The Altus Plateau, a golden land of rolling fields and ancient ruins, marks a turning point in Elden Ring, where stronger foes and greater challenges await. Its bosses range from powerful warriors to mystical beings guarding the path to the Erdtree, each testing a Tarnished’s skill and determination. Below, you can find the full list of bosses in the region, and the strategies to defeat them. If you’re looking for a walkthrough of the Altus Plateau, head here.
Altus Plateau Bosses
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: Lux Ruins
- Rewards:
Demi-Human Queen Gilika is found beneath the Lux Ruins on the Altus Plateau, serving as a more aggressive version of the earlier demi-human queens. Despite her intimidating size and erratic movements, she is not a particularly difficult fight if approached correctly. Her attacks are fast but predictable, and she lacks the overwhelming combos of tougher mid-game bosses. While she can be frightening due to her relentless aggression, she is easily staggered and leaves plenty of openings.
A 100% physical defense shield trivializes this fight, allowing you to block nearly all of her attacks without staggering. Walk toward her while holding block, and attack only after an attack misses, rather than immediately after blocking. If stamina runs low, release block between her attacks to recover. You can also move through her legs to avoid her slam and grab attacks, creating easy backstab opportunities. Keep calm, let her overextend, and strike during her recovery windows to make this fight a breeze.
- Summons Available: No for Bell-Bearing Hunter, Yes for Elemer of the Briar
- Location:
- Bell Bearing Hunter: Hermit Merchant’s Shack
- Elemer of the Briar: Shaded Castle
- Rewards:
- Bell Bearing Hunter:
- Bell Bearing Hunter:
Elemer of the Briar is found at the end of the Shaded Castle, appears near certain merchants across the Lands Between as a night-time ambush as The Bell Bearing Hunter. While his glowing red weapon and aggressive nature make him seem imposing, he is fairly predictable once you learn his combos. His main threat is his ability to quickly two-shot most players, especially if they panic roll or mistime dodges. Unlike many humanoid enemies, he cannot be backstabbed, but he is highly vulnerable to stagger, making jumping attacks and Spirit Summons invaluable in locations where they are available.
At the Shaded Castle, you can sneak up on him at the start and land a heavy attack or spell before he turns hostile. Summons like the 
Demi-Humans can keep him occupied while you attack from a distance or go for repeated stagger damage. In any case, a 100% physical defense shield makes blocking viable, but rolling is preferred—just roll as late as possible to avoid his delayed red-glowing attacks. The best strategy is to bait out a combo, attack once or twice, then reposition. Don’t be greedy.
The Stonedigger Troll is a slow but powerful boss whose massive AOE slams and high poise make it resistant to staggering, but its predictable attack patterns create safe openings. Patience and proper positioning are key to avoiding its delayed attacks and shockwaves.
For melee, two-hand your weapon and use jumping attacks to break its posture. Attack after the Slow Slam or Stomp Into Swipe, and land a critical strike if it falls forward. Ranged players should keep mid-range and punish after Repeated Slams, which give the best casting window. Ranged Spirit Ashes help keep the boss distracted, allowing for safer attacks.
The Erdtree Burial Watchdog is a stiff, mechanical boss found in various catacombs across the Lands Between. While it moves slowly, it has fast, sudden attacks that can be tricky to dodge. Different variants have unique ranged magic attacks, but their melee patterns remain the same. If additional enemies are present, clearing them first makes the fight much easier.
For melee, bait the Leaping Attack by standing just outside range, then roll to the side when it lands and strike once before dodging again. Summons help, but the boss may abruptly switch targets mid-attack. Ranged players can kite easily, as the boss is slow between attacks—cast a spell, reposition, and repeat. When it glows with magic, prepare to run sideways or roll behind it to avoid its ranged spells. Duo versions are tougher, but Spirit Ashes can help divide their attention.
The Misbegotten Warrior and Perfumer Tricia duo fight in the Unsightly Catacombs can be tough due to their synergy—Tricia buffs and heals the Misbegotten Warrior while throwing fire AOE attacks. However, her low HP makes her an easy first target. The Misbegotten Warrior is a returning boss with fast sword combos and tricky delays, making him dangerous once Tricia is gone.
Summon group-based Spirit Ashes like Demi-Humans or 
Lone Wolves to distract the Misbegotten Warrior while you rush Tricia. Melee players should two-hand their weapon and use jumping attacks to break her guard, while magic users should use fast spells like 
Carian Slicer. Once Tricia is down, use the pillars for cover, only heal after big slam attacks, and time your dodges carefully to avoid getting caught in the Misbegotten Warrior’s relentless attack chains.
Necromancer Garris is a relatively easy boss found behind an illusory wall in Sage’s Cave, but his gimmick—constantly spawning skeleton snails—can catch players off guard. While Garris himself is slow and has low HP, his snail summons can overwhelm you if left unchecked. A summon that staggers bosses (like Lone Wolves or Demi-Humans) will make this fight much easier.
Immediately summon your spirits upon entering and target the skeleton snail to the left of Garris. Let your summons distract him while you take down the snail, then keep an eye on the spawn point where more will drop down throughout the fight. Garris has slow-moving projectiles and melee attacks, but as long as your spirits keep him occupied, you can safely clean up the snails and finish him off. Rolling away from his melee swings and staying aware of new snail spawns will ensure a quick and easy victory.
The Black Knife Assassin in Sage’s Cave is a hidden boss, only accessible after navigating through illusory walls. This fight is particularly frustrating due to the boss’s invisibility and high mobility, making it difficult to track and punish. However, there are several ways to counter its invisibility, such as using the 
Sentry’s Torch or relying on Spirit Ashes to reveal its position. While the boss is fast, low poise makes it susceptible to staggering, which can turn the fight in your favor.
If you have the Sentry’s Torch, the fight becomes much easier—let summons tank while you attack from a safe distance. Without the torch, watch the water for movement, and roll frequently to avoid its devastating backstab attack. Since locking on is unreliable, aim your attacks manually with sweeping melee strikes or wide-AOE spells like 
Carian Greatsword or 
Surge, O Flame. Staying aggressive and keeping track of the boss’s movement through summons or footprints will ensure victory.
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: East of Altus Highway Junction
- Rewards:
The Fallingstar Beast is a powerful, fast-moving foe encountered in multiple locations throughout the game. It has a mix of brutal melee attacks, ranged rock flings, and devastating gravity magic, making it a formidable opponent. This encounter is easier with 
Torrent, letting you avoid the worst of the Fallingstar Beast’s attack. The boss idles frequently, giving openings for ranged players, and can be staggered for a critical hit if fought aggressively.
When fighting on foot, use a 100% Physical Defense shield to block single strikes, but be ready to dodge multi-hit combos. Staying close to its stomach can minimize damage while allowing for heavy jump attacks. If battling on Torrent, ride in wide circles to avoid ranged attacks and sprint diagonally to bait and dodge charge attacks. Spirit Ashes that last long, like the 
Skeletal Militiaman, are useful distractions. Learning attack patterns and staying mobile is key to overcoming this relentless enemy.
The Omenkiller and Miranda the Blighted Bloom boss duo in Perfumer’s Grotto is an uneven fight, as Miranda is an immobile flower, leaving the Omenkiller as the only real threat. The fight becomes much easier by keeping Omenkiller away from Miranda’s poison cloud and occasional magic beams, which are telegraphed by floating white lights. While Omenkiller can deal heavy damage, his limited moveset and predictable combos make him manageable.
To win, focus entirely on Omenkiller first, using backward rolls to evade Flame Spew and Crossed Slashes, while dodging diagonally past him during multi-hit combos. Melee players can stagger him with jumping heavy attacks, while ranged players can get in damage during his fire breath. Once Omenkiller is down, Miranda is a free kill—simply avoid the magic beams, or tank through the poison if you have healing left.
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: East of the Bower of Bounty, Near Minor Erdtree
- Rewards:
Wormface is a grotesque boss found at the foot of a Minor Erdtree near the Bower of Bounty. While its melee attacks aren’t too threatening, its Death Blight clouds can instantly kill you if your blight meter fills up. Fortunately, Torrent is available, making this fight much easier as long as you keep moving and avoid standing in the lingering clouds. Slashing weapons are particularly effective, while Holy damage is resisted.
To win, constantly ride in a circle, tapping sprint when the boss attacks to avoid both its melee strikes and blight-spewing abilities. Melee characters should ride in for quick hits after dodging an attack, while ranged players can safely attack from a distance. Summons are useful for distracting Wormface, as it struggles to kill them efficiently. If your blight meter gets too high, back off and wait for it to deplete before engaging again. Wearing high Vitality armor and equipping the 
Prince of Death’s Pustule can further reduce blight buildup, making the fight even safer.
The Crystalian Spear & Ringblade duo is found at the end of Altus Tunnel. This fight is similar to the other Crystalian duo fights, but easier due to the absence of a mage. Initially, attacks deal very little damage, but once a Crystalian’s poise is broken, they become significantly weaker. Strike weapons are particularly effective at staggering them, and spirit summons with multiple attackers (like Demi-Humans or Lone Wolves) help keep one boss distracted while you focus on the other.
Summon your spirits immediately, then target the spear-wielding Crystalian first—it has fewer attacks and is easier to dodge. Roll past its thrusts, land backstabs when possible, and use charged attacks to stagger it. Once it kneels, land a critical strike from the front to break its armor and make it vulnerable. Ranged players can use Bestial Sling to stagger the bosses quickly. Once the spear Crystalian is down, the ringblade Crystalian is much easier to deal with—continue rolling behind it to land backstabs while avoiding its spinning jump attack and ring toss.
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: Windmill Village
- Rewards:
This Godskin Apostle appears at the top of the Windmill Village, featuring high HP and a mix of ranged and melee attacks. It is resistant to Holy and Fire but vulnerable to physical damage. While its Black Flame projectiles and stretchy melee combos can be dangerous, the fight is manageable with patience and spacing.
On horseback, bait its attacks, then ride in to strike before retreating. Melee players should roll through Black Flame and Windmill Slashes, attacking only after safe openings. Ranged characters should let summons draw aggro while casting during Black Flame Whirlwind. In Phase 2, avoid extended attacks by keeping distance and striking when it recovers. Playing defensively and punishing after attacks ensures an easier win.
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: Writheblood Ruins
- Rewards:
The Sanguine Noble, found beneath Writheblood Ruins, is a Hemorrhage-focused boss that can quickly deplete your HP if you let your bleed meter fill. While his daggers and sword slashes apply bleed buildup, a 100% physical defense shield and high Robustness armor will help mitigate the threat. With proper use of summons and backstabs, this fight becomes much easier.
Summon Lone Wolf or Demi-Human Ashes immediately to keep the boss distracted. Melee players should wait for an opening, land a jumping attack, then roll away. If he uses Blood Eruption, circle behind for a backstab while avoiding the pools. Ranged characters should stay back and stagger him with spells like 
Loretta’s Greatbow. If summons die, prioritize dodging over blocking to avoid unnecessary bleed buildup, and keep strafing to avoid his daggers.
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: Between Abandonned Coffin and Erdtree-Gazing Hill
- Rewards:
Ancient Dragon Lansseax, found atop a lightning-scorched hill, differs from most dragons in the Lands Between. While high-damage lightning attacks make him dangerous, its AI is exploitable, allowing for an effective strategy to control the fight. 
Latenna the Albinauric is a strong summon choice, consistently dealing damage while you stay mobile. If you struggle with damage output, 
Dragonwound Grease can help, but upgrading your weapon is ideal.
To win, ride Torrent and attack between Lansseax’s legs, targeting his belly, back legs, or tail, then quickly ride past and reposition. Repeat this pattern, avoiding lingering under him to dodge deadly AOE lightning. If he flies back and casts his Glaive, ride away quickly and jump over the follow-up red lightning. If he breathes fire, use the same tactic—stay behind him and reposition. With patience and good positioning, this fight becomes surprisingly manageable.
The Black Knife Assassin found guarding the Sainted Hero’s Grave entrance is one of many across the Lands Between, but this one has a few extra tricks, making it more challenging than most. However, with the right approach, this fight can be completely cheesed, turning a difficult encounter into a free win. This strategy works for both melee and ranged characters, requiring stealth and patience rather than direct combat.
As soon as the fight starts, ride past the boss and open the door to the hero’s grave behind it. Then, run inside, roll down the stairs, and hide behind the elevator—this will confuse the assassin, causing it to either reset or teleport back to its starting position. Now, sneak back outside, approach from behind, and land a backstab or a powerful ranged attack. Quickly run back inside before the boss can retaliate. Repeat this process until the assassin is defeated!
The Ancient Hero of Zamor in the Sainted Hero’s Grave is a swift and frost-infused boss that rewards aggression and well-timed dodges. While it has a mix of spinning melee attacks and frost-based AOE abilities, its low poise makes it vulnerable to stagger. The fight becomes more intense in Phase 2, as the boss gains faster attacks and enhanced frost abilities, requiring careful positioning.
For melee players, staying close to the boss makes its spinning attacks easier to dodge—roll into the attack rather than away. Heavy jumping attacks are very effective, quickly breaking its stance and opening it up for a critical strike. When the boss charges frost into its hand, back away to avoid Frost Breath or Frost Tempest. Ranged players should fire off spells freely in Phase 1, as the boss moves slowly at range. In Phase 2, its aggression increases, so attack during Frost Breath or Frost Tempest for safe openings. If spellcasting becomes difficult, consider switching to melee to finish the fight.
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: Altus Highway Junction
- Rewards:
The Tree Sentinel Duo are two tougher versions of the first mounted knight you encounter in Limgrave, but despite their strength, you can fight them one at a time with the right strategy. Found outside the huge double doors leading to the Outerwall Phantom Tree, these golden-clad knights hit hard but can be easily separated. Players who prefer ranged tactics can also take advantage of terrain to avoid damage entirely.
The best approach is to pull one sentinel away with a ranged attack, lure it through the doors, and fight it solo. If it starts returning, sneak up and attack from behind to keep it engaged. Ranged players can attack from a nearby platform for a completely safe fight. For a fair battle, ride past on Torrent, attacking its right side, then retreat before it counterattacks. Fighting both at once is possible but extremely difficult, so use summons if you attempt it.
The Onyx Lord appears in multiple locations, with this one appearing in the Sealed Tunnel in Altus Plateau. Despite wielding gravity magic, this boss is easily staggered and has slow, predictable attacks, making it one of the simplest fights in the game.
Melee players can dominate the fight by two-handing their weapon and spamming jumping heavy attacks to interrupt nearly all of his moves. Ranged players should use summons to keep him occupied and time spells for after his Meteorite attack. Rolling through his melee strikes and casting during recovery windows ensures an easy victory.
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: Capital Outskirts
- Rewards:
The Valiant Gargoyle is a formidable twinblade-wielding boss found in an open arena, making Torrent a crucial asset in this fight. Despite its high aggression and deceptive range, careful movement and a hit-and-run strategy will allow you to avoid nearly all damage. The fight begins with the boss dodging ranged attacks while idle, but once engaged, it becomes easier to hit while recovering from attacks.
Summon your best spirit ashes at the start to help distract the boss, then ride directly at it, tapping sprint as you pass to avoid attacks. Melee players should strike once or twice as they pass, while ranged characters can use the same method to safely cast spells without the boss dodging them. The main risk comes from its spinning whirlwind attacks, which can clip you if you mistime your approach—veer away if you see the boss winding up for one of these moves. If Torrent dies, stay calm, roll away, and quickly resummon before re-engaging. With patience, the Valiant Gargoyle will fall without much resistance.
- Summons Available: Yes
- Location: Outside Capital Ramparts
- Rewards:
The Draconic Tree Sentinel stands guard at the entrance to Leyndell, Royal Capital, wielding a massive weapon and the power of lightning. While its size and attacks are intimidating, Torrent provides a major advantage, allowing you to stay mobile and avoid most of its attacks. The fight is manageable with patience, as long as you dodge its shield swipes, fire breath, and devastating lightning attacks in Phase 2.
For melee, ride in a circle around the boss, moving slightly away as you pass its shield and horse’s mouth to avoid sudden attacks. After dodging an attack, quickly ride in for a few hits, then reposition. Ranged characters should kite the boss, attacking only after it finishes an attack to prevent it from dodging. In Phase 2, watch for red lightning indicators and sprint out of AOE zones. The Lightning Strike and Lightning Slam attacks require well-timed sprints or jumps to avoid. Stay patient, stick to the pattern, and you’ll bring down this formidable guardian.
The Crucible Knight Duo awaits at the end of Auriza Hero’s Grave, presenting a tough challenge with relentless attacks and limited openings for counterattacks. While both knights share similar aggressive moves, Ordovis (sword & shield) should be your priority, as his presence in the front makes him easier to engage. Learning their attack chains and creating distance for healing are key to surviving this fight.
For melee, bait out attacks from Ordovis when the spear knight is further behind, then punish with jumping heavy attacks before quickly rolling away. If the spear knight gets in front, reposition by running around the arena to separate them again. Ranged characters should target the spear knight first, staying mobile while casting spells between attack sequences. Phase 2 introduces winged attacks and tail sweeps, making it crucial to dodge properly before counterattacking. With patience and careful spacing, this daunting duo can be conquered.
The Grave Warden Duelist appears in multiple locations and is a relatively simple boss with slow, predictable combos. While his attacks are heavy-hitting, they have long wind-ups, making it easy to dodge and punish. In Auriza Side Tomb, he is joined by hostile jars—eliminate them first to avoid unnecessary distractions.
Melee players should roll to his sides after each attack, punishing after his double hammer slam or half-circle swing. Ranged characters can kite backwards, casting spells at the end of his combos. Be mindful of his charge attack and grab, as they come out faster than the rest of his moves. Summons are available in Altus, making the fight even easier by distracting the boss while you unleash attacks.
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