Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave Ancient Hero of Zamor

Key takeaways

The encounter is optional, but its equipment rewards are distinctive and the fight tests spacing more than raw damage output.

• Use short attack windows Ancient Hero of Zamor recovers quickly from many sword actions. Punish the end of a committed attack with a brief hit or a fast spell, then disengage before the next frost or sword sequence begins.
• Treat the second phase as a spacing check The boss’s frost attacks make the area around it dangerous. Do not remain beside Ancient Hero of Zamor simply because its sword is temporarily lowered; wait for the ice effect to end before returning to melee range.
• Fire is a strong damage choice Fire damage is thematically and mechanically useful against a frost-based enemy. Fire pots, fire incantations, fire-infused weapons, and other fire options can be preferable to relying only on slow physical attacks.
• The reward is a matched equipment pair The encounter awards Zamor Curved Sword and Zamor Mask. The sword is a weapon reward, while the mask occupies the head armor slot, so the fight is useful to both weapon collectors and players building around Zamor equipment.

Overview

Ancient Hero of Zamor is the optional boss encounter in Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave, where a fast frost warrior combines curved-sword pressure with wide-area ice attacks.

Ancient Hero of Zamor appears at the end of Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave, an optional dungeon in the Mountaintops of the Giants. The encounter is separate from the main story route, so defeating this boss is not required to continue Elden Ring’s central progression, but the reward is valuable for characters that use curved swords or want the matching Zamor equipment.

The fight begins as a close-range duel against a lightly equipped warrior using a curved sword. Ancient Hero of Zamor moves quickly, creates distance more effectively than many humanoid dungeon bosses, and can punish attacks that are started from directly in front of it. Short openings appear after committed sword swings, but the safest strategy is to attack once or twice and then prepare for the next movement rather than attempting a long combo.

As the encounter progresses, Ancient Hero of Zamor adds more threatening frost-based attacks to its routine. These attacks cover space around the boss or extend the danger zone beyond the reach of its sword, making repeated close-range pressure risky. The change is most important for shield users and melee builds: blocking the weapon is not enough when the attack also leaves frost-affecting danger on the ground or around the boss.

The reward makes the battle particularly relevant to players collecting Zamor equipment. Ancient Hero of Zamor provides Zamor Curved Sword and Zamor Mask, so the dungeon is worth completing even for players who are not pursuing every optional boss. Players who struggle should prioritize fire-based damage, careful spacing, and avoiding greed after the boss begins using its stronger frost techniques.

Encounter progression

Requirements

No quest prerequisite is required for the boss itself. The player must reach the optional dungeon in the Mountaintops of the Giants and pass through its interior before entering the boss arena.

• RequiredAccess to the Mountaintops of the GiantsGiant-Conquering Hero’s Grave is located in this late-game region, so the encounter is intended for a character already capable of surviving the area’s enemies and environmental hazards.
• RecommendedA way to punish mobile targetsFast weapons, quick spells, jumping attacks with reliable recovery, or ranged attacks are useful because Ancient Hero of Zamor often creates distance after its sword strings.
• RecommendedFrost resistance or recoveryThe boss uses frost-based attacks that can build Frostbite if the player remains in the affected area. Bolstering robustness or carrying a way to remove accumulated frost can reduce the cost of mistakes.
• OptionalA fire damage optionFire damage is a practical alternative to purely physical pressure and can be delivered through weapons, spells, incantations, pots, or other consumables available to the build.

Encounter phasesSpoilers

1. 1

   Phase 1: Curved-sword duel

   Starts: The encounter begins when Ancient Hero of Zamor is engaged in the boss arena.

   Opening portion of the boss health bar; no numeric threshold supplied.

   Ancient Hero of Zamor relies primarily on fast curved-sword attacks, evasive movement, and short repositioning actions. The boss is most vulnerable immediately after a committed swing or the end of a longer sword sequence.

   • Curved-sword slash sequenceTell The boss closes distance and chains quick slashes from its weapon.Answer Roll through the attack rather than retreating in a straight line, then answer with one fast hit during the recovery.
   • Advancing sword strikeTell Ancient Hero of Zamor moves toward the player before committing to a broad slash.Answer Keep enough room to see the approach, roll toward the boss as the strike lands, and avoid beginning a slow attack before the movement finishes.
   • Evasive repositionTell The boss abruptly shifts away after attacking, often leaving the player outside immediate melee range.Answer Do not chase with a long animation. Reset your position, use a quick ranged option, or wait for the next approach.
   • Stay near the edge of the boss’s effective range instead of standing directly in front of it at all times.
   • Fast weapons and spells are safer than attacks with long recovery because the boss can move away before a slow animation finishes.
   • A shield can help against the physical portion of a sword swing, but it does not remove the need to avoid later frost effects.
2. 2

   Phase 2: Frost escalation

   Starts: The boss enters its later combat pattern after taking substantial damage; the exact transition threshold is not specified here.

   Later portion of the boss health bar; no numeric threshold supplied.

   Ancient Hero of Zamor supplements its sword pressure with large frost attacks. The arena becomes more dangerous around the boss, so the player must wait for the ice effect to clear instead of treating every apparent recovery animation as an opening.

   • Frost area attackTell Ice spreads around the boss and creates a hazardous zone near its body.Answer Back away before the area is fully established, then return only after the frost effect has dissipated.
   • Frost breath or waveTell The boss projects a broad frost effect in front of itself, covering more space than a normal sword swing.Answer Move laterally or roll through the active attack at the correct timing; standing directly in front of the boss and blocking is a poor response.
   • Frost-enhanced close pressureTell The boss combines its movement and sword range with frost danger, reducing the safety of point-blank attacks.Answer Use a single punish after the sequence ends, then disengage. If Frostbite is close to triggering, prioritize escape over damage.
   • The frost attacks are the main reason to change tactics during the fight; do not continue trading at close range as if the opening pattern had remained unchanged.
   • Ranged attacks are most useful after the boss finishes an ice technique, when it is recovering and cannot immediately punish a long-distance cast.
   • If an attack’s area remains covered by frost, move around the perimeter rather than attempting to roll repeatedly inside it.

Boss encounterSpoilers

• Location
  Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave, Mountaintops of the Giants
• Health
  Not specified in the supplied source material.

Begin by watching the boss’s movement rather than attacking immediately. During the sword-focused opening, roll through or around a committed swing and answer with one or two quick attacks. When Ancient Hero of Zamor begins using frost techniques, increase the distance between you and the boss, leave any ice-covered area, and wait for the effect to end before punishing. Fire damage is preferable when available, while slow attacks should be reserved for clearly confirmed recoveries. The safest melee pattern is to circle at medium range, bait an approach, evade the attack, and strike during recovery instead of pursuing every retreat.

Strategy

1. 01

   Enter with a weapon or spell that can punish short openings.

   Prepare before entering the fog

   Choose a loadout that can deliver quick damage and, if possible, fire damage. Keep a frost-removal option available because staying in an ice effect can build Frostbite while you are focused on attacking.

   Location: Outside the Ancient Hero of Zamor boss arena

   TipA fast attack is more useful than a high-damage attack that leaves you locked in place.

   Watch outDo not assume a shield alone solves the encounter; the later frost attacks can threaten the area around the boss as well as the weapon impact.

2. 02

   Identify the boss’s sword rhythm.

   Watch the opening movement

   Allow Ancient Hero of Zamor to approach and identify whether it is beginning a direct sword swing or repositioning. The first exchange is safer when used to learn the attack timing rather than forcing an immediate combo.

   Location: Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave boss arena

   TipKeep the boss on screen and avoid backing into the arena boundary while observing its approach.

3. 03

   Avoid the physical sword damage and create a punish window.

   Roll through the first sword sequence

   When the curved-sword attack is committed, roll through the swing or toward the boss’s side instead of retreating straight backward. The roll should end beside or just behind the boss, where a quick counterattack is possible.

   Location: Boss arena

   TipOne reliable hit is safer than starting a full weapon combo.

   Watch outAttacking before the sword sequence finishes can result in trading damage because Ancient Hero of Zamor recovers quickly.

4. 04

   Deal damage without being caught by the next movement.

   Punish recovery, then reset

   Strike once or twice after a completed sword sequence and immediately return to a neutral position. Ancient Hero of Zamor may move away rather than continue fighting at point-blank range, so chasing with a slow attack can turn a successful dodge into a counter-hit.

   Location: Boss arena

   TipUse a quick projectile or spell when the boss retreats instead of sprinting after it.

5. 05

   Switch from pure melee pressure to frost-aware spacing.

   Recognize the frost escalation

   After the boss has lost a substantial portion of its health, expect frost attacks to supplement the sword pattern. The exact transition is not tied here to a numeric health value; the visual change in the boss’s attack behavior is the practical signal to change tactics.

   Location: Boss arena

   TipStop attacking as soon as an ice effect begins forming around the boss.

   Watch outRemaining close because the boss appears to be recovering is a common failure point once frost attacks are active.

6. 06

   Avoid frost buildup and preserve healing resources.

   Leave the frost zone

   When frost spreads around Ancient Hero of Zamor or projects outward from it, move laterally or retreat beyond the affected area. Do not stand inside the effect waiting for a damage opportunity, because Frostbite buildup can turn a small positioning mistake into a large burst of damage.

   Location: Boss arena

   TipMoving around the perimeter is usually safer than repeatedly rolling inside the active area.

   Watch outBlocking the weapon portion of a frost attack does not necessarily protect you from the surrounding status buildup or area effect.

7. 07

   Convert the frost attack’s recovery into damage.

   Punish the end of the ice technique

   Wait until the frost animation and its lingering danger have ended, then close the distance for a short attack. Fire damage, quick charged attacks, or a brief spell cast can be used during this recovery if the boss is not already moving.

   Location: Boss arena

   TipRanged builds should cast after the ice effect finishes rather than during its expansion, when movement may interrupt the cast.

8. 08

   Defeat Ancient Hero of Zamor and collect Zamor Curved Sword and Zamor Mask.

   Finish without chasing

   Repeat the cycle of baiting an approach, evading the sword or frost attack, and taking a brief recovery punish until the health bar is empty. Once Ancient Hero of Zamor is defeated, collect the equipment rewards before leaving the arena.

   Location: Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave boss arena

   TipKeep the final exchange disciplined; low boss health does not make the frost area safe.

   Watch outLeaving the arena before checking the reward location can make it easy to overlook one of the equipment rewards.

   Checkpoint

Pre-fight checklist

• Equip a fast weapon or quick spell for short punish windows.Ancient Hero of Zamor can reposition before slow attacks recover.
• Prepare at least one fire damage option.Fire is a useful answer to the frost-focused encounter.Optional
• Carry a way to remove or manage Frostbite buildup.This is especially useful for players who expect to fight at close range.
• Keep the boss visible during every approach.The sword attacks and frost projection both punish attacks begun without a clear read.
• Leave room around the arena perimeter.Do not allow a retreat to end against a wall while frost is active.
• Decide whether your build will use melee, ranged attacks, or a hybrid approach.Ranged options are strongest during recovery, while melee should focus on brief post-attack punishes.Optional

Weaknesses and damage

Failure conditionsSpoilers

• Staying in the frost areaRemaining near Ancient Hero of Zamor while an ice effect is active can build Frostbite and deal additional damage. Leave the area first and look for the next opening afterward.
• Chasing a retreatThe boss can move away after a sword exchange. Pursuing with a slow attack often leaves the player exposed to the next approach or frost technique.
• Attacking through a frost transitionWhen the later attack pattern begins, an apparent recovery animation may be followed by an area attack. Wait for the ice effect to finish before committing to melee.
• Fighting without visual controlThe boss’s speed makes it dangerous to lose sight of it while healing, casting, or retreating. Reposition only when Ancient Hero of Zamor remains visible.
• Overcommitting at low boss healthThe final portion of the fight still contains the same frost danger. A greedy finishing attack can turn a nearly won encounter into a death.

Rewards and dropsSpoilers

• Zamor Curved Sword
  A unique curved sword associated with the Zamor warriors. It is the primary weapon reward for defeating the Ancient Hero of Zamor in Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave.
• Zamor Mask
  A head armor piece associated with the Zamor set. It occupies the head slot and completes part of the equipment theme represented by the boss.

LoreSpoilers

The Zamor are an ancient people remembered for their conflict with the Giants. Their cold-based martial style and distinctive equipment contrast with the fire associated with the Giants, which helps explain why Ancient Hero of Zamor’s attacks emphasize frost and why the encounter is placed in a dungeon bearing the name Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave.

Ancient Hero of Zamor is not presented as a conventional knight or military commander. The figure fights as a solitary, highly mobile warrior whose curved sword techniques and supernatural cold are both central to its identity. The boss reward reinforces that connection: Zamor Curved Sword and Zamor Mask allow the player to carry pieces of the same visual and martial tradition beyond the encounter.

Encounter links

• Zamor Curved SwordWeapon reward from the encounter.

Trivia

• Ancient Hero of Zamor is notable for being associated with more than one boss encounter in Elden Ring, while the Giant-Conquering Hero’s Grave version is the one connected to Zamor Curved Sword and Zamor Mask.
• The encounter’s frost emphasis creates a deliberate mechanical contrast with the fire-associated Giants referenced by the dungeon’s name.
• The boss’s equipment rewards let players reproduce part of the enemy’s visual identity instead of limiting the Zamor theme to the dungeon encounter.

Relationships