This is a guide for the Golden Hippopotamus in the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. Learn the Golden Hippopotamus' location and weakness, as well as the best build against the Golden Hippo.

Golden Hippopotamus Weakness

Slash Damage is Highly Effective

Golden Hippopotamus is weak to attacks that inflict Slash damage. Take advantage of this by using Slash damage weapons such as Katanas, Reapers, and Curved Swords.

List of All Slash Weapons

Weak to Lightning and Fire

Due to the Hippo's watery arena, Lightning is the most effective element versus the boss, followed by Fire, even with water debuffing its damage. Infusing Slash damage weapons with affinities that inflict Fire or Lightning are great choices for dealing the highest amount of damage per hit.

For spellcasters, Knight's Lightning Spear and Ancient Dragons’ Lightning Strike can deal significant lightning damage, while Giantsflame Take Thee is also great for dealing large amounts of fire damage.

Frostbite and Scarlet Rot are Viable Options

Since you are fighting the Golden Hippopotamus on water, Frostbite can easily proc on him even though it deals low damage. Inflict Fire damage to him to remove the Frostbite status and proc it again using your Cold-infused weapons to do it multiple times.

DoT builds can instead easily proc Scarlet Rot to whittle down the Hippo's HP over the course of the fight.

Best Builds Against Golden Hippopotamus

Lightning Damage is Highly Recommended

Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike	Knight's Lightning Spear	Frozen Lightning Spear
Lightning Spear	Thunderbolt	Honed Bolt

Lightning spells excel against the Golden Hippopotamus thanks to its semi-flooded boss arena. Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike is the most powerful incantation to use against the Golden Hippo, especially since it can be hit by multiple bolts due to its large hitbox.

Frozen Lightning Spear is similarly powerful against the boss since its cone can also hit the Hippo multiple times. Plus, it has the added benefit of building Frostbite to deal burst damage and decrease the boss' defenses, in case you are unable to nuke Golden Hippopotamus outright.

If you want spells that cast faster and longer range than these two, you can rely on incantations like Knight's Lightning Spear, Lightning Spear and Honed Bolt, or the Ash of War Thunderbolt.

Melee Builds Can Equip Weapons with Lightning Damage

Death Knight's Longhaft Axe	Death Knight's Twin Axes
Dragon King's Cragblade	Vyke's Dragonbolt

Melee-oriented players can equip weapons with innate Lightning damage, or infuse them with said damage using Vyke's Dragonbolt or the Sanctified Whetblade.

STR and STR-FAI builds can use the Death Knight's Longhaft Axe or the Death Knight's Twin Axes since both have Blinkbolt-type skills that allow them to i-frame and follow-up with heavy lightning attacks.

The strongest innate Lightning-damage weapons for DEX builds would be Dragon King's Cragblade and Bolt of Gransax. They'd be best used in a shield poke build for a more defensive playstyle.

Slash Weapons are Also Effective

Backhand Blades	Bloodhound's Fang	Dragonscale Blade
Bandit's Curved Sword	Scavenger's Curved Sword	Great Katana

Both STR and DEX builds have a lot of flexibility with Slash weapons, as they can simply affix Heavy or Keen affinities to their weapon of choice to change the main stat scalings. Backhand Blades, Bandit's Curved Sword, Scavenger's Curved Sword and the Great Katana are all prime choices to customize to fit your playstyle and build.

If you're leaning specifically towards DEX, you can't go wrong with Bloodhound's Fang and the disengage value of Bloodhound's Finesse. The Dragonscale Blade is another choice that you can build around to target two of the Hippo's main weaknesses by using the Ice Lightning Sword skill.

Equip Talismans to Buff Offensive Incantations and Weapons

Flock's Canvas Talisman	Faithful's Canvas Talisman
Shard of Alexander	Lightning Scorpion Charm

Depending on your reliance on either incantations or Ashes of War, there are several talismans you can equip to boost your damage. However, since both playstyles rely on either range or skills with i-frames, the Lightning Scorpion Charm can be a good boost to your Lightning attacks if you're fighting purely to deal damage, rather than trade it.

For incantation users, you can equip both the Flock's Canvas Talisman and Faithful's Canvas Talisman at the same time to stack enhancements to your incantations. If you'll be spamming a weapon's Ash of War instead, bring the Shard of Alexander.

Use Talismans and Armor for Physical and Holy Damage Negation

Haligdrake Talisman +2

Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman

Crucible Armor

The Golden Hippopotamus can only deal physical damage and, during second phase, Holy damage. If you want high damage negation against both those types of damage, wear the Haligdrake Talisman +2, Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman, and Crucible Armor.

Cast Incantations and Ashes of War for Further Defense Buffs

Golden Vow

Lord's Divine Fortification

For defensive spells, Golden Vow is the most reliable incantation or Ash of War to cast for general damage negations, and will also boost your damage for nuke builds. To specifically resist the Golden Hippo's Holy damage attacks, Lord's Divine Fortification provides great negation against them.

Specific Recommended Build: Pure Lightning Caster Build

Main Hand Weapon					Off-Hand Weapon
Gravel Stone Seal					Finger Seal
Character Stat Distribution
VIG		60			MND		31
END		20			STR		11
DEX		10			INT		7
FAI		80			ARC		10

Stats above are based on Prophet class's stat distribution at RL 150.

The Pure Lightning Caster Build is a pure FAI build that deals massive Lightning damage with the potential to two or three-shot the Golden Hippopotamus using Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike, with Knight's Lightning Spear as a backup quickdraw spell.

To maximize damage, we will be wielding both the Gravel Stone Seal and Finger Seal to take advantage of their S scalings in Faith, effectively doubling the damage of our lightning spells.

Equip Armor and Talismans for High Damage and Protection

Helm	Armor	Gauntlets	Greaves
Crucible Tree Helm	Crucible Tree Armor	Crucible Gauntlets	Crucible Greaves
Talismans
Flock's Canvas Talisman	Faithful's Canvas Talisman	Godfrey Icon	Lightning Scorpion Charm

Your armor and talismans for this build will maximize your damage while providing excellent poise and protection. Stack Flock's Canvas Talisman and Faithful's Canvas Talisman to boost your incantations, then add Godfrey Icon to enhance incantations' charged attacks and Lightning Scorpion Charm to boost your Lightning damage.

For defense, we'll be wearing the Crucible Armor set to exceed 51 poise and gain high physical and Holy damage negations, in case the Hippo gets to hit you as you poke or nuke it.

Cast Golden Vow and Lightning-Shrouded Crack Tear Pre-Fight for Extra Damage

Golden Vow

Lightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear

Right before you enter the boss arena, cast Golden Vow and drink Wondrous Physick mixed with Lightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear to boost your base damage and lightning damage, so that you can chunk away the Golden Hippo's HP as soon as possible.

Charge Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike After Big Openings

The gameplay clip above was recorded in NG+ at Scadutree Blessing Level 20.

The Golden Hippo has long, exploitable windows after attacks like its charging grab and its spin-to-win move in second phase. These are your opportunities to use a fully charged Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike to nuke its HP with almost 30k points of damage.

Poke and Break Poise with Knights' Lightning Spear

The gameplay clip above was recorded in NG+ at Scadutree Blessing Level 20.

If you're having trouble with timing Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike, Knights' Lightning Spear is your safe mid-range option to poke at the Golden Hippo from a distance. Use the charged version as much as possible to deal additional poise damage and stance break the Hippo for a free attack window.

Golden Hippopotamus General Tips

Tips for Beating Golden Hippopotamus
Stay Close to the Golden Hippo Avoid Using Consecutive Attack Strings Increase Your Physical Resistance

Stay Close to the Golden Hippo

The Golden Hippopotamus has several moves that can quickly close the gap between it and the player. It's highly recommended to avoid running away from it if you wish to restore your HP or apply buffs.

Wait for Its Horn Swing Before Healing

The Golden Hippopotamus has a move that makes it rear then swing its horn upwards. After using this move, the Golden Hippopotamus will reposition itself away from you. Use this time to heal up, apply buffs, or use items before re-entering close quarter combat.

Avoid Using Consecutive Attack Strings

The Golden Hippo does not use multiple combo moves on its own but it has an extremely short time interval between its attacks. Limit yourself to only attacking once or twice before preparing to dodge or block again.

Increase Your Physical Resistance

Despite the Golden Hippopotamus being capable of using Sacred attacks, you'll instead want to pump up your physical resistance. Talismans such as the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman can greatly reduce the boss' damage output.

Golden Hippopotamus Location

Infront of the Shadowkeep Gate

World View	Map Location

The Golden Hippopotamus can be found right infront of the Shadow Keep's entrance. Use the elevator to enter the keep. The Golden Hippopotamus is found right after the Site of Grace.

Golden Hippopotamus Drops and Info

Golden Hippopotamus Details
Runes	200000
Drops	・Scadutree Fragment
Spirit Summons?	Spirit Ashes Allowed
Gold Summons?	None

Elden Ring Related Guides

List of All Bosses

DLC Bosses

DLC Boss Lists
All DLC Bosses Order and Locations	All DLC Remembrance Bosses
Bosses Difficulty Tier List	-
Main Bosses
Rellana, Twin Moon Knight	Golden Hippopotamus
Messmer the Impaler	Romina, Saint of the Bud
Promised Consort Radahn
Optional Bosses
Divine Beast Dancing Lion	Commander Gaius
Demi-Human Queen Marigga	Demi-Human Swordmaster Onze
Blackgaol Knight	Chief Bloodfiend
Black Knight Edredd	Ancient Dragon-Man
Furnace Golem	Lamenter
Putrescent Knight	Jori, Elder Inquisitor
Death Knight	Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame
Bayle the Dread	Scadutree Avatar
Metyr, Mother of Fingers	Red Bear
Rakshasa	Jagged Peak Drake
Rugalea the Great Red Bear	Ralva the Great Red Bear
Ancient Dragon Senessax	Curseblade Labirith
Black Knight Garrew	Fallingstar Beast
Death Rite Bird	Tibia Mariner
Ghostflame Dragon	Tree Sentinel
Magma Wyrm	Crucible Knight Devonia
Hostile NPCs
Logur the Beast Claw	-

Main Bosses

All Bosses in Elden Ring
Margit the Fell Omen	Godrick the Grafted
Red Wolf of Radagon	Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
Royal Knight Loretta	Starscourge Radahn
Godfrey, First Elden Lord	Morgott, the Omen King
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy	Fire Giant
Malenia, Blade of Miquella	Mohg Lord of Blood
Regal Ancestor Spirit	Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
Lichdragon Fortissax	Godskin Duo
Dragonlord Placidusax	Maliketh, the Black Blade
Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing	Hoarah Loux, Warrior
Radagon of the Golden Order	Elden Beast

Optional Bosses

Limgrave Optional Bosses
Beastman of Farum Azula	Bloodhound Knight Darriwil
Demi-Human Chiefs	Flying Dragon Agheel
Guardian Golem	Leonine Misbegotten
Mad Pumpkin Head	Miranda the Blighted Bloom
Patches	Runebear
Scaly Misbegotten	Soldier of Godrick
Stonedigger Troll	Tree Sentinel
Liurnia of the Lakes Optional Bosses
Adan, Thief of Fire	Alabaster Lord
Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader	Bols, Carian Knight
Bloodhound Knight	Glintstone Dragon Smarag
Glintstone Dragon Adula	Magma Wyrm Makar
Royal Revenant	Spirit-Caller Snail
Caelid Optional Bosses
Battlemage Hugues	Black Blade Kindred (Caelid)
Commander O'Neil	Decaying Ekzykes
Fallingstar Beast	Flying Dragon Greyll
Frenzied Duelist	Magma Wyrm
Nox Swordstress & Nox Priest	Putrid Tree Spirit
Altus Plateau Optional Bosses
Ancient Dragon Lansseax	Crucible Knight Ordovis
Demi-Human Queen Gilika	Demi-Human Queen Maggie
Demi-Human Queen Margot	Draconic Tree Sentinel
Elemer of the Briar	Esgar, Priest of Blood
Fell Twins	Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast
Godefroy the Grafted	Kindred of Rot
Mohg, The Omen	Necromancer Garris
Onyx Lord	Perfumer Tricia
Red Wolf of the Champion	Sanguine Noble
Virgin Abductors	Wormface
Mountaintops of the Giants Optional Bosses
Astel, Stars of Darkness	Black Blade Kindred (Mountaintops of the Giants)
Borealis the Freezing Fog	Commander Niall
Misbegotten Crusader	Putrid Grave Warden Duelist
Great Wyrm Theodorix	Vyke, Knight of the Roundtable
Siofra River Optional Bosses
Ancestor Spirit	Valiant Gargoyles
Mimic Tear
Ainsel River Optional Bosses
Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella	-
Deeproot Depths Optional Bosses
Crucible Knight Siluria	-
Multiple Location Optional Bosses
Ancient Hero of Zamor	Black Knife Assassin
Bell Bearing Hunter	Cemetery Shade
Cleanrot Knights	Crucible Knight
Crystalian	Death Rite Bird
Deathbird	Erdtree Avatar
Erdtree Burial Watchdog	Godskin Apostle
Godskin Noble	Grafted Scion
Grave Warden Duelist	Mad Pumpkin Head
Misbegotten Warrior	Night's Cavalry
Omenkiller	Tibia Mariner
Dragonkin Soldier	-

Mini-Bosses

All Bosses in Elden Ring
Elder Dragon Greyoll	Lion Guardian
Valiant Gargoyle (Leyndell)	-

Hostile NPCs and Invaders

Limgrave Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Bloody Finger Nerijus	Old Knight Istvan
Recusant Henricus	-
Liurnia of the Lakes Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Great Horned Tragoth	Festering Fingerprint Vyke
Altus Plateau Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Eleonora, Violet Bloody Finger	Inquisitor Ghiza
Maleigh Marais, Shaded Castle Castellan	Rileigh the Idle
Vargram the Raging Wolf & Errant Sorcerer Wilhelm	Magnus the Beast Claw
Mountaintops of the Giants Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood	-
The Roundtable Hold Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Mad Tongue Alberich	-
Multiple Location Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater	-