Conquer Castle Sol: How Hard Really is Commander Niall in Elden Ring?

Commander Niall. The name alone can send shivers down the spines of even seasoned Tarnished. He lurks within the formidable Castle Sol, a sentinel guarding a crucial piece of the Haligtree Secret Medallion. So, to answer the burning question directly: Commander Niall is a very hard boss. He’s not just a damage sponge; he’s a tactical challenge that demands precise execution, strategic thinking, and a healthy dose of patience. His difficulty stems not only from his own formidable attacks and surprisingly swift movement, but also, and perhaps even more significantly, from the two Banished Knight spirits he summons at the start of the fight. Managing these three threats simultaneously is what elevates Niall from a tough encounter to a true test of skill in Elden Ring. He requires a well-leveled character, a finely tuned build, and a thorough understanding of his attack patterns and weaknesses.

Decoding the Commander: Understanding Niall’s Threat

Niall’s difficulty arises from a multifaceted combination of factors. He isn’t just about raw power; he requires you to think on your feet and adapt your strategies. Let’s break down the key elements that make him such a formidable foe:

• The Summoned Knights: This is the primary source of frustration for many players. Niall summons two spectral Banished Knights at the beginning of the fight. One wields dual swords, relentlessly applying pressure with rapid attacks and inflicting bleed buildup. The other carries a greatshield and a halberd, providing defense and powerful, sweeping strikes. These Knights are surprisingly aggressive and can easily overwhelm you if not addressed quickly.
• Niall’s Own Attacks: While the Knights are a major headache, Niall himself is no slouch. He wields a powerful prosthetic leg that channels lightning, allowing him to unleash devastating kicks and area-of-effect attacks. His attacks deal significant poise damage and can easily knock you off balance, leaving you vulnerable. His whirlwind kick in particular is notorious for its range and damage.
• The Arena: The cramped confines of the boss arena further complicate matters. The limited space makes it difficult to maneuver and dodge attacks, especially when dealing with three aggressive opponents. This often forces players into close-quarters combat, where Niall’s powerful kicks and lightning attacks are most effective.
• Buffing Behavior: Niall has a nasty habit of buffing his spectral knights when he is close to them, increasing their damage output and resistances. He will continuously do this until they die or he reaches half health.

Strategies for Victory: Taming the Commander

Defeating Commander Niall requires a well-thought-out strategy and the right tools. Here’s a breakdown of effective tactics:

• Dealing with the Knights: This is the first and most crucial step. There are several approaches you can take:
  • Aggressive Takedown: Focus all your firepower on one of the Knights immediately. High-damage weapons and weapon skills like the Bloodhound’s Fang or Rivers of Blood can quickly dispatch them.
  • Bewitching Branch Cheese: The Bewitching Branch consumable can be used to charm one or both of the Knights, turning them against Niall. This significantly reduces the pressure on you and provides valuable support.
  • Spirit Ash Distraction: Summon powerful Spirit Ashes like the Mimic Tear, Lhutel the Headless, or Black Knife Tiche to draw the Knights’ aggro. These summons can tank significant damage and provide opportunities for you to attack Niall or the remaining Knight.
• Exploiting Weaknesses: Niall is vulnerable to bleed damage. Weapons like the Bloodhound’s Fang are excellent choices. Strike and Thrust attacks also deal more damage than slash attacks.
• Managing Stamina: Niall’s attacks can drain your stamina quickly. Carefully manage your stamina to ensure you can dodge his attacks and counterattack effectively. Heavy armor can help increase your poise and reduce stamina consumption.
• Learning Attack Patterns: Mastering Niall’s attack patterns is crucial for dodging and counterattacking. Pay attention to his telegraphs and learn the timing of his attacks.
• Recommended Level and Gear: Aim to be around level 100 or higher with weapons upgraded to +20 or more. This will ensure you have sufficient damage output and survivability.
• Buffing Up: Make sure to buff yourself with Golden Vow or Flame, Grant Me Strength before the fight. These buffs increase your damage output and resistances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Commander Niall

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Commander Niall, designed to address common concerns and provide additional insights:

1. What level should I be for Commander Niall? The recommended level is at least 100, with weapons at +20 or higher. However, skilled players can defeat him at lower levels with the right build and strategy.

2. What are Commander Niall’s weaknesses? He’s primarily weak to bleed damage, as he’s a human enemy. Physical Strike and Thrust attacks also deal more damage.

3. What is the best weapon to use against Commander Niall? Weapons that inflict bleed damage, such as the Bloodhound’s Fang or Rivers of Blood, are highly effective. Weapons with good Strike and Thrust attacks can be effective as well.

4. What Spirit Ashes are best for the Commander Niall fight? Tanky Spirit Ashes like the Mimic Tear, Lhutel the Headless, and Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff are excellent choices. They can draw aggro and provide opportunities for you to attack. Agile Spirit Ashes like Black Knife Tiche can also be effective.

5. Can I skip Commander Niall? Yes, it is possible to bypass Commander Niall with a precise jump and double jump in the graveyard near the Castle Sol main gate. However, defeating him is required to progress Millicent’s questline and obtain the Haligtree Secret Medallion, which is essential for accessing a secret late-game area.

6. Does Commander Niall continuously summon the Banished Knights? No. He only summons them at the start of the fight. However, he will continuously buff them until they die or he reaches half health.

7. Can Commander Niall inflict Scarlet Rot? No, Commander Niall himself cannot inflict Scarlet Rot. However, you can use the Scarlet Rot geysers near the Site of Grace to damage him by kiting him through them.

8. Is Commander Niall resistant to any damage types? Yes, he has high resistance to Frostbite, Scarlet Rot, Poison, and Hemorrhage (though bleed is still his weakness). He is also quite strong against Slash attacks.

9. How can I make Commander Niall easier? The Bewitching Branch consumable is your best friend. Using it on one or both of the Banished Knights will turn them against Niall, significantly reducing the difficulty of the fight. Level up, upgrade your weapons, and use helpful buffs.

10. What is the reward for defeating Commander Niall? You’ll receive the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left), a key item for accessing a late-game area, and 80,000 Runes.

11. Is Commander Niall an optional boss? Yes, he is optional in the sense that you don’t have to beat him to finish the main game. However, defeating him is essential for completing Millicent’s questline and accessing a significant optional area.

12. What is the lore behind Commander Niall? Commander Niall was a commander of Castle Sol. In life, he was a powerful warrior who guarded the castle. He now resides there as a spirit boss.

13. What builds are effective against Commander Niall? Builds that focus on bleed damage are particularly effective. Strength builds with high poise and heavy armor can also be viable, as can Dex/Arcane builds with bleed procs.

14. Where is Commander Niall located? He is found at the top of Castle Sol in the Mountaintops of the Giants region.

15. What is the best strategy overall for defeating Commander Niall? The best overall strategy is to deal with the Banished Knights as quickly as possible, either by eliminating them with high damage output or using the Bewitching Branch to turn them against Niall. Then, focus on exploiting Niall’s weakness to bleed damage while carefully managing your stamina and dodging his attacks. Summoning helpful Spirit Ashes is almost essential.

Conquering Commander Niall is a significant achievement in Elden Ring, a testament to your skill and perseverance. While he presents a formidable challenge, with the right strategy, build, and a little bit of luck, you can overcome this tough boss and claim your reward. Remember, even the most challenging bosses in Elden Ring can be overcome with strategy and perseverance, much like the problem-solving skills learned through thoughtful game design. For those interested in the educational aspects of gaming, consider exploring the resources available at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. Good luck, Tarnished, and may your runes be plentiful!