TL;DR
- Briars of Punishment requires 21 Faith and deals self-damage while attacking enemies
- Found in Mountaintops of the Giants near three Lesser Fire Monks and a dead tree
- This aberrant sorcery excels at crowd control and breaking enemy poise
- Self-damage can be mitigated with specific talismans and armor combinations
- Optimal use requires understanding positioning and timing for maximum effectiveness
This forbidden sorcery represents one of Elden Ring’s most visually striking and mechanically unique magical abilities.
For players seeking distinctive combat aesthetics combined with potent offensive capabilities, Briars of Punishment delivers exceptional value. Unlike conventional sorceries that scale with Intelligence, this blood magic operates through Faith, requiring 21 points to unleash its crimson power. This attribute requirement means many sorcery-focused builds may need to respec their character to incorporate this devastating spell effectively.
Briars of Punishment manifests as a linear projection of sharpened blood thorns that surge across the ground, impaling anything in their path. The spell’s unique mechanic involves dealing moderate self-inflicted damage with each cast, creating risk-reward dynamics that separate skilled practitioners from reckless casters. This damage-over-distance attack excels at controlling space and punishing aggressive enemy approaches.
The item description provides crucial narrative context:
An aberrant sorcery discovered by exiled criminals. Theirs are the sorceries most reviled by the academy. Wounds the caster with thorns of sin, sending a trail of bloodthorns running over the ground to impale enemies from below. This sorcery can be cast repeatedly. The guilty, their eyes gouged by thorns, lived in eternal darkness. There, they discovered the blood star.
Strategic applications include area denial against multiple opponents, interrupting enemy spellcasting, and breaking poise on heavily armored foes. The spell’s chaining capability allows for sustained pressure, making it particularly effective in PvP scenarios where opponents underestimate its range and persistence.
Briars of Punishment awaits discovery within the treacherous Mountaintops of the Giants region. This late-game area becomes accessible through natural story progression, typically after defeating the Fire Giant. Fortunately, the spell scroll rests in plain sight rather than hidden behind complex puzzles or difficult bosses.
Briars of Punishment location
Briars of Punishment location
As you navigate the initial linear section of Mountaintops of the Giants, you’ll eventually encounter an extensive stone bridge guarded by a massive Golem Archer positioned at the far end. Before attempting to cross this hazardous bridge, scan the left side perimeter where you’ll identify a withered tree accompanied by three Lesser Fire Monks. Adjacent to this deceased tree rests the coveted Briars of Punishment sorcery scroll.
The optimal acquisition strategy involves using Torrent to swiftly approach the location, dismounting briefly to collect the spell, then immediately remounting to evade combat. Alternatively, methodically eliminating the Fire Monks first ensures safe retrieval, though this approach demands careful positioning to avoid attracting all three simultaneously.
Common mistakes include underestimating the Golem Archer’s range or engaging the Fire Monks without proper spacing. These enemies employ wide-sweeping fire attacks that can quickly overwhelm unprepared players. For efficient character progression, consider consulting our complete Elden Ring guide for broader context on late-game challenges.
Advanced players can leverage the terrain for strategic advantages—using elevation changes to avoid arrow volleys or employing hit-and-run tactics to separate the Fire Monks. The entire retrieval process typically requires 5-10 minutes depending on your approach and combat proficiency.
Action Checklist
- Reach Mountaintops of the Giants through main story progression
- Locate the stone bridge with Golem Archer and identify the dead tree to the left
- Engage or bypass three Lesser Fire Monks using spacing tactics
- Collect Briars of Punishment scroll beside the dead tree
- Respec character if needed to meet 21 Faith requirement
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Elden Ring: Where To Get Briars Of Punishment Master the forbidden Briars of Punishment sorcery with expert strategies for Elden Ring's late-game content