You're riding through the Lands Between, maybe picking up some Rowa Fruit, and suddenly you see that distinct yellow glimmer on a corpse near a minor Erdtree. You pick it up. It’s a Golden Centipede. At first glance, it looks like just another crafting material to toss into the bottomless pit of your inventory, right next to the 99 thin beast bones you’ll never use. But if you’re planning on dealing with the Undead—or worse, those annoying Those Who Live in Death—this dried-out bug is actually one of the most vital items in the game.
It's rare.
Unlike Mushrooms or Silver Fireflies, you can’t just find a "patch" of Golden Centipedes and farm them until your pockets are full. They are curated. They are specific.
What Exactly Is the Golden Centipede?
In the lore-heavy world of Elden Ring, everything has a purpose. The Golden Centipede is essentially the "hardened" remains of a centipede that has been touched by the gold of the Erdtree. Honestly, the description is a bit grim. It's considered a sign of the Golden Order's rejection of death.
Because it’s a "found" item rather than a "grown" one, you have to be intentional about where you look. You aren't going to find these growing in the middle of a swamp in Liurnia. They congregate near churches, sites of Grace, and areas heavily influenced by Fundamentalist incantations.
Why you actually need them
Crafting. That’s the short answer. Specifically, you need them for Sacred Order Pot and the Grace Mimic.
The Sacred Order Pot is the big winner here. If you’ve ever fought a Deathbird or a Tibia Mariner and felt like your weapons were hitting like wet noodles, you need these pots. They deal massive Holy damage. More importantly, they prevent skeletons from getting back up. Nothing is more frustrating than killing a skeletal executioner only to have him piece himself back together while you’re fighting his three friends. The Golden Centipede makes that problem go away.
Where to Find Golden Centipedes Without Circular Searching
Most players stumble upon their first few in the Siofra River region or near the Minor Erdtree in the Mistwood. But if you're looking to actually stockpile them, you need a plan.
One of the most reliable spots is the Church of Inhibition. It’s a trek. You have to dodge the Frenzy-Flaming Tower, deal with the madness buildup, and probably get invaded by Vyke. But once you’re there, you’ll find several centipedes just lying around the church grounds.
Another "hotspot"—and I use that term loosely because these things are still scarce—is the Wyndham Catacombs in Mt. Gelmir. You’ll find them tucked into corners near the watery areas of the dungeon.
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The Siofra River Secret
If you head to the Siofra River Well and take the lift down, don't just rush to the Ancestral Woods. Look near the edges of the map, specifically around the fallen pillars and the shallow water near the teleportation portals. There are a few tucked away there that most people walk right past because they're too busy worrying about the spectral snipers with the giant bows.
- Summonwater Village: Check the outskirts after you beat the Tibia Mariner.
- Auriza Side Tomb: This place is a nightmare of teleporter traps, but it’s a goldmine for these materials.
- Mountaintops of the Giants: Look near the Guardians’ Garrison.
The Crafting Dilemma: Is It Worth It?
Let’s talk strategy.
A lot of people ask if they should bother with the Golden Centipede or just use Holy Grease. Honestly? The Sacred Order Pot is better. It scales. If you have a build that leans even slightly into Faith, the damage output is staggering.
The Grace Mimic is the other item you can craft. It's... niche. It creates a trail of light similar to the guidance of grace. If you're lost in a dark cave like the Hero’s Graves, it can be a lifesaver. But let’s be real: most of us just use rainbow stones or look up a map on our phones.
A quick note on "Those Who Live in Death"
If you're following D, Hunter of the Dead’s questline, or trying to navigate Fia’s ending, you’re going to be fighting a lot of undead. This is where the centipede shines. The Sacred Order Pots you craft with them are essentially the "anti-undead" grenade.
Can You Farm Them?
This is the frustrating part. You can’t really "farm" them in the traditional sense like you farm runes at the Mohgwyn Palace cliff. They don't respawn on the ground after you rest at a Site of Grace.
Once you pick a Golden Centipede up from a specific spot, it’s gone for that playthrough.
However, there is a tiny silver lining. Certain enemies have a minuscule chance to drop them. The Centipede-like enemies (the ones that look like a mix between a man and a bug) in the Lake of Rot or the Shunning-Grounds sometimes drop them, but the drop rate is abysmal. You’re better off treating them as a finite resource. Spend them wisely.
Managing Your Inventory
Don't waste these on random mobs. Use them for bosses or specific "no-respawn" elite enemies.
If you are entering the Royal Capital, Leyndell, or the Haligtree, you’ll want a stack of Sacred Order Pots ready. The enemies there have high resistances to almost everything except Holy damage.
Actionable Steps for your Next Session
If you want to maximize your Golden Centipede usage, do this:
- Hunt the Churches: Visit every ruined church in Limgrave, Liurnia, and Altus Plateau. Almost all of them have at least one centipede near the altar or the outer walls.
- Prioritize the Pots: Ignore the Grace Mimics. They are a waste of a rare resource. Save every centipede for Sacred Order Pots.
- Check the Merchants: Some nomadic merchants sell a limited supply. Buy them all immediately. The merchant in North Liurnia and the one near the Forest-Spanning Greatbridge are your best bets.
- Use the Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot: If you must try to farm them from the pest-type enemies, pop a discovery buff. Without it, you’re just wasting time.
The Golden Centipede isn't the flashiest item in Elden Ring, but in a game where the environment is trying to kill you every five seconds, having a way to keep the dead staying dead is a massive advantage. Go grab the ones at the Church of Inhibition first—it’s the fastest way to get a decent stack before hitting the mid-game.