Elden Ring: 16 Item Buffs You Should Stack Before Bosses

As you venture through the dangerous lands of Elden Ring, facing off against the toughest bosses in the game, preparation is key. Whether you’re tackling the imposing Elden Ring bosses in the main storyline or engaging in the brutal challenges of the optional areas, stacking the right buffs can make all the difference. These buffs will not only enhance your offensive capabilities but can also help you survive those close encounters where every move counts. In this article, we'll take a look at 16 essential item buffs you should stack before facing any boss in Elden Ring.

1. Flame, Grant Me Strength (Incantation)
This incantation increases your physical attack power, making it a must-have for boosting your damage output. When you're up against a boss with high health, every extra point of damage counts. It’s a simple yet powerful buff that can make the difference between victory and defeat.

2. Golden Vow (Incantation)
Golden Vow enhances both attack and defense. This buff is one of the most reliable, especially for longer battles, where taking less damage is just as important as dealing more. Make sure to keep this one up throughout the entire boss fight for sustained benefits.

3. Flame, Cleanse Me (Incantation)
This is a great choice when facing bosses that inflict poison or scarlet rot. Using this incantation will cleanse you of those negative status effects, making sure you don’t take unnecessary damage during the fight.

4. Radagon’s Scarseal (Talisman)
Radagon’s Scarseal boosts your attributes, particularly strength and dexterity, making it an excellent choice if you’re looking to increase your damage output before a fight. However, be cautious as it also raises the damage you take, so only use it if you’re confident in your ability to dodge and avoid taking hits.

5. Starscourge Heirloom (Talisman)
If you’re focusing on strength builds, this talisman is a great addition. It gives a significant boost to your strength, which translates directly into higher damage for your heavy weapons. Just remember to pair it with buffs that lower incoming damage, as your defense may suffer.

6. Radagon’s Source Seal (Talisman)
This talisman boosts your attributes significantly, especially strength, endurance, and dexterity, giving you a well-rounded advantage. It's perfect for players who want to maximize their damage while still having good survivability.

7. Cerulean Amber Medallion (Talisman)
If you're using magic or sorceries to deal damage, this talisman is a must. It increases your FP pool, allowing you to cast more spells, which is crucial when taking on a boss that requires magic for a strategic advantage.

8. The Great-Jar’s Arsenal (Talisman)
This talisman boosts your equipment load, allowing you to wear heavier armor or carry more weapons without sacrificing mobility. It’s particularly useful if you want to stack multiple buffs and need the extra space to wear heavier gear that increases your resistance.

9. Shabriri’s Woe (Talisman)
Shabriri’s Woe increases your focus, allowing you to resist more mental effects like fear or madness. This is essential for bosses that use these types of status effects to cause panic or confusion in the player.

10. Primal Glintstone Blade (Talisman)
For sorcerers, the Primal Glintstone Blade is indispensable. It reduces your FP consumption for incantations and sorceries, allowing you to stack more buffs and unleash powerful magic without worrying about running out of resources.

11. Boosted Elemental Resistance Buffs
Having the right elemental resistance items can be the difference between surviving and getting wiped out by a boss’s elemental attacks. Stack items like the Fireproof Dried Liver or Radiant Dew for specific elemental resistances based on the boss you're fighting. These items help you last longer, particularly during the intense phases of boss fights.

12. Bitterly Bittering Brew (Item)
This item is excellent for preparing for bosses that inflict frostbite or scarlet rot. It’s a great preventative measure that gives you a significant boost to your frostbite resistance, reducing the likelihood of taking devastating damage from these status effects.

13. Exalted Flesh (Item)
Exalted Flesh is an essential item for increasing physical attack power. Use it before a tough boss fight to boost your damage output significantly. This item can often turn the tide of a battle when you need to deal with a boss quickly.

14. Rimed Crystal Tear (Flask of Wondrous Physick)
The Rimed Crystal Tear in your Physick Flask will grant you a massive increase to your resistance against frostbite. When facing bosses with frost-based attacks, this can help reduce the damage you take while allowing you to focus on attacking.

15. Opaline Hardtear (Flask of Wondrous Physick)
Opaline Hardtear offers a solid increase to your damage resistance, especially helpful when you need to stack defensive buffs before tackling a boss. It’s particularly useful for bosses that deal high physical damage or have varied attack patterns.

16. Golden Rune (Item)
Before heading into a challenging boss fight, don’t forget to pop a Golden Rune for extra Runes on death. While this doesn’t directly help in the fight, it’s a great way to ensure that you get the most out of your attempts at a challenging boss. If you’re farming a tough boss, this can help you maximize the rewards, ensuring that even if you fail, you still earn substantial Runes to level up or buy needed items.


The right preparation can make or break your Elden Ring boss fights. By stacking these buffs, you increase your chances of surviving, reducing the risks and ensuring that you’re hitting harder and more efficiently. Don’t forget to use Elden Ring Items like talismans, incantations, and consumables to your advantage—each item has a specific purpose that can be crucial to your success. Make sure you’ve got your buffs ready, and prepare yourself for the intense challenges that await in the lands of Elden Ring.