You know the feeling. You've finally navigated the nightmare that is Nokron, Eternal City. You've dodged the Silver Tears, survived the Greatshield Soldiers, and found yourself in the eerie, waterfall-drenched ruins of the Siofra Aqueduct. You see a fog wall. You think, "I've handled dragons, I can handle a statue."
Then the second one drops down.
The Valiant Gargoyle duo is, frankly, one of the most polarizing encounters FromSoftware has ever put into a game. It's not just that they hit hard. It's the way they turn a tactical duel into a chaotic scramble for survival. Honestly, if you haven't felt that specific brand of panic when the poison mist starts filling your screen while a twinblade-wielding behemoth does a 360-degree spin into your face, have you even played Elden Ring?
The Great DPS Check of the Siofra Aqueduct
Let’s be real about what this fight actually is. It’s a DPS check. In gaming terms, a "Damage Per Second" check means the game is asking you one simple question: Can you kill the first guy before the second guy makes life impossible?
When you enter the arena, you’re greeted by the first Valiant Gargoyle wielding a massive Greatsword. He’s predictable-ish. You learn the swing timings. You realize that staying under his legs is generally safer than being out in the open. But then, his health hits roughly 50%.
That’s when the second one—the Twinblade variant—leaps from the cliffside.
This is where most players crumble. It’s not a fair fight anymore. If you’re still messing around with the first gargoyle when the second arrives, you’re basically playing a bullet hell simulator where the bullets are giant stone weapons and clouds of toxic gas. The trick isn't just "getting good" at dodging; it's about being aggressive enough to delete that first health bar before the numbers game turns against you.
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Why the Poison Mist is Actually the Worst
We have to talk about the poison. It’s the single most frustrating mechanic in the Valiant Gargoyle fight. Most bosses have an "area of denial" attack, but the gargoyles take it to an annoying level. They don't just breathe poison to hurt you; they do it to reset the fight.
The poison does two things that are objectively tilted against the player:
- It deals rapid tick damage that can quickly lead to a "Poisoned" status effect.
- It completely obscures your vision.
You’re standing there, trying to time a roll against a Greatsword slam, and suddenly the ground is green and you can't see the boss's feet. If you stay in it, you die. If you run away, the boss gets to recover his posture. It’s a lose-lose. The best players I’ve talked to—the ones who speedrun this game or do level-one runs—all say the same thing: the moment you see that gargoyle lean back and start vomiting green smoke, you move. Don't greed. Just get out.
Weapon Swapping and Moveset Nuance
What people often miss is that these aren't just clones. The first gargoyle uses a Greatsword that can transition into a Halberd. The second one uses a Twinblade and an Axe.
The Twinblade gargoyle is arguably more dangerous because of his mobility. He has this spinning attack that covers a massive amount of ground. If you’re locked onto the sword gargoyle and the twinblade guy starts his spin-cycle from off-camera, you're going back to the Stake of Marika. It's just a fact.
Strategies That Actually Work (Without Cheating)
Look, I'm not going to tell you to just "use a Mimic Tear." We know the Mimic Tear makes everything easier. But even with a Spirit Ash, the Valiant Gargoyle duo requires a bit of brainpower.
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Strike Damage is King
These guys are made of stone. Why are you hitting them with a katana? Slashing damage is notoriously bad against gargoyles. If you’re a Dexterity build, maybe pull out a flail or the Nightrider Flail. If you’re Strength-based, a Great Stars or even a basic Mace will do significantly more "poise damage." Breaking their stance is the fastest way to end the fight. When a gargoyle falls, you get a massive window for a critical hit, which usually buys you the time you need to finish the first one off before his brother arrives.
The "D-Leads-the-Way" Method
If you’ve been following the questline for D, Hunter of the Dead, and his brother, you can summon D’s brother (Devin) right outside the fog gate. He is a tank. He doesn't do incredible damage, but he can hold the attention of one gargoyle while you focus on the other. It turns the 2v1 back into two separate 1v1s.
Magic and Range
Sorcerers usually have an easier time here, provided they use Rock Sling. Why Rock Sling? Because it deals physical/strike damage. Spells like Comet Azur are great if the gargoyle is standing still, but they move around way too much for that to be reliable unless you're perfectly timed with a Lead Hardtear in your Wondrous Physick.
Dealing With the "Invisible" Boundary
One of the weirdest things about the Siofra Aqueduct arena is the waterfall ledge. Years ago, right after Elden Ring launched, there was a famous glitch where you could bait the gargoyles into jumping off the cliff. It was hilarious. FromSoftware eventually patched the AI so they don't go diving into the abyss as often, but the ledge is still a danger—mostly to you.
Getting backed into a corner near the waterfall is a death sentence. The camera in Elden Ring struggles with large bosses in tight spaces. If you get pinned against the rocks with a gargoyle in your face, the camera will likely zoom into the gargoyle’s torso, and you won't see the sword coming for your head. Keep the fight in the center of the arena.
The Lore You Might Have Missed
Why are they even there? These aren't just random statues. The Valiant Gargoyle enemies are "mended" creatures. If you look closely at their models, you’ll see parts of them are held together by wax. They are artificial beings created to serve the Golden Order or guard the eternal cities.
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There’s a certain tragedy to them. They are literally falling apart, which is why they use different weapons—they are grabbing whatever they can to stay functional. The "Valiant" part of their name suggests a noble purpose, but in the ruins of the Aqueduct, they feel more like forgotten janitors guarding a tomb that everyone else has abandoned.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't summon too many people. Every co-op partner you bring in increases the boss's total HP. If your partners aren't doing heavy damage, you're just making that first gargoyle take longer to kill, which guarantees the second one will show up while the first is still at high health.
- Stop ignoring your resistances. If the poison is killing you, wear the Mushroom Set or use the "Flame, Cleanse Me" incantation. It requires very low Faith and saves lives.
- Watch the weapon swaps. When the first gargoyle switches from sword to halberd, his reach changes significantly. Don't roll "away" from the halberd; roll into it.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Attempt
If you’re stuck on this fight right now, here is exactly what you should do to turn the tide.
First, check your weapon type. If you aren't using Strike damage, go to the Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold and buy some Smithing Stones to level up a hammer or a mace. Even a +12 or +15 mace will likely outperform your +20 katana in this specific fight because of the way damage negation works on stone enemies.
Second, prioritize the first gargoyle's position. Try to kite him toward the entrance, away from where the second one spawns. This buys you precious seconds of travel time when the Twinblade gargoyle finally decides to join the party.
Third, use the "Leaden Hardtear" and "Stonebarb Cracked Tear" in your Flask of Wondrous Physick. This combo increases your poise (so you don't get interrupted) and makes it much easier to break the boss's stance. If you can get a stance break right as the second gargoyle lands, you can usually finish the first one off with a riposte and a few follow-up swings.
Finally, don't panic when the poison comes out. It’s a psychological tactic as much as a mechanical one. If you have to disengage and run to the other side of the arena to clear the air, do it. The gargoyles are fast, but the arena is large. Use that space to breathe.
Kill the one with the Greatsword first. Always. The Twinblade one is much harder to manage as a "side dish" while focusing on someone else. Once it’s down to a 1v1, the fight becomes a standard rhythm game. Watch the spins, dodge the slams, and don't get greedy when his health is low. You've got this.