Shadow of the Erdtree: How to beat Golden Hippopotamus? Elden Ring guide, walkthrough
Golden Hippopotamus is the boss you will encounter for the first time at the entrance to the Shadow Keep in the Shadow of the Erdtree add-on. On this page of the guide we have described how to fight him and what rewards you will receive for defeating him.
Last update: 26 June 2024
The Golden Hippopotamus is a huge beast guarding the entrance to the Shadow Keep (Scadu Altus region) in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Defeating this boss is necessary to get to the next part of the castle complex. On this page we describe how to fight the boss and what rewards you can expect after defeating him.
Reward for defeating
For defeating Golden Hippopotamus, you will receive 200,000 runes, 2 Scadutree Fragments and Aspects of the Crucible: Thorns.
Golden Hippopotamus in a nutshell
- Hippopotamus is a large but relatively fast boss.
- Most of its attacks involve swinging its huge head or biting. Because of that, it is best to approach the beast from its side or back.
- The boss can attack in a fairly wide area in front of him.
- It's not very agile though. Take advantage of this and try to outmaneuver him in the fairly large arena.
- A charge, a body attack, and a series of attacks (usually 3) force the beast to take a few moments to recover. Use this time to counterattack or heal.
- In the second part of the fight, the hippopotamus's body becomes covered with sharp spikes and the beast gains several ranged attacks. These are preceded by "charging", which is indicated by the spikes starting to glow yellow.
- In the second phase of the fight, keep moving to avoid being hit by the spikes.
How to defeat the Golden Hippopotamus?
Golden Hippopotamus is a four-legged boss of considerable size. Despite its size, it is surprisingly fast. It can easily surprise you with a quick series of head attacks or an unexpected charge. Poor maneuverability is its weakness, which means you will be able to outmaneuver it in the fairly large arena.
Most of the hippo's attacks involve its head. The beast swings its head in a wide arc in front of itself, opens its mouth trying to bite you, and even tries to crush you. These attacks are preceded by quite distinct swings, so observe the boss's behavior and be prepared to dodge.
Considering the boss's poor maneuverability, we recommend that you avoid head attacks by moving to the side or even slightly towards the boss. Standing on its side will give you a good opportunity to counterattack and protect yourself from a sudden forward charge.
Most of the "bigger" attacks of the beast, such as a series of head swings or a charge with an open mouth, usually end with a very short moment of inaction by the boss. Watch out for these moments as opportunities to attack.
After losing about half of its health, the beast will transform and golden spikes will appear on its back. The new form will give the hippo spike-based ranged attacks. Each of them is preceded by a clear light shining from the boss's back.
During the first ranged attack, the beast will spin around on the ground, sending a wave of needles around itself. If you move away from the boss at the right time, it will be easier to avoid the projectiles from a greater distance. Dodging at the right moment and hiding behind a shield (if you use one) will also help you.
The second ranged attack is more direct and relies on sharp needles falling from the sky. If you notice that the boss is charging a move, be ready to quickly dodge to avoid damage.
When you deal enough damage to the hippopotamus, the beast will fall to the ground panting for a moment. Quickly run up to its head and stab it in its glowing orange eye. This attack will deal a lot of damage to the boss and will make dealing with the beast much easier later.