How to Defeat Curseblade Labirith in Elden Ring
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to take down Curseblade Labirith, including build recommendations, attack patterns, and optimal strategy.
Where to Find Curseblade Labirith
You'll find Curseblade Labirith in Bonny Gaol, one of the darkest and most dangerous areas introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. To reach this area:
Head through the Veiled Cliffs just north of Scadu Altus.
Navigate the winding tunnels to reach Bonny Gaol.
Explore the lowest level of the prison until you discover a hidden chamber cloaked in fog. That's where Curseblade Labirith awaits.
Make sure to light the area well. This boss uses stealth and shadow to their advantage, and poor visibility only makes the encounter more difficult.
Who Is Curseblade Labirith
Curseblade Labirith is a humanoid assassin-type enemy who wields dual curved daggers and has one signature move that makes this fight so deadly: invisibility.
Once the battle starts, Labirith will frequently vanish from sight, only to reappear mid-strike, often behind you. Their movements are lightning-fast, and they apply bleed buildup with every hit, making quick damage mitigation and movement crucial.
Recommended Build & Gear
Here's a breakdown of what works best against this agile, deceptive boss:
Summon: Mimic Tear
Your best option is the Mimic Tear Spirit Ash, especially if your build relies on balanced offense and defense. It mirrors your gear and can hold its own in 1v1 combat, which helps when Labirith splits attention.
Weapon: Sacred Relic Sword
The Sacred Relic Sword offers good reach and Wave of Gold, a wide-area projectile skill that can reveal Labirith even when invisible. It also scales well with Faith builds, which are strong in the DLC.
Ashes of War
Palm Blast: A close-range, high-impact Ash of War that knocks Labirith out of stealth mid-animation.
Carian Sovereignty: Excellent for applying pressure at mid-range and punishing Labirith's delayed reappears.
Skill: Wave of Gold
This skill is especially useful because it emits a wide golden wave that reveals invisible enemies and does AoE damage. Charge it when Labirith disappears, it will often catch them as they lunge.
Incantation: Burn, O Flame!
If you're running a Faith build, Burn O Flame! does excellent fire AoE damage and staggers fast-moving enemies. Time it just before Labirith becomes visible to force them out early.
Item: Windy Crystal Tear
Combine the Windy Crystal Tear in your Flask of Wondrous Physick for faster stamina recovery, ideal for dodge-heavy encounters like this one.
How to Fight Curseblade Labirith
1. Watch for Disappearances
Labirith's stealth isn't permanent, they disappear briefly, usually after a combo, and reappear for the next strike. Pay close attention to audio cues and wind effects to track their movements. Rolling toward the sound can help you dodge the surprise hit.
2. Control the Arena
Use Wave of Gold or Burn O Flame! to blanket the area with AoE. Even if it doesn't connect directly, it pressures Labirith into reappearing. Keep the fight in a confined area so they have fewer angles of approach.
3. Punish After Combos
Labirith has quick combos with brief recovery windows. Don't try to interrupt, wait for the combo to end, then land one or two hits before backing off.
4. Use Your Mimic Strategically
The Mimic Tear can act as both bait and damage source. If you see Labirith target your summon, go in for heavy damage. If they switch to you, retreat and cast.
5. Heal Smart
Because of bleed buildup, it's tempting to heal often. Instead, equip armor or talismans with bleed resistance and wait for safe windows after Labirith vanishes.
Rewards for Defeating Labirith
Though optional, defeating Curseblade Labirith offers fantastic rewards:
High-value Elden Ring Runes: Perfect for leveling up or investing in advanced spells, weapon upgrades, or crafting resources.
Unique Elden Ring Items: While the exact loot varies depending on game progression and RNG, players often receive a stealth-themed talisman or assassin-type curved daggers upon victory.
Unlocks a Secret Lore Journal in Bonny Gaol that offers hints about the Shadowbound assassins.
Pro tip: Use the Elden Ring Runes you earn here to purchase upgrade materials or respec your build at Rennala if needed, especially if you plan to take on the even harder bosses waiting later in Shadow of the Erdtree.
Final Thoughts
Curseblade Labirith is one of the most technically demanding field bosses in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, thanks to their unique stealth mechanics and deadly speed. However, with the right approach, leveraging AoE skills like Wave of Gold, using tactical summons like Mimic Tear, and managing your Elden Ring Items wisely, you'll find this fight both challenging and deeply rewarding.
And don't forget: the Elden Ring Runes you collect from Labirith are among the best early-to-mid game boosts available in the DLC. Spend them well, and you'll be better equipped for whatever the Lands Between throws at you next.