Can You Summon Help Against the Fire Giant in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
The Fire Giant in Elden Ring, a colossal behemoth of fire and fury, often proves to be a significant hurdle for many Tarnished. Faced with its intimidating size, devastating attacks, and relentless aggression, players naturally seek any advantage they can get. The burning question on many minds is: Can you summon help against the Fire Giant? The answer is a resounding YES! You can summon both NPCs and other players to aid you in this challenging encounter.
NPC Summons: Allies in the Fight
Elden Ring offers a few options when it comes to NPC summons for the Fire Giant fight, most notably Iron Fist Alexander.
Summoning Iron Fist Alexander
Alexander, the warrior jar, is a valuable asset in the Fire Giant battle due to his high damage output and ability to draw the Giant’s aggro. However, summoning him requires progressing his questline to a certain point.
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Questline Requirements: You must have met Alexander in previous locations, including Gelmir. Ensure he has moved past his initial location and is not stuck South of the Carian Study Hall in Liurnia.
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Summon Sign Location: After fulfilling the quest requirements, look for Alexander’s summon sign just outside the boss fog gate, near the Site of Grace. It’s crucial to thoroughly search the area as it can be easily missed.
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Why Summon Alexander? Alexander is a heavy hitter capable of dealing significant damage and staggering the Fire Giant. He serves as an excellent distraction, allowing you to attack from behind, which is vital for this fight.
Other Potential Summons
While Alexander is the most prominent NPC summon, keep an eye out for other potential summons, depending on your game state and if you have triggered specific events. However, Alexander is the reliable and consistent choice if his questline has been followed correctly.
Player Summons: The Power of Cooperation
Beyond NPC summons, Elden Ring’s multiplayer component allows you to summon other players to assist you. This can significantly increase your chances of victory.
How to Summon Players
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Use Furlcalling Finger Remedy: Activate a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to reveal summon signs near the boss fog gate.
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Consider Player Builds: Be mindful of the builds of the players you summon. A balanced party with melee and ranged attackers is often ideal.
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Communication is Key: While Elden Ring lacks direct voice chat, use gestures and strategic positioning to communicate with your co-operators. This helps coordinate attacks and manage the Fire Giant’s aggro.
The Benefits of Player Summons
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Increased Damage Output: More players equal more damage, shortening the fight and reducing the risk of making critical errors.
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Distraction and Aggro Management: Multiple players can take turns drawing the Fire Giant’s attention, allowing for safer attack windows.
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Strategic Flexibility: Different players bring different builds and strategies, adding flexibility to your approach.
Strategies for Success with Summons
Whether you opt for NPC or player summons, remember these key strategies for success:
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Focus on the Ankles: In the first phase, concentrate your attacks on the Fire Giant’s ankles. This will eventually break his stance, opening him up for critical hits.
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Exploit Weaknesses: The Fire Giant is susceptible to Scarlet Rot and Poison. Using spells, incantations, or weapons that inflict these status effects can significantly damage him.
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Stay Behind: Attacking from behind limits the Fire Giant’s attack options and makes the fight considerably easier.
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Use Torrent Wisely: During the first phase, Torrent can be invaluable for maneuvering around the arena and maintaining a safe distance.
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Patience is Paramount: The Fire Giant fight can be lengthy and challenging. Remain patient, observe his attack patterns, and capitalize on openings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it necessary to summon Alexander for the Fire Giant fight to progress his questline?
No, you do not need to summon Alexander for the Fire Giant fight to progress his quest. It’s an optional step. If you skip summoning him, you’ll meet him later in one of the game’s final areas.
2. Where can I find Alexander before the Fire Giant fight?
You encounter Alexander in multiple locations: first in Stormhill, then near Redmane Castle before the Radahn Festival, in Liurnia (South of Carian Study Hall, stuck in a hole), and finally in Gelmir. Ensure you exhaust his dialogue at each location to progress his quest.
3. What are the Fire Giant’s weaknesses?
The Fire Giant is weak to Scarlet Rot and Poison. He also takes increased damage when attacked on his left ankle in the first phase.
4. Is the Fire Giant weak to Frost?
No, the Fire Giant has massive resistance to cold damage, rendering Frost-based attacks ineffective. Don’t waste your time with frostbite.
5. What level should I be to fight the Fire Giant?
It is recommended to be at least level 110 before attempting the Fire Giant fight. This ensures you have sufficient health, stamina, and damage output to withstand his attacks and deal significant damage.
6. What are the best summons besides Alexander for the Fire Giant?
Black Knife Tiche and the Mimic Tear Ashes are excellent choices. Avoid summoning low-health groups like wolves, as they are easily wiped out by the Giant’s wide-sweeping attacks.
7. What is the best armor to wear for the Fire Giant fight?
For maximum fire protection, the Fire Prelate Set is the best option. It offers high fire resistance, poise, and physical protection.
8. Is the Fire Giant resistant to Bleed?
Yes, the Fire Giant is resistant to Bleed, but not immune. Weapons that inflict Bleed can still be effective, especially given the Giant’s large health bar, but don’t rely solely on Bleed procs.
9. Is the Fire Giant weak to Lightning?
Yes, the Fire Giant is weak to Lightning and Glintstone Magic. Using weapons or spells with these attributes can be highly effective.
10. Why does the Fire Giant have a face on his chest?
The face on the Fire Giant’s chest is a consequence of tearing off his injured leg and using the magma blood to cover himself. This act increased his strength but also resulted in the grotesque manifestation on his chest.
11. Can Melina be summoned for the Fire Giant fight?
No, Melina cannot be summoned for the Fire Giant fight. She can only be summoned for the fight against Morgott, the Omen King.
12. What’s the best strategy for the Fire Giant’s first phase?
During the first phase, focus on attacking his left ankle. Use Torrent to maintain mobility and dodge his attacks. Stay behind him whenever possible to limit his attack options.
13. What’s the best strategy for the Fire Giant’s second phase?
In the second phase, the Fire Giant gains new attacks. Continue to focus on his weak spots, particularly his hands and head, while dodging his fire attacks. Using ranged attacks can be especially effective during this phase.
14. Is the Fire Giant one of the hardest bosses in Elden Ring?
The Fire Giant is considered a challenging boss due to his massive health pool, high damage output, and unconventional combat style. Many players find the first phase particularly difficult.
15. What talisman is best for Strength builds in Elden Ring?
While there are many useful talismans, the Radagon’s Soreseal is excellent for boosting numerous stats, including Strength. It does increase damage taken, but the stat boost often outweighs the drawback. Another option, depending on your weapon and Ash of War, would be the Shard of Alexander, which boosts the attack power of skills.
The Fire Giant is a formidable opponent, but with the right preparation, strategy, and the help of summons, you can overcome this challenge and continue your journey in the Lands Between. Remember to explore all your options and adapt your approach to find what works best for your playstyle. As you explore the intricacies of game design, consider the work being done at organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org), which researches the educational applications of games and game-based learning.