In Leyndell, Royal Capital you meet a golden shade of Godfrey, First Elden Lord. He is a single-phase fight built around heavy axe swings and ground stomps. This guide covers where he is, what he is weak to, why bleed does not work on him and how to read his moves.
Quick facts
| Location | Leyndell, Royal Capital |
| Nearest Site of Grace | West Capital Rampart |
| Required? | Required |
| HP (NG) | 7,099 |
| Runes (NG) | 80,000 |
| Drops | Talisman Pouch (first playthrough only) |
| Weak to | Lightning (and Pierce) |
| Resists | Holy |
| Immune to | Poison, Scarlet Rot, Hemorrhage, Frostbite, Madness |
| Spirit Ashes / Co-op | Allowed (Spirit Ashes and co-op) |
| Recommended level | 90–100 (community estimate) |
| Difficulty | ▰▰▰▰▰▱▱▱▱▱ 5/10 |
Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Golden Shade): overview
This golden shade is a preview of the real Godfrey you meet at the end of the game. He hits hard and has deceptive reach, but only one phase. He becomes more aggressive partway through.
Status effects are useless here: he is immune to bleed, frostbite, poison, rot and madness. Bring raw damage, ideally lightning.
What is Godfrey (Golden Shade) weak to?
Lightning is his clear weakness: he has no lightning negation at all. Pierce damage also goes through untouched, so thrusting swords, spears and rapiers do slightly better than slash or strike weapons. Holy is the worst choice, with the highest negation on the list.
| Damage type | Negation | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning | 0 | Best choice |
| Pierce | 0 | Good |
| Standard / Slash / Strike | 10 | Fine |
| Magic / Fire | 20 | Below average |
| Holy | 40 | Avoid |
Is Godfrey (Golden Shade) immune to bleed?
Yes. The golden shade cannot be inflicted with Hemorrhage, so bleed weapons such as Rivers of Blood only deal their base damage here. The same goes for poison, scarlet rot, frostbite and madness. If you run a bleed build, switch to a lightning infusion or a plain heavy or keen weapon for this one fight.
Where to find Godfrey (Golden Shade)
- Rest at the West Capital Rampart Site of Grace in Leyndell, Royal Capital.
- Head south along the ramparts.
- Climb onto the large tree branch and follow it up to a balcony.
- Go north through the fog gate to start the fight.
Preparation
- Lightning-infused weapons or lightning incantations hit his weakness.
- A durable Spirit Ash gives you room to heal.
- Do not rely on status builds.
Moveset and how to counter it
Keep medium distance to heal safely, and punish only after his slow attacks finish.
Ground stomp
He stomps and sends out a shockwave. Roll to either side, or block.
Two-handed axe slam
A heavy overhead slam. Dodge away and punish.
Jumping axe throw
He throws the axe from mid-air. Run toward him and pass under it.
Jumping axe slam
Roll backward to avoid the impact.
One-handed overhead slam
Dodge to either side.
Best builds and tools
- Lightning weapons or Ash of War: Lightning Slash.
- Strength builds with heavy weapons, as long as you avoid greedy combos.
- Avoid holy damage.
Rewards
- 80,000 Runes
- Talisman Pouch (adds a talisman slot)
Difficulty rating
▰▰▰▰▰▱▱▱▱▱ 5/10 – Moderate. He is readable and single-phase, but his reach punishes careless healing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the golden shade the real Godfrey?
No. It is a shade of Godfrey. The real fight happens in Leyndell, Ashen Capital against Godfrey and Hoarah Loux.
What does Godfrey drop?
80,000 runes and a Talisman Pouch on your first playthrough.
Can I bleed Godfrey?
No. The golden shade is immune to bleed, frostbite, poison, rot and madness.
What is the best damage type against the Golden Shade?
Lightning. He has 0 lightning negation, while holy is reduced by 40. Pierce physical damage is also unreduced.
Can I use Spirit Ashes against Godfrey (Golden Shade)?
Yes. Spirit Ashes and co-op summons are both allowed in this arena.
Beaten Godfrey?
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Stuck on another boss? Browse all Elden Ring boss guides.
Further reading: Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Golden Shade) on the Fextralife Elden Ring wiki.