Elden Ring's Ruins Greatsword Guide: Unlocking the Legendary Colossal Weapon

In the treacherous, crimson-soaked lands of Caelid, a legendary weapon lies hidden behind a fearsome challenge—the Ruins Greatsword. This colossal stone slab of a weapon isn't just for show, oh no. It's the kind of gear that makes other Tarnished stop and stare, whispering, "Now that's someone who's been through the wringer." If you've been wandering the Lands Between and noticed players swinging around what looks like an entire piece of ancient architecture, you've glimpsed the Ruins Greatsword in action. It's not just about brute force, though that's a big part of it; this beast of a blade can launch magical shockwaves, turning even the most distant foe into dust. Getting your hands on it, however, requires navigating Redmane Castle's shifting events and facing down one of the game's most notorious boss duos. Let's just say, it's a journey that separates the casual explorers from the true legends.

Redmane Castle Plaza: The Key Location

Perched dramatically in the southeastern corner of the blighted region of Caelid, Redmane Castle stands as a fortress guarding its secrets. First-time visitors might be in for a surprise, though. Walking into the main plaza, you might expect an immediate, epic clash, but sometimes... it's just weirdly quiet. Depending on your progress in the world, the plaza might be occupied by a gathering of NPCs chatting about a festival rather than the deadly guardians you're after. This is because the castle exists in two states: its normal, guarded state and its festive, pre-battle state. The plaza itself is the arena where destiny is decided—whether you're there to party or to fight. The key is understanding which version of the castle you're dealing with. If you see familiar faces like the jovial Warrior Jar Alexander or the brooding Blaidd just hanging around, well, you've got some steps to take before the real challenge appears. Talk about a mood shift!

The Radahn Festival: A Pivotal Event

The whole situation at Redmane Castle hinges on a major world event known as the Radahn Festival. This isn't your average celebration with cake and streamers; it's a war council and a prelude to one of the game's most spectacular battles. The festival kicks off automatically under two conditions:

1. Progressing Ranni's Questline: If you've been helping the mysterious witch Ranni and she eventually tasks you with defeating Starscourge Radahn.

2. Reaching the Altus Plateau: Simply setting foot on the golden fields of the Altus Plateau and resting at any Site of Grace there will also trigger the festival.

Once activated, the castle transforms. The usual enemies clear out, and the plaza becomes a staging ground for heroes. This is when you can challenge General Radahn himself in that unforgettable, chaotic battle on the shores. But here's the catch for weapon hunters: the Misbegotten Warrior and Crucible Knight boss duo—the ones holding the Ruins Greatsword—are absent during the festival. They're taking a break, you could say. So, if you waltz into the plaza during the festival expecting a fight, you'll only find allies preparing for a different war. A bit anticlimactic, right?

Post-Radahn: Triggering the Real Boss Fight

After you've triumphed over Radahn in his stellar battlefield, the path to the Ruins Greatsword reopens. You can't just waltz back to the plaza, though. There's a specific ritual to bring the guardians back. First, you need to find Witch-Hunter Jerren. He's the fellow in the fancy hat who announced the festival. Head to the building situated between the main plaza and the lift that leads to Radahn's teleporter. Exhaust all of his dialogue—let him finish his whole spiel. Then, make your way to the Chamber Outside the Plaza Site of Grace. This nearby checkpoint is crucial. Rest at it. This act of resting, after speaking to Jerren, seems to reset the castle's state, signaling that the party's over and the real guards are back on duty. Only then, when you return to the now-empty plaza, will the true test await: the Misbegotten Warrior and the Crucible Knight, standing ready to defend their treasure.

Conquering the Boss Duo & Claiming Your Prize

This fight is no joke. You're facing two aggressive, high-damage enemies at once, and they don't fight fair. The strategy here is all about priority and crowd control. Most seasoned Tarnished will give you this piece of advice: focus the Misbegotten Warrior first. This beast is hyper-aggressive, leaping across the arena and delivering rapid, punishing combos. The Crucible Knight, while deadly, is more methodical and slower. By kiting and keeping your distance, you can often bait the Misbegotten Warrior to charge ahead of its companion. Here’s a quick breakdown of the tactics:

Boss	Threat Level	Recommended Focus	Strategy
Misbegotten Warrior	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High)	Primary Target	Dodge its leaps, punish its recovery. Use the arena's space to separate it from the knight.
Crucible Knight	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Medium-High)	Secondary/Kite	Block or perfect-dodge its holy attacks. Engage only when the warrior is down.

Don't be shy about using all the tools at your disposal. Summoning a powerful Spirit Ash like Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche can provide a crucial distraction. If you're playing online, calling in a friendly phantom or two can turn the tide of this 2-v-1 (or 3-v-2!) battle. It's one of those fights where the community motto really shines: "A Tarnished never fights alone unless they want to."

Once the final blow is struck and both foes crumble, your reward materializes instantly. No need to search a chest or talk to an NPC—the Ruins Greatsword is right there for the taking. And what a prize it is. This Strength/Intelligence scaling colossal sword doesn't just hit like a falling meteor; its unique Ash of War, Wave of Destruction, allows you to slam the sword into the ground and send a devastating magical shockwave tearing across the landscape. It's the perfect tool for clearing groups, breaking enemy stances, or just looking incredibly cool while doing it. Wielding this slab of ancient power, you're no longer just a Tarnished—you're a force of nature, ready to carve your own path through the remnants of the Shattering. The journey to get it is a saga in itself, but the feeling of swinging that monumental blade? Yeah, that makes every bit of the struggle worth it.