How to Defeat Chief Bloodfiend in Elden Ring
Who Is Chief Bloodfiend
Chief Bloodfiend is a grotesque enemy boss encountered deep within the Shadow Realm, typically found in blood-soaked ruins or near cursed rivers. He represents the apex of the bloodfiend caste, larger, stronger, and far more aggressive than his lesser kin. Covered in gore and wielding twin cleavers with disturbing speed, Chief Bloodfiend is as brutal as he is relentless.
Slaying this boss not only grants you Elden Ring Runes and rare Elden Ring Items, but also reveals more of the grim lore surrounding the blood cults inhabiting the Land of Shadow.
Where to Find Chief Bloodfiend
You can find Chief Bloodfiend near the Ruins of Unction, a desecrated village submerged in blood and rot. The area is filled with lesser bloodfiends and ambushes, so proceed carefully. The entrance to the boss arena is marked by crimson mist and the chilling sound of gurgling laughter.
Make sure to unlock the nearby Site of Grace, as the trek back can be punishing if you fall during the fight.
Pre-Battle Preparation
You Cannot Use Spirit Ashes
Much like the Knight of the Solitary Gaol, Chief Bloodfiend disables the use of Spirit Ashes during the encounter. This means you'll have to rely on your own skills, gear, and tactics to bring him down, no distractions, no backup.
Gather Scadutree Blessings
The Scadutree Blessing system replaces rune-level scaling within Shadow of the Erdtree zones. Before taking on Chief Bloodfiend, ensure you've collected at least Scadutree Blessing level 2, which will enhance your survivability and damage output. Scadutree Fragments can be found throughout the DLC, especially near Miquella's Crosses or major encounters.
Stock Up on Bleed-Resistant Elden Ring Items
Chief Bloodfiend inflicts devastating Hemorrhage (Bleed) buildup. Equip Elden Ring Items like the Stalwart Horn Charm or the Mottled Necklace +1 to boost your robustness and resist bleed. Consider crafting or purchasing Staunching Boluses to remove blood loss buildup mid-fight.
Battle Strategy and Phases
Phase 1: The Onslaught Begins
Chief Bloodfiend enters the fight with dual cleavers and an aggressive moveset. His early attacks include:
Sweeping Cleaver Combo: A relentless flurry of left-right swings.
Grab and Chomp: He lunges forward and attempts to bite the player, which deals massive bleed damage.
Blood Slam: Jumps into the air and crashes down, causing blood eruptions in a wide radius.
Tips for Phase 1:
Stay mid-range and bait his cleaver swings before dodging inward to punish.
Heavy weapons or fast bleed weapons like katanas can interrupt his flow.
If using magic, stagger him with spells like Glintstone Icecrag or Rock Sling.
Phase 2: Frenzy Unleashed
At around 50% HP, Chief Bloodfiend lets out a roar, coating his cleavers in blood magic. His attacks become faster, with added AoE blood bursts and more frequent bleeding.
New moves include:
Blood Wave: Slams the ground to release a wave of blood in a cone shape.
Blood Mist Spin: Spins rapidly, spreading a cloud of blood that causes rapid bleed buildup.
Lunge Cleave: A long-range leap followed by a spinning horizontal slash.
Tips for Phase 2:
Roll toward the wave's source rather than away from it.
Equip Flame, Cleanse Me incantation to remove Bleed buildup quickly.
Use terrain or pillars (if available) to block line-of-sight during blood mist attacks.
Recommended Builds and Weapons
Melee Builds
Equip Colossal Weapons like the Ruins Greatsword for staggering.
Use Bloodhound's Step to dodge unpredictable attacks.
Buff with Flame, Grant Me Strength to boost AR.
Magic Builds
Focus on high-poise-breaking spells such as Comet Azur or Cannon of Haima.
Maintain distance and be ready to reposition when he leaps.
Use Elden Ring Items like the Cerulean Hidden Tear to cast without FP consumption during key moments.
Rewards for Defeating Chief Bloodfiend
Upon victory, you'll receive:
Bloodfiend's Cleavers: Dual-wieldable weapons that scale with Strength and Arcane, capable of inflicting high Bleed damage.
Bloodfiend Set: A gruesome armor set offering strong resistance to physical and bleed damage.
A large bounty of Elden Ring Runes, ideal for leveling up or purchasing high-end gear.
Lore insights into the blood cults of the Shadow Realm through the flavor text of acquired items.
Conclusion
While Chief Bloodfiend is not required to beat Shadow of the Erdtree, he's a phenomenal test of endurance and adaptability. His unique fighting style, challenging bleed-based mechanics, and valuable Elden Ring Items make this an essential encounter for completionists and anyone hungry for more runes.
Whether you're farming for Elden Ring Runes or simply eager to see all Shadow of the Erdtree has to offer, don't miss the chance to prove yourself against this fearsome chief.