The Ultimate Guide to Conquering the Valiant Gargoyles in Elden Ring
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You’re facing the formidable Valiant Gargoyles in Elden Ring and need to know where to find this challenging duo? The battle takes place within the Siofra Aqueduct, a sub-area of Nokron, Eternal City, which is located in the upper level of the Siofra River region. Specifically, the arena is accessed from behind the Hallowhorn Grounds in the Ancestral Woods. You must jump down a cliffside to enter the aqueduct and proceed toward the fog gate.
Navigating the Siofra Aqueduct
The Siofra Aqueduct is a somewhat hidden area, easily missed by players rushing through Nokron. To reach it, start at the Ancestral Woods Site of Grace. Head toward the Hallowhorn Grounds – the large, glowing, antler-like structure. Instead of interacting with it (unless you need to), go behind the Hallowhorn Grounds. You’ll find a series of ledges leading down to the Siofra Aqueduct. Be careful navigating these cliffs, as a fall will be fatal. Once you safely reach the bottom, follow the path through the aqueduct, fighting or avoiding enemies as needed, until you reach the fog gate. Prepare yourself, as beyond this lies the Valiant Gargoyles boss fight.
Preparing for the Valiant Gargoyles
These aren’t your garden-variety statues come to life. These Gargoyles are fast, aggressive, and hit incredibly hard. They’re an optional boss, but defeating them is necessary to progress certain questlines, particularly Fia’s. So, going in prepared is crucial. Consider these tips before attempting the fight:
- Level Up: Ensure you have adequate vigor, as this fight demands endurance. Levels in your primary damage stat (Strength, Dexterity, Faith, or Intelligence) will also greatly benefit you.
- Weapon Upgrades: Max out your primary weapon as much as possible. Weapon level is paramount to your damage output in Elden Ring.
- Summons: Utilize Spirit Ashes. A powerful summon like the Black Knife Tiche or Lhutel the Headless can draw aggro and provide valuable openings for attack. Furthermore, D, Beholder of Death can be summoned as an NPC if you’ve given his twin brother the Twinned Set. His summon sign is near the fog gate.
- Armor: Equip the best physical and magical defense armor you can manage without exceeding your equip load.
- Talismans: Utilize talismans that boost your damage, defense, or stamina.
- Elemental Damage: As the Gargoyles are weak to Fire, Lightning, and Holy damage, consider using weapons or consumables that inflict these types of damage.
Mastering the Boss Fight
The fight with the Valiant Gargoyles is a battle of attrition and endurance. The Gargoyles themselves wield various weapons and move with a surprising dexterity. Initially, you’ll face a single Gargoyle. However, after you reduce its health to around 50%, the second Gargoyle will appear, making the fight considerably more difficult. The second Gargoyle spews poison, which can quickly overwhelm you if you aren’t careful. Here are some key strategies to consider:
- Focus on One at a Time: As tempting as it might be to split your damage between the two, focus on taking down the first Gargoyle as quickly as possible to avoid being overwhelmed by both simultaneously.
- Exploit Weaknesses: Use weapons or spells that deal Fire, Lightning, or Holy damage.
- Dodge Aggressively: The Gargoyles have a wide range of attacks, so timing your dodges is essential. Watch their movements carefully and roll through their attacks.
- Manage Stamina: Don’t overextend yourself with too many attacks. Keep enough stamina in reserve to dodge and reposition.
- Be Mindful of Poison: When the second Gargoyle appears, be extremely wary of its poison attacks. Have an antidote or a spell that cures poison readily available.
- Utilize Spirit Ashes Wisely: If you’re using Spirit Ashes, try to keep them alive as long as possible. They can distract the Gargoyles and give you valuable breathing room.
FAQs: Valiant Gargoyles Demystified
1. Are the Valiant Gargoyles mandatory for completing Elden Ring?
No, the Valiant Gargoyles are an optional boss. You don’t need to defeat them to finish the main storyline of Elden Ring. However, defeating them opens access to the Deeproot Depths and progresses several important questlines.
2. What are the Valiant Gargoyles weak against?
The Valiant Gargoyles are particularly vulnerable to Fire, Lightning, and Holy damage. Weapons, spells, and consumables that deal these damage types will be highly effective.
3. Can you inflict status effects on the Valiant Gargoyles?
Unfortunately, the Valiant Gargoyles are completely immune to all status effects, including Bleed, Frostbite, Poison, Scarlet Rot, Sleep, and Madness. Therefore, weapons that rely heavily on status procs are not ideal for this fight.
4. What are some good weapons to use against the Valiant Gargoyles?
Weapons that deal Fire, Lightning, or Holy damage are ideal. Examples include the Blasphemous Blade (Faith build), weapons buffed with Lightning Grease or Fire Grease (Strength or Dexterity builds), or spells like Lightning Spear or Flame, Grant Me Strength. Optimal weapon arts include Miquella’s Ring of Light from the Halo Scythe or Nebula from the Wing of Astel.
5. Where can I find D, Beholder of Death, to summon him?
To summon D, Beholder of Death, you must first give D’s Twin Brother the Twinned Set. Once you’ve done this, his summon sign will appear on the right at the top of the stairs in front of the fog gate leading to the Valiant Gargoyles arena.
6. Is it possible to summon other players for the Valiant Gargoyles fight?
Yes, you can summon other players to help you with the Valiant Gargoyles fight. However, be mindful of the boss’s health scaling; it will increase based on the number of players present, which might make the fight even tougher.
7. How do I cure poison if I get poisoned by the second Gargoyle?
You can cure poison by using an antidote, which can be crafted or purchased from merchants. Alternatively, you can use the Cure Poison incantation if you have sufficient Faith.
8. What rewards do I get for defeating the Valiant Gargoyles?
Upon defeating the Valiant Gargoyles, you will receive the Gargoyle’s Greatsword, the Gargoyle’s Twinblade, and a significant number of Runes. You will also be able to access the Deeproot Depths.
9. How do I access Deeproot Depths after beating the Valiant Gargoyles?
After defeating the Valiant Gargoyles, a coffin will appear at the edge of the arena. Interact with the coffin to be transported to the Deeproot Depths.
10. What level should I be before attempting the Valiant Gargoyles?
A recommended level for attempting the Valiant Gargoyles is 80-90, with a weapon level of at least +15 on a regular weapon or +6 on a somber weapon. However, skilled players may be able to defeat them at a lower level.
11. Are there any specific strategies for dealing with the second Gargoyle’s poison attacks?
The best strategy is to maintain distance from the second Gargoyle when it begins to spew poison. The poison has a limited range, so dodging away is often sufficient. Equipping armor with high poison resistance and using consumables that increase your poison resistance can also help.
12. Can the Gargoyles heal themselves during the fight?
No, the Valiant Gargoyles cannot heal themselves during the fight. Once you deal damage to them, it remains permanent unless they kill you and you have to restart the fight.
13. What if I’m struggling to dodge the Gargoyles’ attacks?
If you’re having trouble dodging, focus on observing their attack patterns closely. Each attack has a specific wind-up animation, and learning these animations will help you time your dodges more effectively. Using a shield with high physical resistance can also provide a safety net, although you’ll need to manage your stamina carefully.
14. Is there a way to cheese the Valiant Gargoyles fight?
While there aren’t any reliable “cheese” strategies, using a powerful summon to draw aggro can make the fight significantly easier. Also, equipping the Mimic Tear ash can be a very helpful strategy. Furthermore, utilizing ranged attacks can give you a significant advantage, as the Gargoyles are often slow to close the distance.
15. What is the significance of the Valiant Gargoyles in Elden Ring’s lore?
The Valiant Gargoyles are guardians of the path to the Deeproot Depths, a hidden area connected to the Erdtree’s roots. Their presence suggests that they were tasked with protecting something important within the Deeproot Depths, likely related to the mysteries of the Erdtree and the Greater Will. The Games Learning Society explores the narrative nuances of encounters like these in depth, highlighting how boss battles can be compelling elements in a game’s broader story. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conquering the Valiant Gargoyles is a significant achievement in Elden Ring. With the right preparation, strategy, and a bit of patience, you can overcome this challenging boss fight and unlock new areas and questlines. Good luck, Tarnished!