Elden Ring is well known for its tough boss challenges. From General Radahn to Melania, these boss fights have become some of the most renowned in Fromsoftware’s history. And while they certainly deserve notoriety, boss battles are not the only challenge in the game. Throughout the different regions, Elden Ring is filled with tough enemies that can quickly overwhelm players.

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While they may not have the difficulty of a boss fight, some of the common enemy encounters in Elden Ring fill even seasoned players with dread. While many players will want to take on the challenge these enemies present, often the best course of action is to avoid them completely. These enemies are unique, strange, and always dangerous, and contribute to Elden Ring being one of the toughest games available today.

10 Imps

Uses Fast Moving, Quick Attacks That Cause Bleeding.

• Runes: 40 - 1,784
• Drops: Imp Head (Cat), Imp Head (Wolf), Imp Head (Fanged), Imp Head (Long-Tongued), Forked Hatchet, Forked Greatsword, Smithing Stones, Smouldering Butterfly, Glintstone Firefly, Fulgurbloom, Mushroom.
• Locations: Various Catacombs, Leyndell Royal Capital, and Subterranean Shunning-Grounds.

These enemies aren’t dangerous because of a large health pool, as killing Imps will only take a few well-timed attacks. The trouble with these enemies are the numbers that they can attack with, and the speed they can move. Players will soon find themselves in trouble if surrounded by more than one Imp.

With a tendency for surprise attacks, which also inflict blood loss, players will soon discover their health has quickly disappeared. Dealing with these annoying enemies requires good timing and awareness. A good strategy is to use Crystal Darts, which after a couple of hits will make the Imps attack whoever is closest, including other Imps.

9 Lesser Wormface

Causes Rapid Death-Blight Buildup

• Runes: 541- 6,812
• Drops: Gold-Tinged Excrement, Sacrificial Twigs.
• Locations: Altus Plateau, Crumbling Faram Azula

These Lovecraftian-looking monstrosities are first found wandering the woods in the Altus Plateau region. They may not be the fastest or most aggressive enemy on this list, but players who are not careful will find they can be deadly if not dealt with properly.

Lesser Wormfaces appear as tall, thin-limbed beings, with large heads featuring many writhing tentacles. Their most dangerous feature is their ability to breathe death blight directly at players in an AOE attack. Like many enemies in Elden Ring, taking on one of these creatures is not much of a problem, but players will soon find their death-blight build-up increasing when attacked by many, which when full means instant death.

8 Monstrous Dogs

High Damage Attacks, Fast and Aggressive

• Runes: 313 - 1,808
• Drops: Hefty Beast Bone, Beast Blood.
• Locations: Caelid, Dragonbarrow, Mountaintops of the Giants

First found wandering Caelid, these oversized canines are fast and aggressive and have given many new players quite a scare when first entering the region. While one can be manageable, players will soon find themselves in deep trouble if too many turns hostile at once.

With their huge jaws and sharp teeth, the Monstrous Dogs can deal great amounts of damage, even to higher-level players. While their speed and size make them a danger, they are also easily poise-broken. A few accurate hits to the large head will soon open them up to a critical attack.

7 Fingercreepers

Fast Aggressive Attacks, Can Ensnare Players With Magic

• Runes: 418 - 1,911
• Drops: Somber Smithing Stones
• Locations: Caria Manor, Leyndell, Royal Capital Sewers, Mt Gelmir, and Mountaintop of the Giants

Players will first encounter these Fingercreepers roaming the grounds of Caria Manor in the Liurnia of the Lakes region. These large creepy hands pose a real threat with their fast and aggressive attacks. Players will need to have quick reactions to defeat them and be careful not to take on more than one at a time. Be especially careful of their magic ring attacks, which will ensnare players temporarily, leaving them open to attack.

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They have also been known to bury themselves in the ground, waiting to grab any unsuspecting victims. The origin of the Fingercreepers is unknown, but they come in various sizes, from the easier-to-handle Lesser Fingercreepers, to the rare Colossal Fingercreeper. Using fire is recommended on these enemies, as it will temporarily stun them when hit.

6 Abductor Virgins

Tough to Dodge, High Amounts of Health

• Runes: 1,312 - 3,181
• Drops: N/A
• Locations: Raya Lucaria Academy, Caria Manor, Caelid, Mt Gelmir, Volcano Manor

These disturbing enemies resemble saintly women, wrapped in snakes and cradling a baby. They are found patrolling all over the Lands Between and always pose a significant challenge. For lower-level players, the Iron Virgins have a large health pool, with only their special attacks leaving them open to more damage.

These large enemies can be tough to defeat, with ranged and spinning blade attacks that can kill players if timed poorly. Getting in too close will often trigger their grab attack, which pulls players into their bodies, dealing more damage. Some Abductor Virgins will teleport players to a different location with this move as well.

5 Banished Knights

Can Disrupt Player Attacks, Leaving Them Vulnerable

• Runes: 168-3,091
• Drops: Banished Knight Set, Banished Knight’s Greatsword, Banished Knight’s Halberd, Banished Knight's Shield.
• Locations: Stormveil Castle, Cathedral of Dragon Communion, Castle Sol, Crumbling Farum Azula

These powerful armored foes can be found quite early in the game in the first Legacy Dungeon, Stormveil Castle. For lower level players, they pose a significant threat, as their attacks can be fast, heavy and relentless. With their storm abilities, players' own attacks can be disrupted, leaving them vulnerable to a Banished Knight's attack.

The most dangerous of these enemies can be found in Castle Sol, later in the game, in the Mountaintop of the Giants region. Here, players will find spectral versions of the Banished Knights that can teleport, which will break the player’s lock-on. The red-eyed, duel-wielding Banished knight, also found in Castle Sol, is by far the toughest of these enemies in the game.

4 Monstrous Crows

Fast Moving & Deals High Damage, Fast Attacks

• Runes: 1,009 - 11,038
• Drops: Hefty Beast Bone, Beast Blood, Golden Rune [5], Blood-Tainted Excrement.
• Locations: Caelid, Mohgwyn Palace, Flame Peak

Much like the Monstrous Dogs, these large and aggressive creatures are first encountered by players stalking the lands of Caelid. With their huge beaks and long legs, these birds move fast and attack even faster. Their short wings only allow for minimal flight, but players will find even outrunning them can sometimes be a challenge.

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There are two kinds of Crow in Elden Ring, the more common Monstrous Crow and the more dangerous Blistered Crow. This deformed version can be found solely in the Mohgwyn Palace area and is best avoided completely. They hit even harder, with numerous beak attacks, and will chase players down relentlessly.

3 Giant Crayfish

Aggressive With A Near-Unavoidable Water Attack

• Runes: 500 - 2,374
• Drops: Strip of White Flesh, Crab Eggs, Rimed Crystal Bud.
• Location: Liurnia of the Lakes, Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, Mountaintops of the Giants

One of the many enemies found in Elden Ring that is best given a wide birth. The Giant Crayfish are often found hiding in shallow watery areas, ready to emerge and ruin the player’s day. With their heavy claw attacks, aggressive nature, and surprising speed, the Giant Crayfish are incredibly dangerous, especially in numbers.

The most damaging attack these monstrous crustaceans possess is by far the sniper shot. The Crayfish rears up and shoots a jet of water at players, which may not sound deadly but is one of the toughest attacks to avoid in Elden Ring. This attack does high amounts of damage, has a surprising range, and is incredibly accurate. Meaning, running from these enemies can often be the worst decision a player makes.

2 Revenants

Fast, Aggressive, Teleports, and Shoots Poison Mist.

• Runes: 1,368 - 12,121
• Drops: Sacrificial Twig, Ghost Gloveworts
• Found in Various Named Locations In The Lands.

These horrific multi-limbed creatures are some of the toughest enemies found in Elden Ring. They attack extremely fast, giving little chance for players to react. Their ability to open a portal and disappear, means they can attack from any direction. From range, they can quickly drain the player’s health bar by spreading a poison mist.

These enemies also appear as mini-bosses, known as Royal Revenants, but are equally tough to deal with when faced in the world. Revenants are also the only enemies that will take damage from healing incantations. Taking on one of these extremely hostile creatures requires quick reflexes and accurate timing. Any panic rolling, or mistimed healing, will usually mean death for a player.

1 Lesser Runebears

High Damage, Very Fast, High HP

• Runes: 1,196 - 9,329
• Drops: Beast Blood, Gold-Tinged Excrement, Hefty Beast Bone, Lump of Flesh
• Locations: All Across The Lands Between

These solitary animals are rumored to be connected to Dragons and can be found right across Elden Ring. Players will often find these creatures asleep or guarding specific locations, like the Mistwood Ruins or Auriza Hero’s Grave. Angering Runebears is not recommended. For newer players, these oversized bears are best left completely alone, as even seasoned players can struggle with their speed and aggression.

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Runebears may have a weakness to the Sleep effect but also enjoy a large health pool and high-damage attacks. While some Runebears appear as boss fights, the lesser versions found all over the Lands Between, present an equally tough challenge. Some Runebears are even disguised as Wandering Nobles, ready to surprise any unwary Tarnished that crosses their path.

Elden Ring

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Released

February 25, 2022

Developer(s)

From Software

Genre(s)

RPG , Action