Does Killing the Ancient Dragon Greyoll in Elden Ring Matter? An In-Depth Expert Analysis
Killing Greyoll, the giant sleeping dragon located in Fort Faroth, Caelid, offers alluring rewards, but some players debate if slaying this ancient dragon matters in the grand scheme of Elden Ring. In this comprehensive guide, I analyze whether defeating Greyoll impacts quest lines, progression, or lore to help you decide if claiming this bounty is worth it.
Who is Greyoll and Why Does She Matter?
Greyoll‘s significance in Elden Ring lore cannot be understated. As referenced in the Dragon Communion spell "Greyoll‘s Roar," she is revered as the mother of all dragons in The Lands Between. Elden Ring mythos states that the age of the erdtree and Golden Order supplanted the ancient reign of everlasting dragons. As one of the last surviving elder dragons, Greyoll represents a bridge to this forgotten epoch. Her prowess and lineage evokes her mythic status among dragonkind.
However, does Greyoll‘s lore importance affect Elden Ring‘s gameplay? Let‘s explore further.
Optimal Greyoll Slaying Strategies and Builds
While killing her takes time, Greyoll herself poses little threat. She peacefully rests in Caelid, guarded by five lesser dragonlings. Here are efficient stats and strategies to take down this sleeping giant:
Recommended Level: 25+
Build: Bleed/Dexterity
| Weapon | Attack Rating | Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Uchigatana | 55 | Causes bleed buildup |
| Bloodhound‘s Fang | 55 | Causes bleed buildup |
The goal is to stagger Greyoll by rapid blood loss to minimize dragon breath attacks
Tactics:
- Prioritize the smaller dragons first to avoid group attacks
- Use hit-and-run tactics on Greyoll to trigger blood loss
- Rotten Breath can inflict devastating scarlet rot
With the right setup, Tarnished can fell this legendary monster.
Loot and Reward Analysis
The riches from this sleeping dragon make the arduous confrontation worth it for many players:
Runes: 50,000
Items: 5 Dragon Hearts
Spell Unlocked: Greyoll‘s Roar
For early to mid-game characters, this influx of runes can provide 10-15 quick levels. Dragon hearts offer vital upgrade materials for pyromancy flame and lightning incantations. Greyoll‘s Roar boosts roar incants but requires high Faith (27) to wield.
| Floor | Runes per Level | Greyoll Runes Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1358 | 36 levels |
| 20 | 4692 | 10 levels |
| 40 | 17480 | 2 levels |
Greyoll rewards decrease in relative value as players progress
This table demonstrates Greyoll‘s value diminishes for higher level characters. You may benefit more from saving this dragon for a late-game rune jackpot.
What Elden Ring Players are Saying About Greyoll
Scouring gaming forums and Reddit reveals intriguing perspectives regarding the fate of this dragon mother.
"50k runes made my early game so much easier" – EldenRingHub
"I save Greyoll for when I really need runes in the late game" – MaleniaTheBlade
"I felt guilty slaying such an important lore dragon" – MaidenlessTarnished
"She was a good rune boost but I missed out on the hearts for crafting :(" – CrucibleKnight
Consensus agrees on the lucrative rune prize, but some lament missing crafting materials by early confrontation. Others debate morality of killing her due to lore status.
To Slay or Not To Slay Greyoll – The Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lucrative rune reward eases early to mid game progression
- Efficient farm for early level boosting
- Dragon hearts offer upgrade materials for lightning/fire spells
- Unlock unique incantation tied to dragon lore
Cons:
- Diminishing returns for higher level players in late game
- Missing out on hearts limits special weapon/spell upgrades
- Could make late game bosses more challenging
- Some players ethically oppose killing her
The Verdict?
For most Tarnished, the pros outweigh the cons on felling this peaceful dragon. Just be sure to prepare properly to claim your victory loot! However, holding off until higher levels also warrants consideration.
In Summary: Slaying Greyoll Ultimately Does Not Matter
While Greyoll herself holds mythic importance as progenitor of all dragons, slaying her has no bearing on Elden Ring questlines, progression gates, or story outcomes. Her fate neither advances nor hinders the player‘s central journey to become Elden Lord.
However, Greyoll‘s rich rewards cannot be denied, offering a tempting rune and crafting bonanza for early to mid-game Tarnished. Just be sure to prepare your build properly to take on this sleeping legend.
So while her relevance to gameplay itself proves minimal, the alluring payout of dragon hearts and mass runes makes confronting Greyoll extremely lucrative. Tarnished must carefully weigh whether to cash in this bounty now, or save this dragon mother for even greater fortunes in the days to come.
Sources
/r/EldenRing, Fextralife Wiki, IGN Boards
