, and upgrade materials scattered throughout the dungeon. It’s generally recommended to tackle Stormveil Castle and Godrick at least once to fully experience the game’s early-game content and gather valuable resources.

Before You Face Godrick: Essential Preparations

Before challenging Godrick, consider the following:

• Talk to Nepheli Loux: As mentioned earlier, she can be summoned as an NPC ally for the fight. Her summon sign is located just outside the boss room.
• Explore Stormveil Castle Thoroughly: Ensure you’ve collected all the items and explored all the areas within the castle. This includes finding upgrade materials like Smithing Stones and unique weapons.
• Level Up and Upgrade Your Weapon: Aim for a weapon upgrade level of +4/+5 and a character level around 29. This will make the fight significantly more manageable.
• Gather Spirit Ashes: Having a reliable Spirit Ash summon can greatly assist you in the fight. The Spirit Jellyfish Ashes or the Rotten Stray Ashes are excellent choices for their ability to distract Godrick.
• Consider Co-op: If you’re struggling with the fight, summon a friend for assistance. The availability of co-op in the immediate Limgrave area will diminish after defeating Godrick, so take advantage of it while you can.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Godrick a mandatory boss in Elden Ring?

While not technically mandatory to finish the game, Godrick is highly recommended, and functionally mandatory to advance to the next major area without using advanced sequence breaking techniques. You can bypass Stormveil Castle, but you’ll miss out on significant rewards and content.

2. What happens if I kill Godrick too early?

There is no such thing as killing Godrick “too early”. The game is designed to allow you to tackle challenges at your own pace. While you might struggle if you’re underleveled, there are no negative consequences for defeating him sooner rather than later, beyond the Limgrave co-op changes.

3. Can I still summon for other bosses in Limgrave after killing Godrick?

Yes, you can still summon for other bosses in Limgrave, such as the Flying Dragon Agheel, even after killing Godrick. The co-op lockout primarily affects the general open-world area outside Stormveil Castle.

4. Does killing Godrick affect any major questlines?

No, killing Godrick does not prevent you from completing any major questlines. It might alter some dialogue options with NPCs, but it won’t render any questline impossible.

5. What’s the best weapon to use against Godrick?

Godrick is vulnerable to Bleed and Poison damage. Fast weapons that can quickly build up these status effects are particularly effective.

6. What level should I be when fighting Godrick?

A character level around 29 is generally recommended, along with a weapon upgrade level of +4/+5.

7. Can I respec my character if I regret my build after killing Godrick?

Yes, you can respec your character later in the game after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, in Liurnia of the Lakes.

8. What is the significance of Godrick’s Great Rune?

Godrick’s Great Rune provides a significant stat boost when activated at the Divine Tower of Limgrave. It’s a valuable resource for character progression.

9. Can I skip Stormveil Castle and still finish the game?

Yes, you can skip Stormveil Castle and still complete Elden Ring, but you’ll miss out on valuable items, Runes, and questlines.

10. What are the best Spirit Ashes to use against Godrick?

The Spirit Jellyfish Ashes and the Rotten Stray Ashes are excellent choices for their ability to distract Godrick and inflict damage.

11. Is it possible to summon other players for the Godrick fight?

Yes, you can summon other players for cooperative assistance in the Godrick fight. You can also summon Nepheli Loux, an NPC ally.

12. Does Godrick have any specific weaknesses I should exploit?

Yes, Godrick is weak to Bleed and Poison damage. He can also be staggered with heavy attacks, allowing for critical hits.

13. What should I do with the Remembrance of the Grafted?

You can exchange the Remembrance of the Grafted for powerful items at the Roundtable Hold with Enia, the Finger Reader.

14. Is Godrick harder than Margit?

Generally, Margit is considered more difficult than Godrick for most players, as he is encountered earlier in the game and has a more aggressive moveset. However, some players may find Godrick more challenging due to his AoE attacks.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and the mechanics of Elden Ring?

For deeper insights into game design and mechanics, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society and their work on understanding how games engage and educate. You can find them at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

While killing Godrick does alter the co-op landscape in Limgrave, it doesn’t lock you out of significant content or questlines. Prioritize exploring the region thoroughly and completing any desired co-op activities before facing the Grafted King. By understanding the consequences and preparing accordingly, you can make informed decisions and maximize your Elden Ring experience. Now, go forth and claim your rightful place as Elden Lord!