Conquering Golden Godfrey: A Tarnished’s Guide to Level and Strategy
So, you’ve made it to Golden Godfrey, the spectral projection of the First Elden Lord. Congratulations, Tarnished! But now the real question: What level should you be to actually beat him?
While skill trumps all in the Lands Between, a good benchmark is level 75 or higher. Ideally, pushing closer to level 80-85 will make the fight significantly more manageable. You’ll also want your weapon to be at least +13, or fully upgraded if using a special weapon. Remember, this Godfrey is a warm-up for the real deal, so treating him lightly is a mistake!
Mastering the Golden Specter: Tactics and Preparations
Godfrey’s Golden Shade is less about raw difficulty and more about testing your understanding of Elden Ring’s core mechanics. He hits hard, but his moves are telegraphed, and he’s vulnerable to specific damage types. Let’s break down the essentials:
- Damage Types: Godfrey is notably weak to Lightning and Thrusting damage. Conversely, he is highly resistant to Holy damage. This is crucial for weapon selection and spellcasting.
- Weapon Upgrades: As mentioned, a +13 standard weapon or equivalent is your baseline. Don’t skimp on upgrades; they make a noticeable difference in damage output.
- Stats Allocation: Focus on a build that synergizes with Lightning or Thrusting damage. Strength builds with weapons like the Bolt of Gransax or Faith builds with Lightning Spear will excel. Ensure you have adequate Vigor (at least 30, preferably 40) to survive his powerful attacks.
- Spirit Ashes: While optional, a well-chosen Spirit Ash can significantly ease the fight. A tanky summon like the Black Knife Tiche or Lhutel the Headless can draw Godfrey’s aggro, giving you breathing room to attack.
Godfrey’s Moveset: Learning to Anticipate
Godfrey’s attacks are powerful, but predictable. Here’s a breakdown of key moves:
- Axe Swings: These are his bread-and-butter attacks. They’re relatively slow but cover a wide area. Rolling through them is generally better than blocking, unless you have a high-stability shield.
- Ground Slam: Godfrey slams his axe into the ground, creating a shockwave. Jump just before impact to avoid damage.
- Leaping Attack: He leaps into the air and crashes down with his axe. Roll towards him as he lands to avoid the blast radius.
The key is patience. Observe his attack patterns, learn the timings, and punish his openings. Don’t get greedy with your attacks; one or two hits at a time are often better than trying to unleash a full combo.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you further in your quest:
1. Is Golden Godfrey harder than the real Godfrey?
No, the Golden Godfrey is generally considered easier than the fight against Godfrey, First Elden Lord/Hoarah Loux, Warrior, later in the game. Golden Godfrey serves as a warm-up, testing your skills and build before the main event.
2. What’s the best weapon to use against Golden Godfrey?
Weapons that deal Lightning or Thrusting damage are ideal. Examples include the Bolt of Gransax, the Treespear, or any weapon you can buff with Lightning Grease or Lightning Armament.
3. Can I use Scarlet Rot against Golden Godfrey?
While it’s possible, Golden Godfrey has some resistance to Scarlet Rot. Focus on his Lightning and Thrusting weaknesses for a more efficient fight.
4. Which Spirit Ash is best against Golden Godfrey?
A tanky Spirit Ash like Black Knife Tiche, Lhutel the Headless, or even the Mimic Tear (if you have it) can be very effective. They can draw his aggro and give you openings to attack.
5. Is Godfrey weak to Bleed damage?
While he isn’t resistant to Bleed, it’s not his primary weakness. Lightning and Thrusting damage are more effective.
6. Can I parry Godfrey’s attacks?
Yes, some of Godfrey’s attacks can be parried, but it requires precise timing. Unless you’re confident in your parrying skills, dodging is generally a safer option.
7. What level should I be to fight Radagon/Elden Beast?
The article mentions that aiming for level 150, with at least 40 points invested in Vigor to avoid getting one-shotted for Radagon. Just getting to Radagon requires defeating many of the hardest bosses in the game, so you should naturally be at a high level by the time you reach him.
8. Is Godfrey the First Elden Lord one of the hardest bosses in Elden Ring?
The article states that this fight was a little tricky to rank simply because the battle against Godfrey is tough but fair. It’s a challenging encounter, but it’s one most people will be able to get past by that point in the game.
9. Is Godrick’s Axe a good weapon?
The Axe of Godrick scales primarily with Strength and Dexterity, and is a good Weapon for melee characters that prefer slow, but powerful attacks.
10. Is the Mimic Tear the best spirit ash?
The Mimic Tear is undoubtedly the best Spirit Ash in Elden Ring since it makes an exact copy of the player.
11. Is Godfrey harder than Elden Beast?
Godfrey and Maliketh are way harder than Radagon/Elden Beast.
12. What spells are good against Godfrey?
Godfrey is weak to Scarlet Rot, so use weapons, items, or spells that inflict it if you can. This will allow you to deal plenty of bonus damage during the fight, making it go faster. The Latenna the Albinauric Spirit Ash Summon is excellent in this fight, as long as you hold Godfrey’s aggro.
13. Why does Godfrey have a lion on his back?
Godfrey was once a ferocious warrior, but when he vowed to become a lord he took upon his back the lion Serosh, the Lord of Beasts, to suppress his ceaseless lust for battle.
14. Is it essential to use summons against Godfrey?
No, it’s not essential. Many players defeat Godfrey solo. However, summons can make the fight easier, especially if you’re struggling to dodge his attacks consistently.
15. Where can I learn more about Elden Ring’s mechanics and strategies?
Beyond guides like this one, consider exploring online communities, watching gameplay videos, and experimenting with different builds. You can also check out educational resources about games and learning at places like the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/
Conclusion: Prepare Well, Tarnished!
Golden Godfrey is a stepping stone, a test of your progress. By understanding his weaknesses, mastering his moveset, and preparing your build accordingly, you’ll overcome this challenge and be ready for the true Godfrey, First Elden Lord. Good luck, Tarnished!