Elemer of the Briar is the boss at the top of the Shaded Castle, the ruined fortress in the valley between the Altus Plateau and Mt. Gelmir. He is a thorn-armoured knight with a greatshield and a sword he can send spinning around the arena. Short answers: aim to be around level 70, and bring Pierce or Lightning damage.
Quick facts
| Location | Top of the Shaded Castle, Altus Plateau (border with Mt. Gelmir) |
| Nearest Site of Grace | Shaded Castle Inner Gate (Castellan’s Hall appears after the fight) |
| Required? | Optional |
| HP | 4,897 (NG), 7,155 (NG+), 10,017 (NG+7) |
| Runes | 24,000 (NG), 72,000 (NG+) |
| Drops | Marais Executioner’s Sword, Briar Greatshield |
| Weak to | Pierce (10 negation), Lightning (20) |
| Status buildup (NG) | Poison, Scarlet Rot, Sleep 332; Hemorrhage, Frostbite 543 |
| Immune to | Madness |
| Stance | 80; parryable, 2 parries per critical |
| Backstab | Not possible |
| Spirit Ashes / Co-op | Allowed (Spirit Ashes and co-op) |
| Recommended level | About 70 (guide estimate, not an in-game value) |
| Difficulty | ▰▰▰▰▰▱▱▱▱▱ 5/10 |
What level should you be for Elemer of the Briar?
The game gives no official level for any boss, but most players reach the Shaded Castle around level 70, and 70 to 80 is a comfortable range for a first attempt. His HP is low for an Altus Plateau boss (4,897 on NG), so a well-upgraded weapon matters more than raw level. If his combos still take most of your health bar, put a few more points into Vigor before you push on.
What is Elemer of the Briar weak to?
Elemer has no negative negation, but two damage types get through his armour far better than the rest. Lower numbers mean more damage for you.
| Damage type | Negation (NG) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce | 10 | Best choice |
| Lightning | 20 | Weak |
| Standard, Slash, Strike | 35 | Resisted |
| Magic, Fire, Holy | 40 | Resisted |
For status effects, Poison and Scarlet Rot are the easier ones to proc (332 buildup), while Hemorrhage and Frostbite need 543. He is fully immune to Madness. All of his sword attacks deal pure Physical damage, so a shield with 100% physical negation blocks them completely.
Where is Elemer of the Briar? How to reach the Shaded Castle
- Get onto the Altus Plateau first.
- From the Old Altus Tunnel or Erdtree-Gazing Hill Site of Grace, ride north through the valley between the Altus Plateau and Mt. Gelmir until the castle appears at the end.
- Enter from the northeast side: follow the outer wall south from the ramparts and jump over the low wall. Rest at Shaded Castle Ramparts, then take the ladder down to Shaded Castle Inner Gate.
- From the Inner Gate grace, go north along the passage, turn west at the fork and climb the ladder to the balcony with two Rotten Strays.
- Go east through the building, cross the bridge, climb the stairs and head south into the courtyard. Take the door a Cleanrot Knight comes out of, ride the elevator up and go straight ahead to the boss fog.
Preparation
- A Pierce weapon (spear, rapier, thrusting sword) or a Lightning-infused weapon.
- A shield with 100% physical negation blocks every sword hit.
- A Spirit Ash helps ranged or magic builds keep him busy.
Moveset and how to counter it
Keep him close and use the gaps after his shield attacks.
Eochaid’s Dancing Blade
His sword glows red and dances around him. Roll forward and punish as he retrieves it.
Shield slam
Roll backward, or diagonally forward to end up behind him.
Shield charge
Roll to either side.
Drilling blade
Roll to your left and attack his exposed side.
Grab
When his hand glows, run away or move behind him.
How to beat Elemer of the Briar
- Stay in close. His thrown-sword attacks are built for range; up close he is slow and readable.
- Hit with Pierce or Lightning. They take the least negation (10 and 20).
- Do not try to backstab. His thorn armour makes it impossible, so punish from the side instead.
- Parry twice for a critical. He can be parried, but each critical needs two parries (base stance 80).
- Heal after his long combos, not during them: he follows up quickly.
Rewards
- 24,000 Runes (NG)
- Marais Executioner’s Sword
- Briar Greatshield
Related: the four Bell Bearing Hunters that attack merchant shacks at night fight almost exactly like Elemer, so practice here carries over to them.
Difficulty rating
▰▰▰▰▰▱▱▱▱▱ 5/10 – Moderate. Heavy hits, but slow and very readable.
Frequently asked questions
What level should I be for Elemer of the Briar?
Around level 70 is a common guide recommendation, with 70 to 80 comfortable for most builds. It is not an official number; your weapon upgrade level matters just as much.
Where is Elemer of the Briar?
At the very top of the Shaded Castle on the Altus Plateau. The closest Site of Grace is Shaded Castle Inner Gate.
Is Elemer of the Briar required?
No. He is optional and does not block the main story.
Can I backstab Elemer?
No. His thorny armour prevents backstabs.
What is Elemer weak to?
Pierce (10 negation) and Lightning (20). Every other damage type sits at 35 or 40.
Related: plan your next steps with the boss checklist, and pick a damage type that fits him in our build tier list.
Beaten Elemer?
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Stuck on another boss? Browse all Elden Ring boss guides.
Stats checked against Fextralife (NG values); route cross-checked with Game8.
Further reading: Elemer of the Briar on the Fextralife Elden Ring wiki.