Can You Get Godric’s Axe and a Dragon in Elden Ring? Exploring Myths and Realities
The allure of Elden Ring is undeniable, and with it comes a wave of speculation, myths, and fervent desires for specific items or experiences. The question of whether you can acquire Godric’s Axe (beyond its initial form after defeating him) and a rideable dragon is a common one, swirling within the community. So, let’s cut to the chase:
The short answer is no, you cannot directly acquire “Godric’s Axe” as a separate weapon outside of remembrance and you cannot acquire a fully rideable dragon in Elden Ring. While you can obtain the Axe of Godrick by trading the Remembrance of Godrick with Enia at Roundtable Hold, it’s specifically tied to that remembrance mechanic. As for dragons, while you interact with them extensively and even control one briefly during a specific story sequence (during Ranni’s questline and using a summon to become one), you cannot tame and ride one in the same way you ride Torrent. There are dragon-themed skills and incantations, and you can, in a sense, become a dragon to some extent, but a classic dragon-riding mechanic is absent.
Let’s delve into why this is the case and explore the nuances of dragon-related gameplay in Elden Ring.
Understanding Godrick’s Remembrance and Weapon Acquisition
Godrick the Grafted is an early-game boss, and his defeat yields the Remembrance of Godrick. This Remembrance is a powerful item with two primary uses:
- Obtaining Runes: Consuming the Remembrance grants a significant number of Runes.
- Acquiring Unique Items: Trading the Remembrance with Enia at Roundtable Hold allows you to choose one of two rewards: Godrick’s Axe or Grafted Dragon.
The key point here is that you can only choose one reward per Remembrance. If you want both, you’ll need to either acquire another Remembrance in New Game Plus (NG+) or duplicate the Remembrance at a Walking Mausoleum. These Mausoleums are large, mobile structures that allow you to duplicate the Remembrance of a defeated Shardbearer, but they can only be used a limited number of times per playthrough, and you also need to knock the white “barnacles” off their feet to get inside.
The Axe of Godrick itself is a formidable Great Axe, requiring high Strength and Dexterity stats. It’s known for its powerful weapon skill, “I Command Thee, Kneel!” which is an AoE attack.
Dragon Encounters and Limited Control
Dragons are a significant presence in Elden Ring, both as imposing bosses and as sources of powerful magic. You’ll encounter various types of dragons throughout the Lands Between, each with unique attack patterns and abilities.
However, your interaction with them is primarily combative. You fight them. You learn from them. You even become them temporarily through specific spells and skills. What you don’t do is forge a bond with them that allows for sustained riding.
The closest you get to riding a dragon is during Ranni’s questline where you briefly are summoned as one using an item to battle another hostile dragon. This is a scripted event, not a general gameplay mechanic. This is the closest the game gets you to controlling a dragon.
The Allure of Dragon Communion
Elden Ring offers the Dragon Communion, a path that allows you to harness draconic power through the consumption of dragon hearts. By defeating dragons and offering their hearts at Dragon Communion Altars (found in West Limgrave and Caelid), you can learn powerful Dragon Communion Incantations.
These incantations effectively allow you to emulate dragon abilities. You can breathe fire, summon dragon heads to bite enemies, and even transform parts of your body into draconic forms. While not direct dragon riding, it’s a compelling way to embody the power of dragons in your gameplay. This is more about becoming the dragon rather than riding one.
Why No Dragon Riding? Possible Explanations
The absence of dedicated dragon riding is likely a deliberate design choice. Several factors could have influenced this:
- Balance: Allowing players to freely fly around the map on dragons could significantly impact game balance, trivializing exploration and combat.
- Technical Challenges: Implementing a seamless and engaging dragon-riding mechanic in a world as vast and detailed as the Lands Between would be a significant technical undertaking.
- Narrative Focus: FromSoftware games often prioritize narrative themes and specific gameplay experiences over player freedom in certain areas. The focus may have been on the challenges and triumphs of grounded exploration, rather than aerial dominance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Godrick’s Axe, dragons, and related gameplay mechanics in Elden Ring:
1. Can I get both Godrick’s Axe and the Grafted Dragon in a single playthrough?
Yes, but you’ll need to either use a Walking Mausoleum to duplicate the Remembrance of Godrick or obtain another Remembrance in NG+.
2. Where are the Walking Mausoleums located?
They are scattered throughout the Lands Between. Look for their distinctive large, mobile structures. Some are located in Limgrave, Liurnia of the Lakes, and the Mountaintops of the Giants.
3. How do I access a Walking Mausoleum?
You need to knock off the white “barnacles” covering their legs. Use your weapon (preferably a ranged one for easier targeting) to break them, and then enter the Mausoleum through the door that opens on the ground.
4. Is Godrick’s Axe a good weapon?
Yes, it’s a powerful Great Axe with high damage output and a unique weapon skill. However, it requires significant Strength and Dexterity investment.
5. What is the weapon skill on Godrick’s Axe?
The weapon skill is “I Command Thee, Kneel!”. It’s an AoE attack that deals significant damage and can stagger enemies.
6. How do I use Dragon Communion Incantations?
First, you need to obtain Dragon Hearts by defeating dragons. Then, visit a Dragon Communion Altar (located in West Limgrave and Caelid) and offer the hearts to learn incantations.
7. Do I need specific stats to use Dragon Communion Incantations?
Yes, most Dragon Communion Incantations require high Faith and Arcane stats.
8. What is the best Dragon Communion Incantation?
This depends on your build and playstyle. Dragonice (frost breath) and Dragonfire (fire breath) are popular choices for their damage and status effects.
9. Can I customize the appearance of my character when using Dragon Communion Incantations?
No, the appearance changes are fixed and tied to the specific incantation you’re using.
10. Are there any quests related to dragons in Elden Ring?
Yes, several quests involve dragons, most notably Ranni’s questline, and the Bloody Finger Hunter Yura’s questline which is tied to Eleonora, Violet Bloody Finger’s weapon.
11. Is there a way to permanently transform into a dragon?
No, you can only temporarily transform parts of your body using Dragon Communion Incantations. There is no permanent dragon transformation.
12. What is the “dragon build” in Elden Ring?
A “dragon build” typically focuses on high Faith and Arcane stats, Dragon Communion Incantations, and weapons that scale well with these stats. It’s about embodying the power of dragons through magic and combat.
13. Can I tame or befriend any of the dragons in Elden Ring?
No, there are no mechanics for taming or befriending dragons in Elden Ring. Your interactions are primarily combative or narrative-driven.
14. Where can I learn more about Elden Ring builds and strategies?
The Elden Ring community is very active. Consider exploring online forums, wikis, and video guides for in-depth information. It is a great resource for finding other players who can help guide you.
15. Does Elden Ring teach anything beyond entertainment?
Absolutely! The challenges, problem-solving, and strategic thinking required in Elden Ring can contribute to cognitive development and enhance learning skills. For more on the intersection of games and education, check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.
In conclusion, while the dream of riding a dragon and wielding Godrick’s Axe simultaneously remains a myth in Elden Ring, the game offers a wealth of dragon-related content and powerful weapons. Embrace the challenge, explore the Lands Between, and forge your own legend. Good luck, Tarnished!