How to Defeat the Jori Elder Inquisitor in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

“The game Elden Ring features a formidable boss battle against the powerful spellcaster Jori, also known as the Elder Inquisitor. In order to defeat this warlock in their own lair, players must learn how to counter their powerful magic.”

In Elden Ring, the majority of bosses utilize a combination of swift and aggressive melee tactics alongside long-range magical attacks. However, Jori stands out from the rest as their primary strategy involves launching a barrage of potent spells at the player.

Jori, the Elder Inquisitor, is a boss that can be optionally encountered in Shadow of the Erdtree. It is possible to progress through the game without fighting them. However, defeating this sorcerer will reward you with numerous Runes, provide access to new weapons for use in combat, and unlock a previously inaccessible region for you to discover.

Jori Grand Inquisitor boss fight Shadow of the Erdtree elden Ring — FromSoftware/dexerto

The secret to beating Jori is closing the gap while avoiding their spells

Jori, Elder Inquisitor Location

The final chamber of the Darklight Catacombs dungeon in Scadu Atlus is where Jori, Elder Inquisitor, can be found.

The sole Site of Grace is located near the entrance. If you happen to perish during the boss battle, you will be able to respawn at the same spot outside. However, if you wish to venture to a different location, you will need to redo the Darklight Catacombs in order to rematch the boss.

Darklight Catacombs map Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Jori Grand Inquisitor — FromSoftware/dexerto

Jori is found in the Darklight Catacombs dungeon

Strategies for Defeating Jori, Elder Inquisitor

Jori, the Elder Inquisitor, is considered to be one of the more manageable bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree. This is due to their lack of jumping and movement, unlike Spider-Man at a House of Pain concert. Once you are able to get close to them, you will have plenty of chances to attack and defeat this powerful wizard.

One issue is reaching Jori, who can launch multiple Incantations at the player. These spells are of the Holy element, so make sure to equip any gear that is effective against Holy.

Jori, the Elder Inquisitor, wastes no time in bombarding you with arc spells as soon as you step into the arena. Fortunately, there are graves nearby that you can take cover behind. If you wish to summon assistance, quickly seek refuge behind one of the graves to protect yourself from the initial onslaught.

Approaching the boss is the next necessary step. Jori’s typical spells consist of holy arcs that travel directly towards the player, which are relatively simple to avoid. The more challenging spells are the holy lights that emerge from below, requiring you to dodge roll through them individually since the graves will not provide protection.

After surviving the initial barrage and successfully summoning, take down Jori quickly. Although Jori does possess some melee attacks, they are significantly weaker compared to other bosses in the game. If you were able to withstand Messmer the Impaler’s attacks, then Jori should be a breeze for you.

You need to beat Jori to access the Abyssal Woods

Be cautious of a particular move where Jori summons two Inquisitors that emit flames in your direction. Fortunately, these are merely illusions and not actual enemies. Simply strike the Inquisitor nearest to you and it will disappear instantly, giving you an opportunity to evade the second Inquisitor’s assault.

Jori is not equipped with a Phase 2, so your entire strategy should focus on aggressively attacking and staying close to them. By maintaining a strong offense and avoiding their slow staff attacks, you will be able to defeat this boss quickly.

NPC allies

There are no allied NPCs available for this battle, but you are able to utilize summons. By casting a Mimic Tear at the beginning of the battle, you can greatly improve your chances of success.

Jori’s Rewards for Elder Inquisitors

Upon defeating Jori, the Elder Inquisitor will award the player with the following items:

260,000 Runes
Barbed Staff-Spear

Defeating Jori, Elder Inquisitor, is even more significant as it will grant you access to the Abyssal Woods region in Shadow of the Erdtree.

Jori’s weaknesses

It is notable that Jori, the Elder Inquisitor, is vulnerable to both Frost and staggering. Due to his slower movements, he is prone to accumulating status effects, making it advantageous to use a quick weapon capable of causing bleed, poison, or scarlet rot. This strategy can be even more effective when accompanied by a Mimic summon equipped with similar gear.

Are you about to start playing Shadow of the Erdtree? Take a look at our thoughts on the expansion after extensively exploring the Shadow Lands. And if you’re having trouble locating a particular enemy, we have compiled a convenient list of all the boss locations in Shadow of the Erdtree.