You're standing at the edge of the Mountaintops of the Giants, looking at a wall of vertical flame and ruined architecture. It feels like the game is screaming at you to turn around. This is the moment you decide to enter the fiery forbidden lands, a place that FromSoftware designed specifically to make you feel unwelcome. Honestly, it’s one of the most oppressive atmospheres in modern gaming. But if you're chasing the platinum trophy or just want to see how the story actually ends, you don't really have a choice.
Most players call this area the Forge of the Giants or the Mountaintops, but "forbidden" is the operative word here. It’s a graveyard. A literal graveyard for a race of giants that Queen Marika decided were too dangerous to exist.
What Actually Happens When You Enter the Fiery Forbidden Lands?
The shift in tone is jarring. One minute you’re platforming through the snowy peaks, and the next, everything is stained with the orange glow of the Flame of Ruin. When you finally enter the fiery forbidden lands, the scale of the world changes. You aren't fighting knights anymore. You're fighting the environment itself.
Fire Giant. That’s the name everyone remembers, and mostly for the wrong reasons. He’s the gatekeeper. Fighting him feels less like a duel and more like trying to take down a moving building with a toothpick. He’s got that massive plate he uses to create literal avalanches of fire. It’s messy. It’s frustrating. But it’s the gateway to the endgame.
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Getting past him isn't just about a boss fight, though. It’s about the lore implications. This is where the Golden Order's dirty laundry is aired out. You realize that the "Greater Will" isn't as benevolent as the opening cinematic suggests.
The Mechanical Reality of the Forge
Let’s talk numbers for a second. By the time you reach this area, your Vigor should be at least 40. Ideally 50. If you’re rocking 20 Vigor and wondering why everything one-shots you, well, that's the Forbidden Lands doing their job. The Fire Giant has a massive health pool—we're talking over 42,000 HP in the base game.
The strategy most veterans use involves staying behind his left ankle in the first phase. Break the splint. Watch him roll. It’s a goofy-looking fight, but the stakes are massive. Once he hits phase two and rips his own leg off to offer it to the Fell God, you know things have gone off the rails. It’s metal. It’s peak Hidetaka Miyazaki.
Why the Forbidden Lands Feel So Different
The level design here is a departure from the intricate tunnels of Stormveil or the magical sprawl of Raya Lucaria. It’s wide. It’s empty. It’s haunting. When you enter the fiery forbidden lands, you’re walking through a space that has been scrubbed of life.
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- The Fingercreepers are bigger here for some reason.
- The Fire Prelates have armor that literally depicts the "sin" of the flame.
- The music shifts from adventurous to somber and drone-heavy.
The emptiness is intentional. It represents the end of the road. There’s no more civilization left to save. You’re just a Tarnished standing on the rim of a giant kettle, deciding whether or not to set the whole world on fire. It’s heavy stuff.
Mistakes People Make in the Forge
Don't use fire damage. It sounds obvious, right? Yet, you'd be surprised how many people walk in with a Blasphemous Blade or a Magma Wyrm’s Scalesword and wonder why they’re doing chip damage. The Fire Giant has roughly 80% resistance to fire. You’re basically tickling him. Switch to Bleed (Hemorrhage) or Frostbite. These status effects are percentage-based, which is the only sane way to chew through that much health.
Also, don't ignore the Alexander, Warrior Jar questline. If you’ve followed his journey from Limgrave to Mt. Gelmir, you can summon him for the Fire Giant fight. He’s a tank. He can take hits that would flatten you instantly, giving you the breathing room to actually land a heavy attack.
The Point of No Return
Once you reach the Forge of the Giants and talk to Melina (or use the Flame of Frenzy if you went down that dark path), everything changes. This is the "soft" point of no return. The world state shifts. Leyndell, the Royal Capital, becomes the Capital of Ash.
This is why people are so hesitant to enter the fiery forbidden lands too early. If you haven't finished your side quests in the Capital, they’re gone. The Bolt of Gransax? If you didn't grab it, you're looking at New Game Plus to get that achievement. It’s a brutal design choice, but it reinforces the idea that your actions have permanent, world-altering consequences.
Surviving the Environment
The geography is a nightmare. There are bridges that are basically thin strips of rock over a bottomless abyss. One wrong roll during a stray crow encounter and you're back at the Site of Grace.
- Equip the Flamedrake Talisman +2. It’s found in the Dragonbarrow Cave. It makes the "fiery" part of the forbidden lands much more manageable.
- Use Torrent. The Fire Giant fight is one of the few endgame encounters where your horse is actually viable for closing the distance.
- Don't panic roll. The giant's attacks are delayed. If you roll as soon as he starts moving, you're going to get hit by the follow-through.
Technical Nuance: The Fell God Lore
Who is the Fell God? The game is vague, but the environmental storytelling is loud. The faces carved into the stomachs of the giants suggest a deity that predates the Erdtree. When you enter the fiery forbidden lands, you are stepping into a territory that belongs to an older, angrier god.
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This isn't just "fire." It's "destined death" adjacent. It’s the only thing that can burn the Erdtree. That’s why the lands were forbidden. Not because they were dangerous to travelers, but because they held the weapon that could kill the status quo.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
If you're currently staring at the Forbidden Lands map marker, here is exactly how to handle it without losing your mind.
First, check your inventory for the Haligtree Secret Medallion. Many players get so caught up in the main path that they forget there’s a whole other "forbidden" section—the Consecrated Snowfield. You get to it from the Grand Lift of Rold by switching the action to "Hoist Secret Medallion." If you go straight to the Forge, you might miss the hardest (and most rewarding) boss in the game, Malenia.
Second, optimize your build for the Fire Giant. If you're a mage, use Comet Azur when he’s stationary in phase two, but keep Rock Sling ready for phase one because it deals physical poise damage. Poise breaks are your best friend here.
Third, take a breath. The Forbidden Lands are meant to feel exhausting. They are meant to test your resolve. When you finally sit at that Site of Grace on the rim of the Forge, look back at the map. You’ve come a long way from that first step in Limgrave.
Your Next Steps:
- Verify your Vigor: Ensure it is 40+ before attempting the Fire Giant.
- Collect the Flamedrake Talisman +2: Minimize fire damage before entering the peak.
- Complete Leyndell Quests: Grab the Bolt of Gransax and any unique items before triggering the Forge cutscene.
- Prepare for Farum Azula: Once you commit to the flame, you'll be transported to a crumbling city in the sky. Make sure your flasks are fully upgraded (14 charges, +12 strength) before you go.