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Obtaining the Beast Champion Armor Set in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide

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The Beast Champion Armor Set in Elden Ring is a highly sought-after collection, prized for its impressive balance of protection and poise. Securing this set involves confronting Knight Bernahl, a character with multiple locations and roles throughout the game. Whether you choose to eliminate him early or face him later as an invader, this guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to obtain this impressive armor.

Securing the Beast Champion Armor: Your Options

The Beast Champion Armor Set, comprised of the helm, armor, gauntlets, and greaves, is exclusively obtained by defeating Knight Bernahl. You have two primary options:

Early Acquisition: Kill Knight Bernahl at the Warmaster’s Shack in Limgrave. This is the earliest point in the game you can acquire the set.
Late-Game Acquisition: If Bernahl is not killed early, he will invade you in Crumbling Farum Azula, near the Beside the Great Bridge site of grace. Defeating him here will also grant you the complete set, including the Beast Champion Armor (Altered).

A Deep Dive into the Acquisition Methods

Option 1: Eliminating Bernahl at Warmaster’s Shack (Early Game)

This method allows you to obtain the Beast Champion Armor Set much earlier in your playthrough. Here’s the breakdown:

Location: The Warmaster’s Shack is located in Stormhill, Limgrave. It’s easily accessible early in the game.
The Confrontation: Upon arriving at the shack, you’ll find Knight Bernahl acting as a merchant, selling Ashes of War. To obtain the armor, you must attack and defeat him.
Difficulty: Be warned! Even early on, Bernahl is a formidable opponent. He wields a powerful weapon and has decent armor. Prepare for a challenging fight. Bringing a spirit summon can significantly improve your chances.
Rewards: Upon defeating Bernahl, he will drop the entire Beast Champion Armor Set: the helm, armor, gauntlets, and greaves.

Option 2: Facing Bernahl in Crumbling Farum Azula (Late Game)

If you allow Bernahl to live and progress his questline through Volcano Manor, he will eventually invade you in the late-game area of Crumbling Farum Azula.

Questline Progression: To reach this point, you need to join the Volcano Manor and complete several assassination contracts given by Tanith, the headmistress. Bernahl will assist you on some of these contracts.
The Invasion: After progressing far enough into Crumbling Farum Azula, head to the Beside the Great Bridge site of grace. Bernahl will invade you in the vicinity.
The Fight: This fight is more challenging than the early-game encounter. Bernahl will be significantly stronger, with upgraded equipment and abilities.
Rewards: Defeating Bernahl in Crumbling Farum Azula grants you the complete Beast Champion Armor Set, including the Beast Champion Armor (Altered), which has a slightly different appearance than the standard version.

Understanding the Beast Champion Armor Set

Stats and Attributes

The Beast Champion Armor Set is renowned for its exceptional protection and poise. It offers high resistance to physical, magical, and elemental damage, making it suitable for a variety of builds. However, its significant weight can impact your character’s mobility, so consider investing in Endurance or using equipment to reduce equip load.

The Altered Version

The Beast Champion Armor (Altered) is acquired only by defeating Bernahl during his invasion in Crumbling Farum Azula. The altered version typically features a slightly different aesthetic, often removing or modifying a piece of the armor, such as a cloak or pauldron.

Fashion Souls

Beyond its practical benefits, the Beast Champion Armor Set is highly valued for its appearance. Its intricate design and imposing silhouette make it a favorite among players who prioritize character aesthetics, or “Fashion Souls” as it is commonly known within the community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to obtaining the Beast Champion Armor Set in Elden Ring:

Can I miss the opportunity to get the Beast Champion Armor? Yes, but only partially. If you kill Bernahl early, you won’t experience his invasion in Crumbling Farum Azula, and you’ll miss the Altered version of the chest piece. Conversely, if you progress his questline too far, you might accidentally complete the game before facing him in Farum Azula.
Is the Beast Champion Armor good for tank builds? Absolutely. Its high poise and physical damage negation make it ideal for tank builds that prioritize absorbing damage.
Does the Beast Champion Armor affect my character’s rolling speed? Yes. Due to its heavy weight, wearing the full set without sufficient Endurance will likely result in a “fat roll,” which is slower and has fewer invincibility frames.
What stats should I focus on to effectively use the Beast Champion Armor? Focus on Vigor for health, Endurance to manage equip load, and Strength or Dexterity depending on your weapon of choice.
Can I alter the regular Beast Champion Armor to look like the altered version? No. The altered version is a separate item obtained exclusively from defeating Bernahl in Crumbling Farum Azula. However, after completing Boc’s Questline, you (or Boc) can alter the regular version to remove cape or pauldron.
Where exactly is Knight Bernahl in Warmaster’s Shack? He is inside the shack, standing near the back wall. He functions as an NPC merchant.
What level should I be to fight Bernahl in Crumbling Farum Azula? It’s recommended to be at least level 100 or higher, as Crumbling Farum Azula is a late-game area with challenging enemies.
Does Bernahl drop anything else besides the armor? In Warmaster’s Shack, he will also drop his weapon, the Devourer’s Scepter. In Crumbling Farum Azula, he only drops the armor.
Can I summon other players to help me fight Bernahl? Yes, you can summon other players for assistance in both locations, provided you are playing online and have used a Furlcalling Finger Remedy.
Is the Beast Champion Armor better than other heavy armor sets? It depends on your preferences and build. The Beast Champion Armor excels in poise and overall protection, but other sets may offer better resistances to specific damage types or provide unique passive effects.
Does the Beast Champion Armor have any special effects? No, the armor itself does not have any special effects. Its primary benefits are its high defense and poise.
Can I upgrade the Beast Champion Armor? Yes, like other armor sets in Elden Ring, you can upgrade the Beast Champion Armor at a blacksmith using Smithing Stones to increase its defensive stats.
What happens if I accidentally kill Tanith before Bernahl invades me? Killing Tanith will not prevent Bernahl from invading you, as their questlines are independent after you have completed enough assassination quests.
Is it worth killing Bernahl early just for the armor? It depends on your priorities. Getting the armor early can be a significant advantage, but you’ll miss out on his questline and the altered version of the chest piece.
Where can I learn more about Elden Ring strategies and builds? Explore online forums, wikis, and guides dedicated to Elden Ring. Consider joining online communities to discuss strategies and share experiences. You might also find research on the design and pedagogy of games, like Elden Ring, on the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They also share insights into how games can be effective learning tools.

Obtaining the Beast Champion Armor Set is a worthwhile endeavor for any Elden Ring player seeking a blend of protection, poise, and style. By understanding the different acquisition methods and considering the trade-offs, you can make an informed decision on how to best obtain this iconic armor set for your character. Happy hunting, Tarnished!