How to Defeat the Grafted Scion in Elden Ring: Location, Drops, and Weaknesses
If you've played Elden Ring for even an hour, chances are you've met the Grafted Scion—and likely died trying. This grotesque, spider-like monstrosity is one of the first enemies to greet you in the game, and it sets the tone for what’s to come. Whether you're revisiting it later for revenge or trying to best it during your first encounter, this guide covers the Grafted Scion’s location, drops, and weaknesses so you can finally claim victory.
Where to Find the Grafted Scion
The Grafted Scion appears shockingly early in Elden Ring, acting as a pseudo-tutorial boss designed to humble new Tarnished. You’ll encounter it on the Chapel of Anticipation bridge, moments after starting the game.
The catch? You're meant to lose this fight. You don’t have healing items, your gear is weak, and you’re barely oriented. Still, if you're determined (or planning to come back later via a secret route), you can absolutely slay it.
To rematch the Grafted Scion, use the Four Belfries in Liurnia of the Lakes. One of the portals will return you to the Chapel of Anticipation, giving you a second chance with better gear and stats.
Grafted Scion Boss Fight Overview
The Grafted Scion is aggressive, fast, and deals heavy physical damage through flurries of sword strikes. It uses a combination of lunges, spinning slashes, and sweeping arcs that can catch unprepared players off-guard. Its multi-limbed form allows it to chain together long combos, punishing those who dodge too early or too late.
Recommended Strategy:
Keep your distance. This boss excels in melee but is vulnerable to ranged magic and arrows.
Time your dodges. Watch for its wind-up animations. Its attacks have rhythm, so dodging into them at the right moment often works better than away.
Watch your stamina. Blocking too often or dodging without stamina will leave you open to devastating combos.
Boss Weaknesses
The Grafted Scion has a few exploitable weaknesses:
Magic and Fire Damage: It lacks high resistances to elemental damage, making spells like Glintstone Pebble or fire incantations highly effective.
Bleed Effects: Weapons like the Uchigatana or Reduvia that inflict bleed can chunk down its health quickly.
Poise Damage: Heavy weapons such as greatswords or colossal weapons can stagger it between combos, especially with charged heavy attacks.
Summons are unavailable in the Chapel of Anticipation, so you’ll have to rely solely on your skill if you fight it early.
What the Grafted Scion Drops
Defeating the Grafted Scion isn’t just for pride. It drops:
Ornamental Straight Sword: A stylish and fast dual-wieldable sword with Faith-scaling potential, great for dex/faith hybrids.
Golden Beast Crest Shield: A medium-sized shield with decent defense stats and a relatively low weight requirement.
These are strong early-game items that offer both utility and aesthetics. While they won’t carry you through the entire game, they’re a notable reward for your perseverance.
The Grafted Scion may seem like an impossible challenge at the start of Elden Ring, but it’s ultimately a test of patience and timing. Whether you take it down immediately or return later for revenge, defeating this beast is a satisfying milestone in your journey through the Lands Between.
It’s not just about the loot—it’s about sending a message: you're not the same Tarnished you once were.