Man, I remember my first time stumbling into the Finger Ruins of Dheo. It was one of those "oh crap" moments Elden Ring loves throwing at you. I'd just finished dealing with some annoying Kindred of Rot pests when those giant stone fingers started moving. Died instantly. No warning, just splat. If you're heading to the Finger Ruins of Dheo, you need this guide. We'll cover everything from finding the place to grabbing its best loot without getting crushed by angry fingers.
Where the Heck is the Finger Ruins of Dheo?
Finding the Finger Ruins of Dheo can be tricky if you're not familiar with Dragonbarrow. It's tucked away in northeast Caelid, that lovely scarlet rot paradise. From the Lenne's Rise site of grace, head southeast past the giant sleeping dragon. You'll know you're close when the landscape gets covered in those creepy stone fingers.
Specific coordinates? Look between the Minor Erdtree and the Divine Tower of Caelid. When you see the first giant petrified fingers jutting from the ground, congratulations - you've found the Finger Ruins of Dheo. Bring lots of Preserving Boluses.
My first visit was a disaster. I thought "ruins" meant easy loot. Nope. Those giant fingers wake up FAST. Wasted three hours trying to sneak past before realizing fire works wonders here.
Surviving the Finger Ruins of Dheo
This ain't your average dungeon crawl. The Finger Ruins of Dheo throws special challenges at you:
Deadly Residents
| Enemy Type | Threat Level | Weaknesses | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Finger Creepers | Extreme (these are the moving fingers) | Fire attacks, strike damage | Smithing Stones, rare rune arcs |
| Kindred of Rot | High (scarlet rot spammers) | Fire, holy damage | Poisonbone Arrows, Aeonian Butterflies |
| Finger Slugs | Medium (annoying spellcasters) | Physical interrupts | Gravity Stone Chunks |
Environmental Nightmares
- Scarlet Rot pools everywhere - seriously, bring immunity gear
- Vertical terrain that limits movement during fights
- Limited visibility thanks to the giant stone fingers blocking sightlines
- Ambush points where multiple enemies gang up on you
Hot tip: Equip the Flame Cleanse Me incantation. Costs just 14 FP and saves you from constant rot buildup. Total lifesaver in the Finger Ruins of Dheo area.
Essential Gear Setup
Through painful trial and error (mostly error), I've nailed the best loadout for conquering the Finger Ruins of Dheo:
| Category | Recommended Items | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Weapons | Blasphemous Blade, any fire-infused weapon | Creeper fingers hate fire - 25% extra damage |
| Armor | Mushroom Set, Cleanrot Set | Boosts immunity + rot resistance |
| Talismans | Immunizing Horn Charm, Fire Scorpion Charm | Rot defense + fire damage boost |
| Consumables | Preserving Boluses, Fire Grease | Cures rot + enhances weapon damage |
I can't stress enough how crucial rot resistance is here. That time I entered with light armor? Worst decision ever. Spent more time curing rot than fighting.
Step-by-Step Exploration Guide
Approaching the Ruins
Come from the west side - fewer enemies that way. Immediately target any Kindred of Rot archers on higher ground. They're annoying but go down quick to jump attacks.
See that collapsed tower on your right? There's a Golden Rune [8] inside but watch for the creeper finger hiding behind it. Bait its slam attack then rush in.
Central Finger Cluster
Okay this part's brutal. Three stone fingers activate when you approach. Pull them one by one using throwing knives. Focus on their "knuckle" weak points. Fire attacks stagger them faster than anything else.
Honestly, this area almost made me quit. Those fingers hit like trucks. Then I discovered if you stand directly under them during slam attacks, they can't crush you. Game changer.
Underground Treasure Chamber
North side has a hidden staircase behind illusionary wall (hit it!). Inside you'll find:
- Dragonwound Grease x3
- Stonesword Key
- Rare Smithing Stone [6]
But wait - ambush by Finger Slugs! Roll back immediately when entering. Their gravity spells hurt.
Must-Get Loot Checklist
The Finger Ruins of Dheo hides awesome gear if you know where to look:
| Item Name | Location | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Gravity Stone Fan | Central tower corpse pile | Throws magic-seeking rocks (great for PvP) |
| Memory Stone | Top of tallest finger structure | Permanent spell slot increase |
| Green Turtle Talisman | Behind southeast finger pillar | Boosts stamina recovery speed |
| Somber Smithing Stone [7] | Underground chamber chest | Upgrades special weapons |
Don't miss the Golden Seed near the western cliff edge. Easy to overlook but crucial for upgrading your flasks.
Combat Tactics That Actually Work
Against Stone Fingers
- Always target the glowing knuckle joints - weak point takes 2x damage
- Time rolls for when they raise up to slam - delay is longer than you think
- Fire Pots trivialize them if you have spare materials
- Mounted combat lets you escape their grab attack range
Against Rot Enemies
Rush the spellcasters first. Their rot clouds cause instant buildup. Jump attacks interrupt their casting. For the melee rot knights, parrying works wonders - their overhead slash has a long windup.
Pro move: Use the terrain. Lure fingers near cliffs and bait their charge attacks. They'll often fall off. Hilarious when it works.
Frequent Death Traps to Avoid
- The "safe" platform near the center actually triggers three fingers at once
- Hidden rot pits covered by foliage - watch your status bar constantly
- Finger slugs casting gravity spells through walls - yes, they cheat
- Archers on unreachable ledges - carry a bow to counter-snipe
That last one got me five times in a row. I almost threw my controller when an arrow knocked me into a rot pool mid-fight.
Expert Navigation Shortcuts
Few know these pathing tricks for the Finger Ruins of Dheo:
| Shortcut | How to Access | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|
| West Cliff Drop | Roll off near broken pillar (requires >25% HP) | Skips 3 enemy encounters |
| Torchlight Passage | Activate all 4 braziers to open underground path | Direct route to treasure chamber |
| Finger Lift | Stand on specific finger as it raises up | Reaches upper loot without fighting |
Why You Should Bother With This Place
Beyond the loot, clearing the Finger Ruins of Dheo gives access to the Dragonbarrow Cave behind it. Plus, there's lore connections to the Three Fingers and Frenzied Flame ending. The environmental storytelling here is top-notch - those petrified giants tell a dark tale without a single word.
From a gameplay perspective? It's some of the best vertical combat design in Elden Ring. Forces you to master terrain awareness in ways no other area does.
Finger Ruins of Dheo FAQs
What level should I be for Finger Ruins of Dheo?
Don't attempt below level 90. The stone fingers hit like late-game bosses. I learned this the hard way at level 65.
Is there a boss in Finger Ruins of Dheo?
No dedicated boss, but the awakened finger cluster might as well be one. More like a mini-boss gauntlet.
Can the stone fingers be staggered?
Yes! Heavy jump attacks to their knuckles build posture damage fast. Two fully charged R2s usually break them.
Why do my weapons bounce off the fingers?
Slash damage sucks against them. Switch to strike weapons (maces/hammers) or fire attacks. Makes a huge difference.
What's the deal with the underground ritual site?
It connects to the Frenzied Flame lore. Burn marks and melted statues suggest finger worshippers performed ceremonies here.
Final Reality Check
Look, the Finger Ruins of Dheo isn't for everyone. If you hate environmental hazards and ambushes, you'll rage here. The first time I cleared it took four hours. Now I speedrun it in 15 minutes. The transformation from terrified newbie to confident explorer? That's the real reward Elden Ring offers.
Remember that spot near the eastern cliff where two fingers guard a corpse? Took me eight tries to get that loot. Turned out to be Arteria Leaf - totally not worth it. But when you finally master the rhythm of dodging those slam attacks, it's magical. You'll develop instincts no guide can teach. That's why we endure the scarlet rot and crushing fingers.
Got your own horror stories from the Finger Ruins of Dheo? I'd tell you mine but we'd be here all week. Just promise me one thing - don't give up when those stone fingers gang up on you. The victory rush when you bring them down? Pure gaming gold.
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