One of the most noticeable features in all of FromSoftware’s Soulslike games is how imposing and terrifying some of their enemies are. In Elden Ring, the studio takes it a step further, crafting truly horrifying designs for some non-final boss enemies.
Certain secondary enemies that roam the map seem to come straight out of a nightmare, mixing elements of Silent Hill with the worst possible horror movie. The official release of Shadow of the Erdtree further highlighted this, introducing some of the most horrifying creatures in the studio’s history.
Elden Ring’s Enemies Are Genuinely Terrifying
Although most of these games have always been associated with medieval themes, in recent titles this has evolved into something much more complex. For example, in Elden Ring, especially in its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, the studio took more risks with creature design, mixing all kinds of beings and making them somewhat more humanoid and remarkably creepy.
There is a long list of enemies worth highlighting, both in terms of their physical appearance and the sheer horror of encountering them. FromSoftware put a lot of effort into making players feel truly threatened by these creatures, which range from an eagle with blades to a humanoid centipede with a spear. The idea is to create a lasting impact on the player’s mind so they won’t forget this experience.
What is your least favorite enemy in Elden Ring?
byu/BingoToast inEldenring
We decided to compile a list of the five most traumatizing and horrendous enemies in this game and its expansion. The game’s community has frequently expressed their fear of these creatures, citing their physical appearance as akin to a terrifying nightmare. Several of these creatures’ characteristics are that they are mostly variations of humanoid animals.
5. Warhawk
As its name suggests, this particular enemy is a giant eagle that, instead of legs, has two giant blades always ready to attack the player. This vigilant creature can primarily be found in the Stormveil Castle area.
Once the ashes are obtained, the player can summon this animal for assistance in battle. One of its most notable features is that it will always drop a rune when defeated, making encountering it worthwhile.
4. Giant Crayfish
This giant mollusk, which appears to have just met with the Kraken, has a terrifying appearance as if it had spent decades underwater. This creature, found in numerous lakes like Ruins of the Lake or Folly on the Lake, is not popular.
Its two giant pincers pose a threat to the player, with one grabbing and the other hitting. The game features animals that are truly masterpieces of horror.
3. Grafted Scion
As always, the studio outdoes itself, offering players one of the most amorphous creatures of all. This enemy is literally a combination of numerous human limbs, whether legs or arms, armed with swords and shields for combat.
This creature, reminiscent of John Carpenter’s most terrifying nightmare, represents one of the game’s numerous field bosses. You can also find it in the Stormveil Castle area.
2. Dog
This adversary not only bears a resemblance to a dog but also embodies the most terrifying version of the beloved animal. One of these dogs that players sometimes encounter looks like a poodle and truly deserves to be near the top of this list.
The fields in Limgrave are primarily home to dogs. Fans were always very vocal about what the studio was thinking when they designed this horrendous dog as an enemy in the game.
1. Lesser Kindred of Rot
The only enemy that truly deserves to be at the top of this frightening list full of creatures from the worst combination of minds is the Lesser Kindred of Rot.
This humanoid creature, resembling a hybrid of a man and a centipede, is not only terrifying but also possesses a formidable reach thanks to its numerous limbs. This particular enemy is quite easy to find because it is located in several important areas.
