Dark Souls Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Dark Souls Wiki

The Iron Golem is a boss in Dark Souls.

Location[]

At the top of Sen's Fortress.

Description[]

Standing almost three times the Chosen Undead's height, the Iron Golem is a shell of pure iron powered entirely by its Core. In its left hand it carries a large axe that can release a deadly wind projectile. The right is used to either smash, or grab and hurl the enemy into the ground. Due to its size and weight, the golem has difficulty regaining balance, and falling would mean it has somehow been overpowered. Before the battle it is dormant, waiting with its weapon held by both hands against its chest, where a circular depression symbolizes its initial emptiness.[1]

Lore[]

The Iron Golem is a construct created by the Gods with the purpose of acting as a guardian for their city of Anor Londo[2]. The golem is essentially a hunk of iron that makes up its iron armor of immense weight[3] and is equipped with a heavy iron axe capable of releasing a powerful blade of wind[4]. The construct is animated by a core that the gods created by infusing the bone of one of the archdragons they had defeated with the power of souls[2].

After Lord Gwyn sacrificed himself to link the First Flame and prolong the Age of Fire, the Iron Golem was placed to act as the last ritual challenge of Sen's Fortress[5]. In fact, the Undead who tried to follow in Gwyn's footsteps to sacrifice themselves to the Flame would have to be tested even before obtaining the Lordvessel and seeking powerful souls. Ringing the Bells of Awakening represents only the first of these challenges[6], and success means gaining access to Sen's Fortress to be tested further. For the Undead who manage to overcome the tests and dangers of the fortress, the Iron Golem represents the last challenge to access the city of the gods. The construct has served its purpose well and, over the centuries, slayed countless heroes seeking to reach Anor Londo[5].

Summoning[]

It is possible to summon the White Phantom, Black Iron Tarkus to help in the fight. His summon sign can be found across the bridge to the right of the fog door.

Strategies[]

  • Killing the firebomb-throwing Giant (located at the very top of the fortress, accessible through the stairs opposite the boss' fog wall) before initiating the fight with the Iron Golem will eliminate the need to deal with the fire area of effect, and is strongly recommended.
  • When first entering through the fog door, the Iron Golem will use its axe to project a shockwave. This can be dodged or, if positioned correctly, will hit a barrier between the golem and the player.
  • Awareness of one's surroundings is key, as it is possible to fall off the edges of the platform. The main walkway (extending between the entrance and the golem's starting location) is generally safer than the two short walkways on the sides.
  • On diagonally opposite sides of the main walkway there are small protected areas, ideal places to heal (if necessary) while being protected from the shockwave.
  • Sorcerers and other ranged characters can find safe spots where the Iron Golem will not use its shockwave attacks at all, and instead use melee attacks, all of which will be out of range.
  • If enough attacks are concentrated on one of its legs in a short period of time, the Iron Golem will lose its balance and eventually fall backward, rendering it completely defenseless and unable to attack for some time. When it stumbles, it's possible for it to fall off the side of the arena, resulting in a very quick victory. Fortunately, the Core of an Iron Golem will not be lost.
  • Due to the leg weakness, the way the camera tends to swing upward to show the face of the boss, and the risk of falling off the platform, target-locking is not recommended.
  • Buffing a Hammer, Club or Greathammer with gold pine resin or Sunlight Blade will shred the Iron Golem as it is weakest to blunt Strikes and Lightning damage.
  • The summonable NPC phantom Black Iron Tarkus is capable of killing the boss alone.
  • The golem's attack pattern is slow and predictable. Its most damaging attack at close range is its grab, which has ample telegraphing and can be either sidestepped or rolled away from. When he performs a foot stomp, walk around him and attack the other foot.
  • A simple and efficient strategy for melee combat is to roll through the boss (underneath its legs) every time it attacks and then strike a few times at its heels. Weapons with a wide arc (e.g. halberds) are particularly good for this, as they will hit both legs, making it easier to stagger the golem even if one of the feet becomes inaccessible due to a stomp.
  • Since all attacks can be dodged (or avoided simply by walking), holding the weapon with both hands is strongly recommended (not only will it do more damage, but it will also make it easier to stagger and knock down the golem).
  • Though it may take a while, summoned phantoms may attack and defeat this boss from the bridges and pathways on both sides leading to the fog door using bows once the battle begins.

Notes[]

  • Though summoning Black Iron Tarkus is a great help, he will not dodge the Golem's grab attack. The Golem is invincible during the grab attack's animation, which means any hits landed at that time are wasted.
  • Domhnall of Zena will begin to sell the Iron Golem's armor after the Iron Golem is defeated.
  • It is possible that if the Iron Golem throws the player out of the arena, instead of dying immediately, the player may land and survive on a bridge below for a few extra seconds before dying, thus causing their bloodstain to be irretrievable.

Boss information[]

Attacks[]

Blade of Wind[]

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
553 0 0 0 Normal No Neither Medium

From a distance, the Iron Golem will charge up a swing, and slash the air sending a sharp wind projectile toward the player. 

Golem-Wind-Scar

Axe Combo[]

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? 0 0 0 Normal No Neither Medium

At close range, the Golem will swing its axe in a horizontal motion up to three times.

Golem-Swing

Iron Foot Stomp[]

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
551 0 0 0 Normal No Neither Moderate

If you stay close at its feet for too long, the Iron Golem will stomp either three times in a row with its left foot, or two times in a row with its right foot.

Golem-Stomp

Ground Punch[]

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
532 0 0 0 Normal No Neither Medium

The Golem will slowly bring its hand up and then punch the ground in front with full force. This can be avoided by quickly rolling through its legs, and then attack it as it hits the ground.

Golem-Ground-Pound

Axe Slam[]

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
564 0 0 0 Normal No Neither Medium

The Iron Golem will slam its axe downward with full force. Attempting to block the attack will knock the player back a fair bit. This can be avoided by running or rolling away.

Golem-Slam

Grab and Hurl[]

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
361 0 0 0 Normal No Neither Medium

The enemy will attempt to grab the player with its hand; the hitbox is located in front and between its legs. If it connects, the Golem will throw the player into the ground or off the ledge, causing huge damage and possibly death.

Golem-Grab

Sweep[]

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
542 0 0 0 Normal No Neither Medium

If the player is positioned behind the Iron Golem for too long, it will sweep its foot backward.

Side Slash[]

Dmg phy Dmg mag Dmg fire Dmg lght Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
542 0 0 0 Normal No Neither Medium

The Golem will swing its axe toward the ground vertically by its legs. This attack has a large hitbox and it can be very difficult to try and roll through it.

Golem-Side-Slash

Defenses[]

Physical Defenses Elemental Defenses Resistances
Regular Defense Strike Defense Slash Defense Thrust Defense Magic Defense Fire Defense Lightning Defense Poison Toxic Bleed
408 306 510 408 326 305 245 S S S

These stats are sourced from FuturePress's Official Dark Souls Strategy Guide.


Drops[]

Item Boss Soul
Core of an Iron Golem
Drop Rate Guaranteed

Trivia[]

  • The Iron Golem originates in the 1975 Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook Greyhawk. Gary Gygax cites its inspiration as Talos, a bronze automaton in Greek myth. The term "golem" originates in a Hebrew myth about a man-made creature created from clay; Dungeons & Dragons extended this term to include the Frankenstein-like flesh golem, statuesque stone golem, and the iron golem.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Golem Armor description.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Dragon Bone Fist description.
  3. Golem Set description.
  4. Golem Axe description.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Core of an Iron Golem description.
  6. Bells of Awakening#Plot
Advertisement