Elden Ring’s Godskin Noble is the first boss you’ll face while exploring Volcano Manor, as well as a rare enemy you might encounter in other areas — such as straight after the Carian Study Hall.
In this Godskin Noble guide, we’ll show you how to defend yourself, mount a safe(ish) offense, and exploit Godskin Noble’s weakness.
Preparing for the fight
The Crimson Amber Medallion +1 behind the Stonesword Key fog gate in Prison Town is worth equipping, even though you’ll need to avoid getting swallowed by a couple of Iron Virgins to claim it.
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In addition, this boss is susceptible to both Frost and Bleed effects. The best thing you can do is load your weapons up with both, and go in whole hog to layer on these damaging statuses as quickly as possible. Power-stancing dual katanas by equipping one in each hand and tapping L1/LB to attack with both is one of the best ways to accomplish this; for Int/Dex builds, Moonveil, acquired in Caelid’s Gael Tunnel, and the Uchigatana, found in the Deathtouched Catacombs in Limgrave, make an unstoppable combo, particularly if you give the Uchi the Cold affinity using the Glintstone Whetblade found in Raya Lucaria.
Magic and Lightning damage are also both somewhat effective against the Godskin Noble, giving faith and casters plenty of options. Strength-based characters can always use Grease-based items to augment their heavy weapons with these elements; you can craft Lightning Grease after finding the Ancient Dragon Apostle’s Cookbook [1] in the Altus Plateau’s Wyndham Catacombs, while the Glintstone Craftsman’s Cookbook [5], found in Raya Lucaria, holds the recipe for Magic Grease.
As far as defense, you’ll want to maximize your Fire protection to defend against the Godskin Noble’s Black Flame attacks. If you haven’t already, go grab the Flamedrake Talisman +2 in Dragonbarrow Cave in eastern Caelid.
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Learning the fight
Godskin Noble’s combos are extremely annoying, with an unpredictable mix of slow and fast attacks, all of which have the potential to cause massive damage. It can be extraordinarily difficult to discern when the Godskin Noble’s combos have actually ended. There are exceedingly few moments when it’s genuinely safe to get in a hit of your own.
When to heal: When you have to chug a flask, do whatever you must to put a pillar in between you and the boss. Otherwise, there’s always a chance he’ll catch you with a long-range thrust attack.
If you’re playing a sorcerer, one thing you can do to give yourself a slight advantage is to cast Terra Magicka at the fog gate, and then cast some offensive magic just after you cross the threshold into the fight. This will allow you to safely get in some damage, though it’s just a small head start and ultimately unnecessary.
The key to this fight is learning exactly which attacks leave you enough of an opening to retaliate. To that end, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with all of Godskin Noble’s moves.
Phase 1 strategies
His standard attacks generally comprise variable combos of thrusts and swipes. He can combine these in unpredictable ways, and it’s generally not safe to attack just because you think a combo is over.
Attack opportunity: You can be certain that the Godskin Noble’s current combo has ended when he sidesteps after an attack. This brief movement leaves him open.
One of the Godskin Noble’s trickiest attacks is a powerful delayed thrust. The Godskin Noble raises his sword back and waits for an extended period, before slamming forward with a stab that can cover a shocking amount of ground while easily slashing your health in half. The best way to avoid it is to literally count two beats out loud when you see him raise his arm: “One, two, dodge.” Dodging early and getting caught by this one is a common source of death.
The Noble also uses a couple of Black Flame attacks during its first phase. Black Flame causes brief damage-over-time when it attaches to you, but both attacks are easy to avoid. When he drags his left hand at his side for a moment, roll away, as he’s going to surround himself in flames.
Attack opportunity: On the other hand, when he raises his flame hand above his shoulder, he’s about to toss a fireball your way. Dodge toward him and get in an attack or two.
He’ll also occasionally belly bump you when you’re close to him, though it’s not too damaging, and generally worth the risk when you’re trying to cause damage or stack status effects.
Attack opportunity: Lastly, the Godskin Noble sometimes raises his right leg into the air, bringing it down for a slam that does area damage. Dodge backward to avoid it, and watch for the follow-up that usually, but not always, comes. If he raises his leg up again, dodge toward him, and get in your own attacks. He sometimes gets stuck in a pattern doing this multiple times in a row, which is your golden ticket to serve him up some damage.
Phase 2 strategies
At around 50% health, Godskin Noble rises into the air and enters Phase 2.
Attack opportunity: Get away from him while he’s doing this to avoid the Black Flame damage, and then get close after he lands to retaliate.
During this phase, he adds some attacks to his repertoire. Two of them should simply be avoided at all costs. The first you’ll likely notice is a little thing we like to call the dinner roll. It’s telegraphed when he stands in place and jiggles, and then leaps into the air and turns on his side. He then Sonic-the-Hedgehogs around the room, causing damage every time he hits you. This can go on for a disturbingly long time. Thankfully, it’s easy as pie to avoid once you know how: Simply roll into him when he gets close.
The second, even more dangerous new attack is a flurry of thrusts that can easily one-shot you if they catch you off guard. You can tell he’s about to unleash this when the boss briefly raises his sword vertically in front of his face, as if he’s assuming a combat stance. The trouble is that this readying movement lasts a fraction of a second before he begins wildly stabbing you, so all you can do is be extra careful about when you choose to try to attack him in this phase.
Attack opportunity: The third new attack during Phase 2 gives you a big opening to attack. When the Godskin Noble soars high into the air, he’s about to slam into the ground, causing damage in a small area around him. Once you get the timing down, you can roll toward him and easily get in several hits. He’ll usually bounce you off him afterward, but it does little damage compared with what you’ll be able to inflict.
With Godskin Noble defeated, you’ll gain 50,000 runes, plus the Godskin Stitcher weapon and the Noble Presence incantation. Rest at the Temple of Eiglay site of grace and take a breather.
