Fellow Tarnished, the time has come! Here’s your ultimate battle plan to exploit Commander Gaius weakness and conquer him in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree.
Finding Commander Gaius: Your Path to Victory
One of the optional boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is Commander Gaius. If you’ve tackled some of the horse bosses before, think again—Commander Gaius is an entirely different beast! So, how do you strategize against him? What should you be wary of? Let’s dive into the details!

Commander Gaius can be found tucked away in a secret area behind the Shadow Keep. First, make your way to Bonny Village from the Moorth Ruins. Once you’re there, traverse through Bonny Village and head to the Church District. Navigate the rooftops and leap from a cracked section of the roof to where two fire sorceresses are patrolling.
You can sneak past the first sorceress but be advised to avoid engaging the second one. The first left turn leads to the lever that lowers the water in the Church District. Afterward, take the second left and hop on the lift.
Next, you’ll find yourself in the back area of the Specimen Storehouse. Climb the ladder and make a right upon reaching the top. Look for a crack behind a shelf and squeeze through it to reach the next floor, where bats flutter about.
Continue along the ledge until you spot an archway at the bottom, jump down, and follow the stairs leading outside to take the lift that brings you face-to-face with the boss.
Understanding Commander Gaius Weakness
Every formidable foe has its Achilles’ heel, and Commander Gaius is no exception. Here are his key weaknesses that you can exploit:
- Weak to Bleed: Like many bosses in Elden Ring, Commander Gaius is vulnerable to bleed damage. Equip weapons like Katanas or Bloodhound’s Fangs to stack bleed effectively, causing immense damage over time.
- Weak to Physical: This boss is susceptible to physical attacks. If you’re wielding strength-based weapons, you’ll be in good shape to deal significant damage.
- Weak to Fire: From my experience in boss fights, Commander Gaius takes substantial damage from fire. Utilize fire-infused magic or weaponry to maximize your damage output.
- Weak to Freeze: Magic that causes freeze damage is particularly effective against Commander Gaius. If you have any freeze spells, this is your moment to shine!

Mastering the Battle Against Commander Gaius
With a solid understanding of Commander Gaius weaknesses, it’s time to gear up for battle! Here are some vital tips to help you conquer this challenging foe:
- Summon Spirit Ash: Like many boss encounters, you can call for a Spirit Ash to distract Commander Gaius. This gives you a chance to strategize and strike effectively while he’s preoccupied.
- Wear Protective Armor: Commander Gaius dishes out serious physical damage, especially with his boar charging toward you. Ensure you’re kitted out in armor that offers strong physical protection to minimize damage taken.
- Roll Toward the Charge: When his boar charges, it’s crucial! Roll directly toward him at the last moment to dodge the attack entirely.
- Beware of the Combo: Commander Gaius has a three-part combo attack that includes a lance strike, boar swing, and a boar slam. You can dodge the lance by rolling in any direction, the boar swing by moving sideways, and the slam by dodging backward.
- Dodge the Side Swing Attack: Sometimes, Gaius will run backward, circle around, and let his boar swing its head at you. The best avoidance tactic is to dodge into the boar’s swing at the last second.
- Stay Alert for Gravity Attacks: Gaius has several AoE gravity moves. One of the most notable is the upward slash, which you can evade by rolling forward. He also summons rocks, which are dodgeable in any direction.
- Anticipate the Explosion Dive: Once you’ve whittled down 50% of his health, Gaius enters phase two. In this phase, he jumps with his boar and performs an AoE Gravity Dive. The key to dodging this is to roll a moment before he slams down.
- Watch for New Phase Two Attacks: While many attacks remain the same, expect added gravity damage and a new flying thrust where Gaius and his boar hover and dive at you. Rolling forward can help you dodge this.
Claiming Your Rewards After Defeating Commander Gaius
Once you’ve triumphed over the relentless Commander Gaius, you’ll be rewarded handsomely. You’ll obtain the Remembrance of the Wild Boar Rider, a valuable item you can exchange with Enia at the Roundtable Hold.
In terms of rewards, you have two enticing options:
- Commander Gaius’ Weapon—The Sword Lance: This weapon requires 21 Strength and 11 Dexterity, boasting a base physical stat of 132.
- Sorcery—Blades of Stone: This gravity-manipulating sorcery lets you pull blades from the earth, dealing AoE damage.
Regardless of your choice, you also gain a whopping 230,000 runes to aid your leveling efforts!
That wraps up our guide on defeating this elusive optional boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Have you tracked down Commander Gaius? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Conclusion
Facing Commander Gaius can be a daunting task, but with an understanding of his weaknesses and the right strategies, you can emerge victorious. Remember, preparation is key, so equip yourself wisely and make the most of the tools at your disposal!
FAQs:
- What are Commander Gaius’ main weaknesses?
- Commander Gaius is weak to bleed, physical, fire, and freeze damage.
- How do I reach Commander Gaius?
- Travel through Bonny Village, navigate rooftops, and follow the path through the Specimen Storehouse.
- What rewards do I get for defeating him?
- You’ll receive the Remembrance of the Wild Boar Rider, which can be exchanged for either the Sword Lance or the Blades of Stone sorcery.
- Is it wise to summon Spirit Ash during the fight?
- Yes, summoning Spirit Ash can distract Commander Gaius, making the fight easier.
- What should I do when he enters phase two?
- Be prepared for gravity damage and dodge his new flying thrust attack effectively.