How to Beat Lion Guardian: Boss Fight Guide

This is a guide on how to beat Lion Guardian, an optional mini-boss in Elden Ring found in various locations. Read on to learn more about Lion Guardian's strengths, weaknesses, attack patterns, and lore!

Lion Guardian General Info

Stats and Rewards

Lion Guardian
Weakness	Resistance	Immune
Strike Slash Bleed	━	━
Affected By	Poison, Scarlet Rot, Frost, Bleed, Sleep
Spirit Ashes Available?	Yes
Rune Rewards	Stormveil Castle: ・1428 Fort Gael: ・1968 Redmane Castle: ・2 x 2676 Southern Caelid: ・1968 Leyndell, Royal Capital: ・3398 Northern Altus Plateau: ・2643 Castle Sol: ・4567
Summonable NPCs	None
Locations	・Stormveil Castle, Limgrave ・ Fort Gael, Caelid ・ Redmane Castle, Caelid ・Southern Caelid ・Leyndell, Royal Capital, Altus Plateau ・Northern Altus Plateau ・Castle Sol, Mountaintops of the Giants
Item Drops	Stormveil Castle: ・Somber Smithing Stone 1 ・Beast Blood ・2 x Old Fang Fort Gael: ・Ash of War Lion's Claw Redmane Castle: ・2 x Somber Smithing Stone 4 ・2 x Beast Blood ・4 x Old Fang Southern Caelid: ・Somber Smithing Stone 4 ・Beast Blood ・2 x Old Fang Leyndell, Royal Capital: ・Somber Smithing Stone 6 ・Beast Blood ・2 x Old Fang Northern Altus Plateau: ・Larval Tear Castle Sol: ・ Somber Smithing Stone 7 ・Beast Blood ・2 x Old Fang

Lion Guardian Location

Where to Find

Stormveil Castle

A Lion Guardian is located within Stormveil Castle, near the eastern gate. It will be resting on the right side before you enter an arched entryway.

Fort Gael

Another Lion Guardian can be found in Fort Gael, in the region of Caelid.

Redmane Castle

Two Lion Guardians can be found in Redmane Castle, in the region of Caelid.

Southern Caelid

The final Lion Guardian in Caelid can be found near the Impassable Greatbridge, in the southern parts of Caelid.

Leyndell, Royal Capital

A Lion Guardian can be found in Leyndell, Royal Capital, near the Avenue Balcony Site of Grace. It's in the region of Altus Plateau.

Northern Altus Plateau

A Lion Guardian can be found in the ruins west of the Outer Wall Battleground and the Hermit Merchant's Shack in Altus Plateau. It will be disguised as an Undead Enemy.

Castle Sol

Two Lion Guardians can be found in Castle Sol, in the region of Mountaintops of the Giants.

When to Fight

How to Beat Lion Guardian

Tips for Beating Lion Guardian
Wait for an Opening Before Attacking the Lion Guardian
Avoid Spells with Slow Projectile Speeds
Use Spirit Ashes with Multiple Summons
Don't Rely on Blocking

Wait for an Opening Before Attacking the Lion Guardian

The Lion Guardian will be extremely aggressive, so it's best to stay defensive. It'll be easy to find an opening to attack since it'll usually take a few seconds to recover after a move.

Avoid Spells with Slow Projectile Speeds

Avoid using spells with slow projectile speed since Lion Guardians have great mobility. Instead, try casting spells that have a fast projectile speed or one with a larger hitbox, such as the Glintstone Pebble, which is quick enough to hit the lion, or the Beast Claw, which hits anything in front of you in a wide cone for a good amount of damage.

Try to make sure you're safe when casting these spells, such as when they're distracted or when you're far away to safely use them.

Use Spirit Ashes with Multiple Summons

Try using spirit ashes that summons spirits in a group, as this will increase the time the boss is distracted since their attacks don't cover that much area. Spirits such as the Lone Wolf Ashes are ideal since they can easily avoid attacks thanks to their mobility and small hitbox.

Alternatively, you can also summon the Wandering Noble Ashes. They have less mobility than the wolves but are greater in number.

Don't Rely on Blocking

Running a build that uses a shield will make this fight much safer as you'll be able to move freely around the Lion Guardian without running the risk of getting hit.

However, try not to be over-reliant with it, since most of Lion Guardian's attacks can be chained together, making you susceptible to guard break.

Lion Guardian Attack Patterns

Melee Attacks

Melee Attack Variations
Bite Attack: Lion Guardian will run towards you in an attempt to bite you. Dodge towards the boss' sides and be prepared for the double headbutt right after the bite.
Jumping Slice Attack: An attack where the Lion Guardian jumps high up in the air before lunging itself towards where you are as it drops down. Roll into the attack when it raises its sword while mid-air.
Ground Slam: A slow-moving attack, where the Lion Guardian lifts itself up before slamming the sword attached to it to the ground, damaging anyone near the impact. Rolling underneath the lion lets you dodge it entirely.
Claw Swipe: A quick attack where Lion Guardian drags its claws in the ground before turning to swipe at you. Dodge backward to avoid this.
Blade and Claw Strike: Lion Guardian strikes you with its blade then follows this up with its claws. Dodge as it raises its weapons for both attacks. There will be a delay in between the two moves so don't spam your rolls.
Sword Swipe: Lion Guardian raises its sword and swings it at you. Roll into the attack once the Lion fully pulls its sword back.

Elden Ring Related Guides

List of All Bosses

DLC Bosses

Main Bosses

Optional Bosses

Mini-Bosses

Hostile NPCs and Invaders