How to Obtain the Veteran’s Armor Set in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
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The Veteran’s Armor Set is a coveted set of heavy armor in Elden Ring, providing excellent protection and boasting a striking aesthetic. To acquire it, you must defeat Commander Niall at Castle Sol in the Mountaintops of the Giants. After defeating him, the armor set will be available for purchase from Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.
Conquering Castle Sol: Your Path to the Veteran’s Armor
The journey to obtaining the Veteran’s Armor begins at Castle Sol, a challenging location nestled within the Mountaintops of the Giants. Preparing adequately for this area and its formidable boss is crucial.
Reaching Castle Sol
Castle Sol is located in the northern region of the Mountaintops of the Giants. You’ll need to progress significantly through the main story to reach this area. The easiest way to get there is by following the main road north after defeating the Fire Giant. You’ll pass through a few minor enemy encounters before reaching the castle gates. Be prepared for cold resistance, as this region inflicts the Frostbite status effect.
Navigating the Castle
Castle Sol is filled with challenging enemies, including Banished Knights and spectral soldiers. The Banished Knights in this area are particularly aggressive and utilize powerful weapon arts. It’s recommended to approach them with caution and utilize the environment to your advantage. The spectral soldiers are also tricky, as they can teleport and appear unexpectedly. Pay attention to their audio cues and movements to anticipate their attacks.
- Recommended Level: Aim to be around level 80-100 before attempting Castle Sol.
- Key Items: Ensure you have a weapon upgraded to +15 or higher to deal sufficient damage to the enemies within. Consider using weapons that deal fire damage, as many enemies in the area are weak to it.
- Spirit Ashes: Summoning strong spirit ashes, such as the Black Knife Tiche or Lhutel the Headless, can significantly aid you in dealing with the numerous enemies.
The Commander Niall Boss Fight
Commander Niall is the final obstacle standing between you and the Veteran’s Armor. This boss is renowned for his difficulty, especially due to his initial summoning of two Banished Knight summons. Here’s a breakdown of strategies for defeating him:
- Focus on the Summons: Niall will begin the fight by summoning two Banished Knights. The first one is armed with dual swords and deals lightning damage. The second uses a greatshield and halberd. It’s generally recommended to deal with the dual-sword knight first, as he’s more aggressive and deals more damage.
- Use Spirit Ashes Wisely: Summoning spirit ashes can distract the summons and allow you to focus on one at a time. Consider using a tanky spirit ash to draw their aggression.
- Exploit Openings: Niall has several attacks with long recovery times. Dodge his attacks and use the openings to inflict damage. Be wary of his lightning-infused leg, as it can inflict frostbite.
- Stay Mobile: Avoid being cornered by Niall and his summons. Keep moving and create distance when necessary. Utilize the arena to your advantage.
- Frostbite and Bleed: Consider using weapons or spells that inflict Frostbite or Bleed, as Niall is susceptible to these status effects.
- Patience is Key: This fight can be lengthy and challenging. Don’t get discouraged if you fail on your first few attempts. Learn Niall’s attack patterns and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Purchasing the Veteran’s Armor
Once Commander Niall is defeated, he drops his prothesis, which is a key item. Return to the Roundtable Hold and speak to the Twin Maiden Husks. They will now offer the Veteran’s Armor Set for purchase using Runes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much does the Veteran’s Armor Set cost?
The complete Veteran’s Armor Set costs 24,000 Runes at the Twin Maiden Husks. This includes the Veteran’s Helm, Veteran’s Armor, Veteran’s Gauntlets, and Veteran’s Greaves.
2. What are the stats and weight of the Veteran’s Armor Set?
The Veteran’s Armor Set is a heavy armor set. Here are the stats for each piece:
- Veteran’s Helm: Weight: 7.2, Physical: 7.4, VS Strike: 6.9, VS Slash: 7.9, VS Pierce: 6.9, Magic: 5.3, Fire: 5.9, Lightning: 4.8, Holy: 5.3.
- Veteran’s Armor: Weight: 15.4, Physical: 16.6, VS Strike: 15.4, VS Slash: 17.9, VS Pierce: 15.4, Magic: 12.1, Fire: 13.5, Lightning: 11.0, Holy: 12.1.
- Veteran’s Gauntlets: Weight: 5.0, Physical: 5.2, VS Strike: 4.8, VS Slash: 5.6, VS Pierce: 4.8, Magic: 3.6, Fire: 4.0, Lightning: 3.3, Holy: 3.6.
- Veteran’s Greaves: Weight: 9.2, Physical: 9.6, VS Strike: 8.9, VS Slash: 10.3, VS Pierce: 8.9, Magic: 6.8, Fire: 7.6, Lightning: 6.2, Holy: 6.8.
The total weight of the set is 36.8.
3. Is the Veteran’s Armor Set worth getting?
Yes, the Veteran’s Armor Set is definitely worth getting, especially for players focusing on a strength or endurance build. It provides excellent physical protection and decent resistance to magic and elemental damage. Its high poise also allows you to withstand attacks without being staggered easily.
4. What is the best strategy for beating Commander Niall?
As mentioned earlier, the best strategy involves focusing on the Banished Knight summons first, using spirit ashes for distraction, and exploiting Niall’s openings. Frostbite and Bleed are effective, and patience is crucial.
5. Can I summon other players to help me fight Commander Niall?
Yes, you can summon other players to assist you in the Commander Niall boss fight. This can significantly increase your chances of success, especially if you’re struggling to deal with his summons on your own.
6. What level should I be to fight Commander Niall?
Ideally, you should be around level 80-100 before attempting to fight Commander Niall. This will ensure that you have sufficient stats and weapon upgrades to deal adequate damage.
7. What kind of damage is Commander Niall resistant to?
Commander Niall is resistant to Standard damage and moderately resistant to Pierce damage. He is vulnerable to Frostbite and Bleed status effects.
8. Are there any alternative armor sets with similar stats to the Veteran’s Armor?
Yes, several armor sets offer comparable protection to the Veteran’s Armor. These include:
- Bull-Goat Armor: Offers extremely high poise and physical defense.
- Lionel’s Armor: Another heavy armor set with good physical and poise stats.
- Crucible Axe Armor: Provides good protection and has a unique appearance.
9. Does the Veteran’s Armor Set have any special effects?
No, the Veteran’s Armor Set doesn’t have any special effects or stat bonuses beyond its inherent protection and resistances.
10. Can I respec my character before fighting Commander Niall?
Yes, you can respec your character using a Larval Tear at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, after defeating her in the Academy of Raya Lucaria. This can be helpful if you want to optimize your build for the Commander Niall fight.
11. Where can I find Larval Tears?
Larval Tears can be found in various locations throughout the Lands Between. Some common locations include:
- Liurnia of the Lakes: Dropped by certain enemies, such as the Grafted Scion disguised as a common enemy.
- Nokron, Eternal City: Found as loot in various locations.
- Underground Areas: Found in the Siofra River and Ainsel River areas.
12. What talismans would be useful for fighting Commander Niall?
Several talismans can be beneficial during the Commander Niall fight:
- Green Turtle Talisman: Increases stamina recovery speed.
- Erdtree’s Favor: Increases maximum HP, stamina, and equip load.
- Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Greatly boosts physical damage negation.
- Pearldrake Talisman: Increases non-physical damage negation (magic, fire, lightning, holy).
13. Is it possible to cheese Commander Niall?
While not a reliable or recommended method, some players have found methods to “cheese” Commander Niall. These often involve exploiting the environment or using specific spells and items in unintended ways. However, these methods can be inconsistent and may be patched out in future updates.
14. What happens if I die during the Commander Niall fight?
If you die during the Commander Niall fight, you will respawn at the nearest Site of Grace and have to repeat the fight. This is why it’s crucial to prepare adequately and learn his attack patterns.
15. Can I get the Veteran’s Armor Set in New Game Plus (NG+)?
Yes, you can obtain the Veteran’s Armor Set in New Game Plus (NG+) by defeating Commander Niall again and purchasing it from the Twin Maiden Husks. All items, including armor sets, reset upon entering NG+, allowing you to acquire them again.