Elden Ring Demi-Human Chiefs Boss Guide
Defeating them rewards you with valuable Elden Ring Runes and unique Elden Ring Items, making the challenge worth the effort. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Demi-Human Chiefs.
Who Are the Demi-Human Chiefs
The Demi-Human Chiefs are two oversized variants of the common demi-humans scattered throughout the Lands Between. Armed with twin daggers, they make up for their relatively low durability with aggressive speed and relentless combos. Unlike their weaker kin, these chiefs are meant to overwhelm adventurers, especially since they appear together.
Adding to the challenge, they are not alone: the cave is filled with smaller demi-humans who will swarm the player if not dealt with beforehand. This makes preparation and strategy crucial.
Location and Access
The Demi-Human Chiefs are located in the Coastal Cave, southwest of the Church of Elleh in Limgrave. To access the cave, travel along the beach until you find the narrow entrance. The closest Site of Grace is right outside the Coastal Cave, making repeated attempts more convenient.
Key details about this boss fight include:
Multiplayer Available: You can summon other players to help.
Spirit Summons Allowed: Spirit Ashes can turn the tide of battle by distracting enemies.
NPC Summon: If still alive, Old Knight Istvan can be summoned to aid you.
Questline Importance: Defeating the chiefs clears the way to the Church of Dragon Communion, where powerful dragon-based incantations await.
Preparing for the Fight
Before stepping into the cave, spend your accumulated Elden Ring Runes. The twin chiefs hit hard, and it's easy to get killed while learning their patterns. Investing in upgrades or buying consumables ensures you don't lose progress.
Recommended Elden Ring Items for preparation include:
Spirit Ashes: Wolves, Lone Wolf Ashes, or other early summons can keep one chief occupied while you focus on the other.
Ranged Spells or Bows: Clearing out the smaller demi-humans from a distance prevents you from being overwhelmed.
Firebombs or Holy Pots: Useful for quickly softening groups of adds.
Poise-Breaking Weapons: Heavy swords or hammers can stagger the chiefs easily.
Understanding the Fight
The Coastal Cave battle is tough not just because of the bosses themselves, but because of the number of enemies present. You'll have to fight through several demi-human minions before facing the two chiefs.
Phase 1: Clearing the Adds
When you first enter, you'll be attacked by several smaller demi-humans. If left unchecked, they can swarm you and make the boss fight nearly impossible. Use ranged attacks or lure them out to pick them off before engaging the chiefs.
Phase 2: Engaging the First Chief
The first Demi-Human Chief is positioned near the entrance to the boss chamber. If you stay close to this area, you can usually avoid drawing the attention of the second chief right away. Focus on staggering and punishing this first enemy.
Phase 3: The Second Chief Joins
Once the first chief falls, or if you wander too far in, the second chief will engage. With Spirit Ashes or an NPC summon active, you'll have an easier time managing the chaos. Alone, however, you'll need to carefully bait attacks and strike during openings.
Best Tips for Defeating Demi-Human Chiefs
Fight One at a Time: Stay near the entrance to avoid alerting both bosses.
Use Spirit Ashes or NPCs: These allies can distract one chief while you deal with the other.
Exploit Low Poise: The chiefs are aggressive but have poor poise. A few strong hits or charged attacks can interrupt their combos.
Stay Mobile: Their twin daggers are fast and relentless, so keep rolling to avoid being locked into stun animations.
Thin the Herd First: Clearing out the smaller demi-humans with ranged attacks prevents being overwhelmed later.
Rewards for Victory
Defeating the Demi-Human Chiefs not only grants a solid stash of Elden Ring Runes but also unlocks access to the Church of Dragon Communion, one of the most important early-game locations for players pursuing Faith-based builds. Inside, you can exchange Dragon Hearts for powerful draconic incantations.
You'll also gain access to additional Elden Ring Items tied to progression quests, making this victory meaningful beyond just the immediate Rune reward.
Final Thoughts
The Demi-Human Chiefs are more than just another optional encounter in Elden Ring. They guard an important location, reward players with Elden Ring Runes and progression-related Elden Ring Items, and provide a valuable lesson in managing multiple enemies at once.
By preparing properly, spending Runes before the fight, stocking up on consumables, and summoning allies, you can turn this chaotic cave battle into a rewarding victory. For players who persevere, the path to the Church of Dragon Communion opens, unlocking some of the most exciting powers available early in the game.
Conquer the chiefs, and you'll be one step closer to mastering the challenges of the Lands Between.