Who is the Boss with the Hammer in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive into Hammer-Wielding Foes

The Lands Between in Elden Ring are fraught with peril, and many of those dangers come in the form of formidable bosses. Among them, several characters wield hammers, each presenting a unique challenge to the Tarnished. However, when players commonly ask about “the boss with the hammer,” they are most frequently referring to the Grave Warden Duelist. This article will delve into the Grave Warden Duelist and other prominent hammer-wielding bosses in Elden Ring, providing details about their locations, combat strategies, and lore implications. Prepare yourself, Tarnished, for a thorough exploration of these brutal adversaries.

The Grave Warden Duelist: A Study in Brutality

The Grave Warden Duelist is likely who comes to mind when players think of a hammer-wielding boss in Elden Ring. Located in the Auriza Side Tomb, in the far northeastern section of the Capital Outskirts (north of Leyndell, Royal Capital, along a cliffside), this boss presents an early-to-mid game challenge that can be quite intimidating.

Understanding the Grave Warden Duelist’s Combat

• Attack Pattern: The Grave Warden Duelist is known for his relentless aggression. He typically unleashes a series of up to five swings with his hammers, leaving little room for respite.
• Parrying: One effective strategy against the Duelist is parrying. With a good shield and timing, players can chain parries and quickly defeat him with multiple critical strikes.
• Spirit Summons: If parrying isn’t your style, consider using Spirit Summons. A robust summon that can tank a few blows is ideal, allowing you to attack from behind while the Duelist is distracted.
• Vulnerability: Despite his initial intimidation factor, the Grave Warden Duelist’s attack rhythm is fairly predictable once learned. This predictability makes him susceptible to well-timed dodges and counter-attacks.

The Grave Warden Duelist: Lore and Significance

While not a major lore figure, the Grave Warden Duelist’s presence in the Auriza Side Tomb hints at a deeper connection to the Capital Outskirts. Grave Wardens typically guard sacred sites, suggesting the tomb holds some importance.

Other Notable Hammer-Wielders in Elden Ring

While the Grave Warden Duelist might be the most prominent, other bosses and enemies in Elden Ring utilize hammers effectively:

• Stone Diggers: These enemies are found throughout various mining locations and wield large hammers to devastating effect. Though not bosses, their aggressive attacks can catch unsuspecting players off guard.
• Trolls: Trolls are often seen wielding massive hammers, utilizing their strength to crush their foes.
• Erdtree Burial Watchdog: This boss, found in various catacombs, often uses a stone hammer. Its erratic movements and strong attacks can pose a challenge.
• Beastclaw Greathammer: Although not a boss, wielding the Beastclaw Greathammer allows the player to embody the hammer style in Elden Ring. The weapon is obtained from Gurranq, the Beast Clergyman of the Bestial Sanctum in Dragonburrow, Caelid. To get this Warhammer, Tarnished adventurers will need to work with Gurranq, by delivering seven Deathroots.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hammer Bosses in Elden Ring

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that further explore the topic of hammer-wielding bosses in Elden Ring.

1. Is the Grave Warden Duelist a mandatory boss? No, the Grave Warden Duelist is an optional boss found in the Auriza Side Tomb. You don’t need to defeat him to progress the main storyline.

2. What is the best strategy for beating the Grave Warden Duelist early game? Focus on learning his attack patterns, utilizing parries, and summoning a tanky Spirit Ash to distract him. Equipping armor with good physical resistance can also help.

3. What kind of damage does the Grave Warden Duelist deal? The Grave Warden Duelist primarily deals physical damage.

4. Can the Grave Warden Duelist be staggered easily? With well-timed heavy attacks or jump attacks, you can stagger the Grave Warden Duelist, creating opportunities for critical hits.

5. What is the reward for defeating the Grave Warden Duelist? Defeating the Grave Warden Duelist typically rewards you with runes and a unique weapon or item specific to the tomb.

6. Are there any summons available near the Grave Warden Duelist fight? Yes, you can use Spirit Ashes to summon allies to help you in this fight.

7. Does the Grave Warden Duelist have any elemental weaknesses? He is generally resistant to most elemental damage but doesn’t have any significant weaknesses. Focusing on physical damage is usually most effective.

8. What other bosses are considered “easy” in Elden Ring? Some players find bosses like the Mimic Tear, Ancestor Spirit, and Commander O’Neil relatively easier compared to the notoriously difficult Malenia.

9. How does Malenia compare in difficulty to other hammer-wielding bosses? Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is considered one of the most difficult bosses in Elden Ring, far surpassing the difficulty of hammer-wielding bosses like the Grave Warden Duelist. Her aggressive attacks and self-healing abilities make her a formidable opponent.

10. What are some good Spirit Ash summons for tough boss fights? Popular choices include the Black Knife Tiche, Lhutel the Headless, and the Mimic Tear Ash, which are known for their survivability and damage output.

11. Is it possible to parry other hammer-wielding enemies in Elden Ring? Yes, parrying is a viable strategy against many hammer-wielding enemies, but the timing can vary depending on their attack animations and weapon size.

12. Where can I find more information on Elden Ring combat strategies? Numerous online resources, including wikis, forums, and video guides, offer detailed strategies and tips for Elden Ring combat.

13. How does weapon scaling affect my damage output against bosses? Weapon scaling determines how much your attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane) increase the damage of your weapon. Choosing a weapon with good scaling for your build is crucial for maximizing damage output.

14. What are some visually stunning boss fights in Elden Ring? Some of the most visually impressive boss fights include the Elden Beast, Maliketh, Malenia, and Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.

15. Where can I learn more about the lore and design of video games like Elden Ring? Organizations like the Games Learning Society ( https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ ) provide valuable resources and insights into the educational and design aspects of video games. This is an organization dedicated to advancing knowledge about games and learning. Their GamesLearningSociety.org website is a place to explore how games can be used in educational settings.

Conclusion

While the Grave Warden Duelist might be the first hammer-wielding boss that comes to mind, the world of Elden Ring is filled with various enemies wielding these powerful weapons. Understanding their attack patterns, utilizing appropriate strategies like parrying and Spirit Summons, and optimizing your character build are key to overcoming these challenges. Now armed with this knowledge, go forth, Tarnished, and conquer the hammer-wielding threats of the Lands Between!