Castle Ensis Walkthrough in Elden Ring

In Elden Ring, though considered a "Minor" Legacy Dungeon, Castle Ensis is packed with dangers, treasures, and a formidable Remembrance Boss. This location also acts as a gateway to the northern side of the map. In this detailed walkthrough, we'll guide you through how to reach Castle Ensis, where to find all the hidden treasures, and provide tips on defeating its fearsome boss.

How to Reach Castle Ensis

Your journey to Castle Ensis begins at the Three Path Cross site of grace. From here, head northeast, crossing the Great Bridge. Along the way, you will encounter a couple of knights, but the real threat is the ballista waiting at the far end of the bridge. This weapon can deal significant damage and knock you off your mount, Torrent, so make sure to zigzag and dodge to avoid getting hit.

Once you reach the opposite side, continue following the road leading to the castle gate. On the way, make sure to grab the Scadutree Fragment located by a statue to your right. Before entering Castle Ensis, activate the Castle Front site of grace for future respawns.

At the castle entrance, you'll face a Troll Knight guarding the entrance. Though large and imposing, using Torrent for hit-and-run tactics or baiting the troll into predictable attacks will allow you to get past this formidable guard and enter Castle Ensis.

Castle Ensis Walkthrough: Room by Room

First Encounter: The Glintstone Sorcerer

Once inside, head into the first room on the right, where you'll encounter a Glintstone Sorcerer. This enemy is a familiar sight from Raya Lucaria, but it poses little threat in the confined space. Break its shield stance and take it down quickly. Before leaving the room, collect the Shadow Realm Rune 4 from the corner to give you a nice boost in Elden Ring Runes.

Ascending the Stairs: Messmer Soldiers

After dispatching the sorcerer, head left up the stairs. At the top, you'll come to a cliff overlooking a waterfall. Look left to find a staircase guarded by a Messmer Soldier and a dog. These soldiers are dangerous, particularly when they power up their attacks. Watch for their devastating stomp attack, which deals AoE ground damage. The key to surviving is to jump over the stomp rather than attempt to roll away.

Once the enemies are defeated, ascend the stairs to the castle wall. Climb the ladder in the back corner to enter a tower that holds a chest containing the Milady Weapon—a new Light Greatsword introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

Cave Ambush and the Castle Gate

After retrieving the Milady Weapon, head back to the cliffside and continue through the cave at the top of the path. Here, you'll face another Messmer Soldier and a dog. Use the same strategy as before, breaking the soldier's shield stance while dealing with the dog quickly to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Upon exiting the cave, you'll find Flight Pinion x2 lying in the grass. From here, follow the path up to another cliff, where you'll face common foot soldiers gathered around a fire. Ambush and eliminate them before turning your attention to the stairs leading up to the castle gate.

Standing in your way is a Black Knight, equipped with a giant shield and a mace. This knight can be particularly dangerous due to his long-range magic-imbued mace swings and quick shield bashes. Anytime his mace begins to glow, expect a magic ground attack similar to Radagon's moveset. The best strategy is to remain patient, wait for him to overcommit on an attack, and land quick strikes before retreating to avoid his shield bash counter.

After defeating the Black Knight, enter the nearby tower to the left of the path and open the chest to find the Loyal Knight's Cookbook. This item unlocks new crafting recipes, essential for building up your arsenal of Elden Ring Items.

Reaching the Castle Ensis Checkpoint

Continue along the path guarded by the Black Knight, and you will come across another Miquella Cross, as well as a Scadutree Fragment. Don't forget to activate the Castle Ensis Checkpoint site of grace. In this area, you'll also find a Somber Smithing Stone 1 and a note titled Message from Leda, detailing a future quest path involving Miquella. While you cannot act on this information just yet, it's worth remembering for later.

Navigating the Cliff Path

With the gate closed next to the Miquella Cross, take the path to the right, which leads to a cliff where a knight is resting. Stealthily approach and dispatch the knight, then drop down onto the ledge below. Pick up the Knot Resin x3 from a body on the ledge, then drop down further into the cave below.

Inside, you'll be ambushed by a group of dogs. These enemies are most threatening when they attack in groups, so focus on quickly eliminating them one by one to avoid being overwhelmed.

Final Boss Battle: Remembrance Boss

At the end of Castle Ensis, you'll encounter the dungeon's Remembrance Boss. While each Legacy Dungeon in Elden Ring features unique bosses, this particular foe is a supernatural being with a blend of magic and physical attacks. Having the Milady Weapon and other faith-based Elden Ring Items will give you an advantage here, particularly if the boss has weaknesses to holy or magic damage.

The battle is intense, with the boss unleashing powerful spells that sweep the battlefield. The key is to dodge frequently, closing in only when the boss has committed to a large attack. Use a combination of ranged attacks, like Throwing Knives or Holy Water Pots, which you can craft using recipes from the Loyal Knight's Cookbook. Also, consider farming Elden Ring Runes from the earlier enemies to strengthen your character before the fight.

Conclusion

Castle Ensis in Elden Ring's "Shadow of the Erdtree" DLC is packed with treasures, dangerous enemies, and opportunities to farm valuable Elden Ring Runes and items. Navigating this dungeon requires both strategic combat and careful exploration. With this guide, you'll be well-equipped to overcome the castle's challenges and claim the rewards hidden within, including the coveted Remembrance from its powerful boss.