You’re freezing. Honestly, that’s the first thing you notice when you finally make it to the Consecrated Snowfield in Elden Ring. It’s a white-out mess. Visibility is basically zero, and if you aren’t being chased by ghost dragonkin soldiers, you’re probably falling off a cliff you didn't see. Amidst all this chaos, tucked away in a frozen ravine, sits the Cave of the Forlorn. It isn't just another dungeon. It is a specific, brutal test of your patience and your build's ability to handle tight spaces.
Most players stumble into it by accident. Or they never find it at all because the map doesn't exactly hold your hand here.
Finding the entrance requires you to follow the frozen riverbed in the eastern part of the Snowfield. It's tucked away at the very end of the ravine, guarded by a Misbegotten Crusader that—frankly—has way more health than it has any right to. But why bother? Well, if you’re a fan of FromSoftware’s long-standing obsession with the Moonlight Greatsword, the Cave of the Forlorn is non-negotiable. It holds the Golden Order Totality's cousin: the Golden Order Greatsword.
Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
First, you need the Secret Medallion. You can’t even see the Cave of the Forlorn until you’ve navigated the Grand Lift of Rold using the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left and Right halves). Once you step out into that blinding mist, head northeast.
Look for the river. It’s frozen solid.
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Follow the ice. You’ll know you’re close when the Giant Land Octopuses start dropping from the sky. It’s weird, yeah, but it’s a landmark. Keep riding past them until the ravine narrows. The entrance is a classic fog-walled cave mouth tucked into the rock face. Bring Stonesword Keys. You’re going to need two of them just to get inside the main area. If you forgot them at the Roundtable Hold, it’s a long trek back.
What’s Actually Inside?
The Cave of the Forlorn is a vertical nightmare. It’s filled with ice pillars, slippery ledges, and those annoying Jellyfish that turn red the second you look at them funny. Don't let the Jellyfish fool you. They aren't the threat. The real danger is the environmental design. One mistimed jump and you're back at the Site of Grace.
The layout relies heavily on jumps. You’ll be navigating narrow icy walkways while Misbegotten warriors leap at you from the shadows. These guys are fast. They have high poise. If you’re playing a pure mage, this place is a claustrophobic death trap.
Dealing With the Misbegotten Crusader
The boss of the Cave of the Forlorn is the Misbegotten Crusader. He’s essentially a beefed-up version of the Leonine Misbegotten you fought way back at Castle Morne, but this time, he’s wielding the Golden Order Greatsword.
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He’s aggressive.
He uses "Establish Order," a two-part skill that releases a massive holy shockwave followed by a light wave. If the first hit stuns you, the second one sends you back to the loading screen. His reach is deceptive because of the sword's length.
Tips for the fight:
- Use Fire damage. He’s a furry beast in a frozen cave; he hates fire. Blasphemous Blade makes this fight a joke.
- Bring a shield with high Holy damage negation.
- Spirit Ashes like the Greatshield Soldiers can pin him against the cave wall, preventing him from leaping around like a caffeinated flea.
- Parrying is an option, but it's risky given the cramped arena.
The Real Prize: The Golden Order Greatsword
Winning that fight nets you the Golden Order Greatsword. It’s one of the "legendary armaments" required for the legendary weapons achievement. It scales primarily with Faith (B scaling at +10) and requires 16 Strength, 21 Dexterity, and 28 Faith to even pick up.
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The lore is deep here too. This isn't just a random sword. It was forged by Radagon himself to represent the tenets of the Golden Order. It’s literally a visual representation of the laws of causality and regression. For many players, the Cave of the Forlorn is the final piece of the puzzle for a high-level Faith build.
Common Misconceptions and Frustrations
A lot of people think you can skip this cave and still get the "Legendary Armaments" trophy. You can't. It's mandatory for completionists.
Another mistake? People try to rush through the platforming section. The ice physics in Elden Ring aren't exactly Skate 3. They’re stiff. If you try to sprint-jump across the central chasm near the large ice clusters, you'll likely clip a hitbox and slide into the abyss. Take it slow. Kill the Jellyfish from a distance with a bow or glintstone pebbles so they don't ambush you while you're mid-air.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
If you're planning to tackle the Cave of the Forlorn tonight, do these three things first:
- Check your inventory for two Stonesword Keys. There is nothing worse than reaching the frozen end of the world only to realize you're locked out.
- Equip the Haligdrake Talisman +2. The boss deals heavy Holy damage. This talisman, found near the Palace Approach Ledge-Road, significantly reduces the sting of his special attacks.
- Use a torch or the Sentry's Torch. While there aren't invisible assassins in this specific cave, the lighting is terrible, and the Sentry's Torch provides a wider light radius to see those thin icy ledges.
Go get that sword. Just watch your step on the way down.