Elden Ring: Find & Defeat Elemer of the Thorns

In our Elemer boss guide to Elden Ring you will learn:

  • How to find Shadow Castle
  • Where Elemer of the Thorns hangs out in Shadow Castle
  • How to defeat the boss

In Elden Ring, Elemer of the Thorns is an optional boss that awaits you in the poison-soaked Shadow Castle. Elemer is a very physical fighter that you will encounter in a confined space. How to defeat the thorny boss in his chamber, you can read in this guide.

Elemer of the Thorns: How to reach the Shadow Castle

Elemer of Thorns sits in the Shadow Castle in Altus Plateau. You can reach it via the Great Gorge. There are two ways to get there:

  • Either grab the two pieces of the Medallion of Dectus and ride the Great Elevator of Dectus to the Altus Plateau. Once there, ride north along the path until you reach the ruins of Nox and the place of mercy "Lookout Hill of the Earth Tree". You can read where to find the medallions in our Elden Ring guide to the Eternal City of Nokron
  • Without the medallions, the way to Altus Plateau is across the ruin-strewn Abyss. Ride into Liurnia through the Church of Bellum, which you must visit during Hyetta's quest (guide), and follow the path along the river. Defeat the Magmalindworm Makar at the end of the Ruin Straddled Abyss, and you'll enter Altus Plateau via the Forsaken Coffin location.

Both paths lead to the place of mercy "Lookout Hill of the Earth Tree". From there, continue riding north through the canyon until you reach Shadow Castle.

The journey to Shadow Castle begins at the Lookout Mound of the Earth Tree. Follow the gorge north until you reach the poison green Shadow Castle.

Cross Shadow Castle and find Elemer of the Thorns

Ride northeast around Shadow Castle until you reach the rampart via a fallen section of wall. Rest briefly at the place of mercy and run along the wall in a southwesterly direction. Cross the crumbling wall to reach the swampy courtyard. Cross it until you see a flat building with red roof shingles. Directly opposite, a wooden ladder leads upwards.

Here you will find the entrance to the shadow castle.

Run north along the rampart until you meet a rotten knight crouching in front of a door. Shoot him and enter the building. Inside is a treasure chest with the Valkyrie Prosthesis, which you need for Millicent's quest (Guide) . Leave the building again and walk back southeast. After a group of zombies, go up a short flight of stairs and reach a small wooden bridge.

Opposite the sunken building, a ladder (shown here on the right) leads out of the swamp area.

Jump down into the swamp area and run left after the first big staircase. Take the ladder and you will reach the place of mercy "Shadow Castle - Inner Gate". Follow the path, climb the next ladder and pass through the following two buildings - watch out for Pure Rot Knights. Then take the elevator at the courtyard, which will take you into the tower to the boss arena of Elemer of the Thorns.

Run up the first staircase and take the ladder on the left wall

Elemer of the Thorns: strengths and weaknesses of the boss

Elemer of the Thorns is very resilient to most physical damage. He also takes magic, fire and holy damage well. It is best to use weapons that deal stab damage and cast lightning on the thorny knight. The most effective status effects are sleep, poison, and scarlet rot. He is immune to madness.

The Ruler of Shadow Castle deals mostly physical damage, relying on standard, slashing, and stabbing damage. He also uses magic occasionally. You can parry his attacks, but will need two successful attempts to break his stance and place a critical hit. With a shield that blocks 100% physical damage, you can block all sword attacks.

Elemer of the Thorns: How to defeat the boss in Shadow Castle

Enter the room, sprint towards the boss and give him a jump attack. Immediately stay close and dodge his punches to the left. After each three-punch combo, you can deal quick blows. If Elemer raises his shield from the thorns, he'll slide forward shortly after and give you a slash. This gives you an excellent attack option: dodge to the side and attack the boss from behind.

Elemer of the Thorns takes a leisurely approach to the fight, but will immediately send his flying sword after you if you stay too far away from him.

If Elemer of the Thorns raises his red glowing fist, either run away or dodge as soon as he strikes down with it. If the gravity attack catches you, the boss will pull you towards him and hit you once across the room.

How to survive Elemer's sword attacks

The biggest danger in this boss fight are the magic talents of Elemer's Sword. He usually casts them when you are at a medium distance from him. Watch out for the following sword attacks:

  • Dancing Sword: Elemer's sword glows red, dances in the air briefly, and then flies around your ears in a circle. Either dodge backwards several times or use this attack for a counter. If he sends the sword into the air, get close with a dodge roll forward and give him one or two quick blows.
  • Dancing Sword Returns: If Elemer sends his sword at your neck, it will occasionally disappear behind you when you are at mid-range. If he raises his arm, alternately dodge sideways in quick succession.
  • Eochaid's Dancing Blade: Elemer hurls the sword forward with energy for a spiraling attack. As it spins, it deals damage continuously. Dodge to the left and attack Elemer's unprotected flank.

This ash helps against Elemer from the thorns

If you can't handle Elemer of the Thorns' attacks, use an ash. Robust spirits deflect his attacks, which will buy you a lot of time for your attacks. In our guide to the legendary ashes in Elden Ring you can find the right spirit. With the ashes of the dragon knight Kristoff you have a strong partner who can take a lot of punishment if he is upgraded accordingly. He also sends thunderbolts at Elemer, to which the boss is vulnerable.

A spirit ash makes the fight against Elemer of the Thorns much easier.

Reward for defeating Elemer of the Thorns

If you defeat Elemer of Thorns, you can enjoy 24,000 runes, the Thorn Great Shield and a bronze trophy. You will also receive the Greatsword Executioner's Sword of the Marais, one of the legendary weapons in Elden Ring.

More guides to Elden Ring:

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