Elden Ring’s long-awaited Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has finally arrived, offering players numerous new enemies to vanquish.
The Shadow Keep legacy dungeon is home to the fearsome Golden Hippopotamus, a Great Enemy boss that eagerly awaits players. It serves as the initial foe in the area, and it is imperative to defeat it before progressing to the rest of the dungeon.
Thankfully, it serves as a relatively merciful initiation to the terrors that await deeper within the Shadow Keep. However, as is the case with all Elden Ring bosses, there are still notable hazards that should not be overlooked.
Prepare to take on the huge Golden Hippopotamus
Golden Hippopotamus location
As mentioned earlier, the Golden Hippopotamus can often be seen taking a well-deserved break under the Marika Statue, located at the entrance of the Shadow Keep dungeon.
The Shadow Keep is a vast complex with numerous entry points. Fortunately, the one you seek is the primary entrance, located at the end of the main road in that part of Scadu Atlas. Upon reaching the portcullis, take the elevator up to reach the arena where the battle will take place.
The location of the Golden Hippopotamus encounter
How to defeat the Golden Hippopotamus
In terms of Elden Ring bosses, the Golden Hippopotamus is considered to be one of the more straightforward challenges in the DLC, in terms of mechanics. It utilizes a mix of bites, tackles, and head bashes, all of which can deal significant damage and swiftly end the battle if one becomes too relaxed.
Initially, the hippo will charge at you with its mouth open. If it manages to catch you with this attack, it will repeatedly bite down, potentially ending the fight before it even starts. Your best course of action is to quickly roll away, as the reach of its bite is quite extensive. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get out of its striking range.
The Golden Hippopotamus takes a bite out of our character
In the initial phase, the hippopotamus also performs a regular attack by slamming its head onto the ground. While it may seem like the best option to roll away, it is more effective to remain close and move around the hippopotamus’ body. This strategy will help you avoid taking damage and also allows for a brief pause in the beast’s attacks, giving you the opportunity to land some hits.
The most worrisome attack that causes significant damage is the belly slam, which is also the most challenging to evade. The optimal strategy in this situation is to leap moments before it strikes the ground. This not only prevents damage effectively but also creates an opportunity to execute jumping attack combinations if your character’s build accommodates that fighting style.
After skillfully avoiding basic bite attacks or head slams, take the opportunity to inflict damage. Move to the side and strike swiftly, but be cautious not to overestimate the amount of time you have. The Golden Hippopotamus may retaliate with a sudden head swipe or uppercut, so be patient and gradually decrease its health.
Golden Hippopotamus phase 2
When the boss reaches half health, it will transition into a second phase where its body and head will sprout enormous thorns that will rain down across the arena. Staying near the boss during this phase will help you avoid most, if not all, of the incoming damage. This also gives you a chance to attack the boss while it is charging up, allowing for a few more hits.
The Hippopotamus grows thorns in the second phase of the fight
During this phase, the main attack types remain the same except for the addition of the belly slam. The first portion of the fight is made more challenging by the emergence of thorns from the ground, resulting in a larger area of effect. This simply means that you will need to move a bit further away compared to the initial attacks.
In any other case, all you can do is wait for the right moment and strike the beast’s side. Circle around, attack swiftly, and then retreat. Keep repeating this pattern and you should be able to handle the remainder of the battle without any issues.
If you’re considering playing Shadow of the Erdtree but are unsure if it’s the right game for you, don’t worry!
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