After defeating the Dancing Lion Guardian, also known as the Lion Guardian in Elden Ring, players are often left wondering where to go next. This challenging boss fight is a significant milestone, but it’s far from the end. Here’s a breakdown of the possible paths you can take to continue your journey, depending on your progress in the game and personal goals.
1. Reflect on Your Progress and Current Area
Before choosing your next destination, it’s essential to assess your current location within Elden Ring’s sprawling world. The Lion Guardian can be found in various areas, including Stormveil Castle or Caelid. Typically, defeating this boss marks that you’ve overcome a significant hurdle in your current zone, so it’s time to decide what major objective you want to pursue next.
Key Considerations:
- Story progression: Are you following the main quest or exploring optional areas?
- Level and strength: Are you powerful enough to explore higher-level areas, or do you need to level up more?
- Equipment upgrades: Are you satisfied with your gear, or should you focus on farming upgrade materials?
2. Explore More of Stormveil Castle
If you’ve defeated the Lion Guardian in Stormveil Castle, you are likely nearing the final parts of this critical legacy dungeon. This large, labyrinthine fortress holds many secrets, including the first major boss, Godrick the Grafted.
What’s Next:
- Godrick the Grafted: He’s a formidable foe, and defeating him is key to advancing the main storyline. Once you’ve unlocked his battle, prepare for one of the most challenging fights in the early game. Defeating him rewards you with a Great Rune.
- Loot and secrets: Stormveil Castle is full of hidden areas, valuable items, and NPC encounters. Make sure to explore thoroughly before moving on. There are additional pathways, such as secret ladders and passages, that contain valuable rewards.
3. Head to the Roundtable Hold
After defeating the Lion Guardian, if you haven’t visited it yet, Roundtable Hold is a key destination. This hub area provides critical services and progression options, such as NPCs offering upgrades, lore, and guidance.
Key Features of Roundtable Hold:
- Weapon Upgrades: Blacksmiths are available here to upgrade your weapons, an essential step before tackling tougher bosses.
- NPCs and Quests: You’ll find several characters offering side quests that can affect the game’s ending and rewards. Make sure to speak with them frequently.
- Great Rune Activation: After defeating a shardbearer like Godrick, you’ll want to visit Roundtable Hold to learn how to activate Great Runes, adding significant bonuses to your character.
4. Explore Liurnia of the Lakes
Once you’ve cleared Stormveil Castle, the natural next destination is Liurnia of the Lakes. This massive open-world zone features new enemies, bosses, and dungeons to explore. It’s a huge shift from the tight corridors of Stormveil and provides a refreshing change of scenery.
Major Locations in Liurnia:
- Academy of Raya Lucaria: A magic-focused area, home to powerful sorcerers and another shardbearer, Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. Defeating her is crucial to progressing the main quest.
- Ainsel River: An optional area that leads to subterranean regions filled with lore and tough enemies. This area offers unique rewards for those willing to explore it thoroughly.
- The Caria Manor: Another optional dungeon that leads to encounters with more powerful foes and key items needed for some NPC questlines.
5. Travel to Caelid
If you’re ready for a significant challenge, Caelid is the next logical step. This region is filled with powerful enemies, dangerous status effects, and brutal bosses, making it one of the most difficult areas early on. However, the rewards for braving Caelid are immense, with rare weapons, armor sets, and upgrade materials.
Key Points in Caelid:
- Redmane Castle: You can battle Starscourge Radahn here, another shardbearer and one of the most difficult bosses in the game. Defeating Radahn will move the storyline forward and unlock new areas.
- Dragonbarrow: This sub-region is filled with dangerous dragons and high-level enemies. However, it offers a wealth of rare loot and upgrade materials, making it worth the risk if you’re properly leveled.
- Scarlet Rot: Be prepared to deal with the deadly Scarlet Rot effect, which can quickly drain your health. Stock up on antidotes and equip gear that mitigates status effects.
6. Complete Side Quests
Elden Ring’s world is full of intricate side quests that can offer great rewards and affect the game’s ending. After defeating the Lion Guardian, it’s a good time to revisit any NPCs you’ve encountered and continue their questlines.
Notable Side Quests:
- Ranni the Witch: Her questline takes you to many key locations in the game and offers significant rewards.
- Fia’s Questline: Fia’s story can lead to a unique ending and powerful items.
- Alexander the Warrior Jar: A fan-favorite character with an interesting story arc that spans much of the game.
7. Farm for Souls and Upgrade Materials
If you’re not ready to tackle another major boss or new area, now is a great time to farm for runes and upgrade materials. Stormveil Castle and Caelid offer several spots where you can farm efficiently. Upgrading your weapons and leveling up your character can make future encounters much easier.
By following these steps and choosing your next path wisely, you’ll be well-prepared to continue your journey in Elden Ring after defeating the Lion Guardian. Whether you focus on the main storyline or choose to explore the myriad of optional content, the game has plenty to offer at every turn.
