Commander Gaius is a formidable optional boss located in the Shadow Keep Legacy Dungeon. His combination of powerful boar attacks and swift spear strikes makes him a tough adversary. Defeating Gaius will reward you with valuable Scadutree Fragments, so here's a detailed guide to help you navigate the fight and emerge victorious.

How to Reach Commander Gaius

Commander Gaius resides in a hidden section of the Shadow Keep, accessible from the Church District. The path leading to this location is complex, so for the full journey, refer to the Shadow Keep (Church District) Walkthrough. Once you've reached the area, proceed through the labyrinthine sections until you find yourself at the entrance to the boss arena.

Phase 1 - General Strategy

In the first phase, Gaius will rely on his boar companion and spear attacks to overwhelm you. Here's how to handle his key moves:

1. Charge Attack

Description: Gaius opens the fight by charging at you with his boar's tusks extended.

How to Dodge: The charge has a wide hitbox, but you can dodge it diagonally forward and away just as the tusks approach. If timed well, you'll land behind him, offering an opportunity to execute a jump attack.

2. Boar Attacks

Gaius uses his boar in various ways during the fight:

Head Slam: The boar raises its head and slams it down.

Counter: Dodge through as the head lowers to avoid damage.

Body Slam: The boar lifts its body before slamming it down.

Counter: Similar to the head slam, dodge through the attack.

Kick: If you're behind the boar, it will kick.

Counter: Dodge toward the kick to avoid it and retaliate with a quick attack.

3. Spear Attacks

Gaius frequently uses his spear to perform wide-ranging slashes:

Side Stab: Gaius raises his spear and swings it in a large arc.

Counter: Dodge toward Gaius to avoid the attack and follow up with a quick strike.

Double Side Slash: A "drive-by" slash, followed by a second strike after a quick turn.

Counter: These swings are slow, so wait for the second slash to pass, dodge roll through, and strike back.

4. Combo - Boar Headbutt & Spear Slash

Gaius may follow a side stab with a boar headbutt or body slam. Reacting quickly and dodging appropriately is essential.

Tip: Wait for the boar's head shake or body slam to indicate that the combo is over before counterattacking.

5. Seven Hit Combo

Description: Gaius performs a devastating combination of boar headbutts and spear slashes, totaling seven hits.

How to Dodge: You can either dodge roll through all of these, block with a shield, or simply run away from the attack to avoid damage. After the combo ends, the boar will raise its head, and Gaius will finish with a final spear slam, leaving you a short window (2-3 seconds) to retaliate.

Phase 2 - At 60% Health and Beyond

Once Gaius reaches around 60% health, he enters phase two, which introduces more difficult gravity-based attacks. Here's how to handle it:

1. Gravity Magic Charge

Description: Gaius will charge up with gravity magic, causing sparks to emit from his body. He will then release a burst of energy.

How to Avoid: As soon as you see the sparks, run away quickly to avoid getting caught in the blast.

2. Flying Slam Attack

Description: After the energy blast, Gaius will perform a flying slam across the arena.

How to Avoid: Get as far away as possible. If you're confident, you can attempt to dodge roll into him as he lands, potentially giving you an opening for a counterattack.

3. Tackle

Description: Gaius will dash around you, then abruptly stop and perform a side tackle with the boar.

How to Dodge: Watch for the sudden stop, as the boar will rear its head before the tackle. Dodge in the opposite direction to avoid it.

4. Charged Spear Attacks

Gaius can charge his spear for two devastating attacks, both signaled by a purple glow:

Melee Charge: Gaius thrusts his spear into the ground, causing an area-of-effect blast.

Counter: Dodge rolls through it just as the spear is about to connect.

Ranged Charge: Gaius jabs his spear forward, sending a blast of electricity toward you.

Counter: Simply dodge to the side to avoid the blast.

5. Gravity Rock Attack

Description: Gaius summons rocks that orbit his body before shooting toward you.

How to Avoid: Dodge roll through the rocks to avoid damage. This attack is usually performed when Gaius is at range, providing a good opportunity to close the gap and attack.

Tips for Success

Weapon Choice: Weapons with stagger or bleed effects are particularly effective against Gaius. These debuffs can help bring him down faster, especially considering the size of his health pool.

Positioning: Try to fight Gaius from the side, which minimizes the chances of getting hit by the boar's forward-facing attacks. It also puts you in a better position to dodge and retaliate when Gaius uses his spear.

Timing: Gaius is prone to multi-hit combos. The key to surviving is dodging at the right time, especially during his spear slashes and the boar's attacks. If you wait for the right moments, you can get in some solid counterattacks.

Healing: Be mindful of your healing items. Gaius's combos can be relentless, and finding windows to heal is tricky. Consider rolling towards him during his spear swings to get a quick healing window if you're in danger.

Rewards for Defeating Commander Gaius

Upon defeating Commander Gaius, you will receive Scadutree Fragments. These fragments are highly valuable for upgrading weapons and abilities, making this optional boss fight well worth the effort.

In addition to Scadutree Fragments, defeating Commander Gaius can also grant you valuable Elden Ring items and Elden Ring Runes, which are crucial for progression and improving your character's capabilities.