The Lands Between in Elden Ring are fraught with peril, and few bosses embody this more than Pinwheel. While often considered one of the easier early-game bosses, dismissing Pinwheel entirely is a mistake. This masked necromancer possesses the ability to unleash a surprising amount of damage if underestimated. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies necessary to conquer Pinwheel, ensuring you emerge victorious from the depths of the Catacombs.
Understanding Pinwheel: Strengths and Weaknesses
Pinwheel, found in the Catacombs beneath Limgrave, is a unique boss encounter. Instead of relying on brute strength or complex attack patterns, Pinwheel’s threat stems from his ability to duplicate himself and fire powerful magic projectiles.
Pinwheel’s strengths primarily lie in his ranged attacks and deceptive duplicates. He can cast fireballs and magic missiles that, while slow-moving, can quickly deplete your health if you’re not careful. The duplicates, while weaker, further complicate matters by increasing the volume of projectiles you must dodge. He can teleport small distances as well.
However, Pinwheel has significant weaknesses. His health pool is relatively low, and his defenses are minimal. He’s highly susceptible to physical damage, making melee-focused builds particularly effective against him. Furthermore, his AI is quite simple, and his attack patterns are predictable. He does not have super armor and can be easily staggered.
Preparing for the Battle: Essential Tips and Strategies
Before venturing into Pinwheel’s chamber, proper preparation is crucial. This involves optimizing your equipment, leveling up strategically, and understanding the battlefield.
Choosing Your Weapon and Armor
For melee characters, weapons with fast attack speeds and high damage output are ideal. Swords, axes, and katanas are all excellent choices. Consider using weapons that inflict status effects, such as bleed or frostbite, to further weaken Pinwheel.
For magic users, equip a staff with decent sorcery scaling and focus on spells that deal high single-target damage. Rock Sling, obtained early in the game, is a particularly effective option due to its speed and damage.
Armor is less critical in this fight, as dodging is paramount. However, prioritize armor with decent fire resistance to mitigate the damage from Pinwheel’s fireballs.
Leveling Up and Stat Allocation
Focus on leveling up your primary damage stat (Strength or Dexterity for melee, Intelligence or Faith for magic). Increasing your Vigor will improve your survivability by increasing your health pool, allowing you to withstand more hits. Endurance will also be important, allowing you to attack or roll more often. Mind will also be beneficial for casting more spells.
Navigating the Battlefield
Pinwheel’s chamber is a small, rectangular room. This limited space can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it allows you to quickly close the distance and unleash melee attacks. On the other hand, it can make dodging projectiles more challenging.
Utilize the pillars in the room as cover to avoid incoming fireballs. Keep moving to avoid being overwhelmed by Pinwheel’s duplicates. Use the lock-on feature to keep track of the real Pinwheel amidst the chaos.
The Battle Plan: Step-by-Step Guide to Victory
The key to defeating Pinwheel lies in quickly identifying the real boss and focusing your attacks on him. The clones are noticeably weaker and will disappear after a few hits.
Identifying the Real Pinwheel
The real Pinwheel can be identified by two key indicators: He drops an item upon death and typically has a higher health pool. Watch for the boss that drops an item if you manage to take one down, and focus on damaging the others until the next one is found. If you can not distinguish between the health pools of the versions, just focus on dealing damage to one at a time until one of them drops an item.
Melee Strategy: Aggressive Offense
For melee characters, an aggressive approach is highly effective. Immediately close the distance and begin attacking the real Pinwheel. Prioritize dodging his projectiles and avoid getting surrounded by duplicates.
Use charged heavy attacks to stagger Pinwheel and create openings for further attacks. Consider using weapon skills to inflict additional damage and status effects. Maintain constant pressure and don’t give Pinwheel time to cast spells or create more duplicates.
Magic Strategy: Ranged Assault
Magic users should maintain a safe distance and unleash powerful spells. Rock Sling is particularly effective, as its speed and damage allow you to quickly eliminate Pinwheel and his duplicates.
Keep moving to avoid incoming projectiles and use the pillars for cover. Conserve your FP and use Cerulean Tears if necessary to replenish your magic. Focus on dealing damage to the real Pinwheel while quickly dispatching the duplicates.
Dealing with Duplicates
The duplicates are significantly weaker than the real Pinwheel and can be easily eliminated with a few attacks. Prioritize eliminating them to reduce the number of projectiles you must dodge. Use area-of-effect attacks or spells to quickly dispatch multiple duplicates simultaneously.
Avoid getting surrounded by duplicates, as their combined attacks can quickly deplete your health. Keep moving and prioritize targeting the real Pinwheel.
Advanced Tactics and Tips
Beyond the basic strategies, several advanced tactics can further enhance your chances of victory.
Utilizing Summons
Summons can be invaluable in this fight, as they can distract Pinwheel and his duplicates, allowing you to focus your attacks. Spirit Ashes, such as the Lone Wolf Ashes or the Jellyfish Ashes, are excellent choices. You may have to clear out the surrounding skeletons prior to entering the boss room.
Summon your spirit ashes immediately upon entering the boss chamber to maximize their effectiveness. Keep in mind that you may only use spirit ashes once per life.
Exploiting Pinwheel’s AI
Pinwheel’s AI is relatively simple. He will primarily cast spells and create duplicates. He has no melee attacks. This predictability can be exploited to your advantage.
Anticipate his attacks and dodge accordingly. Learn the timing of his spells and create openings for counter-attacks. By understanding his AI, you can consistently avoid his attacks and maintain the offensive.
Dealing With Teleportation
Pinwheel will sometimes teleport a short distance away to reposition himself or create more distance. This can make it challenging to maintain consistent damage, especially for melee builds.
Anticipate his teleports and immediately close the distance. Use sprinting attacks or weapon skills to quickly reach him after he teleports. Keep the pressure on him and don’t give him time to cast spells or create duplicates.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with proper preparation and strategy, some players may still struggle with Pinwheel. Here are some solutions to common problems.
Difficulty Identifying the Real Pinwheel
If you’re having trouble identifying the real Pinwheel, focus on dealing damage to all of them equally. The duplicates will disappear after a few hits, while the real Pinwheel will take more damage.
Look for the one that drops an item upon death, as this is the real Pinwheel. Alternatively, if using spirit ashes, watch which Pinwheel they are attacking; they tend to target the real one.
Being Overwhelmed by Projectiles
If you’re being overwhelmed by projectiles, prioritize dodging and utilizing the pillars for cover. Use rolls and quicksteps to avoid incoming fireballs and magic missiles.
Consider equipping armor with high fire resistance to mitigate the damage. Alternatively, use defensive spells or incantations to reduce the damage from projectiles.
Lack of Damage Output
If you’re struggling to deal enough damage, consider upgrading your weapon or increasing your primary damage stat. Experiment with different weapons or spells to find one that is more effective against Pinwheel.
Use weapon buffs or consumables to further increase your damage output. Consider using status effects, such as bleed or frostbite, to weaken Pinwheel.
Rewards and Post-Battle Considerations
Upon defeating Pinwheel, you will receive valuable rewards, including Runes and Pinwheel’s Mask. These rewards can significantly aid your progress in the early game.
Runes and Leveling Up
The Runes obtained from defeating Pinwheel can be used to level up your character. Consider allocating these Runes to increase your primary damage stat, Vigor, or Endurance.
Leveling up will improve your overall stats and make you more effective in future battles.
Pinwheel’s Mask
Pinwheel’s Mask is a unique piece of head armor that offers decent stats. While it may not be the best option for all builds, it can be a valuable addition to your collection.
Experiment with different armor combinations to find the optimal setup for your playstyle.
Moving Forward
Defeating Pinwheel opens up new areas and opportunities for exploration. Continue your journey through the Lands Between and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
Remember to explore thoroughly, collect valuable items, and level up your character to become the Elden Lord.
Final Thoughts
While often underestimated, Pinwheel presents a unique challenge that requires careful preparation and strategic execution. By understanding his strengths and weaknesses, optimizing your equipment, and implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can conquer Pinwheel and emerge victorious. Remember to stay aggressive, prioritize dodging, and exploit his weaknesses. Good luck, Tarnished!
What are Pinwheel’s main weaknesses and vulnerabilities?
Pinwheel is remarkably vulnerable to physical damage, making melee weapons and physical-focused Ashes of War particularly effective against him. He possesses very low health, especially for a boss encounter, so even basic attacks can deal substantial damage. Consider using weapons with high stagger potential or those that inflict status effects like bleed or frostbite, as these can quickly interrupt his attacks and further deplete his health.
Furthermore, Pinwheel is highly susceptible to fire damage. Utilizing fire-based spells, greases, or Ashes of War can significantly accelerate the fight. His clones also inherit this weakness, making fire an efficient way to dispatch them quickly and prevent them from overwhelming you. Prioritize targeting the main Pinwheel to shorten the overall duration of the encounter.
What strategies are most effective for dealing with Pinwheel’s clones?
The key to managing Pinwheel’s clones is to maintain awareness of their location and prioritize eliminating them swiftly. Avoid locking onto a specific clone, as this can hinder your ability to track the others. Instead, use wide-sweeping attacks or Ashes of War that hit multiple targets to damage and dispatch them simultaneously.
Alternatively, you can utilize Spirit Ashes to distract the clones, allowing you to focus your attacks on the real Pinwheel. Summons that can deal area-of-effect damage or inflict status effects are particularly useful for this purpose. Remember that the clones are weaker than the original, so even basic attacks can quickly eliminate them.
What are some recommended weapons and Ashes of War for fighting Pinwheel?
Weapons with fast attack speeds and good stagger potential, such as twinblades or curved swords, are excellent choices for dealing with Pinwheel. These allow you to quickly deplete his health and interrupt his spells. Consider equipping Ashes of War like Hoarfrost Stomp or Bloodflame Blade to add frostbite or bleed build-up, respectively, further enhancing your damage output.
For ranged players, fire-based spells like Fireball or Incantations such as Catch Flame are highly effective due to Pinwheel’s fire vulnerability. Additionally, Ashes of War that provide a wide area of effect, such as Spinning Weapon, can quickly eliminate the clones. Experiment with different combinations to find what suits your playstyle best.
Is it necessary to use Spirit Ashes to defeat Pinwheel?
While not strictly necessary, Spirit Ashes can significantly simplify the encounter, especially for players with lower levels or less experience. Summons such as the Lone Wolf Ashes or the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes can effectively distract Pinwheel’s clones, allowing you to focus on the main boss. This can be particularly helpful in preventing you from being overwhelmed by their ranged attacks.
However, skilled players may prefer to fight Pinwheel solo, as his low health and predictable attack patterns make him manageable without assistance. Successfully defeating Pinwheel without Spirit Ashes can provide a greater sense of accomplishment. Ultimately, the decision to use Spirit Ashes depends on your individual skill level and preferred playstyle.
What is the best approach to avoid getting hit by Pinwheel’s magic attacks?
Pinwheel’s magic attacks are telegraphed with clear visual cues, giving you ample time to dodge or reposition. Pay close attention to his staff movements, as this indicates which type of spell he will cast. The homing magic missiles can be dodged by rolling perpendicular to their trajectory.
The more dangerous rapid-fire magic bursts can be avoided by maintaining a medium distance and continuously strafing or rolling. If you are overwhelmed by projectiles, consider using the pillars within the boss arena for cover. Staying mobile and aware of your surroundings is crucial to avoiding damage.
What level should I be before attempting to fight Pinwheel?
Due to Pinwheel’s relatively low difficulty, you can realistically fight him at a fairly low level. A level range of 15-25 is generally sufficient, provided you have upgraded your weapon and possess a basic understanding of the combat mechanics. Prioritizing vigor to increase your health is always beneficial, especially for newer players.
However, attempting the fight at a higher level can make it significantly easier, especially if you are struggling with dodging his attacks or dealing enough damage. Don’t hesitate to level up further if you are finding the encounter too challenging. Remember that exploration and resource gathering are crucial aspects of Elden Ring.
What rewards do I get for defeating Pinwheel, and are they worth the effort?
Upon defeating Pinwheel, you will receive the Rite of Passage, which allows you to access the path to the Tombstone Sword Keys and progress in the game’s story, and a decent amount of runes. While the rune reward may not be substantial compared to later bosses, the Rite of Passage is essential for continuing your journey.
Furthermore, Pinwheel’s defeat provides access to an area that contains valuable upgrade materials and items, making the fight worthwhile even beyond the immediate reward. Consider Pinwheel as a stepping stone to further progress and exploration within the Elden Ring world.