The Slumbering Giant: Finding Greyoll, the Dragon That Doesn’t Fight Back in Elden Ring
The dragon that doesn’t fight back in Elden Ring is Greyoll, the massive, ancient mother of all dragons. She can be found in Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow in the Caelid region, north of Limgrave. She is perpetually sleeping and won’t actively defend herself, making her a tempting target for players looking for a significant Rune boost early in the game.
Navigating to Greyoll’s Dragonbarrow
Reaching Greyoll isn’t as simple as walking into Caelid. While Caelid is accessible early on, it’s a dangerous zone for low-level players. Here’s a recommended route:
- Third Church of Marika Waygate: One of the easiest ways to reach Dragonbarrow early on is using the Waygate (teleporter) located near the Third Church of Marika in Limgrave.
- Finding the Church: The Third Church of Marika is located east of Mistwood. Collecting the Elden Ring Limgrave Map Fragments will unlock the Mistwood area on your map, making the church easier to locate.
- Using the Waygate: Inside the ruined church, jump through the window behind the statue. This will lead you to a Waygate. Activate it, and you’ll be transported to Dragonbarrow, relatively close to your slumbering target.
- Fort Faroth Site of Grace: The Waygate will put you in the Dragonbarrow. While in the air, the tarnished should notice a Fort nearby. This is Fort Faroth. Players must reach this Fort and find a Site of Lost Grace is stationed in front of the Fort. Light it up, and players will immediately notice the sleeping dragon.
The Significance of Greyoll
Greyoll isn’t just a source of Runes; she’s a key figure in Elden Ring’s lore. According to the description of “Greyoll’s Roar,” she is the mother of all dragons. The Lands Between were once ruled by dragons before the reign of Queen Marika and Lord Godfrey, making Greyoll a relic of a bygone era. Her presence underscores the historical weight of the game’s world and the ancient struggle for dominance.
Why Kill Greyoll?
While some players may feel remorse about attacking a defenseless creature, there are practical reasons to do so:
- Massive Rune Reward: Killing Greyoll grants a substantial amount of Runes. This allows for early leveling and the purchase of valuable equipment.
- Dragon Hearts: Defeating Greyoll also rewards you with five Dragon Hearts, which can be used at the Church of Dragon Communion or the Cathedral of Dragon Communion to acquire powerful Dragon Communion Incantations.
- Early Game Advantage: The Runes gained can significantly boost your character’s power, making the early game much easier.
How to Efficiently Defeat Greyoll
Because Greyoll is stationary, you can use several strategies to defeat her:
- Bleed Builds: Weapons that inflict Bleed status are highly effective. The repeated application of Bleed will rapidly deplete her health, making her defeat much faster. Early game bleed weapons, like Reduvia or the twin blades obtainable later, are good choices.
- Summons: While you won’t be facing a dynamic fight, summons can provide extra damage and distract the smaller dragons surrounding Greyoll.
- Hit and Run Tactics: Because the smaller dragons surrounding Greyoll will attack you, use this strategy to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Patience: Even with powerful weapons, Greyoll has an enormous health pool. Be prepared for a prolonged fight and manage your resources effectively.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Greyoll, the slumbering dragon, and related topics:
1. What exactly is Greyoll’s Roar?
Greyoll’s Roar is a Dragon Communion Incantation. This unique incantation allows the player to unleash a powerful roar that weakens enemies, and it references Greyoll directly in its description. It emphasizes her status as the mother of all dragons.
2. Can you respawn Greyoll after killing her?
Initially, Greyoll cannot be respawned through normal gameplay. However, some players have discovered exploits, such as immediately using a Site of Grace after her death, to trigger a respawn. However, this has been patched in some versions of the game.
3. Where is the hardest dragon to fight in Elden Ring?
The hardest dragon in Elden Ring is often considered to be Dragonlord Placidusax, an optional boss in Farum Azula. He is incredibly complex to reach and possesses a devastating array of attacks.
4. Is Dragonlord Placidusax the strongest dragon in Elden Ring?
Yes, Dragonlord Placidusax is widely regarded as the strongest dragon in Elden Ring, based on his challenging fight mechanics and the sheer power of his abilities.
5. How many dragon bosses are there in Elden Ring?
There are a total of 13 dragon bosses in Elden Ring. Each dragon offers unique challenges and rewards.
6. What are Dragon Communion Incantations?
Dragon Communion Incantations are special spells that can be acquired by offering Dragon Hearts at the Church of Dragon Communion or the Cathedral of Dragon Communion. These incantations allow the player to harness dragon-like powers.
7. What level should I be to fight dragons effectively in Elden Ring?
The recommended level to fight dragons effectively varies depending on the specific dragon. However, for Flying Dragon Agheel, it’s recommended to be at least level 35+, with weapons of +4 or higher.
8. Where can I find Ancient Dragon Lansseax?
Ancient Dragon Lansseax can be found on a random hill near Stormcaller Church in the Altus Plateau. This dragon uses lightning attacks, making the fight challenging but rewarding.
9. What is the lore behind the dead dragon in Leyndell, Royal Capital?
The massive dead dragon in Leyndell, Royal Capital, is Gransax. It’s said that Gransax’s attack on the capital was the only time in history that Leyndell’s walls fell, marking the beginning of the war against the Ancient Dragons.
10. What is Leyndell, Ashen Capital?
Leyndell, Ashen Capital, is an alternate state of Leyndell, Royal Capital, that appears after defeating Maliketh, the Black Blade. It is considered the final area of Elden Ring and the location of the game’s final boss.
11. Where can I find the dragon that gives 80,000 Runes?
The dragon that provides 80,000 Runes is located at Fort Faroth in Caelid. It’s an apparent mother dragon surrounded by smaller dragons.
12. What are some of the best weapons to use against dragons in Elden Ring?
Some of the best weapons to use against dragons include:
- Dragon Greatclaw
- Rivers of Blood
- Bloodhound’s Fang
- Moonveil Katana
13. What do you get for defeating Dragonlord Placidusax?
Defeating Dragonlord Placidusax rewards players with the Dragon King’s Cragblade, a powerful heavy thrusting sword, and Placidusax’s Ruin, an excellent incantation for Faith builds.
14. What is a Blood Dragon build in Elden Ring?
A Blood Dragon build is an Arcane-focused build that dual-wields blades, utilizing the Hemorrhage status effect and Dragon Incantations for a potent combination of damage and status affliction.
15. Who ruled the world before the Erdtree and Queen Marika?
Before the age of the Erdtree and the rule of Queen Marika, the world was ruled by the Ancient Dragons. Placidusax, a many-headed Ancient Dragon, ruled as Elden Lord from the royal city of Farum Azula.
Greyoll, the sleeping dragon, remains a pivotal encounter in Elden Ring, providing both a substantial early game advantage and insight into the deep lore of the Lands Between. Whether you choose to exploit her slumber for personal gain or leave her undisturbed is entirely up to you, Tarnished.