Although Elden Ring is extremely difficult, some players stand out with ridiculous achievements. One of them has set out to complete the game without leveling up and without dying. He has now effortlessly taken down a particularly strong enemy with a starter item.
What is this item? The Bewitching Branch can be chosen as a keepsake when creating a character. Later, you can purchase the item from merchants and use it in combat.
When used, the branch causes nearby enemies to fight for you instead of against you. You temporarily gain companions that assist you. However, out of all the keepsakes in Elden Ring, the branch is considered rather weak due to its limited usability.
Nonetheless, a player has achieved a remarkable victory against the endgame boss Commander Niall using this very item: Taking no damage while being unarmored.
Why is the branch so powerful here? Niall summons two spirits for support right at the start of the fight. Both he and each of his companions are already tough opponents, especially without armor or additional levels. The player Ongbal, however, has made use of the boss’s companions.
With the Bewitching Branch, he made the two spirits fight by his side. Immediately, they turned against their master and began to beat him up. Even without an OP Blood Build, he has an easy time.
Before Ongbal even has to fight himself, the two knights have already brought their commander down to about 40% of his health. The remainder of the battle goes quite one-sided for the player, as shown in the video linked here:
Elden Ring without Deaths and without Leveling
Who is the player anyway? The YouTuber Ongbal repeatedly attempts insane challenges in the Soulsborne series. He has especially made a name for himself in Dark Souls 3 and Sekiro.
While other players can complete Elden Ring in just 37 minutes, Ongbal has set himself the goal of not dying even once and not leveling up. He fights therefore half-naked and essentially completely under-leveled.
However, with tricks like the branch, he still makes good progress, as the video shows. Of course, a good dose of skill comes into play, which the YouTuber has accumulated over the years in other games in the series.
Soulsborne games like Elden Ring have a particular difficulty as a trademark. Those who manage to complete them are usually proud of it and show their skills. Because of this, capable players like Ongbal are often admired.
Other players, on the other hand, overlook some of the game’s contents even on their second playthrough, as MeinMMO author Tarek Zehrer:
I played Elden Ring twice and missed one of the biggest dungeons each time
