Elden Ring is packed with hidden treasures and powerful items, and one of the best ways to find them is by taking on optional dungeon bosses. These bosses aren’t required to beat the game, but they drop some of the most unique and useful gear you’ll want for your journey. Here’s a breakdown of nine key drops that are definitely worth hunting for, along with tips on how to make the most of them.
1. Moonlit Greatsword from the Crystal Cavern Warden
The Moonlit Greatsword is a fan-favorite for magic users and melee fighters alike. Dropped by the Crystal Cavern Warden, this weapon scales well with intelligence and has a built-in magic effect that makes it feel like casting a spell with every swing. Personally, I love pairing it with a light armor build because it allows you to dash around the battlefield while still hitting hard.
For players who want to quickly stock up on resources before tackling this fight, you can always choose to buy elden ring runes from reliable sources, which makes leveling up your stats for this boss a lot smoother.
2. Ember Cloak from the Ashen Knight
If survivability is your focus, the Ember Cloak is a must-have. This drop boosts fire resistance and slightly enhances stamina regeneration. The Ashen Knight can be tricky because of its aggressive, close-range attacks, so I recommend dodging more than blocking until you get a feel for its patterns. The cloak is perfect for running through fire-heavy areas or when you’re farming enemies for valuable crafting materials.
3. Phantom Bow from the Phantom Sentinel
Ranged players will find the Phantom Bow irresistible. This weapon comes with a unique effect: arrows can partially phase through enemies, making it easier to hit multiple targets at once. I found it especially handy when exploring open areas where mobs tend to cluster. For those who don’t mind a little shortcut, U4GM offers ways to enhance your rune collection, giving you the edge in crafting arrows or leveling up before facing the Phantom Sentinel.
4. Luminous Staff from the Tower Mage
The Luminous Staff is an optional dungeon drop that’s all about spellcasting. It grants a small boost to sorcery damage and slightly reduces FP consumption on spells. If you’ve been enjoying a mage build, this staff can save you a lot of frustrating moments, especially during long fights where FP management is crucial. Pair it with a focus on intelligence and mind stats, and you’ll feel the difference immediately.
5. Shadow Dagger from the Silent Assassin
For stealthy builds, the Shadow Dagger is an absolute gem. Dropped by the Silent Assassin, this dagger has a critical hit bonus when attacking from behind and comes with a tiny shadow effect that briefly hides your position. I remember my first run with it—I felt like a true rogue sneaking through a castle. It’s also great for PvP or co-op situations where timing and surprise are everything.
6. Guardian’s Shield from the Forgotten Knight
The Guardian’s Shield is one of the few shields that not only provides high defense but also slightly boosts stamina recovery while blocking. It’s ideal for tankier builds or when you want to experiment with a more defensive style. Facing the Forgotten Knight can be punishing if you’re underprepared, but having this shield makes the fight feel a bit more manageable, especially for players still getting used to timing parries.
7. Celestial Ring from the Star-Lit Golem
The Celestial Ring is a smaller, yet surprisingly useful, drop that boosts both health and mana regeneration slightly. It may seem minor at first glance, but over long dungeon runs, the difference is noticeable. I like to equip it on characters that tend to run out of FP quickly, as it adds just enough regeneration to keep casting without constantly resting at Sites of Grace.
8. Twilight Greaves from the Dusk Knight
These greaves are not just for looks—they significantly increase movement speed and rolling efficiency while slightly reducing fall damage. Dropped by the Dusk Knight, they make exploring vertical dungeons much less stressful. Fun tip: combine them with light armor to become almost untouchable against traps and jumping attacks, which are common in optional dungeons. If you’re ever low on runes before farming these bosses, you might consider buying elden ring runes online to prepare your stats and gear for the fight.
9. Phoenix Feather from the Ash Drake
Finally, the Phoenix Feather is a rare consumable item that fully restores health and revives you from death once. It’s dropped by the fearsome Ash Drake and can be a lifesaver in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Taking on this optional boss is no joke, but the reward is one of the most dramatic safety nets in the game. Having even one Phoenix Feather in your inventory changes how boldly you approach dangerous areas.
Optional dungeon bosses are designed to challenge even experienced players, but the rewards make the effort worthwhile. Whether you’re chasing weapons, armor, or rare consumables, these nine drops offer tangible benefits for almost any playstyle. With a little preparation—and maybe a smart rune boost from places like U4GM or other trusted sources—you’ll find these optional battles both thrilling and rewarding.
Top Loot Routes: Elden Ring Throwing Weapons Build
