The expansion for Elden Ring titled "Shadow of the Erdtree" has breathed even more content into the game, giving new life to an already popular souls-like title. In this DLC, players are introduced to a variety of new bosses, each offering a unique experience that tests your skills and game builds.

Among these formidable foes is Commander Gaius, the leader of Messmer the Impaler's army and a possessor of immense physical strength. Facing him is not just a test of your tactical abilities and equipment, but also your ability to withstand his dangerous strikes. In this guide for the boss Commander Gaius in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree, we'll explore how to easily withstand and defeat him.

How to Get to Commander Gaius

Commander Gaius is located in Shadow Keep, specifically at the Back Gate grace site. You can reach this area by taking one of the paths through Shadow Keep. One path leads to the Scadutree Avatar, another to Messmer, and a third directly to Commander Gaius.

You can defeat these bosses in any order, so whether to head to Commander Gaius now or later is up to you, as long as you have the necessary equipment for the encounter.

To reach Commander Gaius, start your journey from Moorth Ruins and proceed through the village of Bonny. From there, head to the Church District, where you need to jump across some rooftops. A crack in a roof allows access to an area guarded by two fire witches.

You can sneak past the first witch and ignore the second, proceeding straight ahead. The first left turn leads to a lever that lowers the water level in the Church District, and the second left brings you to an elevator.

Once you arrive at the rear part of the Specimen Storehouse, climb the ladder and turn right. A crack in the wall behind a shelf leads to the next floor, where bats flutter around ledges. Follow the ledge until you see an arch below. Jump down, follow the stairs outside, and take another elevator to reach the boss arena finally.

Preparation for the Battle

Facing Commander Gaius unprepared is a direct route to defeat. Gaius has a strong weakness to bleed effects, so a weapon like Bloodhound’s Fan from the main game can be highly effective. Additionally, he is vulnerable to physical, fire, and frost attacks, allowing you to utilize Commander Gaius weakness with appropriate equipment and tailor your build for this fight.

During this battle, you have the option to summon Torrent, your spectral steed, as the events here take place in the open area of Scaduview. However, it's more advantageous to stay on your own feet, i.e., to fight the boss without the aid of a mount.

It's better to summon a Spirit Ash, which will be more practical in the fight against Commander Gaius. A good option is to summon the spirit Black Knife Tiche, if your stats allow it. Alternatively, Mimic Tear can also be a reliable companion in this current encounter with the boss.

Equipment Tips

Your equipment should primarily be based on your preferences and what you have managed to acquire during the game. However, here are some specific recommendations for gear to use against the boss:

• Weapon: Rivers of Blood +10
• Shield: Messmer Soldier Shield
• Armor: Winged Serpent Helm, Beast Champion Armor, Drake Knight Gauntlets, Lionel’s Greaves
• Talismans: Crimson Seed Talisman, Dragoncrest Shield Talisman +2, Erdtree’s Favor +2, Lance Talisman (not mandatory, but a good addition for increased damage)
• Spirit Ash: Black Knife Tiche, Mimic Tear +10

Commander Gaius Phase 1 Bossfight

In the first phase, Commander Gaius primarily attacks you with his boar. Initially, the boss greets you with a typical mounted charge, which you can dodge by rolling to the side or even forward, and your character will simply pass through the enemy model. After his charge, Gaius stops and summons several stone projectiles with his weapon, which he launches towards you.

Another type of attack with the spear is a purple beam that the boss launches at you. Regular dodges are enough to avoid damage or a shield that can slightly absorb it. If you stand too close to the boar, it might attack you by standing on its hind legs and pouncing, or with a sideways head swipe.

If you find yourself behind the boar, be cautious, as the beast can knock you back with a rear leg strike. This attack has few warning signs, so be vigilant if Gaius pauses before an attack. Gaius himself may make a spinning sword strike.

Using your spirit, which will divert attention to itself, you can attack the boss with close or ranged attacks, but still be wary of the beast reacting sharply to you. Most enemy movements can be countered with rolls if you maintain proper timing.

Commander Gaius Phase 2 Bossfight

In the second phase, Gaius starts emitting purple lightning, signaling the start of his gravitational attacks. His regular attacks from the previous phase are now enhanced with gravitational magic and deal more damage, making it vital to avoid direct hits.

When Gaius jumps into the air, he and his boar form a purple energy sphere that flies directly at you. After landing, the sphere creates a whirlwind pulse, from which you should simply run in the opposite direction from the epicenter of the landing. The boar's attacks are supplemented by a tusk strike, after which a shockwave is created in the direction of the hit.

Another new attack is another sphere, which Gaius creates using his sword and directs to an area in the arena, where several flashes of energy unfold within the sphere's range, causing damage. The main thing is simply not to fight near this zone of effect, and then this sphere poses no problems.

Defeating Commander Gaius, you will receive 230,000 runes and the Remembrance of the Boar Rider. Take this item to the Finger Reader at Roundtable to exchange it for a powerful weapon.

Battle Tips

If the fight seems too challenging, you can use the following strategy. Summon the most resilient close-combat Spirit Ash, such as Greatshield Soldiers, and use ranged magic attacks or ash of war to reduce Gaius's health without engaging him in direct combat.

Greatshield Soldiers' spirits are particularly effective thanks to five skeletons named Dale, Harry, Hawk, Andy, and Bobby. They absorb damage well, allowing you to focus on long-range attacks. If you are a close-combat character, consider using lightning ash of war, which can be obtained in Leyndell in the Lands Between.

Melee Combat Strategy

Before the fight, refill your flask by resting at the nearest grace site. Take a Flask of Wondrous Physick with Greenburst Crystal Tear and Opaline Hardtear for a temporary boost to defense and stamina recovery rate. Once you enter the arena, summon the spirit Black Knife Tiche, as it is immune to status effects, making it an ideal ally.

Commander Gaius rides a giant boar that can attack quickly. For melee fighters, heavy, and jump attacks are key, trading off protection for the opportunity to break the boss's poise and inflict additional damage. Stay to the side or behind the boss, avoiding his initial gravitational attacks and focusing on physical damage.

The wild swings of the boar, combined with paw and head strikes, require precise timing to dodge. Dodge away from the weapon swings and the boar's head strike. Dodging his leg strike is more challenging, but it can be anticipated if you spend too much time behind the boss and study his behavior. After the boss finishes his attack series, strike him with a heavy blow or jump.

The second phase begins when the boss's health is reduced to about 50%. Gaius grasps his body, and his body is engulfed in purple lightning, indicating the start of his gravitational attacks. His weapon begins to glow purple and is accompanied by a crackling sound.

Beware of the gravitational dive — a dangerous attack during which the boss jumps into the air, turns to charge up, and falls at high speed. Roll back to avoid the strike, or use a forward roll strategy and perform a jump attack during the boss's recovery.

Gaius mainly deals physical damage with moderate magic damage. A large shield with full physical block and high defense enhancement can block most of the boss's attacks, making him vulnerable to counterattack strategies. Approximately six defensive katana attacks can cause the first break in the enemy's position.

Strategy for Mages / Ranged Combat

Before entering the boss zone, make sure you have a full health supply and have improved your overall supply. After entering the location, summon a spirit, as it will be harder to do so later due to the enemy's sharp strikes. Although you can summon Torrent, it's easier to fight without it, as the enemy boar is faster and can easily knock down Torrent, making you more vulnerable at that moment.

The battle always starts with the boss charging at you. During this initial attack, Gaius dodges all attacks, so dodge sideways to avoid significant damage. Mages should use spells with good tracking, such as Stars of Ruin, or quick spells like Carian Slicer. It's not advisable to use spells with a long casting time, as you will become more open to enemy attacks.

Conclusion

Defeating Commander Gaius in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in Elden Ring is another test of the player's ability to withstand new and more complex challenges offered by the creators in the new DLC.

Whether you are a close-combat fighter or a mage, the key is to learn the sequence of the enemy's movements and adapt to his moveset to easily avoid damage and strike at the right moment.