If you've made it to the final stretch of Elden Ring, chances are you’re standing at the threshold of one of the game’s most brutal and rewarding battles — the fight against Godfrey, First Elden Lord, and his primal alter ego, Hoarah Loux. As someone who has spent hundreds of hours exploring the Lands Between and experimenting with countless builds, I can confidently say this two-phase boss encounter is a masterclass in FromSoftware design.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through each phase of the Godfrey/Hoarah Loux fight, offering insight from personal experience, strategies that helped me succeed, and tips for optimizing your runes and resources — especially if you're looking to buy Elden Ring runes for quick power leveling or using Elden Ring runes instant checkout services to save time.

Phase 1: Godfrey, First Elden Lord

Overview:
The first phase begins with Godfrey in his noble form. He fights with calculated, powerful axe swings and foot-stomps that cause shockwaves. While not overly fast, his attacks have wide arcs and deceptive reach.

What to Watch For:

• Stomp Shockwave: This AOE move can catch you off guard if you're greedy with attacks. Jump to avoid it.

• Axe Combos: Godfrey strings together multiple axe swings, so don’t dodge too early. Time your rolls and aim for a punish window at the end.

• Grab Attack: Highly damaging and hard to avoid if you're too close. Keep your distance when he pauses briefly.

My Strategy:
I used a medium-load strength/faith hybrid build with a +10 Greatsword and Lightning Spear. I found that staying mid-range gave me time to bait out his stomp, jump over it, and punish with heavy attacks or spells. Ashes of War like Lion’s Claw were particularly effective due to their hyperarmor and burst damage.

Phase 2: Hoarah Loux, Warrior

Overview:
At 50% health, Godfrey transforms into the bestial Hoarah Loux, discarding his axe and engaging you with brutal wrestling attacks and primal roars. This phase is fast, furious, and highly aggressive.

What to Watch For:

• Suplex Slam: A devastating grab move with minimal telegraphing. If he starts to run at you without swinging, prepare to dodge or sprint away.

• Ground Slams: These create small shockwaves and stagger you. Stay mobile and don’t get cornered.

• Combos and Follow-ups: Hoarah Loux often chains punches, slams, and stomps together. Don’t roll too early, and always watch for follow-up grabs.

My Strategy:
This phase tested my patience. I relied heavily on Spirit Ashes (I used a +10 Mimic Tear) to draw aggro while I circled around for charge attacks. Because of Hoarah Loux’s aggressiveness, windows for healing or spell casting are rare — which makes high stamina and fast weapons a better choice.

If you're underleveled or missing the ideal gear, this fight can feel punishingly difficult. In those cases, I recommend you buy Elden Ring runes from trusted platforms like U4GM to quickly level up your Vigor, Endurance, or Strength. You can also use Elden Ring runes instant checkout services to avoid grinding and jump straight into optimizing your build.

Defeating Godfrey and Hoarah Loux is one of Elden Ring’s most satisfying triumphs. Not just because of the fight’s mechanical intensity, but because of how it feels — like an ancient gladiatorial duel between titans. From my experience, walking away victorious after countless failed attempts reminded me of why I love Elden Ring — the learning curve is steep, but the reward is immense.

Whether you're a first-timer or a NG+ veteran, investing in your character and build will always pay off. And if you're short on time, services where you can buy Elden Ring runes or use Elden Ring runes instant checkout can give you the edge you need to face the First Elden Lord without grinding for hours.

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