I've hit a wall against a certain optional boss in Elden Ring, the one in the consecrated snowfield with the relentless, delayed attacks and the brutal second phase. I'm running a pure strength build with a colossal weapon, which feels too slow to capitalize on the tiny openings I'm seeing. I've watched a few Elden Ring boss guide videos, but they mostly feature faster dex or spellcasting builds. For fellow strength enthusiasts who have conquered this fight, what was your strategy? Did you respec or change your weapon for more speed, or is there a specific dodge pattern and punish window I should be focusing on with a heavy weapon? I'm also unsure if I should be using a specific summon or item to create better opportunities.
Yep—this boss punishes hesitation hard. Learn the telegraphs and time your punish during the short post‑attack window after the delayed strike; stay light on your feet and don’t overcommit.
If speed is the issue, consider either bumping to a slightly faster, still heavy weapon or respecing toward a build that can land more frequent hits. In practice, bait the wind‑up, dodge through the early part, then land a 2–hit punish as soon as the attack finishes, then retreat to reset the tempo.
Here's a step-by-step plan you can try in a practice run: upgrade your weapon; learn the boss's two main patterns (the delayed single swing and the big second-phase move); in Phase 1 stay mobile and aim to dodge diagonally through the wind‑up, then punish with a couple of heavy hits before retreating; in Phase 2 stay tight to the boss, watch for the tell before the big leap, and clip two hits after the leap before backing off; use a Spirit Ash or a co‑op partner to pull aggro and widen your windows; manage stamina and FP so you’re not stuck in a long animation.
Using a Spirit Ash or a co‑op partner can turn the fight into a two‑front battle—one to distract the boss while you land your punish strokes.
What platform are you on and what weapon are you using? Share your current level and upgrades and I’ll map a precise timing sequence for you.