In the sprawling world of Elden Ring, some foes test the limits of your build, reflexes, and patience. Others… become internet legends for entirely different reasons. One such figure is the Soldier of Godrick—an early-game boss who, despite his low difficulty, has secured a lasting place in meme culture. In this guide, we’ll explore his location, combat behavior, and how he became the unofficial rite of passage (and punchline) for new Tarnished players.
Where to Find the Soldier of Godrick
The Soldier of Godrick is one of the first bosses you can encounter in Elden Ring. He’s located in the Stranded Graveyard, just beyond the tutorial area in Cave of Knowledge. Players who take the time to go through the tutorial dungeon will find him waiting at the end, acting as a warm-up for the trials ahead.
Despite being optional, the fight introduces players to basic boss mechanics: dodging, stamina management, and attack timing. For many first-timers, this is the first time they “officially” win a boss fight, earning both confidence and some early Elden Ring loot.
Battle Overview: More Bark Than Bite
Mechanically, the Soldier of Godrick is extremely straightforward. He uses basic sword swings and slow, predictable attacks. His low health pool and poor aggression mean that most players can defeat him within seconds—even on their first attempt. For experienced Souls players, the encounter feels more like a sparring session than a true battle.
But this simplicity serves a purpose. FromSoftware uses the fight as a teaching tool. It’s not about the challenge—it’s about communicating the fundamentals of combat in Elden Ring.
The Meme Status Explained
What turned this humble soldier into an ironic legend? Mostly, the internet.
As Elden Ring exploded in popularity, memes flooded social platforms. The Soldier of Godrick quickly became a symbol of overconfidence and parody. Players began jokingly calling him the “hardest boss in the game” or a “true endgame threat.” Screenshots of him being defeated in one hit—or in elaborate over-the-top ways—spread like wildfire.
In speedrunning and PvE challenge circles, he’s sometimes used as a target for overkill builds, showcasing how absurdly powerful certain combinations can be. In Reddit posts and YouTube comments, new players often ask mock-serious questions about “how to beat the Soldier of Godrick,” triggering floods of ironic advice.
Why He Still Matters
Despite being a joke, the Soldier of Godrick holds a genuine place in the journey of nearly every player. He marks the beginning of your adventure, the first time your build is “tested” (loosely speaking), and a brief moment of triumph before the true brutality of Elden Ring sets in.
In some ways, he’s a mascot—a goofy reminder that even in a world of demigods, dragons, and cosmic horrors, every Tarnished has to start somewhere.
The Soldier of Godrick may be one of the weakest foes in Elden Ring, but his legacy is anything but forgettable. Whether you crushed him in seconds or hesitated during your first fight, his role as a tutorial boss and meme icon cements him as one of the game’s most oddly beloved characters. So next time you hear his name, don’t laugh too hard—after all, every legend has humble beginnings.
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