The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC inElden Ringfeatures several strong bosses, from Furnace Golems to Ghostflame Dragons. However, it is quite safe to say that Demi-Human Swordmaster Onze is not one of them. In colorful words, Swordmaster Onze has more in common with a mosquito than an Elden Ring boss.

Although lacking in physical strength, this speedy little demon spends the majority of his time buzzing around the arena. He pokes you, then disappears just as you turn to swat him. Thankfully, he isn’t a challenging boss, and once we tell you the trick to squishing this pest, there will be one more smear in Belurat Gaol.

Player finds hanging jar near ledge just in front of Swordmaster Onze’s bossroom in Belurat Gaol in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

How To Prepare For The Demi-Human Swordmaster Onze

Swordmaster Onze can befound at the bottom of Belurat Gaolas the final boss.

You’ll likely be low on healing by the time you reach him if this is your first time in Belurat Gaol and you didn’tfollow our official guide on the gaol.

Player is struck by an attack from Demihuman Swordmaster Onze in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

To ensure you beat Swordmaster Onze the first time (or if his buzzing caught you off-guard before),you’ll want to bring:

3. TheSpelldrake Talismanto reduce his magic damage.

  1. Any weapon with a medium-fast or higher attack speed.

If you’re having particular trouble with this boss, you’re able to try usingBoiled Prawn. However, his defenses are so low that increasing your damage output might serve you far better, via materials such as theTurtle Neck Meat(though we recommend stopping to make an apology to Miriel for each one you use).

Player struggles against Swordmaster Onze, low in health and near full Frostbite buildup in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Demi-Human Swordmaster Onze Attacks And Combos

Memorizing Swordmaster Onze’s attack combos is mostly irrelevantsimply because he is so often completely invisible or striking too quickly to keep track of his full combos in the midst of a fight.

What you really need topay attention to are two attacks:

1.The Parry and Riposte- indicated by a blue glow around Swordmaster Onze’s hand. If you attack while this is active, he will Parry and then attempt to Riposte.

2.The Jump Attack (Magic)- indicated by Swordmaster Onze jumping high above you with a blue glow. If you fail to dodge, the attack can deal extreme amounts of damage.

Player chases Demihuman Swordmaster Onze into the air while using the Winged Scythe Angel Wings weapon art in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

If you feel the need to look at his full moveset to better understand how to counter each attack, please refer to the chart below.

Suggested Counter

Sword Slice (Horizontal)

Swordmaster Onze holds the blade to his left and swipes horizontally right. Can chain easily into other moves or multiples of this attack from left to right. It also appears with a spinning variation.

Strike before the move is completed to stagger or roll forward.

Player uses Black Flame Tornado on Demihuman Swordmaster Onze to stagger-lock him in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Sword Thrust

Swordmaster Onze thrusts their sword forward in a quick jab. Almost always followed by a Bloodhound Step and another attack.

Roll to the left or right. Otherwise, parry.

Player uses the Ring of Miquella emote to celebrate defeating Demihuman Swordmaster Onze and receiving the Demihuman Swordmaster Yosh spirit ash in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Jumping Attack (Non-Magic)

Swordmaster Onze leaps into the air and does a flip before crashing back down with a powerful overhead swing. Followed the Diagonal Sword Flurry.

Roll forward to stand behind Onze. Prepare to dodge follow-ups.

Diagonal Sword Flurry

Swordmaster Onze attacks with a flurry of diagonal slices. There are three in quick succession, and a fourth is performed after a long delay.

Dodge back three times, pause, then roll forward during the fourth attack.

Jump Attack (Magic)

Swordmaster Onze disappears with a Bloodhound Step and leaps into the air. Holding his sword above his head, he coats his weapon in a magic blue glow and strikes the ground with it. The sword’s hitbox is lengthened during the swing until it strikes the ground.

Wait until the Swordmaster almost reaches the ground and then roll forward.

Spin Attack

Holding the sword high and across his body to his left, Onze takes several steps forward and holds this pose in a delay. It is then released in a two-rotation spin.

Quick-dodge twice or Parry the first attack.

Parry

Swordmaster Onze lets go of his sword with one hand and gathers blue energy in the newly freed palm. If the player strikes during this flash, he will parry and riposte them.

Pause attacking when you see the blue glow. After it fades, attack again.

Bloodhound Step

Swordmaster Onze can disappear and reappear at almost any point between combos but not during. He cannot attack and remain invisible at the same time.

Keep your lock-on active to remain aware of his presence at all times.

15,600~

None

Special Notes

Swordmaster Onze can include Frostbite and use a version of Bloodhound’s Step for quick evasion and invisibility.

Swordmaster Onze’s resistances aren’t a big deal, thanks tohis extremely low Poise and Healthfor a boss.

Mages relying on magic attacks will likely struggle the mostagainst him, but anyone wielding a weapon with decent speed will find thatit is incredibly easy to stagger-lock this boss.

Far worse than Malenia in terms of poise, you can stand in one spot and smack the mosquito repeatedly for thousands of damage until your stamina runs dry.

If you’re a mage struggling with Swordmaster Onze, either consider using anappropriate scaling weaponor useextremely accurate or fast-casting spells. Area or charge spells are highly ineffective against Onze, especially with his higher resistance and incredible speed.

Where Swordmaster Onze is most dangerous is in hisFrostbite build-up- thereby lowering your Stamina regeneration - and amazingability tocombo attacks in a very short time.

Allowing Swordmaster Onze a chance to attack can be deadly. Therefore,the strategy here is to attack, attack, and(you guessed it)attack.

We do not recommend usingFlame, Cleanse Meto clear Frostbite (although it does not list Frostbite as a status it can clear, this spell has the unintended effect of alleviating this condition anyway). It is much faster to useThawfrost Boluses, and in this fight, every second matters.

Although his disappearing acts can be daunting at first,remembering to stay locked-onwill ensure that he won’t catch you by surprise often.

Justremember to:

Certain attacks, likeAsh of War: Black Flame Tornado, can completely shut down Swordmaster Onze. Repeated attacks such as this weapon art can render him entirely immobile for the duration of your offensive. Mages could potentially use this idea with spells such asElden Stars,Magic Downpour,Meteorite of Astel, and more.

As long as youstay aggressive and use Swordmaster Onze’s poor poise against him, you’ll be set for a victory.

Your hardfought reward for defeating him will be theDemi-Human Swordsman Yoshspirit ash, a fitting reward for this pesky little nuisance of a boss.