Summary
It’s a given that practically any boss you fight in Elden Ring’sShadow Of The ErdreeDLC is going to be scary. When it comes to minibosses and everyday enemies you’d find roaming Scadu Altus, the Abyssal Woods, and other regions, however; how do they stack up against one another?
Overall aesthetics, move sets, damage, lore, and other factors were taken into consideration when choosing which enemies made it on the list. With the aid of George R. R. Martin’s profoundly creative mind, coupled with Miyazaki’s focus on a ruined, chaotic world, it’s no wonder so many horrific creatures lurk under the Erdtree’s shadow.
8Malformed Flesh Monsters
Gross Is An Understatement
Whether you’re pushing past a bunch of enemies in the Shadow Keepto make it to Messmer’s arena, performing platforming puzzles in Belurat Gaol’s massive, frigid prison, or exploring somewhere else, you’ve probably run into these unsettling, fleshy monstrosities.
As if their overall appearance wasn’t enough, some of their attacks can be really disturbing, especially the one where they raise their arms, start to violently shake, and suddenly push out a long, tongue-like appendage ridden with legs and arms that stick out from end to end.
7Giant Bigmouth Imp
The Bigger The Mouth, The Bigger The Fireball
If you’ve delved into some of the DLC’s catacombs, you’ve likely run into the smaller bigmouth imps, who cheerfully and repeatedly blast you with high-damage fireballs as you’re mobbed by their bleed-inducing imp friends, or barraged by magic incantations that bounce off surfaces.
In Darklight Catacombs, however, which is found south-southeast of Bonny Village, and directly south from the Eastern Nameless Mausoleum, you can find an extraordinarily large version of this enemy. Be ready to run and dodge; it will bombard you mercilessly from an initially inaccessible stone perch when you first find it.
6Horned Warriors
Learning A Common Enemy’s Patterns Is Always Humbling
You can find these heavily armored, hard-hitting humanoids in all kinds of places, with slight variances in the weapons they use. If you happen to be in a late-game area, they can even possess elemental affinities, such as lightning, frost, or wind.
While their physical appearance alone isn’t very scary, their size and fearless aggression certainly are. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to get caught by painful weapon arts with high areas of effect, or repeatedly sliced and trapped in a merciless combo.
5Messmer’s Flame Knights
Don’t Be Fooled By Their Fashionable Appearance
Ornate armor, a beautiful, twisting longsword, and a flowy cape dyed in a magnificent, deep red to top it all off; what’s supposed to be so scary about the Flame Knights? Well, they might have peak fashion sense, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t remarkably lethal combatants either.
Whether they’re augmenting their swords with flame to create searing, multi-hit combos that create delayed blasts of flame after each swing, or conjuring fireballs that lock onto you, these enemies can feel like minibosses of their own, especially with their high health pool.
4Lampry
These Leeches Are Built Different
It’s never a good day when you run into a new area teeming with pale, fleshy, spellcasting, leech-like, predatory creatures at least twice your size that can fire homing projectiles from an annoyingly long distance. Although, that’s arguably par for the course when it comes to FromSoftware games.
If you keep at it, just like any other enemy or boss, you’ll figure out a strategy to come out on top, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t or isn’t terrifying when you’re suddenly helpless, and have a blood-crazed Lamprey sucking the life out of you.
3Death Knights
They’ll Drain Your Lifeforce
As if their name wasn’t foreboding enough, these minibosses can only be found in the deepest reaches of the DLC’s treacherous catacombs. Whether by dual-wielding or using a two-handed stance, Death Knights prefer axes that deal both physical and lightning damage.
Heck, they’ll even throw lightning bolts at you, but what makes these enemies incredibly scary is their ability to heal themselves. No, it’s not with an Estus Flask; they’ll grow black wings and surge towards you, and if they manage to grab you, they’ll sap your health bar rapidly.
2Furnace Golems
Miyazaki Apparently Loves Area Of Effect Fire Attacks
Your first introduction to this enemy probably went something like this; you stepped into the Gravesite Plains, and not too far off to the north, you saw a gigantic flaming basket. From there, you either skipped it entirely or tested your luck and tried to fight it.
The first option is logical, and the second option is brave, but all the same, you probably figured out by now that these fellas adore spewing hellfire from above, creating intercontinental flame vortexes, and repeatedly turning the ground into the innermost circle of Hell.
1Abyssal Lantern Heads
Don’t Let Them Detect You
It seems Shabriri and the influence of the Three Fingers know no bounds,enveloping a region called the Abyssal Woodswith their tendrils of madness. There, everything from local wildlife, to the haunting creature you see before you, slowly but surely becoming vectors for spreading madness.
While many players graciously gave warnings about these Lantern Heads, all it takes is one misstep, or a loud enough noise to have these seemingly undamageable enemies mercilessly hunt you down, ensnare you with their wand, and swiftly send you to your end. Thank goodness you’re tarnished and get unlimited attempts.
