There is a special sword up for grabs for defeating the boss in this impressive ice cave.
The Cave of the Forlorn in Elden Ring is a location in the west side of the Mountaintops of the Giants.
This Elden Ring cave contains plenty of loot for you to find, but there are enemies along the way that include Boggarts, Rats, and a Land Octopus. At the very end, a Misbegotten Crusader awaits.
Here’s our Elden Ring Cave of the Forlorn walkthrough and how to beat the Misbegotten Crusader boss here.
To see this content please enable targeting cookies.
Elden Ring Cave of the Forlorn walkthrough
With the Cave of the Forlorn being in the western half of the Mountaintops of the Giants, you’ll need access to the Consecrated Snowfield to proceed, which you can only enter with the Secret Haligree Medallion. The amulet can be used to enter the west side of the Mountaintops of the Giants, where you will find the cave in the east (pictured on the below map):
You will need two Stonesword Keys to open the entrance, which is also guarded by a full-grown Land Octopus.
Activate the Site of Grace ‘Cave of the Forlorn’ and collect 1x Golden Rune (7) next to the dragon. The view down through the ice is impressive. We’ll get there shortly.
Behind it you will find 4x Freezing Grease and the path splits. The left passage leads behind some stalactites to rats and boggarts guarding 1x Freezing Grease (in an alcove at the side).
Go back into the entrance area and take the other passage to the east and turn left at this point (pictured below):
Behind the sleeping enemies you will find a corpse with 1x Nascent Butterfly. On the other side of the room is 1x Golden Rune (10).
Continue east to reach this room (pictured below):
Use the snow-covered rock platforms on the right and jump over to the sparkling item to bag 1x Hero’s Rune (2).
In the corridor to the north, we meet a few sleeping enemies guarding 1x Rune Arc and 10x Spiritflame Arrow in a dead end.
Back in the familiar room, you can jump again in the western corner, drop down and reach the area below the ice (with the red jellyfish).
After five of these not exactly good-humored beasts, it’s time to loot. Among the corpses we find 3x Miquella’s Lily, 8x Crystal Dart and 2x Thawing Boluses.
Following the passage, there are more jellyfish on the kill list, next to a corpse with 3x Thawing Boluses. Drop into the hole next to it, collect 6x Freezing Grease from the corpse on the ledge and the boss fight will take place at the bottom.
How to defeat the Misbegotten Crusader boss in Elden Ring
The Misbegotten Crusader is the boss in the Cave of the Forlorn.
However, the fancy name hardly disguises the fact that this is basically a lion-like, misbegotten monster. And we already know this boss from Castle Morne and more.
The extensive combos in particular make the boss fight more difficult than it needs to be.
Luckily, the beast can be upset with blows and its attacks can be interrupted. Summon a Spirit Ash to give you some breathing space if needed.
Use jump attacks when the opportunity arises and try to break the monster’s stance.
If he raises his sword in a salute, a golden explosion will immediately follow. Get to safety or interrupt him during this animation.
Your rewards for defeating this boss are 93,000 Runes and the Golden Order Greatsword, which is one of nine Legendary Armaments in the game as well as a relatively decent Faith weapon.
Need more help? Jump back to our list of Elden Ring bosses or our Elden Ring walkthrough.
