Randy Chandler
In the intricate and challenging world of *Elden Ring*, players often seek unconventional strategies to overcome formidable bosses, and one such tactic is cheesing the Golden Hippo in the Shadow of the Erdtree. This method involves exploiting specific mechanics or environmental elements to gain an unfair advantage, making the battle significantly easier than intended. By understanding the Golden Hippo's attack patterns, positioning, and vulnerabilities, players can devise a strategy that minimizes risk while maximizing damage output. Whether it’s using ranged attacks from a safe distance, summoning allies to distract the boss, or leveraging terrain features, cheesing the Golden Hippo requires creativity and precision. While purists may frown upon such tactics, they offer a practical solution for players struggling with this daunting encounter, ensuring progression without the frustration of repeated failures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Golden Hippo (Shadow of the Erdtree) |
| Location | Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Area (Specific location varies based on player progression) |
| Weaknesses | Lightning Damage, Bleed Buildup |
| Resistances | Physical Damage (due to high poise), Fire Damage |
| Cheese Strategy | 1. Summon Spirits: Use Black Knife Tiche or other bleed-focused summons to distract and damage the boss. 2. Roof Sniping: Lure the hippo under the raised platform near the fog gate and attack from above with ranged weapons or spells. 3. Bleed Build: Utilize weapons or skills that inflict bleed buildup, such as Rivers of Blood or Seppuku. 4. Lightning Damage: Use lightning-infused weapons or spells to exploit its weakness. |
| Recommended Level | 100+ (varies based on build and playstyle) |
| Recommended Equipment | Bleed weapons (Rivers of Blood, Reduvia), Lightning-infused weapons, Ranged weapons (bows, crossbows), Poise-breaking weapons (Greatswords, Colossal Weapons) |
| Key Mechanics to Avoid | Stampede Charge, Hip Toss, Ground Pound |
| Reward | Golden Seed, Runes, Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Progress |
| Difficulty | High (due to boss size, health, and aggressive moveset) |
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What You'll Learn
Exploit terrain for safe attacks
The Golden Hippo in *Shadow of the Erdtree* is a formidable foe, but its size and attack patterns can be turned against it with clever use of terrain. By understanding the battlefield and positioning yourself strategically, you can minimize damage while maximizing your opportunities to strike. The key lies in exploiting the environment to create safe zones and force the Hippo into predictable movements.
One effective tactic is to lure the Hippo toward elevated areas or narrow passages. The Hippo’s massive frame limits its mobility in tight spaces, giving you a window to attack without fear of retaliation. For instance, the rocky outcroppings near the arena’s eastern edge provide a natural choke point. Position yourself on the higher ground, bait the Hippo into charging, and roll away as it struggles to adjust its trajectory. This not only avoids its wide-arcing swings but also leaves it vulnerable to backstabs or ranged attacks.
Another terrain feature to leverage is the shallow water along the arena’s southern border. The Hippo’s weight causes it to move slower in water, reducing the speed and accuracy of its attacks. Stand just beyond the water’s edge, and when the Hippo wades in, unleash a flurry of strikes before retreating to safety. Be cautious, however, as prolonged engagement in this area can leave you exposed to its area-of-effect stomp. Time your attacks to coincide with its slower movements, and always keep an escape route in mind.
For a more aggressive approach, use the large boulders scattered throughout the arena as cover. These obstacles block the Hippo’s line of sight and provide temporary protection from its breath attack. Circle around the boulders to stay out of its direct path, and strike when it’s forced to reposition. This method requires precise timing and knowledge of the Hippo’s attack animations, but it’s highly effective for dealing consistent damage while minimizing risk.
In conclusion, mastering terrain exploitation transforms the Golden Hippo fight from a test of brute strength to a game of positioning and patience. By leveraging elevation, water, and obstacles, you create opportunities to attack safely and control the flow of battle. Practice these strategies, and the Hippo’s once-intimidating presence will become a predictable pattern to dismantle.
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Use bleed weapons for quick damage
Bleed buildup is a potent strategy against the Golden Hippo in Shadow of the Erdtree, exploiting its massive health pool and slow movements. Unlike standard damage, bleed bypasses defenses, triggering a burst of damage once the meter fills. This makes it ideal for players seeking to shorten the encounter's duration while minimizing risk.
To maximize bleed effectiveness, prioritize weapons with innate bleed properties or those that can be infused with bleed gems. Daggers like the Reduvia or curved swords such as the Flowing Curved Sword are excellent choices due to their fast attack speed and natural bleed affinity. Pair these with Seppuku, a skill that temporarily boosts bleed buildup at the cost of HP, to accelerate the process.
Timing is critical. The Hippo’s predictable attack patterns—such as its sweeping tail slam or ground pound—leave openings for bleed stacking. Focus on striking its flanks or rear, where its armor is weakest, and avoid prolonged frontal engagements. Use Blood Grease or Bloody Slash ashes of war to further enhance buildup during these windows.
Caution: Bleed relies on consistent hits, so avoid overcommitting. The Hippo’s stomps and area-of-effect attacks can disrupt your combo, wasting valuable opportunities. Maintain distance when not attacking, and use Quickstep to dodge its slower strikes. If bleed isn’t triggering fast enough, switch to a secondary strategy like poison or frost temporarily to stagger the boss.
In conclusion, bleed weapons offer a high-reward approach to defeating the Golden Hippo, but they demand precision and patience. By combining the right tools, skills, and positioning, players can turn this otherwise grueling fight into a manageable—even swift—victory.
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Summon spirits to distract boss
In the realm of *Elden Ring*, the Golden Hippo in the Shadow of the Erdtree is a formidable foe, but its aggression can be turned into a weakness with the right strategy. Summoning spirits to distract the boss is a tried-and-true method to cheese this encounter, leveraging the game’s mechanics to create openings and reduce pressure. The key lies in understanding which spirits to summon, where to position them, and how to capitalize on the boss’s diverted attention.
Step-by-Step Execution: Begin by summoning a spirit with high durability, such as the Black Knife Tiche or the Jar Baron, near the boss’s primary aggro range. Position yourself opposite the spirit to force the Golden Hippo to turn and engage it. This creates a window of opportunity to deal damage while the boss is preoccupied. Time your attacks carefully, focusing on high-damage combos or charged strikes during the boss’s longer animations. Repeat this process, resummoning spirits as needed, to maintain constant distraction and minimize direct engagement.
Cautions and Considerations: While this strategy is effective, it’s not without risks. Over-reliance on spirits can lead to FP depletion, so monitor your resources closely. Additionally, the Golden Hippo’s area-of-effect attacks can still hit both you and your summoned allies, so maintain a safe distance when possible. Avoid summoning too many spirits at once, as this can cause the boss to become overwhelmed and revert to erratic behavior, potentially breaking the cheese strategy.
Comparative Analysis: Compared to other cheese methods, such as poison or bleed builds, summoning spirits offers a more dynamic and interactive approach. It requires spatial awareness and timing, making it a skill-based tactic rather than a passive exploit. This method is particularly effective for players who struggle with the boss’s aggressive combos, as it reduces the need for perfect dodging and parrying.
Practical Tips: For optimal results, equip the Spirit Ash with the highest health and damage output available at your level. Use the Summon Sign Soapstone to extend the duration of your spirits, and consider investing in FP-boosting talismans to sustain prolonged summoning. Practice positioning to ensure the boss remains focused on the spirit, and prioritize upgrading your summoning tools early in the game to maximize their effectiveness in this and future encounters.
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Abuse poison status effect buildup
Poison, often overlooked in favor of more flashy damage types, becomes a potent tool when strategically applied against the Golden Hippo in Shadow of the Erdtree. This colossal beast, with its thick hide and relentless charge attacks, is surprisingly vulnerable to status effect buildup. By exploiting its large size and predictable attack patterns, you can turn poison into a devastating cheese tactic.
The key lies in understanding the Hippo's behavior. Its slow, lumbering movements and tendency to pause after attacks create ample opportunities for applying poison. Equip a weapon with innate poison damage or coat your weapon with a poison-infused gem. Focus on hitting its legs and underbelly, areas with higher susceptibility to status effects.
While a single poison application might seem insignificant, the cumulative effect is deadly. Each successful hit contributes to the poison meter, gradually draining the Hippo's health. Aim for consistent, sustained application rather than sporadic bursts. Utilize ranged attacks or quick, mobile melee strikes to avoid getting caught in its devastating charge.
Remember, patience is key. The poison damage might not be immediately apparent, but its relentless nature will wear down the Hippo's health bar over time. Combine this strategy with dodging its attacks and exploiting its recovery animations for maximum effectiveness.
This method requires careful positioning and timing. Avoid getting greedy with attacks, as the Hippo's counterattacks can be devastating. Use the environment to your advantage, luring it into tight spaces where its size becomes a liability. With persistence and a well-timed poison buildup, you'll witness the mighty Golden Hippo succumb to this insidious tactic.
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Farm flasks before final phase
In the final phase of the Golden Hippo Shadow of the Erdtree encounter, every flask counts. This phase demands relentless dodging, precise attacks, and minimal mistakes. Farming flasks beforehand isn't just a good idea—it's a survival strategy.
The Flask Farming Strategy:
Begin by clearing the area surrounding the boss arena. Enemies like the Erdtree Avatar and Lesser Runebears drop Golden Seeds, which increase your Flask of Crimson Tears capacity. Prioritize these targets, as each seed adds one extra flask charge. Aim for at least 10–15 flasks before engaging the Hippo. If you’re low on seeds, revisit earlier areas like the Lake of Rot or Mohgwyn Palace, where seeds are more common.
Timing and Efficiency:
Farm flasks immediately after resting at the Site of Grace. This ensures you’re at full health and FP, maximizing your combat effectiveness during farming. Use Ash Summons or Spirit Ashes to distract enemies while you focus on high-value targets. Avoid wasting time on low-reward mobs—efficiency is key.
Cautions and Trade-offs:
Farming flasks extends your preparation time, leaving you vulnerable to invasions in multiplayer. If you’re in a hurry, balance farming with progress. Additionally, over-farming can lead to burnout. Aim for a realistic flask count (10–15) rather than perfection. Remember, the Hippo’s final phase is unforgiving, but a few extra flasks can turn defeat into victory.
Farming flasks before the final phase isn’t cheating—it’s strategic preparation. By maximizing your healing capacity, you give yourself a crucial edge in a fight where every mistake is punished. Invest the time, stay focused, and let those extra flasks carry you to victory.
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Frequently asked questions
The "cheese" strategy involves exploiting the Golden Hippo's slow movement and predictable attack patterns by using ranged attacks or spells from a safe distance, such as the cliffs or elevated areas around the arena.
Ranged weapons like bows, crossbows, or spells like Great Glintstone Shard or Carian Slicer work well. Focus on high damage-per-shot options to minimize time spent in the fight.
Yes, the cliffs or elevated platforms surrounding the arena provide excellent vantage points. Stay out of melee range and avoid areas where the Hippo can charge directly at you.
Yes, the strategy works for both phases. In phase two, the Hippo gains a ranged attack, so be mindful of its projectile and continue attacking from a safe distance.
