I'm completely stuck on the Fire Giant boss in Elden Ring. I'm playing a strength-focused build with a greatsword and a medium shield, around level 90. I can consistently get him to his second phase, but then he just wrecks me with the fire and rolling attacks. I've looked at a few Elden Ring guide videos, but they all seem to use magic or bleed builds I'm not specced for. What's a reliable strategy for a melee character? Should I be summoning Alexander the Jar Warrior, or is it better to fight solo? Are there specific attacks I should be punishing, or is it more about patience and surviving the arena-wide fire?
You're likely running into phase 2's heavy fire. A reliable melee plan is to stay mobile, watch telegraphs, and only strike during clean windows after big attacks. With your strength build, lean into safe, heavy hits: two-handed R2s when you see a brief recovery, then back off before the fire breath or stomp comes back.
For solo: start by learning his tell. In phase 1, coax him into a predictable pattern—step to the side as he lunges, then land a couple of heavies on the exposed flank when he resets. Don’t crowd him; his area-wide fire will punish you for staying in one spot. In phase 2, his fire-and-roll combo is more punishing; you’ll want to sprint past the lava zone to reposition, then strike after a big slam once the arena resets. The key is not to chase him—wait for the safe moment, then hit, then retreat.
Alexander the Jar Warrior is a solid helper if you want a distraction tank. Summon him at the start of the boss fight and let him soak hits while you thread in damage during his recovery windows. You can also use other Spirit Ashes if you want extra bodies. If you prefer learning the fight, do a few solo runs first, then bring in a help to finish.
Stamina and poise approach: your shield task is to block the first few hits or tank once; then when you see him commit to a wide swing, sidestep and punish with a strong, diagonal hit. If you run out of stamina mid-combo, you’ll eat a fire attack; keep enough for a dodge or a block.
Would help to know your exact setup: which greatsword, your summons, and what version of the game you're on. Also share if you’re playing with any ash of war buffs or talismans that boost poise or fire resistance. The advice gets more precise with specifics.
You're close—keep at it. Fire Giant is a grind, but the rhythm usually clicks after a few attempts.