Valiant GargoylesOptional duo boss guarding the Great Waterfall Basin route from Nokron, Eternal City into Deeproot Depths.
The Valiant Gargoyles are a two-boss encounter in Siofra Aqueduct, where a second stone guardian joins after the first has lost substantial health. Defeating them opens the route toward Deeproot Depths.
Role
Optional duo boss guarding the Great Waterfall Basin route from Nokron, Eternal City into Deeproot Depths.
Status
available
Importance
supporting
Elden Ring · character art
01
Key takeaways
These are the decisions that matter most before entering the fog gate.
01
Prepare for a duo, not a solo boss
The second Valiant Gargoyle joins during the first enemy's health bar, so the opening target should be damaged efficiently before the arena becomes crowded.
02
Protect the arena edge
The fight is held beside a deep drop. Keep the camera and escape route pointed toward the arena interior whenever possible, especially after a knockback or leap.
03
Use separation as your main defense
A Spirit Ash or cooperator is valuable because it can occupy one gargoyle while the player attacks the other. The advantage is lost if both enemies remain stacked on the same target.
04
The rewards are weapon-specific
The victory provides Gargoyle's Greatsword and Gargoyle's Twinblade, so the encounter is especially worthwhile for characters whose builds can use those weapon types.
05
The route continues after the fight
Defeating the pair opens access toward Deeproot Depths, making the encounter relevant to exploration as well as its optional rewards.
02
Valiant Gargoyles overview
The Valiant Gargoyles are a difficult optional boss encounter in Elden Ring's Siofra Aqueduct. The fight begins against one stone gargoyle and becomes a two-enemy battle when the second Valiant Gargoyle enters the arena.
The encounter takes place at the end of the Siofra Aqueduct section of Nokron, Eternal City, beside the Great Waterfall Basin. The arena is broad but bordered by a deep drop, so positioning matters as much as damage: a reckless dodge or backward retreat can send the player over the edge instead of away from an attack. The fog gate is reached through the aqueduct route after entering Nokron, rather than from the main surface map.
The first Valiant Gargoyle uses a large stone weapon and alternates between grounded melee strings, sweeping attacks and airborne plunges. Its weapon can change during the battle, giving the opening phase more range than a simple close-range duel. The fight's defining pressure point is the arrival of the second gargoyle before the first has been defeated, turning the encounter into a crowd-control problem rather than two clean one-on-one fights.
The safest general plan is to use the opening phase to remove as much health as possible from the first Valiant Gargoyle, then keep both enemies in view once the second arrives. Spirit Ashes or a cooperating player can divide their attention and create attack windows, but an ally does not remove the need to watch the arena's edge. The player should prioritize survival and separation over chasing damage into the middle of both attack patterns.
Victory is useful even though the encounter is optional. The bosses award runes and two distinctive Gargoyle weapons, and the route beyond the arena continues toward Deeproot Depths. Players deciding whether to attempt the fight immediately should treat it as a demanding mid-to-late progression challenge: returning with stronger upgrades, a reliable ranged option or a durable summon is generally more practical than forcing the encounter at the first opportunity.
03
Route progression
Underground approachReach Nokron, Eternal City and follow the aqueduct route.
Boss arenaCross the fog gate beside the Great Waterfall Basin.
Post-boss routeContinue beyond the arena toward Deeproot Depths.
1Enter Nokron, Eternal CitylocationThe aqueduct route is part of the underground area rather than a surface approach.
2Reach Siofra AqueductlocationFollow the route through the aqueduct until the boss fog gate.
●Defeat the Valiant GargoylesbossThe encounter changes from one enemy to two during the fight.
4Continue to Deeproot DepthsprogressionThe arena's far route becomes available after victory.
The Valiant Gargoyles sit between the Siofra Aqueduct approach and the Deeproot Depths route.
04
Requirements and preparation
There is no mandatory character level or equipment requirement, but the encounter strongly rewards preparation for simultaneous melee pressure.
RecommendedA plan for two targetsBring either a Spirit Ash, a cooperative summon or a build that can reliably create distance; the second gargoyle makes pure single-target trading much less forgiving.
RecommendedA fully considered weapon setupUse the weapon and damage approach with which the character can punish short openings consistently. Slow attacks are riskier once both gargoyles are active.
RecommendedHealing and focus managementThe fight can extend through repeated retreats, so enter with enough healing and avoid spending all available resources during the first enemy's opening phase.
RecommendedEdge-safe movementPractice turning back toward the arena before dodging. The nearby drop is a persistent environmental hazard, not a harmless boundary.
05
Encounter phases
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
1
Phase 1: First Valiant Gargoyle
Starts: The encounter begins when the player crosses the fog gate.
One Valiant Gargoyle is active at the start.
The first gargoyle controls the arena with wide melee swings, weapon-range changes and jumping attacks. Use this period to deal concentrated damage, but do not spend every healing resource before the second enemy appears.
Wide weapon sweepsTell The gargoyle draws out a large weapon motion before sweeping across the space in front of it.Answer Roll toward a safe side or behind the attack when the swing commits, then use the brief recovery to land a short punish.
Leaping plungeTell The gargoyle rises or jumps toward the player's position before striking down.Answer Wait for the descent rather than rolling immediately; move laterally or roll beneath the landing and avoid retreating toward the drop.
Weapon-switch pressureTell The active gargoyle can change its weapon form, altering the distance and timing of its next melee sequence.Answer Recheck spacing after the transformation instead of assuming the previous attack range is still safe.
Keep the first gargoyle away from the arena edge so the player has room to circle when the second arrives.
Short attacks after a completed swing are safer than long animations in front of the boss.
2
Phase 2: Two Valiant Gargoyles
Starts: The second Valiant Gargoyle enters after the first has lost substantial health.
Both gargoyles are active until one is defeated.
This is the encounter's most dangerous phase. The player must prevent the two bosses from covering the same escape route while continuing to focus damage on one target.
Overlapping melee stringsTell One gargoyle can begin a swing while the other is already occupying the player's retreat path.Answer Disengage toward open ground and reset the camera before attacking; do not finish a slow attack simply because the first boss is nearly defeated.
Poison cloudTell The twinblade-wielding gargoyle can create a lingering poisonous area around the fight.Answer Leave the cloud immediately and wait for it to clear rather than trading health to maintain damage.
Aerial approachTell A gargoyle may leave the ground and close distance from above while the other enemy keeps pressure on the floor.Answer Track both silhouettes and reserve the dodge for the landing; a roll made for the grounded enemy can leave the player under the descending attack.
Keep attacking the same gargoyle so that the fight returns to one enemy as quickly as possible.
If both bosses are close together, stop attacking and reposition rather than relying on a single roll through two hitboxes.
A summon is most useful when it creates a real split in enemy attention, not when it causes both gargoyles to surround the player.
06
Boss encounter strategy
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Not stated; health varies by game cycle and no verified figure is supplied.
Begin by staying close enough to bait a committed melee action, then punish only after the swing or plunge has finished. Concentrate on the first Valiant Gargoyle and preserve enough healing and stamina for the arrival of the second. Once the second gargoyle appears, move toward the open interior of the arena, keep both enemies within the camera and continue focusing the already-damaged target. If the twinblade gargoyle spreads poison, abandon the damage window and move out of the cloud; surviving the reset is more valuable than a single extra hit. After one boss falls, the encounter becomes substantially more manageable, so avoid switching targets unless the current target becomes inaccessible or the arena position becomes unsafe.
Weaknesses
Strike-oriented attacks are generally a more dependable choice against stone-bodied gargoyles than relying exclusively on slash damage.
The bosses are vulnerable to ordinary openings after committed swings, leaps and weapon animations.
The duo formation itself is a weakness when one gargoyle is isolated from the other; use summons or positioning to create that separation.
Travel through Nokron, Eternal City into Siofra Aqueduct and continue toward the Great Waterfall Basin. The boss entrance is at the end of this route, so mark the nearby Site of Grace before attempting repeated runs if one is available.
Location: Siofra Aqueduct
TipTreat the final approach as a supply check: heal, refill your flask and decide whether to use a Spirit Ash before crossing the fog.
Checkpoint
02
Start the encounter without losing positioning
Enter with the arena edge in mind
Cross the fog gate and immediately orient yourself toward the center rather than backing into the surrounding drop. The first gargoyle can reach the player quickly, so begin with controlled movement instead of opening with a long attack or spell.
Location: Great Waterfall Basin
TipKeep a clear escape lane behind your character; the safest direction is usually toward open arena space.
Watch outFalling from the arena kills the player even when the boss is close to defeat.
03
Reduce the first gargoyle before the duo phase
Pressure the first Valiant Gargoyle
Stay near the first gargoyle long enough to provoke a committed sweep or leap, then punish its recovery with a short attack sequence. Avoid chasing it toward the edge, and do not spend all healing or summon resources before the second enemy appears.
Location: Great Waterfall Basin
TipA summon can start drawing attention while you attack from the side, but keep the first target as the damage priority.
Watch outIgnoring the first gargoyle's health leaves two enemies active for longer after the second one arrives.
04
Survive the transition to the duo phase
Recognize the second gargoyle's arrival
When the second Valiant Gargoyle enters, stop attacking long enough to establish where both enemies are standing. Move into the arena interior, reset the camera and identify whether the twinblade wielder has created a poison cloud before committing to another attack.
Location: Great Waterfall Basin
TipA brief reposition is safer than rolling blindly through an attack you cannot see.
Watch outThe second gargoyle's arrival can interrupt an otherwise safe attack rhythm; treat the fight as a new phase immediately.
05
Return the encounter to a single enemy
Separate the pair and maintain one target
Use distance, a Spirit Ash or a cooperator to keep the gargoyles from attacking together. Continue striking the already-damaged gargoyle rather than spreading damage across both health pools, and disengage whenever their swings overlap in front of you.
Location: Great Waterfall Basin
TipThe best opening is created when one gargoyle is recovering while the other is occupied elsewhere.
Watch outTrading with one boss while the other is outside the camera can result in an unseen leap, sweep or poison area.
06
Defeat both Valiant Gargoyles
Finish the remaining gargoyle
After the first Valiant Gargoyle falls, re-center in the arena and fight the survivor with the same bait-and-punish rhythm. Clear any lingering poison before healing or looting, then confirm the victory rewards before continuing beyond the arena.
Location: Great Waterfall Basin
TipDo not relax after the first death; the remaining boss still has the full range of its weapon attacks.
Once the pair is defeated, leave the boss arena through the route beyond the Great Waterfall Basin. The encounter is optional for general progression, but victory opens the path toward Deeproot Depths and completes the aqueduct's major boss obstacle.
Location: Beyond Great Waterfall Basin
TipCollect the boss rewards and make sure the area is safe before beginning the next underground route.
The gargoyles combine wide melee coverage with strong physical presence, making frontal trading dangerous.
The duo phase creates overlapping attack ranges and reduces the time available to heal or recover stamina.
Their weapon changes and aerial attacks make a previously safe distance unreliable.
Weaknesses
Strike-oriented attacks are a practical choice against their stone bodies and can be preferable to committing solely to slash damage.
Their large recovery animations create punish windows after completed sweeps and plunging attacks.
The fight becomes easier when the bosses are separated, because each enemy's attack can then be read without the other covering the response.
Best uses
Choose a summon or cooperative setup when the character struggles to maintain camera control against two targets.
Choose a fast weapon or short spell sequence when the build wins through repeated recovery punishes rather than long trades.
Choose a heavier strike option when the character can tolerate slower animations and wants to capitalize on the gargoyles' stone construction.
10
Failure conditions
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Fall from the Great Waterfall Basin arenaThe arena borders a deep drop. A backward dodge, knockback or panic retreat can kill the player even without a direct finishing hit.
Remain inside the poison cloudThe twinblade-wielding Valiant Gargoyle can leave a poisonous area that punishes continued trading. Move out and reset instead of treating the cloud as a normal damage zone.
Lose sight of the second gargoyleDuring the duo phase, the off-camera enemy can attack while the player focuses on the visible target. Re-center and keep both bosses in view before committing.
Spend all resources on the opening enemyThe second gargoyle arrives before the first is defeated. Using every heal, summon opportunity or stamina reserve early can leave no answer for the most dangerous phase.
Split damage across both health poolsDamaging both enemies without finishing either prolongs the two-on-one phase. Maintain a clear primary target unless positioning makes the target temporarily unreachable.
On failure
The encounter can be retried from the normal nearby checkpoint route, but the player must repeat the full boss fight after a death.
11
Rewards and drops
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Rewards and dropsSpoilers
30,000 runes
The standard-cycle rune reward is granted for defeating the Valiant Gargoyles. Runes can be spent on character progression, equipment upgrades and other services.
A greatsword obtained from the boss victory. It is the primary weapon reward for players who want a large sword associated with the gargoyle encounter.
The cleared arena allows progression beyond the Great Waterfall Basin toward Deeproot Depths, making the reward useful for exploration even when neither weapon fits the character.
12
Lore
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
The Valiant Gargoyles are animated stone guardians encountered in the aqueduct beneath Nokron, Eternal City. Their construction gives the fight a distinct visual identity: the enemies are not ordinary soldiers defending a doorway, but monumental figures whose heavy weapons and carved bodies turn the route into a formal guardian encounter.
Their placement beside the Great Waterfall Basin connects the boss arena to the underground passage leading onward. The pair's coordinated appearance also reinforces the sense that the aqueduct is protected by more than one sentinel, although the player first faces only one of them and must survive the second guardian's arrival before the route can be claimed.
The encounter's rewards preserve that identity in equipment form. Gargoyle's Greatsword and Gargoyle's Twinblade let the player carry weapons associated with the stone guardians away from the aqueduct, turning a difficult environmental obstacle into a choice between two different melee weapon styles.
The encounter is unusual because the second Valiant Gargoyle is introduced during the battle instead of placing both enemies in the arena from the first second.
The Great Waterfall Basin gives the fight one of its defining hazards: the arena's open edge can turn an otherwise survivable mistake into an immediate death.
The victory provides both a greatsword and a twinblade, allowing the boss encounter to represent two distinct weapon categories rather than awarding only a single gargoyle-themed armament.
16
Valiant Gargoyles FAQ
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Are the Valiant Gargoyles a two-on-one fight from the start?
No. One Valiant Gargoyle is active when the fight begins, and the second enters after the first has lost substantial health.
What should be attacked first?
Focus on the first gargoyle and keep that target as the priority after the second appears. Defeating one enemy quickly is safer than dividing damage between both health pools.
How do I survive the second gargoyle?
Move into the arena interior, keep both enemies visible and use a Spirit Ash or cooperator to create separation. Leave any poison cloud immediately and do not trade through overlapping attacks.
What damage approach is useful against the Valiant Gargoyles?
Strike-oriented attacks are a practical choice against their stone bodies. Regardless of damage type, the most reliable openings come after their committed sweeps, leaps and other recovery animations.
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