Overview
The Valiant Gargoyles are one of Elden Ring’s most infamous mid-game roadblocks. You fight them in the Siofra Aqueduct, a cavernous chamber at the end of Nokron, Eternal City. The encounter starts with a single Valiant Gargoyle wielding a massive greatsword. Once you deal enough damage, a second Valiant Gargoyle (Twinblade) drops into the arena, turning a tough one-on-one into a chaotic duo fight.
This boss is optional in the sense that it is not required to finish the base game, but it gates several important things. Defeating the Valiant Gargoyles lets you interact with the coffin at the back of the arena, which transports you to Deeproot Depths. That area is tied to Fia’s questline, the Prince of Death’s Throne, and the Lichdragon Fortissax boss fight. The duo also drops the Gargoyle’s Greatsword and Gargoyle’s Twinblade, two solid Strength weapons with unique movesets.
To reach them, you must defeat Starscourge Radahn in Caelid. After Radahn falls, a meteor crashes into Limgrave near Mistwood, opening a crater that leads to Nokron. From there, progress through Nokron, defeat the Mimic Tear, and follow the aqueduct path until you reach the boss chamber. The nearest Site of Grace is Siofra Aqueduct, so rest, respec if needed, and prepare for a fight that punishes greed, bad camera management, and slash-focused builds.
The headline weakness for both gargoyles is Strike damage. These are stone constructs, so blunt weapons, Rock Sling, and Cragblade absolutely shred them. They resist slash and pierce damage, and bleed is largely a waste of time. If your build relies on katanas, curved swords, or spears, you can still win, but you are fighting uphill. Bring a backup club, hammer, or Great Stars, and the fight becomes far more manageable.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Start by preparing at the Siofra Aqueduct Site of Grace. If you have Mimic Tear Ashes, equip them. Mimic Tear is found in Night’s Sacred Ground in Nokron, behind an imp statue fog door that requires a Stonesword Key. Upgrade it as high as you can—ideally +10. If you have Black Knife Tiche, she is also excellent because her Destined Death projectile deals percentage-based damage and can distract one gargoyle. Summon your Spirit Ash immediately after entering the arena. Do not wait until the second gargoyle appears.
Enter the boss room and let your summon take initial aggro. The first gargoyle uses a greatsword. Its moveset includes heavy overhead slams, sweeping horizontal swings, a charging stab, and a poison breath attack that builds poison. The safest place is often near its legs, slightly behind and to the side. Lock on only when you need to track it, then unlock to keep both gargoyles in view. Use jump attacks and charged heavy attacks with a Strike weapon. Two or three good jump attacks can stagger a gargoyle, opening it up for a critical hit. If you are a sorcerer, Rock Sling is your best friend here. It deals physical Strike damage, tracks reasonably well, and can stagger from a safe distance.
When the first gargoyle reaches roughly half health, the second gargoyle enters the fight. It wields a twinblade and is much more aggressive. The twinblade gargoyle chains multiple spinning slashes, thrusts, and leaping attacks. It can roll-catch you if you panic-roll backward. Try to dodge into or through its combos, then punish the recovery. If both gargoyles are alive, keep kiting around the arena so your summon or co-op partner can hold one while you focus the other. Do not try to damage both evenly. Kill the first greatsword gargoyle as quickly as possible, even if it means ignoring the twinblade for a few seconds.
Once the first gargoyle is dead, the fight becomes a duel. The twinblade gargoyle is fast but has clear openings after its long combos. Stay close to its legs, avoid the poison breath by moving sideways or running behind it, and use jump attacks to break its stance. If you are using a shield, guard counters with a greatshield can work, but be careful of the twinblade’s multi-hit combos draining your stamina. When both are dead, interact with the coffin at the back of the arena. It will transport you to Deeproot Depths, where Fia awaits if you are progressing her quest.
Tips and Strategies
Strike damage is the core of this fight. Great Stars, Brick Hammer, Giant-Crusher, the standard Club, and Cudgel all perform well. Two-hand your weapon for extra poise damage. If you have the Cragblade Ash of War, apply it before the fight or during a safe window. Cragblade boosts physical damage and poise damage, making stagger locks much easier. Royal Knight’s Resolve is also strong if you prefer a single massive hit.
Rock Sling is arguably the best sorcery for this boss. It deals physical Strike damage, which the gargoyles are weak to, and it can hit from range while your Mimic Tear tanks. Pair it with the Meteorite Staff or Carian Regal Scepter, and use the Arrow’s Reach talisman if you need extra range. For incantations, Golden Vow and Flame, Grant Me Strength are excellent buffs. If you have access to Pest Threads, it can hit large enemies multiple times, though Rock Sling is more reliable.
Talismans matter. Dragoncrest Shield Talisman reduces physical damage, which is most of what the gargoyles deal. Green Turtle Talisman helps with stamina recovery, especially if you are using a heavy weapon. Claw Talisman boosts jump attacks, which are your primary stagger tool. If you struggle with poison buildup, equip the Immunizing Horn Charm or carry Antidotes. The poison breath is not the main threat, but it can chip you down and force panic healing.
Camera management is a real skill in this fight. Locking onto one gargoyle can make the other blindside you. Learn to toggle lock-on off when both are active. Keep the twinblade in your peripheral vision. If you hear the twinblade’s whirlwind attack, run away and reset spacing. Do not stand near the waterfall edge if you are prone to rolling off. There is no shame in sprinting around the arena to separate the two bosses.
If you are struggling, respec at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon in Raya Lucaria. You do not need a full build change—just enough Strength or Faith to wield a decent Strike weapon. Even a +12 Brick Hammer with Cragblade can carry you through this fight. Alternatively, summon a co-op partner. A human summon with a Strike weapon and Mimic Tear turns the duo into a manageable brawl.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is relying on bleed, slash, or pierce damage. The Valiant Gargoyles are stone constructs. Bleed does not proc meaningfully, and slash weapons bounce off their poise. If you are using a katana or twinblade, you are making the fight longer than it needs to be. Switch to a blunt weapon, even temporarily.
Another common mistake is summoning too late. If you wait until the second gargoyle appears, your Spirit Ash may get overwhelmed. Summon Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche at the start. Let them establish aggro while you position yourself.
Greed is lethal. The twinblade gargoyle can chain six or seven hits in a row. If you try to sneak in an extra swing, you will get caught in the combo. Attack once or twice, then reset. Jump attacks are safe because they deal high poise damage and let you reposition. Charged R2s are powerful but only use them when the gargoyle is recovering from a long animation.
Ignoring poison buildup is also a mistake. The poison breath leaves a lingering cloud. If your poison meter fills, you lose a chunk of health over time. Carry Antidotes or use Flame, Cleanse Me if you have Faith. Do not heal in the poison cloud—move away first.
Finally, many players forget the coffin after the fight. Once the gargoyles are dead, walk to the back of the arena and interact with the coffin. It takes you to Deeproot Depths, which is essential for Fia’s quest and the Lichdragon Fortissax fight. If you leave without using it, you can always come back, but it is easy to miss.
FAQ
Q: What are the Valiant Gargoyles weak to?
A: Strike damage. Use blunt weapons like Great Stars, Brick Hammer, Giant-Crusher, or Club. Rock Sling is excellent for sorcerers because it deals physical Strike damage. They resist slash and pierce, and bleed is largely ineffective.
Q: Can I skip the Valiant Gargoyles?
A: Yes, they are optional for beating Elden Ring. However, defeating them unlocks the coffin to Deeproot Depths, which is required for Fia’s questline, the Lichdragon Fortissax boss, and the Prince of Death’s Throne area. They also drop the Gargoyle’s Greatsword and Gargoyle’s Twinblade.
Q: What level and weapon upgrade should I have?
A: Most players tackle them around level 70–90 with a +15 regular weapon or +6 somber weapon. A +10 Mimic Tear Ashes makes a huge difference. If you are underleveled, come back after exploring Leyndell, Royal Capital or Mt. Gelmir. There is no need to bash your head against them early.
