The Stonedigger Troll is an optional field boss in Elden Ring that players can encounter early in their journey through the Lands Between. While not mandatory for story progression, this towering foe offers valuable rewards and serves as an excellent test of a player's ability to manage large enemies, stamina control, and status effects. This guide covers the Stonedigger Troll's lore, locations, combat strategies, weaknesses, and rewards to help you defeat it with ease.

 

Overview

 

Stonedigger Trolls are massive humanoid creatures distinguished by their hulking frames and the unmistakable cavity embedded in their chests. These beings are descendants of the ancient Giants, who once stood as mortal enemies of the Erdtree. During the War against the Giants, however, many trolls betrayed their own kin and allied themselves with the Golden Order. This act of defiance forever shaped their role in the world of Elden Ring.

 

Not all trolls share the same allegiances. Some became loyal to the Carian royal family and were later knighted, wielding massive weapons such as the Troll Knight's Sword. Stonedigger Trolls, in particular, are often associated with mining and smithing. The enormous stone hammers they wield were once ceremonial relics used in divine smithing rituals, back when forging weapons was considered a sacred act. These details add depth to what might otherwise seem like a simple brute enemy.

 

Boss Classification

 

Although trolls can be encountered as regular enemies across the Lands Between, the Stonedigger Troll appears as a Great Enemy Boss in specific dungeon locations. Bosses in Elden Ring are unique, high-threat encounters that frequently drop rare Elden Ring Items such as weapons, talismans, and Spirit Ashes. Defeating them also rewards players with a significant amount of Elden Ring Runes, making them worthwhile targets even when optional.

 

Locations

 

Players can find the Stonedigger Troll boss in the following areas:

 

Limgrave Tunnels – Often one of the earliest dungeon bosses players encounter, making this version of the Stonedigger Troll an introduction to large-scale boss combat.

 

Old Altus Tunnel – A more dangerous encounter due to higher enemy scaling and environmental pressure.

 

Both locations are mining tunnels, reinforcing the troll's connection to stonework and smithing.

 

Combat Characteristics

 

At first glance, the Stonedigger Troll may seem intimidating due to its sheer size, high health pool, and devastating melee attacks. Its stone hammer can deal massive physical damage, especially if players are caught mid-animation or run out of stamina. However, beneath this tough exterior lies a surprisingly exploitable enemy.

 

One of the Stonedigger Troll's defining traits is its high Hardness, which reduces damage from certain weapon types, especially slashing attacks. Players may notice their hits bouncing off unless they use heavy strikes or deal enough posture damage. Once this Hardness is overcome, the troll becomes highly susceptible to staggering, opening it up to critical hits.

 

Weaknesses and Status Effects

 

Despite its size and strength, the Stonedigger Troll has several notable weaknesses:

 

Sleep: This is by far the most effective status effect against the Stonedigger Troll. Due to its extremely low resistance, a single Sleep Pot can put the boss to sleep regardless of your Arcane stat or how many times the effect has already been applied. This creates massive openings for free damage or healing.

 

Stagger Damage: Heavy weapons, charged attacks, and jump attacks are excellent for breaking the troll's posture.

 

Leg Attacks: Repeatedly striking the legs can cause the troll to collapse, leaving it vulnerable to a critical strike.

 

Recommended Strategies

 

To make the fight significantly easier, consider the following tips:

 

Use Spirit Ashes: Summoning allies can trivialize the encounter. The Kaiden Sellsword Ashes are particularly effective due to their aggressive melee pressure, while the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes work well as a distraction, drawing the troll's attention away from you.

 

Apply Sleep Early: Use a Sleep Pot at the start of the fight to gain immediate control. This allows you to position yourself, unleash charged attacks, or buff your character without risk.

 

Stay Mobile: Many of the troll's attacks are slow but wide-reaching. Rolling toward or behind the boss is often safer than backing away.

 

Watch for Overhead Slams: These attacks are heavily telegraphed and leave the troll open for punishment if dodged correctly.

 

Rewards

 

Defeating the Stonedigger Troll rewards players with a generous amount of Elden Ring Runes, making it a solid farming target early on. In addition, it drops valuable Elden Ring Items, including:

 

Roar Medallion – A talisman that enhances roar and breath attacks.

 

Great Club – A powerful strength-based weapon well-suited for builds that favor heavy blunt damage.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The Stonedigger Troll may look like a daunting obstacle, but with the right preparation and understanding of its weaknesses, it becomes one of the more manageable boss encounters in Elden Ring. By leveraging Sleep, Spirit Ashes, and posture-breaking tactics, players can turn this towering brute into a rewarding and memorable victory. Whether you're after powerful loot, extra runes, or simply the satisfaction of conquering another boss, the Stonedigger Troll is well worth facing.