Mountaintops of the Giants
The Mountaintops of the Giants is a frigid, elevated late-game region reached via the Grand Lift of Rold after defeating Morgott in Leyndell. Players must cross narrow bridges and frozen lakes to reach the Flame Peak and defeat the Fire Giant guarding the Forge of the Giants. Rekindling the forge triggers a critical progression point that advances the world into its endgame state.
- Region
- Mountaintops of the Giants
- Levels
- 100-120
- Getting there
- Northeast of Leyndell, Royal Capital, through the northeast capital gate and across the elevated bridge to the Grand Lift of Rold, presenting the Rold Medallion
- Connects to
- Leyndell, Royal Capital, Forbidden Lands, Crumbling Farum Azula, Consecrated Snowfield
- Related quests
- Millicent · Shabriri / Yura · Brother Corhyn and Goldmask · Bloody Finger Okina
- Enemy types
- Fire Prelates · Zamor Warriors · Giant Fingercreepers · Mountaintop Trolls · Vulgar Militiamen · Silver Tears · Blighted Crows · Dogs
Services and people
Merchants 1
- Hermit Merchant · Sells items to the player while sitting by a campfireSouth of the Stargazers' Ruins, along a narrow cliff path overlooking Ancient Snow Valley Ruins
Quest NPCs 2
- Shabriri · Encounters the player while possessing the body of Bloody Finger Hunter YuraBeside the Zamor Ruins Site of Grace near the entrance of the region
- Aureliette · Spirit Jellyfish waiting to be reunited with her sisterStargazers' Ruins
Invaders and enemies 2
- Bloody Finger Okina · NPC invader dropping Rivers of Blood and Okina MaskOutside the Church of Repose
- Juno Hoslow · Target of Volcano Manor assassination requestNear the Shack of the Lofty
Services 7
- Grand Lift of Rold · Site of Grace for resting and fast travelEntrance to Mountaintops of the Giants
- Zamor Ruins · Site of Grace for resting and fast travelAt the Zamor Ruins along the northeast path
- Ancient Snow Valley Ruins · Site of Grace for resting and fast travelIn the valley below the cliffs
- Freezing Lake · Site of Grace for resting and fast travelAt the Freezing Lake east of the valley
- Whiteridge Road · Site of Grace for resting and fast travelAlong the road leading south toward Guardians' Garrison
- Giants' Gravepost · Site of Grace for resting and fast travelPast the southern suspension chain bridge
- Forge of the Giants · Site of Grace for resting and fast travelAt the Forge of the Giants
The short version
What matters
- •Defeat Commander Niall at Castle Sol to collect the Haligtree Secret Medallion from the tower chest.
- •Eliminate Bloody Finger Okina outside the Church of Repose to acquire the Rivers of Blood katana and Okina Mask.
- •Conquer the Fire Giant at Flame Peak and rest at the Forge of the Giants Site of Grace to advance the main story.
Common mistakes
- •Slaying the Fire Giant before visiting the Church of Repose; this permanently prevents Bloody Finger Okina from invading, locking you out of Rivers of Blood and the Okina Mask.
- •Overlooking the invisible bridge across the northern chasm, which is the only route to enter Heretical Rise and obtain Founding Rain of Stars.
Walkthrough May be incomplete
The area in the order you play it. Tick things off as you go: they tick off in the checklists below too.
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1
Grand Lift of Rold to Zamor Ruins
When you arrive at the Mountaintops of the Giants via the Grand Lift of Rold after defeating Morgott, activate the Grand Lift of Rold Site of Grace. Following the snowy main road northeast toward the Zamor Ruins Site of Grace, inspect the stone monument to pick up Map: Mountaintops of the Giants, West. Search the Zamor Ruins to secure Smithing-Stone Miner's Bell Bearing , and speak with Shabriri where he stands beside the Zamor Ruins Site of Grace in the body of Yura.
Tip: Grab the map piece along the main path before engaging hostile forces in the ruins.
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2
Southwestern Cliffs and Tombs
Cross the narrow rock bridge beyond Zamor Ruins past Shabriri to reach the Giant-Conquering Hero's Grave, where you can delve inside to defeat the Ancient Hero of Zamor. Continuing along the cliffs, find the descent into the Giants' Mountaintop Catacombs to take down the Ulcerated Tree Spirit.
Tip: Prepare for tight corridors when exploring both subterranean dungeons.
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3
Ancient Snow Valley and Stargazer Ruins
Follow the path further to reach the Ancient Snow Valley Ruins Site of Grace in the valley below. Climb to the upper cliffs above to locate the Stargazer Ruins, where you will find the spirit jellyfish Aureliette longing for her sister. Summon your own Spirit Jellyfish Ashes beside her to dispel the cellar barrier, opening the chest below to claim the Primal Glintstone Blade; then, search the cliff ledge south of the ruins to trade with the Hermit Merchant.
Tip: Summoning your Spirit Jellyfish Ashes dispels the magic seal over the ruins' cellar.
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4
Castle Sol and Northern Environs
Travel northwest across the frozen river bed past wandering mausoleums to breach Castle Sol, and watch out for the Death Rite Bird that stalks west of Castle Sol and the Stargazer Ruins at night to claim the Death Ritual Spear. Inside Castle Sol, conquer Commander Niall to access the roof of the highest tower and retrieve the Haligtree Secret Medallion from the chest.
Tip: Take out Commander Niall's spectral banished knight summons early in the encounter to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Watch out: Hoslow's assassination contract cannot be completed if you break Volcano Manor questlines early.
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5
Freezing Lake and Heretical Rise
Travel east from the valley to activate the Freezing Lake Site of Grace and battle Borealis the Freezing Fog amidst the blinding blizzard. Head east over the frozen lake surface to strike down an invisible scarab following glowing footprints to obtain Ash of War: Seppuku. Move southeast past the lake shoreline cliff to clear the Spiritcaller Cave and its boss, the Spiritcaller Snail, before heading to the eastern cliff above the lake to solve the Heretical Rise invisible air bridge puzzle and loot Founding Rain of Stars from the chest inside.
Key fight: Borealis the Freezing FogTip: Look for faint floating particles or shoot arrows to guide your footing across the invisible bridge to Heretical Rise.
Watch out: Borealis generates a dense blizzard that drastically reduces visibility during combat.
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6
Guardians' Garrison to the Southern Peaks
Head south to reach the Whiteridge Road Site of Grace and clear the Guardians' Garrison fort, snagging Ash of War: Prelate's Charge from a teardrop scarab hanging from a wooden structure or tree near the Fire Monk camp. Cross the giant southern suspension chain bridge to activate the Giants' Gravepost Site of Grace, grabbing Map: Mountaintops of the Giants, East from the stone obelisk right beside it. Continue onward to discover the Foot of the Forge Site of Grace.
Tip: Shoot down the hanging scarab near the monk camp from a safe distance before it drops and scurries away.
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7
Church of Repose, Flame Peak, and the Forge
Head across the southern expanse to the Church of Repose, where you must defeat the invader Bloody Finger Okina to claim both the Rivers of Blood katana and the Okina Mask. Advance to the Flame Peak battlefield to vanquish the massive Fire Giant. Finally, climb up to the Forge of the Giants and rest at the Forge of the Giants Site of Grace to trigger the pivotal burning of the Erdtree.
Key fight: Fire GiantTip: Target the Fire Giant's weak spots during his sweeping shield and flame phases to maximize damage.
Watch out: Slaying the Fire Giant before Bloody Finger Okina invades permanently locks you out of obtaining Rivers of Blood and the Okina Mask.
Choices here
What you decide here and what it leads to.
Bloody Finger Okina encounter
Approaching the Church of Repose before defeating the Fire Giant
- Fight Okina before killing the Fire Giant→ Obtain the Rivers of Blood katana and Okina Mask
- Slay the Fire Giant prior to visiting the Church of Repose→ Miss out on Okina's invasion along with the Rivers of Blood katana and Okina Mask
Most players pick: Fight Okina before killing the Fire Giant
Point of no return: slaying the Fire Giant permanently locks out this invasion and its rewards
Checklists
Don't miss 0/1
Items May be incomplete
0/6
Key fights May be incomplete
Enemies: Fire Giant
Threats: Massive sweeping attacks with a giant iron lid, rolls across the arena, hurls tracking fireballs, and erupts into volcanic fire storms in Phase 2
Tactics: Attack the wounded left foot until the splint shatters in Phase 1; in Phase 2, avoid staying directly underneath his rolling path and punish his hands after slamming attacks while dodging floating delayed fire orbs
Rewards: 180,000 Runes, Remembrance of the Fire Giant
Enemies: Borealis the Freezing Fog
Threats: Expels a blinding blizzard that heavily impairs vision, emits a massive screaming frost roar, and blankets the frozen lake in frostbite vapor
Tactics: Mount Torrent to rapidly escape his expanding circular frost roar, aim for his head when lowered, and use Fire infusions or spells to break his posture quickly
Enemies
Heavily armored humanoids wielding massive fiery hammers or whipping fire from thorned whips.
Giant multi-fingered hands that emerge from the snow; susceptible to writhing and panic when struck with any fire damage.
Covered in thick fur and capable of launching magical roars or heavy stomps; weak to posture breaks at their legs.
Tips
- Fire damage is exceptionally strong in this region against almost all regular wildlife and Fingercreepers, but switch off Fire-based setups completely when engaging the Fire Giant.
- Do not interact with the forge basin at the Forge of the Giants until you have finished all desired world quests in Leyndell, as progressing past the forge triggers the burning of the Erdtree and permanently alters the Capital.
Not listed for this area: secrets, shops and people.
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