Is Mimic Tear Good Against the Fire Giant in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is: yes, the Mimic Tear is still a valuable ally against the Fire Giant in Elden Ring, despite past nerfs. While it might not be the absolute game-breaker it once was, this spirit ash remains a potent force capable of significantly aiding you in this challenging boss fight. The Fire Giant is a formidable foe with massive health, and any help is welcome. While the Mimic Tear won’t single-handedly defeat the giant, its versatility and ability to draw aggro make it a powerful addition to your strategy.

How the Mimic Tear Helps Against the Fire Giant

The Mimic Tear’s strength lies in its ability to mirror your character. This means it will use the same weapons, spells, and armor you have equipped when summoned. In the context of the Fire Giant, this translates to a few key benefits:

• Dual Damage Output: With a Mimic Tear, you are essentially doubling your damage output. If your build is geared towards exploiting the Fire Giant’s weaknesses, your Mimic Tear can do the same, creating a much more aggressive approach.
• Aggro Diversion: The Fire Giant is known for its wide-reaching and devastating attacks. Having a Mimic Tear can distract the giant and draw its attention away from you, giving you precious moments to heal, reposition, or unleash your own attacks.
• Status Effect Application: If your build incorporates status effects like rot, poison, or bleed, your Mimic Tear can also apply these, allowing for faster depletion of the Fire Giant’s huge health pool.
• Flexible Playstyle: The Mimic Tear adapts to your playstyle. Whether you’re a melee fighter, a mage, or a ranged attacker, your mimic will mimic that same approach, which can be tactically beneficial.

The Impact of Past Nerfs

It’s important to acknowledge that the Mimic Tear received a significant nerf in patch 1.03, reducing its damage output considerably. Despite this, it remains a resilient and effective summon. Its ability to absorb hits, apply status effects, and distract the boss continues to make it a valuable asset against the Fire Giant. While the nerf does mean that a full DPS build might not be as impactful as it once was, using the Mimic Tear strategically is still advised.

Maximizing the Mimic Tear Against the Fire Giant

To get the most out of your Mimic Tear summon against the Fire Giant, consider the following tips:

• Equip Appropriate Weapons and Spells: Ensure that you are using weapons and spells that are effective against the Fire Giant. The article notes that the giant is weak to glintstone magic, lightning, and rot. Equip weapons with these attributes or use ashes of war that imbue these properties.
• Utilize Grease and Consumables: If you can’t directly imbue your weapons with elemental damage, use grease. Applying lightning or magic grease before summoning can boost the Mimic Tear’s attack potential.
• Focus on the Weak Spot: Target the Fire Giant’s left leg in the first phase. Your Mimic Tear will also attack here, maximizing damage output.
• Maintain Distance Strategically: Use the distraction provided by the Mimic Tear to maintain distance, and use ranged attacks when possible. This keeps both you and your Mimic Tear alive longer.
• Prioritize Survival: Equip your Mimic Tear with gear that promotes survivability. Armor with high physical resistance or talismans that boost health can help your mimic remain active during the fight.

Mimic Tear vs. Other Spirit Ashes

While the Mimic Tear stands out as one of the best summons, other spirits may still be effective. Other Spirit Ashes can be used to run interference while you do the most of the damage. Spirits that are able to inflict rot or poison could still be helpful by applying consistent damage over time. However, many players appreciate the flexibility of the Mimic Tear and its ability to adapt to their own playstyle. If you are planning on using another spirit, consider its tanking abilities and if its damage type is effective.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Mimic Tear and the Fire Giant:

1. What are the Fire Giant’s primary weaknesses?

The Fire Giant is primarily weak to glintstone magic, lightning, rot, and poison. It is also susceptible to slashing damage and bleed. However, it is resistant to fire, holy, and frost damage.

2. 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 due to the boss’s large health pool.

3. Can I apply scarlet rot to the Fire Giant?

Yes, the Fire Giant is susceptible to scarlet rot. While it might not do a massive amount of damage, it will gradually chip away at its health. Using Rotten Breath is a common strategy to apply this status.

4. Is the Mimic Tear still worth using after the nerf?

Absolutely. While its damage output was reduced, the Mimic Tear’s ability to distract enemies, use your equipment, and adapt to your playstyle makes it a very helpful spirit ash.

5. How much HP does the Mimic Tear cost to summon?

The Mimic Tear requires 660 health points to summon, instead of FP.

6. Does the Mimic Tear use unlimited arrows?

While the Mimic Tear appears to have a limited FP pool, it does have unlimited bolts and arrows.

7. What level should I be to fight the Fire Giant?

It is generally recommended to be at least level 110 before tackling the Fire Giant.

8. What is the Fire Giant’s weak point?

In the first phase, the Fire Giant’s main weak point is its left leg. Focus your attacks there.

9. Is the Mimic Tear considered the best spirit ash?

While the Mimic Tear is often considered one of the best spirit ashes in Elden Ring, other options like Black Knife Tiche can be more powerful in specific situations.

10. Does the Mimic Tear copy my playstyle?

Yes, the Mimic Tear copies your character’s playstyle, including weapons, armor, spells, and equipped items.

11. Is the Fire Giant one of the hardest bosses?

The Fire Giant is a challenging boss, and its first phase is considered particularly difficult for many players.

12. Should I use frost damage against the Fire Giant?

No, the Fire Giant is highly resistant to frost damage, making it ineffective against him.

13. Does the Mimic Tear’s damage scale based on my stats?

Yes, the Mimic Tear scales based on your stats, as it uses the same equipment as your character.

14. What can I do if I do not have the Mimic Tear?

If you do not have the Mimic Tear, any other strong Spirit Ash will help in this fight. Spirit Ashes that have strong damage types that the Fire Giant is weak to are great alternatives.

15. Is using the Mimic Tear a good idea if I am a melee build?

Absolutely. A melee focused build benefits from the Mimic Tear’s ability to draw aggro, allowing you to flank and damage the boss with your powerful melee attacks.