This is a clip from my gameplay footage of 2022's popular video game "Elden Ring" on Playstation 4.
If you're unfamiliar with "Elden Ring", here's some quick info:
[Gameplay] In Elden Ring, players control a customizable player character on a journey to repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord. The game is presented through a third-person perspective, with players freely roaming its interactive open world. Gameplay elements include combat using several types of weapons and magic spells, horseback riding, and crafting. (Wikipedia)
[Story] Elden Ring takes place in the Lands Between, a fictional landmass ruled over by several demigods. It was previously ruled over by the immortal Queen Marika, who acted as keeper of the Elden Ring, a powerful force that manifested as the physical concept of order. When Marika eventually shattered the Elden Ring and disappeared, her demigod children began warring over pieces of the Ring in an event called the Shattering. Each demigod possesses a shard of the Ring called a Great Rune, which corrupts them with power. In the game, the player character is a Tarnished, one of a group of exiles from the Lands Between who are summoned back after the Shattering. As one of the Tarnished, the player must traverse the realm to repair the Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord. (Wikipedia)
Grave Warden Duelist is a dungeon boss in Limgrave. He's from one of the dungeons with the angry little gargoyle creatures that hide on the walls and ceilings.
This Limgrave dungeon boss is a great example of an early boss who I first encountered on probably day 1 or 2 of staring Elden Ring, that just felt invincible since I hadn't adjusted to the movemt mechanics of the game.
In "Elden Ring," you do a lot of dodging ... wait let me rephase that ... in "Elden Ring" you're ALWAYS dodging. In fact, you're either dodging or you're dying. Movement is key to surviving in this game.
So when I first encountered Grave Warden Duelist, he'd throw off that cloak and just batter the crap out of me.
Thankfully I've started making advancements into Stormveil Castle, the red hellscape of Caelid, and even beaten two bosses in the underground region of Sofiara River so I felt prepared to fight this guy again.
If there's one thing that Elden Ring has almost too much of, it has to be style. I couldn't get over what a badass rocker move it was for Grave Warden Duelist to toss off his cloak and rush me like some berserk gladiator.
Like a lot of enemies in this game, he was a bit weak to magic so I showed him with some Flames of Frenzy and took out a good chunk of life. Then let him get a little too close for comfort and fired off two more before letting my madness bar rest (when it fills up I lose health, magic, and I think stamina too).
That last magic attack is so potent it breaks his stance and leaves him open for a critical strike.
But if there's one thing I learned it's that strong enemies recover pretty quickly so I summon a Black Flames fire ball to give him some burn damage.
It takes out a lot of his health and I get cocky and resort to hiding behind a column and try to charge up a Lightning Spear but Warden Duelist surprises me by doing a jump attack that nearly kills me.
I dodge away and heal just in time to receive another near-lethal attack but luckily survive.
After dodging and healing some more, I realize I haven't actually hit him with my sword yet but don't push my luck and hit him with a charged up Lightning Spear instead, killing him. Better safe than sorry.
Sometimes even though I win a fight, I imagine all the possible ways I could've completed it with a bit more style -- like with Impaling Thrust or a shield counterattack or with a bow or crossbow. Surviving and winning is most important but I can't help but wish I could get another rematch despite me already having won.
Hope you enjoyed this video post!
Feel free to leave any comments below.
See you all again on the next post of my Elden Ring experience ...
▶️ 3Speak