Honestly, Commander Gaius is a bit of a nightmare. He isn't just "another boss" in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC; he's the guy who will probably make you question why you even play these games in the first place. But before you can even get flattened by his giant boar, you have to actually find him.
He’s tucked away in a corner of the map that feels like it shouldn't even exist. Most players walk right past the entrance. It’s not through the main gates of the Shadow Keep—at least not the ones you’re thinking of. You've got to take a massive detour through a flooded district and some rafters that will give you actual vertigo.
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The Long Road to the Church District
You can't just stroll into the back of the Shadow Keep from the front. Basically, you need to reach the Church District Entrance. If you haven't been there yet, start at the Moorth Ruins in Scadu Altus.
Look for a big hole in the ground. It looks like the world is literally falling apart, which, in Elden Ring, it usually is. Drop down carefully. There’s a ladder at the bottom that leads you to Bonny Village.
From the village, head east across the bridges. Keep going north until you hit the Church District Highroad site of grace. Follow that road northwest, and eventually, you'll see the jagged, water-logged ruins of the Shadow Keep's eastern side. This is your way in.
Navigating the Storehouse Rafters
Once you’re at the Church District Entrance, things get tricky. The place is flooded. You’ll be doing a lot of jumping across rooftops and stone arches.
- Jump from the first roof to the wall on the left.
- Follow the path up the stone rubble to reach the higher level.
- Look for a large buttress (a fancy stone arch) that you can walk across like a bridge.
- This leads to a hole in the roof. Drop in.
You're now in the Storehouse, Back Section. This isn't the main library area you might have explored earlier; it’s the "behind the scenes" part. Take the lift up. You’ll find a site of grace here. Rest. You’ll need it.
From the Back Section grace, look for a ladder on the west wall. Climb it. You’ll eventually reach a wooden path on the outside of the tower. This leads to the Storehouse, Loft grace. This is where the real "fun" starts.
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The Bat-Infested Rafters
Take the small lift up from the Loft grace. You are now in the rafters. It is high. It is dark. And there are bats that want nothing more than to knock you into the abyss.
- Follow the beams to the left.
- Climb the ladder to the higher level of rafters.
- Keep moving until you see a giant cog.
- You have to jump down to a wooden platform below. It’s a leap of faith, sort of.
Once you’re on that platform, look for an exit on the north side. There’s a lift there. Take it down. Then take another lift down. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Shadow Keep, Back Gate site of grace.
Finding the Commander
When you step out of the room with the "Shadow Keep, Back Gate" grace, you aren't just in a new area. You are in the Scaduview region. Straight ahead of you is a massive, open plaza.
That’s where he is.
Commander Gaius will charge at you the second you step into that field. No cutscene. No warning. Just a man on a very angry pig coming at you like a freight train.
A Quick Note on the "O Mother" Secret
While you’re at the Back Gate grace, look to the right. There’s a small room with a statue of Marika. If you have the "O Mother" gesture (which you should have picked up back in Bonny Village near a gnarled tree), perform it in front of the statue.
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The statue will slide away. This opens the path to the Hinterlands, a secret area you definitely want to visit later. But for now, you’ve got a boar rider to deal with.
Why This Path Matters
Most people get frustrated because they try to find Gaius from the Main Gate Plaza or the Storehouse, First Floor. You literally cannot get there from those spots. The Shadow Keep is designed like a 3D puzzle, and the Church District is the only piece that fits the back door.
If you’re struggling with the fight itself, remember that Gaius is an Albinauric. He’s tough, but he’s weak to Holy damage. Also, staying on his side is usually safer than being directly in front or behind him. The boar's kick is faster than you think.
Now that you've reached the Shadow Keep, Back Gate, make sure to activate the grace immediately. If Gaius kills you (and he will), you don't want to do that rafter run again.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your inventory for the "O Mother" gesture before leaving the Back Gate.
- Equip a shield with high physical guard; his initial charge is notoriously hard to roll through.
- Explore the Hinterlands immediately after the boss fight to find the Scadutree Chalice for extra upgrades.