Cheesing Godfrey: Easy Tactics To Beat The First Elden Lord

how to cheese godfrey the first elden lord

In the unforgiving world of Elden Ring, defeating Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, requires more than just skill—it demands strategy, especially if you're looking to cheese the fight. Cheesing, a term often used in gaming, involves exploiting mechanics or tactics to gain an unfair advantage, and when applied to Godfrey, it can turn a seemingly insurmountable battle into a manageable challenge. By leveraging specific builds, summonable allies, or environmental tricks, players can minimize Godfrey's devastating combos and phase him quickly, ensuring survival in this late-game encounter. Whether you're using a bleed build to whittle down his health or positioning yourself to avoid his most dangerous attacks, cheesing Godfrey is a testament to creativity and resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming odds.

Characteristics Values
Boss Name Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Phase 1 & Phase 2: Hoarah Loux, Warrior)
Location Leyndell, Ashen Capital - Erdtree-Gazing Hill Site of Grace
Cheese Strategy Summon + RoB/Rivers of Blood + Bloodhound Step
Summons Finger Snap to summon NPCs (e.g., Ashen Spirit, Black Knife Tiche)
Weapon Rivers of Blood (RoB) for bleed buildup
Ash of War Bloodhound Step for dodging and repositioning
Talisman Varre's Talisman (optional, for increased bleed buildup)
Phase 1 Weakness Bleed, Frostbite (less effective than bleed)
Phase 2 Weakness Bleed, Frostbite (less effective than bleed)
Key Mechanics to Avoid Hoof Stomp, Jump Attack, Grab Attack (Phase 2)
Recommended Level 100-125 (depending on build and summon usage)
Notes Focus on bleed procs, use Bloodhound Step to dodge and reposition, let summons tank damage

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Exploit Godfrey's Slow Start

Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, is notorious for his relentless aggression and devastating combos, but his fight begins with a predictable and exploitable slow start. This phase offers a critical window to deal significant damage before he ramps up his offensive. By understanding and capitalizing on this vulnerability, players can drastically reduce the overall difficulty of the encounter.

The key to exploiting Godfrey’s slow start lies in his initial attack pattern. After a brief introductory cutscene, Godfrey performs a slow, telegraphed overhead slam. This move has a long wind-up, giving players ample time to dodge and counter. Position yourself at medium range, and as soon as he begins the slam animation, roll through the attack and immediately unleash a fully charged heavy attack or a high-damage spell. Repeat this process for his next few attacks, which are equally deliberate and predictable. This strategy allows you to build up a substantial damage lead before he enters his more aggressive phases.

However, caution is essential. While Godfrey’s initial moves are slow, they deal massive damage if they connect. Avoid greedily attacking beyond one or two strikes, as his follow-up combos can quickly punish overextension. Additionally, monitor your stamina closely; dodging and attacking in quick succession can leave you vulnerable if mismanaged. For melee builds, use a weapon with high poise damage to stagger him during his wind-ups, further disrupting his flow. Mages and ranged builds should prioritize casting from a safe distance, taking advantage of his slow movement during this phase.

The takeaway is clear: Godfrey’s slow start is a golden opportunity to dictate the pace of the fight. By mastering this window, players can shift the battle in their favor, turning a daunting boss into a manageable challenge. Practice recognizing his attack cues and refine your timing to maximize damage output while minimizing risk. This approach not only reduces the fight’s duration but also builds confidence for tackling his later, more chaotic phases.

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Use Bloodhound Step to Dodge

Bloodhound Step is a game-changer when it comes to cheesing Godfrey, the First Elden Lord. This Ash of War, when paired with a light roll and a fast weapon, allows you to become a blur of motion, dodging through Godfrey's most devastating attacks with ease. The key lies in its unique ability to grant you a brief moment of invincibility during the dash, effectively nullifying damage and closing the distance to Godfrey in an instant.

Imagine this: Godfrey winds up for his massive sword slam, an attack that would normally leave you scrambling for cover. Instead, you activate Bloodhound Step, darting through the falling blade and emerging unscathed behind him, ready to unleash a flurry of strikes. This tactic not only minimizes damage but also disrupts Godfrey's attack patterns, forcing him into a defensive posture.

To effectively utilize Bloodhound Step, timing is crucial. Don't spam the ability recklessly. Observe Godfrey's attack animations, identifying the telltale signs of his heaviest strikes. Aim to activate Bloodhound Step just as he begins his wind-up, ensuring you dash through the attack's peak damage window. Remember, the dash covers a significant distance, so position yourself accordingly to avoid overshooting and leaving yourself vulnerable.

Additionally, consider equipping a fast weapon with a short recovery time. This allows you to maximize the offensive potential of your Bloodhound Step dodges. A quick rapier or dagger can deliver a punishing counter-attack immediately after your dash, capitalizing on Godfrey's momentary vulnerability.

While Bloodhound Step is incredibly powerful, it's not without its limitations. The ability has a cooldown, so use it judiciously. Over-reliance can leave you exposed if you're caught without it. Furthermore, Godfrey's arena is spacious, and he possesses a wide range of attacks. Don't become complacent; maintain situational awareness and be prepared to adapt your strategy if needed.

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Target His Jump Attacks

Godfrey's jump attacks are telegraphed, making them predictable openings for counterplay. His wind-up is distinct: a brief pause, followed by a vertical leap that covers significant distance. This attack pattern, while intimidating, is his most exploitable due to its lengthy recovery window. By recognizing the pause and positioning yourself just outside his landing range, you create a momentary vulnerability.

To capitalize on this, adopt a hit-and-run strategy. As Godfrey begins his ascent, sprint perpendicular to his trajectory. This lateral movement ensures you’re not in the direct path of his landing but still within striking distance. Once he lands, his recovery animation locks him in place for approximately 1.5 seconds—a window during which you can safely land 2–3 light attacks or a single heavy strike. Avoid greed; overcommitting risks exposure to his follow-up combos.

A critical caution: do not attempt this tactic during his second phase, when he wields the axe. The jump attack’s area-of-effect shockwave increases, making close-range counters riskier. Instead, prioritize dodging through the shockwave and re-engaging once he’s fully landed. For players using shields, a well-timed parry during his descent can stagger him, but this requires precise timing and is not recommended for those unfamiliar with parry mechanics.

The takeaway is consistency. Practice recognizing the wind-up animation in a controlled environment (e.g., summoning NPC allies to distract him) before attempting this in a live fight. Pair this tactic with poison or bleed buildup to maximize damage during his recovery frames. While not a one-shot solution, targeting his jump attacks systematically drains his health while minimizing your exposure to his more dangerous combos.

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Abuse Incurable Poison Buildup

Incurable Poison, a potent tool in the Elden Ring arsenal, becomes a game-changer when exploited against Godfrey, the First Elden Lord. This strategy hinges on the poison's unique ability to bypass Godfrey's formidable defenses, dealing consistent damage over time regardless of his resistance. Unlike other status effects, poison doesn't rely on direct hits, making it ideal for cheesing this challenging boss.

Understanding the Mechanics:

Poison buildup in Elden Ring is cumulative, meaning multiple sources stack their effects. Incurable Poison, in particular, inflicts a higher base damage and lasts significantly longer than regular poison. This makes it a devastating tool against bosses with long fight durations, like Godfrey.

Crafting the Build:

To effectively abuse Incurable Poison, prioritize equipping weapons with innate poison damage or those that can be infused with the Poison Ash of War. Daggers like the Poisoned Dagger or the Serpent God's Curved Sword are excellent choices. Alternatively, the Poison Moth Knife offers ranged options for chip damage.

Complement your weapon with the Poisonfang Skill, which coats your weapon in poison for a limited time. This skill synergizes perfectly with your chosen weapon, maximizing poison buildup.

Execution and Strategy:

The key to success lies in patience and positioning. Maintain a safe distance, utilizing ranged attacks or quick dashes to apply poison without exposing yourself to Godfrey's devastating combos. Focus on chipping away at his health bar through consistent poison damage rather than risky direct attacks.

Cautions and Considerations:

While effective, this strategy requires careful resource management. Incurable Poison requires crafting or purchasing, so ensure you have a sufficient supply before engaging Godfrey. Additionally, be mindful of your stamina, as dodging and sprinting are crucial for survival.

Remember, this is a cheese strategy, prioritizing efficiency over traditional combat. Embrace the unorthodox approach and let the poison do the heavy lifting. With patience, precision, and a healthy dose of poison, even the mighty Godfrey will succumb to your cunning tactics.

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Summon Spirits for Distraction

One effective strategy to cheese Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, involves leveraging summoned spirits as a distraction, allowing you to focus on dealing damage while his attention is divided. This tactic hinges on the careful selection and positioning of spirits to maximize their utility. Summoning spirits like the Black Knife Tiche or the River Spirit Lanny can create openings by drawing Godfrey’s aggro, as he will often prioritize attacking them over you. The key is to time your summons strategically, ideally during his slower, more predictable attack phases, such as after a heavy strike or during his AoE slam. This ensures the spirits have enough time to engage him before he shifts his focus back to you.

Analyzing Godfrey’s behavior reveals that he is particularly susceptible to this tactic during his second phase, when his attacks become more aggressive and less telegraphed. Spirits with high health pools, like the Banished Knight Oleg, can withstand multiple hits, giving you extended windows to strike. However, not all spirits are created equal; fragile summons like the Jellyfish may be ineffective, as they can be one-shot by Godfrey’s powerful attacks. Pairing spirits with different roles—one tanky summon to draw aggro and one offensive summon to chip away at his health—can optimize this strategy. For example, combining the Black Knife Tiche with the Mimic Tear creates a dynamic duo that forces Godfrey to split his attention between two threats.

Executing this strategy requires precise timing and positioning. Summon your spirits just outside Godfrey’s immediate aggro range to avoid them being instantly targeted while you’re still vulnerable. Once they engage, use the distraction to focus on high-damage, low-risk attacks like charged heavy strikes or spells. Be cautious of Godfrey’s sweeping attacks, which can hit multiple targets and potentially kill your spirits prematurely. If a spirit dies, quickly resummon it during a safe moment to maintain constant pressure. This method is particularly effective for players struggling with Godfrey’s aggressive combos, as it reduces the need to dodge every attack.

A comparative analysis shows that summoning spirits for distraction is more reliable than other cheese strategies, such as exploiting terrain glitches or using overpowered items. While those methods may offer quicker kills, they often require specific conditions or builds. Summoning spirits, on the other hand, works across various playstyles and builds, making it accessible to a broader range of players. Additionally, it aligns with the game’s intended mechanics, avoiding the frustration of glitch-based strategies that can feel unrewarding. By mastering this tactic, you can turn one of the game’s most challenging fights into a manageable, even predictable encounter.

In conclusion, summoning spirits for distraction is a practical and effective way to cheese Godfrey, the First Elden Lord. By selecting the right spirits, timing their deployment, and capitalizing on the openings they create, you can significantly reduce the fight’s difficulty. This strategy not only leverages the game’s mechanics but also encourages a deeper understanding of Godfrey’s behavior and attack patterns. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, this approach offers a balanced blend of skill and strategy, making it a standout method for overcoming one of Elden Ring’s toughest bosses.

Frequently asked questions

One effective method is to use the Rivers of Blood katana or Ash of War: Seppuku to apply bleed buildup quickly. Focus on dodging his attacks and landing bleed procs until he staggers.

Yes, using Magic/Glintstone Pebble or Poison Arrows from a safe distance can work, but it’s slower and requires patience. Stay near the entrance of the arena to avoid his aggressive rushes.

Summon Latenna the Albinauric or another player to distract Godfrey while you deal damage. Focus on bleed or poison buildup while your summon tanks his attacks.

Bait his jump attack or charge by running away, then punish with a few hits or a bleed proc. Repeat this pattern to minimize damage and maximize efficiency.

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