Godrick the Grafted (2024)

Godrick the Grafted is a boss in Elden Ring. He is a Demigod and a Shardbearer who is encountered in Stormveil Castle.

Overview[]

Godrick is a descendant of the Golden Lineage, the bloodline which began with Queen Marika the Eternal and her first consort Godfrey.^[1] Only a distant relation of Marika's line, his divine blood was sorely diluted, and he was viewed as the runt of the litter.^[2]

After the Elden Ring was shattered, Godrick inherited the Great Rune from the centre of the Elden Ring, referred to as the anchor ring. During The Shattering, Godrick was hounded from the Leyndell, Royal Capital. He claimed a multitude of treasures, including the Mimic's Veil,^[3] and then hid amongst the womenfolk to flee the city.^[4]

Godrick made his way south, settling in Limgrave with an army made up of soldiers who had fled Leyndell.^[5] He took up residence in Stormveil Castle, using it as a refuge to hide from General Radahn,^[6] and as a place to practice grafting; a grotesque act which involves attaching parts of other living beings to oneself to gain power.^[7] When the Tarnished returned to the Lands Between, Godrick sent his soldiers on Tarnished hunts, seeking new subjects to graft.^[8] As well as performing the act upon himself, Godrick also produced the Grafted Scions; abhorrent beings comprised of many different limbs, seemingly grafted onto children.

When Malenia marched southward, Godrick insulted her,^[9] leading to a confrontation which left Godrick beaten and humiliated, forced to grovel for mercy.^[10]

Godrick idolised Godfrey, desiring for his ancestor to witness his feats.^[11] He wielded an axe emblazoned with the figure of a lion, a symbol of Godfrey,^[12] and furnished his army with emblems of the Golden Lineage such as axes,^[13] and depictions of Serosh the Beast Regent.^[14] Although he styled himself as the "lord of all that is golden",^[15] he was popularly referred to as "Godrick the Grafted",^[16] commanding far less respect than his forebear. He was even despised by his servants, whom he looked down on and pushed around.^[17]

The Tarnished journeys to Stormveil Castle in search of Godrick's Great Rune, on the advice of White Mask Varré^[18] and Melina^[19] In the castle, they encounter many examples of Godrick's grafting: severed limbs hanging from the ceiling in the dining hall; a dismembered Troll hanging over a courtyard; and a pile of dismembered corpses, among whom are the remnants of Roderika's companions.^[20] Eventually they find Godrick in a graveyard, speaking to a dead dragon impaled on a statue.^[21] Upon noticing the Tarnished, Godrick chides them for opposing him and engages them in battle. To gain an advantage, Godrick cuts off his own hand and grafts the dragon's head to the stump, gaining the ability to spew flames. Despite this display of power, Godrick is defeated, and the Tarnished claims his Great Rune.

Later, Nepheli Loux becomes lord of Limgrave at the appointment of Kenneth Haight.^[22]

Boss Fight[]

Nepheli Loux, Warrior is available as a summon for this fight, as long as the player has spoken to her in Stormveil Castle. Her summon sign can be found just outside the arena.

Moveset[]

Phase 1[]

The fight begins following a cutscene. Godrick will primarily use his axe and his large left arm to deal damage, and can generate cyclones and earthquakes for area-of-effect damage. He can roll to cover ground quickly, and has a wind-based ranged homing attack.

Phase 2[]

Once Godrick's health reaches 60%, he will stop attacking the player and chop off his own arm. This is followed by a cutscene, which transitions into phase 2. Godrick can now spew fire from the dragon's head grafted to his left arm, providing him with more ranged and area-of-effect attacks.

Environment[]

The arena mainly consists of a narrow, paved area without any obstacles, lined on both sides by graveyards. There is a wider section at the arena's entrance, around the steps. It is possible to move between the gravestones, however doing so may reduce the player's ability to avoid Godrick's attacks.

Dialogue[]

Notes[]

• Godrick is an optional boss, however he drops a Great Rune, two of which are required to enter Leyndell, Royal Capital.
• Cut content dialogue suggests Gostoc was to be revealed as a son of Godrick, and would be a rival to Nepheli Loux for lordship of Stormveil Castle after Godricks defeat, after which he would succumb to the practice of grafting as well.^[23]
• The lines Godrick speaks upon being killed are an abridged version of a longer monologue, which was cut from the game before release. The full monologue is as follows:
  • One day, we'll return together.
    To our home, bathed in rays of gold.
    There is only one tree, and only its branches.
    That bathe in true rays of gold.
    Not the fool Omen King.
    Nor the rank malformed twins.
    O, we are the Golden Ones. The true and rightful heirs.
    Our land's grown old, now ashen, and cold.
    But look up, the Erdtree glows!
    One day, we'll return together.
    To our home, bathed in rays of gold.
    And grace will surely guide us safe.
    To our home, bathed in rays of gold.

Gallery[]

References[]