How to find & beat Commander Niall Elden Ring

Although Commander Niall is an incredibly challenging boss in Elden Ring, he can be defeated with patience. Here are some tips on how to defeat Commander Niall in Elden Ring.

Although Malenia is widely known as the most challenging boss in Elden Ring, Commander Niall is a strong contender for the title of second toughest boss in the game. Not only is he difficult to reach, but Commander Niall also guards the entrance to Haligtree – making him a crucial opponent to defeat before accessing the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Commander Niall is already a formidable opponent, and the situation is made even more difficult by the presence of two strong Banished Knights flanking him. Although this Elden Ring boss may catch players off guard with its level of difficulty, there are strategies that can be employed to emerge victorious. In the following sections, we will cover how to locate Commander Niall in Elden Ring and the tactics needed to defeat the boss residing in Castle Sol.

Table of Contents

How to find Commander Niall in Elden Ring
How to beat Commander Niall
Best Spirit Summons to use against Commander Niall

Commander Niall has two Banished Knight bodyguards.

How to find Commander Niall

In order to locate Commander Niall, your initial goal should be to reach Castle Sol located in Elden Ring.

The individual in charge of Castle Sol, known as the final boss and castellan, is believed to be devoted to Miquella. They are responsible for protecting the castle from enemies of the demigod and guarding the entrance to the Haligtree.

Although Commander Niall is listed as an optional boss, players must defeat him in order to access Miquella’s Haligtree and continue on to the Consecrated Snowfield. This area is also home to the portal to Mohg, although there is an alternate path available earlier in the game.

Finding Castle Sol

Castle Sol is situated in the Giant Mountaintops. To access this destination, you will need to take a ride on the Rold Grand Lift, which requires the Rold Medallion obtained from Melina. This item is granted to you following your boss fight with King Morgott in the throne room of Leyndell, the Royal Capital located at the base of the Erdtree.

The Grand Lift of Rold can be found east of the Royal Capital, situated beyond the Forbidden Lands. Upon arrival, you will need to raise the Rold Medallion in the air at the designated time in order to commence your journey to the Mountaintops of the Giants. It is recommended to first defeat the Fire Giant boss before continuing on to Castle Sol, as it is conveniently located along the way and will grant you access to several beneficial Sites of Grace as you make your way through the area.

Castle Sol is located in the northernmost region of the Mountaintops of the Giants, but reaching it is not a straightforward journey. To get from one side of the region to the other, you will have to cross a sizable bridge, which is also home to several elite enemies. One of the most formidable foes you will encounter is a Deathbird boss that roams the area before you reach Castle Sol.

Once you catch a glimpse of the castle, you’ll notice a Walking Mausoleum in the distance, ringing its bell. However, this particular one stands out from the others you may have encountered as it continuously launches a barrage of lethal magical blasts in your direction. It may prove difficult to dodge, so quickly mount Torrent and ride towards Castle Sol, trying to anticipate where the projectiles will land.

The great news is that the Apostate Derelict church provides a safe haven for you to seek shelter before reaching Castle Sol. Additionally, there is a Site of Grace located here, which is the last destination needed to complete Latenna’s questline. In one corner of the church, you will see a large Albinauric woman who Latenna has been searching for.

If you are not yet prepared to undertake Latenna’s quest, make your way to the Grace and prepare to travel to Castle Sol. If you are still within range, the Walking Mausoleum will continue to fire at you. Your goal should be to reach the Site of Grace located just outside of Castle Sol and activate it. Doing so will reset the area and prevent the Mausoleum from attacking. With the Grace activated, you can now safely defeat the Mausoleum and collect any rewards it may hold.

The journey to Castle Sol is a dangerous one.

Inside Castle Sol

Upon entering Castle Sol, you will encounter two formidable Lion Guardians. It is important to note that these creatures will re-spawn if you rest at the Grace of Castle Sol, so it is best to keep this in mind. Once you have successfully defeated them, utilize the Grace sites within the castle as checkpoints to track your progress.

The castle houses formidable foes known as Banished Knights, so exercise caution and avoid engaging with more than one at a time. Take extra care when entering the dimly lit room filled with cages and a staircase on the right. This area is a prime spot for multiple enemies to surprise attack, so lure them out individually to avoid being overpowered.

Eventually, you will arrive at an elevator that will transport you to the highest level. A Site of Grace will be close by, allowing you to rest, gather healing items and prepare your spells. Be ready for an epic battle.

How to Defeat Commander Niall

To successfully beat Commander Niall in Elden Ring, it is important to carefully strategize for each phase of the boss fight. Here are some tips for defeating him:

Commander Niall Banished Knights — FromSoftware

Commander Niall’s Banished Knights should be dealt with first.

Addressing the Banished Knights

As soon as the confrontation with Commander Niall commences, the heavily armored warrior will call upon two ethereal Banished Knights for assistance. While some players may prefer to defeat the boss without relying on reinforcements or Spirit Summons, it is understandable to do so as Niall himself has summoned aid.

One of his Exiled Knights will carry a sword and shield, while the other will wield two swords simultaneously. The longer these Knights remain on the battlefield, the higher the chances of losing the battle, therefore it is crucial to eliminate his minions as a priority.

If you manage to reduce Niall’s health by half, he will transform into his second form. In this state, Niall will emit a red glow and become more aggressive, moving faster and dealing greater damage. At this point, his Banished Knights will disappear, but reaching Niall while his two Knights are still attacking can be more challenging than defeating them first.

It is important to prioritize attacking the Banished Knights equipped with Dual Swords, as not only are they the most aggressive of the three enemies, but they also have the weakest defense and can be defeated swiftly. The Knight carrying a shield is more likely to block half of your strikes, making it a challenging opponent to defeat while also fending off the other two enemies.

Both Knights are vulnerable to magic attacks, meaning that casters should prioritize using hit-and-run tactics to continuously damage them with spells. It is recommended to focus on defeating the Knight with dual-swords first, as this will provide some relief before facing the second Knight in a similar manner.

Players with a Strength build will have the ability to take on the Knights individually, but it is important to avoid facing all three enemies simultaneously. Despite this, it is still the most challenging build to use against this boss. Try to isolate each Knight and defeat them in the order we suggested earlier.

Those employing Dexterity builds may want to incorporate Haemorrhage (Bleed), Scarlet Rot, or Poison into their attacks for added damage. This is due to the fact that both the Banished Knights and Commander Niall are not resistant to these status effects, allowing those utilizing a strong Bleed build or similar strategy to defeat each opponent swiftly – as long as they engage them individually.

The Bleed status effect is the most effective choice in this scenario, as it guarantees swift elimination of each Knight. While Scarlet Rot and Poison can also be used, they only chip away at the enemy’s health over time rather than dealing massive damage. Additionally, you can employ a Bewitching Branch on one of the Banished Knights to incite them to fight each other, significantly simplifying the battle.

Commander Niall second phase — FromSoftware

Commander Niall is much more aggressive in his second phase.

Commander Niall’s Second Phase

At this point, it is best if you have already disregarded Niall and defeated both his Banished Knights. This will trigger Niall’s second phase, where he becomes much more aggressive. Although you no longer have to face three opponents, do not underestimate Commander Niall as he is a formidable foe on his own.

Niall is known for dealing both Lightning and Frostbite damage, so it is important to protect yourself before engaging with him. This is due to his tendency to summon a powerful whirlwind that inflicts significant Frost damage and hinders players from approaching and attacking him.

His second primary assault inflicts Lightning damage on players as he jumps towards them with his leg. The positive aspect is that he signals this attack beforehand, allowing for easier evasion or blocking. Additionally, he utilizes his massive halberd for several quick dash attacks, often following them up with a Frost whirlwind.

After executing this move, Niall will require a brief moment to regain his composure whether he successfully lands it or not. As he falls to his knees, he becomes open to attack, so take advantage and unleash all of your strength. However, be prepared to retreat once he stands up and anticipate his next set of moves. It’s important not to become too eager with your attacks as Niall will take advantage of any mistakes.

It is important to always be prepared to retreat from Niall when he performs his Frost attack, but it is also important to remain assertive during the intervals. If you are proficient in parrying, you can maneuver around him and capitalize on openings in his defense. While Niall becomes more aggressive in his second phase, his first phase remains challenging due to the presence of banished Knights on either side.

Ranged and magic users will have an advantage in this battle, as they can attack from a safe distance while avoiding Niall’s attacks. Using spells and incantations that cause Bleed, Poison, or Rott build-up will be particularly effective in slowly whittling down Niall’s health. Melee users, especially those with strong Dexterity builds, will also have an edge in this fight. However, Strength builds will have the advantage of being able to withstand more of Niall’s attacks and can afford to make more mistakes.

Once Commander Niall is defeated, you will receive a reward of 90,000 runes and the Veteran’s Prosthesis weapon, which was previously his leg.

elden ring spirit ashes Mimic Tear — FromSoftware

The Mimic Tear can be a powerful ally.

Recommended Spirit Summons for Commander Niall

Although there is no designated best Spirit Summon to combat Commander Niall, our research suggests that utilizing either the Lone Wolf Spirit Ash or the Mimick Tear yields the most favorable outcomes. Additionally, having a tank such as Banished Knight Oleg can offer an advantage during the initial stages of the boss fight. Oleg is capable of holding his own against Niall’s Banished Knights, but he may not survive once Niall enters his second form or earlier in the battle.

Despite being a trio, the Lone Wolves can be a valuable distraction during the battle against Niall’s Knights. By drawing attention away from you and providing additional targets, they increase your chances of success. However, it is important to note that they are also at risk of being eliminated during the second phase of the fight. This presents an ideal chance for you to concentrate on defeating Niall or isolating his Banished Knights.

We found the Mimic Tear to be the most effective, particularly when paired with a Dexterity build focused on Bleed or Scarlet Rot. This is due to the fact that the Mimic Tear mimics your build, resulting in a higher chance of Bleed procs. Additionally, the combined efforts of the Mimic and yourself made it difficult for enemies to recover from the Rot’s impact.