How To Get (& Use) Impenetrable Thorns in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree?

Bleed builds never died; they just got exponentially better in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Right now, the best and most ‘disgusting’ among them (damage-wise) is any build using the Impenetrable Thorns Sorcery. It slays bosses like Bayle the Dread in just six or so casts (assuming they hit). Of course, you want something like that, so here’s how to get Impenetrable Thorns in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Impenetrable Thorns Location in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Impenetrable Thorns is tucked away in a hidden and precarious ledge in Shadow Keep, Scadu Altus in the Realm of Shadow. Getting there is a tricky affair, so here are some detailed and step-by-step instructions.

1. Defeat the Golden Hippopotamus or find an alternate way inside Shadow Keep (through the flooded Church District).
2. Reach Storehouse, First Floor (Grace).
3. From there go north or northeast and find some stairs hidden among the shelves, progress through the area, and to the upper floors.
4. Use the hanging monsters as jumping platforms. This will take you to the upper floors. Look for the Storehouse, Seventh Floor (Grace).
5. On the floor below the Storehouse, Seventh Floor (Grace), look for a lever that elevates the hanging monsters.
6. After elevating the hanging monsters, jump across them again and into the balcony that leads outside.
7. Once you’re outside this balcony, jump down to the ledge and land on another ledge below. Kill the bat enemy, and loot the corpse nearby. This corpse has the Impenetrable Thorns Sorcery.

After that, you’re good to go. But if you want to maximize this powerful Sorcery, then follow the short build guide below.

Best Impenetrable Thorns Build in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Using Impenetrable Thorns is simple enough. Aim and cast (though you might want to remove the lock-on for certain enemies). Most bosses die in 3-5 casts due to the stacking Hemorrhage. Do cast it in melee range so that all three thorn lines hit the target and simultaneously cause their own bleed triggers.

Make sure to have these stats:

Additionally, pair Impenetrable Thorns with this gear:

You can add Seals or buffs like Golden Vow to help. Additionally, you might want a good melee weapon to help you with regular and small enemies. Even without those, you’ll be steamrolling through all the content using this build– even against bosses that don’t bleed.