Elden Ring Golden Hippopotamus: Location, Beat Tips

The Golden Hippopotamus is a field boss in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, found in the Shadow Keep. This guide explains exactly where to find it, how to beat it, and the best tricks and strategies to use.

Where to Find the Golden Hippopotamus

The Golden Hippopotamus is located in the Shadow Keep, in the Church District area. Specifically, you’ll find it in a large open courtyard just before the Specimen Storehouse.

To reach it:

1. Enter the Shadow Keep from the Church District Entrance site of grace.
2. Head forward and down the main path, past the enemies and the large fountain.
3. You’ll see a large golden beast in the courtyard – that’s the boss. It’s not an optional boss; you must defeat it to progress.

There is a Site of Grace called Dark Chamber Entrance just before the boss arena, so you can respawn right there.

How to Beat the Golden Hippopotamus

The Golden Hippopotamus is a large, aggressive beast with a moveset that combines charging, biting, and a dangerous golden breath attack. Here are the key strategies:

• Stay close to its hind legs. Most of its attacks are directed forward, so staying behind it avoids the worst of them. When it turns, roll through its legs.
• Watch for the golden breath. It will sometimes rear up and spray golden flames in a wide arc in front of it. When you see it start, run behind it or to the side – the breath has a long duration.
• Use a shield with high stability. If you prefer blocking, a greatshield or a shield with high stability can absorb its charges. But be careful – the golden breath attack can still hit you through a shield.
• Summon Spirit Ashes. The boss is not immune to status effects, so using a spirit summon like Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche can distract it and let you get in hits.
• Use a weapon with bleed or frost. The Golden Hippopotamus is weak to both bleed and frost buildup, so weapons like the Uchigatana with Seppuku or a frost-infused weapon work well.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many players struggle with this boss due to a few common errors:

• Staying in front of it. Its bite and headbutt attacks have long reach and high damage. Always try to stay behind its rear legs.
• Panic rolling. The boss has delayed attacks, so rolling too early will get you hit. Wait for the actual swing or charge to start before rolling.
• Not using the environment. The arena has pillars and walls. You can use them to block its charges, giving you time to heal or attack.
• Forgetting to level up. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has a separate leveling system using Scadutree Fragments. Make sure you’ve collected enough to increase your damage and defense.

Tips and Tricks for the Fight

Here are some additional tricks that can make the fight easier:

• Use a weapon with a thrusting attack. Thrusting weapons like spears or rapiers can hit the boss while staying behind it, and they have good range.
• Bring a shield with the “Barricade Shield” skill. This skill makes blocking almost effortless and can tank even the heaviest hits.
• Use the “Rotten Breath” incantation. This dragon communion incantation inflicts Scarlet Rot, which will slowly drain the boss’s health while you focus on dodging.
• When it does the golden breath, run to its side and attack its head. It’s vulnerable during this animation, and you can get a few free hits in.
• If you’re playing co-op, have one player distract it while the other attacks from behind. This is the safest way to deal damage.

Rewards for Defeating the Golden Hippopotamus

Defeating the Golden Hippopotamus grants you:

• Golden Hippopotamus’s Remembrance – You can exchange this at the Roundtable Hold for either the Hippopotamus’s Greatsword or the Golden Beast’s Roar incantation.
• Access to the Specimen Storehouse – This is the next major area of the Shadow Keep, leading to the final boss of the DLC.

The remembrance is a key item, so make sure you don’t use it for runes – the weapons and incantation are unique and powerful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Golden Hippopotamus optional?

No, the Golden Hippopotamus is a mandatory boss in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. You must defeat it to progress through the Shadow Keep and reach the final boss.

What level should I be to fight the Golden Hippopotamus?

There is no set level, but it’s recommended to have at least Scadutree Blessing Level 5 or higher before attempting this fight. The DLC’s difficulty is heavily tied to Scadutree Fragments, not your character level.

Can I summon NPCs for this fight?

Yes, you can summon Redmane Freyja if you’ve completed her questline. Her summon sign appears near the boss arena. You can also use Spirit Ashes.

What is the Golden Hippopotamus weak to?

It is weak to bleed and frost status effects. It also takes slightly more damage from strike damage (like hammers) than slash or thrust.

How do I get the Golden Hippopotamus’s Greatsword?

After defeating the boss, you receive the Remembrance of the Golden Hippopotamus. Take it to Enia at the Roundtable Hold and exchange it for the Greatsword.

Why is the Golden Hippopotamus so hard?

Its large health pool, aggressive moveset, and the golden breath attack that covers a wide area make it challenging. The key is learning to stay behind it and not panic roll. Also, make sure your Scadutree Blessing is upgraded.

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