How to Beat Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers in Elden Ring
While not essential for story progression, defeating Count Ymir rewards players with a wealth of Elden Ring Runes, rare Elden Ring Items, and a meaningful step toward unraveling one of the strangest parts of Shadow of the Erdtree. Whether you're diving into a lore-heavy playthrough or hunting unique gear, this guide will help you conquer Count Ymir with confidence.
Who Is Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers
Count Ymir is a mysterious boss found within the Cathedral of Manus Metyr, the same location where players previously interacted with him as an NPC. Ymir begins as an enigmatic priest who worships Metyr, Mother of Fingers, but later reveals himself as a vessel or avatar of her power. In his final form, Count Ymir becomes a grotesque, corrupted fusion with the Fingercreepers, wielding destructive magic and summoning terrifying minions.
Location: Cathedral of Manus Metyr (post-questline)
Type: Optional Legacy Boss
Affinities: Magic, Necrotic (Summons), Finger-based attacks
Weaknesses: Lightning and Fire damage
Resistances: Magic and Frost
Mobility: Low to medium, uses ranged magic and summons
Why Fight Count Ymir
Though optional, the Count Ymir encounter is one of the most narratively significant and visually unique in the game. Defeating him offers powerful incentives:
A large cache of Elden Ring Runes, useful for high-level character progression
Access to unique Elden Ring Items tied to Metyr and the Cathedral
Unlocks endgame lore and potentially new item crafting options
Fingercreeper-themed gear and spells
For collectors, lore hunters, and rune farmers alike, this fight is well worth your time.
Preparing for the Battle
Count Ymir's fight is multi-phase, with an emphasis on magical bombardment, summoned Fingercreepers, and status pressure. Without proper planning, it can quickly become overwhelming.
Recommended Weapons and Damage Types
Fast-hitting weapons like Claws, Fists, or Hand-to-Hand Arts are ideal. Their speed helps shred through Ymir's casting animations and interrupt his combos.
Lightning weapons deal significantly increased damage due to his magical nature.
Fire damage quickly clears summoned Fingercreepers and weakens his summoning phase.
Top Spells and Ashes of War
Lightning Spear / Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike, High damage, fast casting, and perfect for punishing his long spell animations.
Flame of the Redmanes, Excellent stagger potential, even against large enemies like the mutated Fingercreepers.
Fireball / Flame Sling, Simple but effective against mobs and the boss's early phase.
Essential Elden Ring Items
Opaline Bubbletear, Absorbs a single powerful hit from his spells or Fingercreeper lunges.
Cerulean Hidden Tear, Useful for casting-heavy builds that rely on sustained spell output.
Lightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear, Boosts Lightning damage, maximizing your offensive power.
Fireproof Dried Liver, Helps resist any collateral flame damage from area-based summons.
Starlight Shards, Useful for slow FP regeneration if conserving flasks.
Count Ymir Fight Strategy
Phase 1: Mage Form & Summoner Role
Ymir begins in a mage-like form, floating and casting wide AoE spells while summoning Fingercreepers. His basic kit includes:
Homing soul-mass variants
Area-of-effect soul bursts
Continuous summoning of Fingercreepers
Strategy:
Close the distance quickly. Interrupt his spells before he summons multiple creepers.
Use fire spells or weapons to deal with Fingercreepers as soon as they appear.
Circle-strafe during casting animations to exploit his slow tracking.
If you're using a Spirit Ash like Black Knife Tiche, she can provide both pressure and distraction, allowing you to hit Ymir while he's casting.
Phase 2: Transformation, Mother of Fingers Emerges
At about 50% HP, Ymir fuses further with Fingercreeper flesh, gaining access to more grotesque and erratic attacks. His mobility increases slightly, but most of his damage comes from:
Massive Fingercreeper slams
Magical finger tendrils bursting from the ground
Finger-based homing missiles
Survival Tips:
Don't roll too early. Many attacks have delayed explosions or finger lashes.
Stick to Lightning. This phase becomes even more vulnerable to shock-based spells.
Focus on burst windows after his slam attacks, they leave him vulnerable for a few seconds.
This phase may feel overwhelming at first, but it rewards patience. Let your Spirit Ash pull aggro while you punish from the sides.
Post-Fight Rewards
After defeating Count Ymir, you'll be rewarded with a variety of valuable items and resources:
Elden Ring Runes: A massive rune drop, ideal for leveling late-game stats or purchasing upgrade materials
Remembrance of the Mother of Fingers: Can be traded at the Roundtable Hold for a powerful spell or weapon
Elden Ring Items (possible rewards):
Finger King's Wand (new staff or catalyst)
Crown of the Finger Priesthood
Fingercreeper Spirit Ash or Incantation
Be sure to check behind the Cathedral altar and around the arena for additional lore fragments and crafting items.
Final Thoughts
Count Ymir, Mother of Fingers, stands out as one of Elden Ring's most creative and unsettling bosses. His deep ties to the Fingers, his shifting phases, and his grotesque final form offer a uniquely Elden Ring experience. Though optional, the combination of Elden Ring Runes, rare Elden Ring Items, and lore relevance makes this fight an essential part of the Shadow of the Erdtree experience.
With the right strategy, lightning spells, fire weapons, and fast melee tools, you can bring down the High Priest of Metyr and claim his dark power for yourself.