Godfrey’s Achilles Heel: Exploiting His Weaknesses in Elden Ring

Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, is a formidable foe in Elden Ring, renowned for his aggressive melee attacks and imposing presence. However, even the mightiest have their vulnerabilities. To decisively conquer this boss, understanding his weaknesses is crucial. So, what is Godfrey most vulnerable to? The answer is multifaceted, but primarily, Godfrey is most vulnerable to Lightning and Thrusting damage, alongside being susceptible to Bleed and Poison damage. While he possesses a significant resistance to Holy damage, exploiting his weaknesses is the key to prevailing in this challenging encounter.

Understanding Godfrey’s Vulnerabilities

Godfrey’s susceptibility to specific damage types doesn’t end with just Lightning and Thrusting. Let’s break down the key vulnerabilities you should leverage:

Lightning Damage

Lightning damage is perhaps Godfrey’s most prominent weakness. Both in his first phase as Godfrey and in his second phase as Hoarah Loux, his resistance to lightning damage is consistently low. This makes spells, incantations, and weapons with lightning affinity incredibly effective against him. Even something as simple as Lightning Slash Ash of War can significantly damage him, provided you’re utilizing it effectively. This vulnerability to lightning allows players of different levels to defeat him, as long as they are well aware of his attack patterns and can use the lightning affinity advantage.

Thrusting Damage

Alongside lightning, Godfrey is highly vulnerable to Thrusting damage. Weapons that deal this type of damage can cut through his defenses more efficiently, resulting in substantial health depletion. If you have a weapon with a thrusting moveset or can apply a thrusting affinity to a high-damage weapon, consider using it in this fight.

Bleed Damage

While not as dominant as Lightning, Bleed damage is a very effective secondary method to bring Godfrey down. Weapons that are capable of applying the bleed effect can cause massive damage once the meter is filled. Although he’s not weak to building the meter slowly with continuous hits, weapons or skills with Bleed-focused abilities shine. This vulnerability makes fast weapons especially handy in the hands of a skilled player.

Poison Damage

Adding to his list of exploitable weaknesses, Godfrey is also susceptible to Poison damage. This damage over time effect can provide consistent chip damage and whittle away at his health, which is especially helpful in this long fight. Poison-infused weapons or items are a viable alternative if you don’t have access to strong Lightning or Bleed options.

Scarlet Rot

While Godfrey is resistant to it, he is not immune to Scarlet Rot. The devastating damage over time effect can help deal consistent damage throughout the fight. Faith builds using spells such as Rotten Breath or Ekzyke’s Decay can really take advantage of this.

Combat Strategies Exploiting Godfrey’s Weaknesses

Understanding Godfrey’s vulnerabilities is only half the battle. Here are some effective combat strategies based on his weak points:

• Lightning-Focused Builds: Utilize incantations like Lightning Spear or Ancient Dragon Lightning Strike for direct damage. Weapons infused with Lightning damage are also very useful.

• Bleed Builds: Use weapons with high Bleed affinity, such as katanas or claws. Focus on quick attacks to build the Bleed meter rapidly. Special skills that cause a burst of Bleed damage will be far more effective than continuously building bleed.

• Poison-Infused Attacks: Use weapons or items that inflict Poison damage. Poison damage over time can create a passive advantage, especially if you’re focusing on dodging.

• Thrusting Weapon Focus: Spears and rapiers, that have a thrusting move set, deal more damage against Godfrey.

• Ranged Caster Strategy: If you are a ranged caster, consider using spells such as Comet Azur and Cerulean Hidden Tear to eliminate FP consumption and deal massive damage from a safe distance.

• Scarlet Rot Tactic: Utilize the Rotten Breath or Ekzyke’s Decay incantations to apply Scarlet Rot. This allows you to focus on dodging while it deals a steady flow of damage.

Godfrey’s Resistances and Immunities

While it’s crucial to target Godfrey’s weaknesses, understanding his resistances and immunities is equally important:

• Holy Damage: Godfrey exhibits significant resistance to Holy damage, making it largely ineffective in this fight. Do not use faith based holy damage, or holy infused weapons.
• Debuffs: In his first phase, Godfrey is immune to debuffs caused by Blade of Death and Destined Death, while the skills will sap his HP, they won’t reduce the max HP.
• Physical Damage: Godfrey possesses a notable resistance to physical damage, hence focusing on his elemental weaknesses is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Godfrey’s vulnerabilities, providing additional insight:

1. What is the best weapon type to use against Godfrey?

Weapons that deal lightning damage, thrusting damage, and those that inflict bleed or poison are most effective. Fast weapons with Bleed and weapons with lightning damage are highly recommended.

2. Is it better to use ranged or melee against Godfrey?

Both melee and ranged strategies can be successful. Melee users should focus on exploiting his weaknesses while maintaining mobility, while ranged users should keep their distance and use spells that exploit his weakness to lightning, and focus on damage over time spells.

3. What level should I be before fighting Godfrey?

It’s generally recommended to be around level 110 or higher, with weapons that are +20 or more.

4. Does the Godfrey Icon Talisman help against Godfrey?

The Godfrey Icon raises charge attack power, which benefits certain sorceries, incantations, and skills. However, it won’t benefit spells like Comet Azur because it’s a channelled and not a charged spell.

5. Should I use a shield against Godfrey?

A shield is largely ineffective against Godfrey due to his aggressive attacks and the nature of his physical strikes. If you are capable, parrying his attacks can help.

6. What talismans are effective in this fight?

The Dragoncrest Shield Talisman +1 is highly useful as it boosts physical damage negation. Other talismans that increase damage with your chosen weapon style can help.

7. What armor should I wear for this fight?

Use the heaviest armor you have, as Godfrey and Hoarah Loux both use physical strike attacks.

8. Is Godfrey resistant to Scarlet Rot?

Godfrey is resistant to Scarlet Rot but is not immune to it. He is a good candidate to get rot to apply damage over time.

9. Is parrying Godfrey’s attacks viable?

Parrying Godfrey’s attacks is possible with the right timing and shield; however, it may not be the most reliable tactic for most players. A midrange play style is usually preferred.

10. Does the Ancient Dragon Lightning Strike incantation benefit from Godfrey Icon?

No, Ancient Dragon Lightning Strike is a channelled incantation, and is therefore not boosted by the Godfrey Icon.

11. Does Godfrey use magical attacks?

Despite his spectral appearance, Godfrey’s attacks are primarily physical. So focusing on elemental defenses won’t be particularly useful.

12. Can I jump over Godfrey’s attacks?

Yes, many of Godfrey’s ground-based attacks, such as his stomp attack, can be jumped over to avoid damage.

13. Should I use summons for this fight?

Using summons can help by drawing Godfrey’s aggro. Latenna the Albinauric Spirit Ash Summon is particularly useful for this as long as Godfrey is focused on you.

14. Does Godfrey drop a Great Rune?

No, Godfrey does not drop a Great Rune. He rewards you with a Talisman Pouch.

15. Is Godfrey stronger than Radagon?

In terms of fighting skills, Godfrey is considered a better warrior than Radagon. However, Radagon is more powerful as he is a god.

Conclusion

Mastering the fight against Godfrey requires a detailed understanding of his weaknesses and a smart combat strategy. By focusing on Lightning and Thrusting damage, alongside the strategic use of Bleed and Poison, you can tip the scales in your favor. Remember to avoid Holy damage and to bring along the best physical damage negation talismans and armor available. With the right approach, Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, will fall before your might.