How to Conquer Oleg: A Comprehensive Elden Ring Guide
The question of how to beat Oleg depends entirely on which Oleg we’re talking about in the vast landscape of Elden Ring. Are we discussing the Banished Knight Oleg Spirit Ash, or the NPC Oleg encountered within the game? The strategies for dealing with each are vastly different. This guide will cover both, providing you with the knowledge you need to triumph.
Defeating Banished Knight Oleg (NPC)
If you’re facing the NPC Banished Knight Oleg, the key is understanding his attack patterns and exploiting his weaknesses. This encounter usually occurs in early game locations like the Fringefolk Hero’s Grave.
Strategy 1: The Cliff Teleport Trick
This is a somewhat cheesy, but highly effective method, especially for lower-level players. It requires a specific setup:
- Location: Find a high cliff or edge where falling is instant death.
- Bait: Engage Oleg and position yourself near the cliff edge.
- Throw: Throw a consumable item (like a throwing knife or pot) at Oleg.
- Turn: Immediately turn 180 degrees away from Oleg.
The AI is programmed to try and flank you. When you throw the item, Oleg attempts to teleport behind you. If you’re positioned correctly, he’ll teleport directly off the cliff to his doom.
Strategy 2: The Conventional Approach
If the teleport trick feels too cheap, or you can’t find a suitable cliff, a more traditional combat approach is required:
- Patience is Key: Oleg is an aggressive fighter. Don’t get greedy with your attacks. Focus on dodging and learning his attack patterns.
- Backstabs and Guard Breaks: Oleg is vulnerable to backstabs. Circle him, waiting for an opening after he commits to an attack, and then strike from behind. Guard breaks are also effective; repeatedly attacking his shield will stagger him, leaving him open for a critical hit.
- Utilize Spirit Ashes: Even a basic Spirit Ash can be invaluable in drawing Oleg’s aggro and creating openings for you to attack. The Lone Wolves or Jellyfish are good early-game options.
- Parrying: If you’re confident in your parrying skills, you can parry Oleg’s attacks to stagger him and open him up for a critical hit. However, be aware that his timing can be tricky.
- Exploit Openings: After he completes a combo, there’s usually a brief window where he’s vulnerable. That’s your chance to strike.
Maximizing Banished Knight Oleg (Spirit Ash)
If you’re looking to use Banished Knight Oleg as a Spirit Ash, you want to maximize his effectiveness.
Upgrading Oleg
Like all Spirit Ashes, Oleg becomes significantly more powerful when upgraded. Use Grave Gloveworts to upgrade him at Roderika in the Roundtable Hold. A fully upgraded Oleg can tank substantial damage and deal respectable damage, making him a reliable companion in many challenging fights.
Utilizing Oleg’s Strengths
Oleg excels at:
- Aggression: He is very aggressive and can distract enemies well.
- Staggering: His spinning attacks can stagger weaker enemies.
- Early-to-Mid Game Powerhouse: He’s readily available early in the game and remains viable for a considerable portion of the playthrough.
Oleg’s Weaknesses
Be aware of Oleg’s limitations:
- Late-Game Scaling: He becomes less effective in very late-game areas against heavily armored or high-damage enemies.
- AI Inconsistencies: Sometimes, Oleg’s AI can be unpredictable, and he might get stuck on terrain or act erratically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to Oleg, covering both the NPC enemy and the Spirit Ash summon:
-
Is Oleg a good summon in Elden Ring? Yes, Banished Knight Oleg is considered a very good summon, particularly in the early to mid-game. His aggressive nature and decent damage output make him a reliable choice for many players.
-
Where do I find Banished Knight Oleg? You obtain Banished Knight Oleg by defeating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit in the Fringefolk Hero’s Grave, accessed from the Stranded Graveyard (the starting area). You’ll need a Stonesword Key to unlock the entrance.
-
Is Oleg the best Spirit Ash? While Oleg is excellent, he isn’t universally considered the “best.” Summons like the Mimic Tear, Black Knife Tiche, and Lhutel the Headless are often ranked higher due to their unique abilities or superior stats at higher levels.
-
How do I upgrade Oleg? You upgrade Oleg by speaking to Roderika in the Roundtable Hold and using Grave Gloveworts. Each upgrade level requires a specific type of Grave Glovewort (e.g., Grave Glovewort [1], Grave Glovewort [2], etc.).
-
What are Oleg’s strengths as a summon? Oleg’s strengths lie in his aggressive attack style, ability to stagger enemies, and overall damage output. He’s also relatively inexpensive to summon (100 FP).
-
What are Oleg’s weaknesses as a summon? Oleg’s weaknesses include his scaling in the late game, where he can struggle against very powerful enemies, and occasional AI inconsistencies.
-
Is it worth upgrading Oleg to +10? Yes, upgrading Oleg to +10 significantly increases his health, damage, and overall effectiveness. It’s highly recommended if you plan to use him frequently.
-
Who is better, Oleg or Engvall? Whether Oleg or Engvall is “better” is subjective and depends on your play style. Oleg generally does more DPS due to his twin greatswords, while Engvall, wielding a halberd, might offer slightly better crowd control or range. Most players prefer Oleg.
-
How do I beat the NPC Banished Knight Oleg early in the game? Utilize the cliff teleport trick if possible. Otherwise, be patient, dodge his attacks, look for openings to backstab or guard break him, and use a Spirit Ash to draw his aggro.
-
What level should I be to fight the NPC Banished Knight Oleg? It is recommended to be around levels 10-20 when you encounter the NPC Banished Knight Oleg.
-
Is Castle Sol required to progress in Elden Ring? No, Castle Sol is an optional dungeon located in the Mountaintops of the Giants.
-
Who is the boss in Castle Sol? Commander Niall is the boss at the top of Castle Sol.
-
What is Commander Niall’s weakness? Commander Niall is weak against Hemorrhage. Bleed weapons like Bloodhound’s Fang are very effective.
-
Is Commander Niall resistant to status effects? Commander Niall has a high resistance to Frostbite, Scarlet Rot, and Poison.
-
What Spirit Ashes are good to use against Commander Niall? Tanky Spirit Ashes like Lhutel the Headless or Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff are excellent choices, as they can draw the aggro of Niall’s spectral knights. The Mimic Tear is also a solid option.
Mastering Elden Ring involves understanding the intricacies of its combat system and utilizing the tools at your disposal. Whether you’re facing the NPC Banished Knight Oleg or summoning him as a Spirit Ash, these strategies and tips will help you conquer your challenges and emerge victorious in the Lands Between. Remember, the Games Learning Society champions the principles of learning through engaging experiences, and what’s more engaging than overcoming the formidable challenges of Elden Ring? Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore the educational potential of games.