Morgott is the boss that tells you whether your character is actually ready for the back half of Elden Ring. You met him at the start of the game as Margit on Stormhill, and in Leyndell he returns with his true name, a bigger moveset, more health and a second phase that floods the arena. This guide covers how to beat Morgott, the Omen King: where the fight is, what level and Vigor to bring, what he is weak to, which items make him easier, and an attack-by-attack plan for both phases. Boss stats come from Fextralife's live Morgott boss page (last edited 14 August 2026), item figures from the item pages linked inline, and everything applies to Elden Ring version 1.17.2 (App Ver. 1.17.2 / Regulation Ver. 1.17.3, released 2026-10-20). Neither the patch 1.17 notes (2026-08-27) nor the 1.17.2 bug-fix notes list any direct change to Morgott, Margit or Margit's Shackle. Patch 1.17 did improve the Parry skill and shortened its recovery with daggers, curved swords and small shields, which makes parrying him a little easier with those.
Quick answer: Morgott, the Omen King is a mandatory demigod boss at the end of Leyndell, Royal Capital. The closest Site of Grace is Queen's Bedchamber, and Melina can be summoned at the top of the stairs by the fog gate. He has 10,399 HP on NG, takes 10% extra damage from slash attacks and resists Holy by 40%, and every status except Madness and Death Blight works on him. Bring roughly level 90 with 40+ Vigor (community consensus, not official), a spirit ash, and Margit's Shackle, which still stuns him twice in phase 1. Phase 2 starts when he drops below 60% HP. Beating him pays 120,000 runes, Morgott's Great Rune (+25% max HP) and the Remembrance of the Omen King, and opens the road to the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Key takeaways
- He is Margit, upgraded. Same character, same holy-weapon style, but with a hammer, a spear, a dagger fan and a bloodflame sword on top. If you learned Margit, half the fight is familiar.
- Slash beats everything else. Morgott's slash negation is -10, and his Holy negation is 40. A slash weapon helps; a Sacred or holy-damage build is the worst thing you can bring.
- Margit's Shackle still works. It binds him twice, but only in phase 1.
- Phase 2 changes the arena. Below 60% HP he triggers a curse explosion, rain starts and water covers the floor. His new attacks add fire damage and hemorrhage buildup.
- Fight close and on his left side. Fextralife's top melee tip is to stand "a bit in front of his left leg from the outside." Most of his sword combos miss you there.
Where is Morgott, and how do you get to him?
Morgott is the final boss of Leyndell, Royal Capital. You can't even get into the city without beating at least two Great Rune holders first (Godrick, Rennala, Radahn, Rykard or Mohg). If you're still short, our best Great Runes guide shows which demigods to hunt and what each rune does.
Inside the city, push through to the golden shade fight against Godfrey, First Elden Lord. From Godfrey's arena, head east toward the balcony and take the branch that climbs to the second level of the room. Cross the bridge to the Queen's Bedchamber Site of Grace. Rest there: this is your checkpoint for every attempt. From the grace, go south up the stairs to the fog gate.
Two summon options sit near the door:
- Melina has a summon sign at the top of the stairs on the right, in front of the fog gate. She fights with the Blade of Calling and casts Erdtree incantations.
- Dung Eater also appears here, but only if you released him from his cell during his questline.
Spirit Ashes and online co-op are both allowed. If you don't have a good spirit yet, our guide on how to get the Mimic Tear shows the fastest route. A Mimic Tear holding Morgott's attention is the single biggest difficulty drop in this fight.
What level should you be for Morgott?
There's no level gate. In a Reddit help thread on tips for Morgott the Omen King, one reply sums up the usual advice: "the recommended level is at least level 90 for Leyndell." That's community consensus, not an official number, but most guides land in the 80–100 range.
What matters more:
- Vigor at 40 or higher. Morgott's phase 2 combos chain several hits, and his attacks inflict hemorrhage. Players often quote "25 by Godrick, 45 by Morgott, 60 by endgame" as a rough Vigor curve. Our Vigor breakpoint guide explains why 40 is the first big threshold.
- An upgraded weapon. Another Morgott help thread gives the most common fix for players who are stuck: "Your weapon is way under leveled for Leyndell." Explore the mining tunnels (the reply specifically names the Sealed Tunnel) for Smithing Stones [5] and [6] before you push.
- Holy defense. Many of his phase 1 attacks use summoned holy weapons. Another reply recommends the Haligdrake Talisman "for Morgott specifically since he does a lot of holy damage."
Morgott boss stats
| Stat | Value (NG) |
|---|---|
| HP | 10,399 (NG+ 13,030) |
| Defense | 114 |
| Stance | 80 (parryable, 3 parries per stance break) |
| Damage dealt | Slash, Pierce, Holy (phase 1); adds Fire (phase 2) |
| Inflicts | Hemorrhage |
| Runes | 120,000 |
Source: Fextralife, Morgott, the Omen King. The 10,399 HP figure also matches RankedBoost's boss page.
What is Morgott weak to?
Morgott is weak to slash damage and resistant to Holy. Everything else hits him at full value.
| Damage type | Negation | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Slash | -10 | Takes 10% more. Curved swords, katanas and greatswords shine |
| Standard / Strike / Pierce | 0 | Normal damage |
| Magic / Fire / Lightning | 0 | Normal damage, so elemental infusions work |
| Holy | 40 | 40% of holy damage is blocked. Avoid Sacred affinity and holy incantations |
Which status effects work on Morgott?
| Status | Buildup to trigger (NG, first proc) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Hemorrhage (Bleed) | 337 | Strong, and the easiest to stack with fast weapons |
| Frostbite | 337 | Strong, also lowers his damage negation |
| Poison / Scarlet Rot | 337 | Works, but slow damage for a boss you'll beat in a few minutes |
| Sleep | 552 | Possible but rarely worth it |
| Madness | Immune | Don't bother |
| Death Blight | Immune | Bosses can't be instantly killed by it |
Each proc raises the next threshold (Bleed, Frostbite, Poison and Scarlet Rot go 337 → 435 → 725 → 1,182; Sleep goes 552 → 842 → 1,299), so status hits hardest early. Fextralife suggests power-stancing two status weapons, for example a Frost Great Knife with a Scorpion's Stinger, to stack Frostbite, Hemorrhage and Scarlet Rot at the same time. If you run a bleed build, our best bleed weapons guide lists the strongest options by stat.
The elemental trick. Morgott has no fire or lightning negation. In phase 2 the arena floods with rain, which is why Fextralife notes lightning becomes "much better than Fire overall" after the transition. Strength builds can infuse Fire and drink a Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear; Dexterity builds can do the same with a Lightning Ash of War and the Lightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear.
How do you use Margit's Shackle against Morgott?
Margit's Shackle works on Morgott, and most players forget they still own it. Its item effect reads "Binds Margit and Morgott two times per battle."
- Where to get it: buy it from Patches in Murkwater Cave for 5,000 runes once he becomes a merchant, or from the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold after you hand them Patches's Bell Bearing.
- How it works: use it and Morgott slams to the ground, stunned for a few seconds. You get two uses per attempt, phase 1 only.
- The catch: if you use it after he's below his phase 2 health threshold, it doesn't stun him. It forces the phase 2 transition instead.
Best use: fire the first Shackle right after the opening exchange for a free charged attack, and save the second for when you need to heal.
How do you beat Morgott in phase 1?
Phase 1 runs from full health down to 60%. Morgott's attacks have gaps between them, so stay aggressive. Fextralife lists his most punishable moments as after a riposte, after he hops away, after hammer swings and slams if you roll behind him, and after combo finishers like the triple-spin "Helicopter."
At 80% HP, he always casts Holy Swords Rain: a holy sword appears in his left hand and a ring of swords forms in the air around him in five fixed lines. The wind-up is long, so you can land a few hits (Fextralife says up to three light attacks with a fast weapon), then sprint away. Unlocking the camera and tilting it up helps you see the swords fall. After this attack he gains the Spear Charge, Sword + Hammer Spin and repeat casts of the sword rain.
Phase 1 attacks and counters
| Attack | Tell | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Spear Throw | Pulls his arm back with a holy spear | Dodge to the side, or stand in front of his left leg and it misses entirely |
| Flying Sword Spear Stab | Leaps into the air after a spear throw | Run toward him, or roll behind him at the top of the jump. Good for two charged attacks |
| Holy Spear Charge | Holds a spear, then charges | Roll forward-right through it, or run away. He can start this at close range, so delay the roll |
| Holy Daggers (fan) | Throws three daggers, up to twice | Roll through them or to the side |
| Spinning Slashes ("Helicopter") | Diagonal slash into a triple spin and double slam | Roll into the first slash, then around him. Big punish window |
| Overhead Hammer Slam | Pulls his left arm back, summons a hammer | Keep a little distance, then roll into him |
| Sword + Hammer Spin | Summons a hammer and closes in | Sprint backward and roll away when the sword moves. Very hard to dodge up close |
| Cartwheel | Flips behind you, then slashes back through | Roll when the sword is above his shoulder |
How do you beat Morgott in phase 2?
Phase 2 starts when you drop him below 60% HP. If he's staggered, it starts at 55% at the latest. Shackling or parrying him at the threshold also triggers it. Morgott plants his sword, coughs, then releases the Omen curse: geysers erupt across the floor, rain starts, and water covers the arena.
Transition window: you can hit him safely until he starts coughing. Then run, or roll toward him just as he straightens up to slip past the blast. This is also the safest time in the fight to heal or rebuff.
In phase 2, almost any attack that hits the ground spawns geysers, and he gets bloodflame versions of his sword attacks. Below 30% HP he unlocks Rapid Armament Change, a long combo that cycles sword, dagger, holy sword and hammer.
Phase 2 attacks and counters
| Attack | Tell | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Cursed-Blood Slice (Slam) | Raises a bloodflame sword overhead | Stand near his left leg and keep attacking. The slam misses |
| Cursed-Blood Slice (Chase) | Bloodflame sword, then he sprints at you | Wait for the sprint, then roll into him twice with a short delay |
| Cursed-Blood Thrust (grab) | Pulls back and infuses the blade, then lunges | Roll into him as he lifts his arm, or hug his left side. Getting caught means a lift-and-slam |
| Rapid Armament Change | Below 30% HP; fast mixed combo | Roll behind him from either side, or run behind him and back off |
| Sword + Hammer Spin (from idle) | Pulls out a hammer at melee range | Don't go in. Roll away twice immediately |
Bloodflame attacks are all punishable afterward with a light attack, or a charged attack if your weapon is fast enough. Keep your Flask of Wondrous Physick for this phase. A Flame-Shrouding or Lightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear is useful here, and phase 2 is where the extra damage pays off.
"Have it writ upon thy meagre grave: 'Felled by King Morgott! Last of all kings.'" — Morgott, the Omen King (in-game dialogue, per Fextralife)
What are the best builds and weapons for Morgott?
Fextralife's recommendations follow his weakness to slash and his low poise:
- Dexterity: curved swords such as the Shamshir and Mantis Blade, or curved greatswords such as Bloodhound's Fang. Fast, slash-heavy, good for bleed.
- Strength: fist weapons, greatswords, hammers and great hammers. Morgott's poise is low, so heavy hits stagger him often.
- Stance breaks: with a stance of 80 and low poise, jump attacks and charged heavies break him quickly. Fextralife's boss page still suggests double-casting Glintblade Phalanx, but patch 1.12 cut its stance damage, so two casts alone won't break him anymore.
- Incantations: Catch Flame, Frenzied Burst (very long range) and Lightning Spear. Avoid holy incantations.
- Sorceries: Carian Slicer, Night Comet (he can't react to it well) and Glintstone Icecrag (frost buildup).
- Parrying: he's parryable, but you need three parries to break his stance. Pair it with the Dagger Talisman if you parry a lot.
For casters, Fextralife's advice is to keep big distance: Morgott only has the dagger fan, the spear throw and the spear charge as ranged answers, and he tends to walk toward you after you hit him with a spell. Drink flasks during his long wind-ups.
What do you get for beating Morgott?
- 120,000 runes.
- Morgott's Great Rune. It raises max HP by 25%, applied after all other HP bonuses. Restore it at the Divine Tower of East Altus, reached after the Forbidden Lands elevator in the Capital Outskirts, then equip it at a Site of Grace and use a Rune Arc to activate its effect. Compare it with the others in our Great Runes guide.
- Remembrance of the Omen King. Trade it with Finger Reader Enia at Roundtable Hold for Morgott's Cursed Sword or the Regal Omen Bairn, or consume it for 30,000 runes.
- Talisman Pouch, but only on NG and only if you skipped Margit on Stormhill.
- Story progress. Morgott isn't optional. After the fight, the Erdtree's entrance is sealed by thorns. Rest at the grace on the battlefield and talk to Melina, who gives you the Rold Medallion. It operates the Grand Lift of Rold to the Mountaintops of the Giants, where the Fire Giant waits.
Morgott also survives the fight briefly. Walk up to him after the battle (where he fell or behind the Elden Throne) for a final monologue. His body only fades into gold dust later, during Godfrey's introduction.
FAQ
Is Morgott the same as Margit? Yes. Margit, the Fell Omen is Morgott's disguise. Fextralife calls Morgott "the true identity of Margit, the Fell Omen." If you need a refresher on the first fight, see our Margit guide.
Is Morgott optional in Elden Ring? No. Fextralife states: "This is not an optional boss as players must defeat him to advance in Elden Ring." You have to beat him to reach the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Does Margit's Shackle work on Morgott? Yes. It binds him twice per fight, but only during phase 1. If he's already below the phase 2 threshold, using it triggers the transition instead of a stun.
What level should I be for Morgott? Around level 80–100 is the community range, with at least 40 Vigor and a well-upgraded weapon. That's player consensus, not an official requirement.
Can I summon help for Morgott? Yes. Melina's sign is at the top of the stairs by the fog gate, Dung Eater is available if you freed him, and Spirit Ashes and online co-op are allowed.
Did patch 1.17 or 1.17.2 change Morgott? Not directly. Patch 1.17 released on 2026-08-27 and the 1.17.2 bug-fix update on 2026-10-20, and neither set of notes lists a change to Morgott, Margit or Margit's Shackle. Patch 1.17's Parry skill buff (shorter recovery with daggers, curved swords and small shields) does help if you parry him.
Where to go next
After Morgott you head into the Mountaintops of the Giants and the late game moves fast. Check our Elden Ring points of no return list before the Fire Giant so you don't lock yourself out of quests, then use our Maliketh guide when you reach Crumbling Farum Azula. If you skipped Morgott's twin brother, our Mohg, Lord of Blood guide covers that fight. For more boss and build guides, browse all our Elden Ring guides.
