Some of Elden Ring's earliest bosses are likely to be harder than you expected. This isn't an accident, though, as the game is working on teaching you how to study attack patterns during its first few hours as you prepare for even harder showdowns later in the game. If you can’t beat the immensely challenging Margit or Godrick the Grafted, rest easy knowing that you’re not alone. Elden Ring’s inaugural boss fights are exceptionally difficult even for a From Software title. And as tempting as it may seem, the solution isn’t to merely dump more Runes to level up--though it never hurts. Both fights can be made much easier, instead, if you’re simply willing to take a bit of time and invest in some new ideas for taking them down. Here's what to do if you're struggling against either or both of these formidable baddies.

　　

Try poison or bleed

Margit and Godrick are vulnerable to a couple of status effects, including bleed and poison. Clubs and maces build up the blood loss meter, or you can use the Reduvia Dagger if you’ve defeated Bloody Finger Nerijus near Murkwater. The blood loss meter--invisible to you, unless you’re the one bleeding--fills up after five hits or so before dealing high damage, so it’s not something you’ll see immediate effect from.

　　Poison is potentially more effective. Check the destroyed houses in the Dragon-Burnt Ruins and you’ll find Deserter’s Cookbook 2. One of its recipes teaches you how to craft Poisonbone Arrows. You’ll need a bow or crossbow of course, along with animal bones and Poisonbloom. Poisonbloom drops from the flower enemies in Limgrave’s Waypoint Ruins, and you should be able to get enough to craft a few Poisonbone Arrows.

　　The downside is how difficult using ranged attacks is with Margit, since he’s agile and covers the gap between you quickly. If you do land a few hits, you’ll see Poison work its effect over time. Faith characters can pick up the Poison Mist spell from the Teardrop Scarab near the Castle Morne Ramparts, though you have less control over this than you do the arrows.

　　Poison arrows give you an edge in any encounter, including boss fights

Make sure to use your summons

The Wolves or Jellyfish summons are ideal for both fights, and you should summon them as soon as you step through the fog barrier. The Wolves are more practical, since they damage Super Armor and create more opportunities for you to land critical hits. The Jellyfish is more of a distraction--a squishy shield with high HP that Margit or Godrick can attack while you attack them.

　　

Enhance your weapons

This tip is one we can’t recommend enough. Weapon level matters so much more than character level in most of Elden Ring’s difficult fights. Whatever your primary weapon is, make sure to enhance it several times. If it’s a normal weapon, it should be at least +3 for the Margit fight, though higher would be better if you’re stuck. You can find Smithing Stones in mines or as enemy drops, and there are enough in Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula to let you reach levels high enough for dealing with Margit.

　　Make sure you’re using a strong weapon suitable for your combat focus as well. The Meteorite Staff is ideal for sorcery users, and we have a set of powerful weapons everyone else can get early in the game.

　　

Don’t forget your buffs

The Flask of Wondrous Physik provides some buffs to your Endurance and strong attacks, handy for blocking and dealing heavier damage, but you should have a few good Ashes of War by this point as well. Quality Ashes, such as Determination, Storm Stomp, and Square Off, improve your strength and power up your attacks while active, so they’re good choices for this fight.

　　If you have at least 10 points invested in Faith, you may want to purchase the Flame Fortification Incantation from Corthyn in Roundtable Hold. This buffs your fire defense and can make a difference in the fight against Godrick.

　　

Check your pockets

Elden Ring, like other Souls games, has an equipment weight system that complicates choosing which equipment to carry. It only applies to equipped armor and weapons, though it can make a significant difference in your mobility. Medium load is where you want to be, so you can dodge and move more quickly. If you’ve got a heavy weapon and armor equipped, make sure you’ve not crossed the threshold to “Heavy load,” which slows you down so much where it’s nearly impossible to dodge attacks effectively.

　　Sellen sells magic spells by the basement door

Meet the Glintstones

Those who’ve invested in Intelligence should grab a good staff and purchase these Glintstone spells from Sellen in the Waypoint Ruins:

　　Glintstone Stars: fires three Glintstone projectilesCarian Slicer: Glintstone melee attackSwift Glinstone Shard: rapid fire Glintstone shard attackCarian Slicer and Swift Glintstone Shard need the Academy Scroll and Royal House Scroll, respectively. The Academy Scroll is in the graveyard southeast of the Church of Irith in Liurnia, and the Royal House Scroll is in a chest on the hill opposite the Forlorn Hound Evergaol in Limgrave.

　　

Come back later

Speaking of Liurnia, it’s worth reiterating you don’t have to deal with these fights right now. Margit, Godrick, and the entirety of Stormveil Castle are skippable. If it’s just too frustrating, take the shortcut to Liurnia, get some new gear, level up, and try again later.

　　Elden Ring Guides

　　What Happens In Elden Ring? The Game's Story, Part 1: Limgrave Elden Ring Rune Farming: The Best Early Areas To Level Up Fast What To Do First In Elden Ring: Best Route, Weapons, And Important Map Locations + Show More Elden Ring Guides Links (7) Elden Ring: Best Weapons You Can Find Early In Limgrave Elden Ring Margit The Fell Omen Guide - Recommended Level And How To Beat The First Boss Elden Ring: How To Upgrade Weapons - Smithing Stones Explained Elden Ring Tips For Beginners: Learning The Ways Of The Lands Between How To Level Up In Elden Ring, Stats Explained Elden Ring: Best Keepsakes To Pick During Character Creation Elden Ring Map: Where To Find Your First Map Fragment