Gnoster Expedition Recluse Build

In this Elden Ring build guide, we’ll walk through the optimal equipment and strategy for defeating Gnoster as the Recluse.

Gnoster is an interesting boss as it is the only duo Night Lord in the game currently.

The Scorpion is slow and grounded but hits hard with tremor-based attacks that erupt stone from the earth. When pressured, it can enter a hardened state that drastically reduces incoming damage. The Moth, by contrast, remains airborne, pelting the arena with arcane volleys, poison mists, and periodic grab attempts as it dives toward players on the ground.

Once the duo transitions into phase two, the Moth mounts the Scorpion, shifting the pace dramatically. The Scorpion charges wildly while the Moth unleashes rapid-fire barrages of energy and summons orbital lasers that track players relentlessly.

Fortunately, both enemies share a critical weakness: Fire. The Moth leans on Magic and Poison damage, while the Scorpion relies purely on Physical strikes. Because the Moth’s projectiles are the real threat, be sure to bring Magic resistance gear or buffs to reduce incoming pressure.

As the Recluse, your biggest asset is restraint. Hasty casting can leave you locked in long animations, exactly when the Moth might swoop in or rain down a deadly volley. Space your casts wisely, stay at mid-range, and conserve FP between engagements. Once you internalize their patterns, the fight becomes much more manageable.

Day 1

Recluse starts the game with one of the lowest base health pools, so it’s critical to stay near your teammates during the early game to avoid unnecessary deaths. Every death burns time, and on Day 1, efficiency is everything.

Your main objectives are to level quickly and visit as many churches as possible to increase your flask charges.

Use the map overview to scout for guaranteed sacred seal drops. Focus on zones that offer Fire, Rot, or Bleed spells, listed in that order, as these deal the most consistent damage to Gnoster.

If you selected the relic that increases your attack power permanently with each Evergaol prisoner defeated, make Evergaol clears a top priority. Cathedral chests always contain a Stonesword Key, providing a reliable way to unlock more Evergaols and stack your passive bonus early. Try to clear at least two today, more if they're along your route.

Make sure to visit at least one merchant in Limveld. Since all merchants share a common inventory, checking just one gives you access to the full catalog. You may find a rare item like a Wending Grace, which grants you an extra life if your entire team goes down during a Night Boss or Lord fight. Also, consider stopping by a settlement; merchants there consistently offer rare talismans, consumables, and high-value weapons.

Once you've secured a solid catalyst and hit level 4 or higher, make your way to the central castle. Start in the basement, where there's only one boss. Defeating it nets you a boss drop and a guaranteed talisman from the chest in the room beyond. If time allows, level up at a nearby grace and continue farming through the upper levels to rack up additional runes.

Equip any weapon with a useful passive effect as soon as you get it. To stay efficient, pick up everything you come across and sort through your inventory while moving between locations.

Day 2

At this stage, you should have a solid weapon and enough levels under your belt to start tackling the more difficult content in Limveld.

If you’re running the Evergaol relic, prioritize clearing at least two more Evergaols today, especially if they’re conveniently located along your route. Each one adds to your passive bonus, steadily boosting your overall damage and making future encounters easier to manage.

If a Shifting Earth event is active, make that your top priority. These zones are packed with enemies and rare loot, making them one of the most efficient ways to reach level 15 by the end of the day. And if a field boss happens to be en route, take the opportunity to clear it; these often drop powerful upgrades that can help you breeze through the rest of the zone.

If there’s no Shifting Earth this cycle, turn your focus to field bosses instead. Now spawning regularly, they offer some of the highest-quality gear and rune rewards available, making them well worth the effort.

Still haven’t cleared the central castle? This is the time. With your current gear and level, the basement and rooftop bosses should be manageable, and the rune and loot payoff make the run worthwhile.

Once the Night Boss is down, feel free to farm nearby areas if you still need more levels or gear. The ambient zone damage is low by now, so there’s little risk in extending your route to secure that final bit of power before moving on.

Day 3

Once you arrive, spend any leftover runes on leveling up and grab any final upgrades or consumables from the merchant; there’s a chance he might have a Wending Grace in stock, which could save your run if things go sideways.

Toss out any upgrade materials or keys you’re no longer using; they serve no purpose in the final fight. Prioritize consumables that will actually help you survive and contribute meaningfully.

Pick up Starlight Shards: these are essential for keeping your FP topped off without relying on affinity pickups mid-fight. If you’ve got any spare runes left, this is where they should go; it’s a small investment with a huge payoff.

• Your main focus is the Moth. It stays airborne for most of the encounter, making it difficult for your melee teammates to contribute effectively.
• If your spell loadout is more close-range oriented, you can pivot to dealing with the Scorpion instead. Be aware that your elemental effectiveness is much stronger against the Moth, so that should remain your default target.
• Avoid using magic-damage spells as your primary source of offense; the Moth is heavily resistant to them so you’ll barely scratch it.
• Keep your FP high by gathering affinities between casts; sustained pressure is only possible if you stay charged.
• Be sure to equip at least two elemental types, giving you the flexibility to craft Magic Cocktails suited to each phase of the fight.
• Above all, don’t rush your casts. Reckless timing or getting locked in animation can easily result in a death, and with the Recluse’s low health pool, there’s little room for error.