Abandoned Cave Elden Ring Location & Cleanrot Armor Guide
Hidden beneath the decaying roots of Caelid lies a zone that many miss on their first run—the Abandoned Cave. It's toxic, ominous, and infested with scarlet rot. But this unassuming dungeon hides massive rewards: the Cleanrot Armor set and the powerful Golden Scarab talisman that boosts rune acquisition significantly.
Players chasing power builds, better scaling armor, or just looking to 100% the map will find the Abandoned Cave worth the trek. And the dual Cleanrot Knight boss fight? It's brutal—but fair. Let’s break down everything you need to know in 2025 to conquer this caustic cavern.
Table of contents
How to Get to the Abandoned Cave
Reaching the Abandoned Cave takes planning. Here’s your streamlined route:
Start at Smoldering Wall Site of Grace in Caelid.
Head east and locate a tree branch extending across a ravine.
Cross this narrow path carefully—it leads directly to the cave’s entrance.
You’ll see a Spirit Summoning Pool and a yellow fog barrier.
Important: Bring Preserving Boluses and Scarlet Rot-resistant gear. You’ll need it.
Navigating the Abandoned Cave
Once inside, you're surrounded by rot pools, toxic gas, and enemy mobs that stack status effects fast. You’ll want to stick to high ground when possible, use Torrent for fast traversal outside, and minimize time in the rot.
Here’s what to expect:
Scarlet Rot Pools : Inflict damage over time rapidly—keep quick cures ready.
Rot Creatures : Small pests and rot-infected enemies block narrow corridors.
Environmental Hazards : Watch for geysers and bubbling pits.
Hidden Loot : Venomous Fang, crafting ingredients, and rare grease items.
Time your movements between ledges and use rot-resistant talismans or armor.
Cleanrot Knights Boss Fight
At the end of the Abandoned Cave, you’ll face two Cleanrot Knights. This fight is tight and punishing—but fair.
Fight Tips:
Split them up : Try to pull aggro from only one knight first.
Use Spirit Ashes : A tanky summon can distract one while you handle the other.
Watch for Spears : Their piercing attacks have long reach. Dodge sideways.
Time Your Heals : Don’t heal in open space—use their attack pauses wisely.
Rewards:
Golden Scarab Talisman : Increases rune drops by 17-20%.
Chance to drop parts of the Cleanrot Armor set.
7,000 Runes from the boss fight.
Cleanrot Armor Set Overview
This heavily armored set offers solid protection and a noble design inspired by Malenia’s loyal followers. It's ideal for strength or bleed-based builds.
| Armor Piece | Defense Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cleanrot Helm | High | Slightly boosts immunity |
| Cleanrot Armor | Very High | Excellent against rot |
| Cleanrot Gauntlets | Medium | Balanced weight-to-defense |
| Cleanrot Greaves | High | Works well with heavy builds |
Farmable later from Cleanrot Knights in Elphael if you miss pieces here.
What Makes the Golden Scarab Special?
The Golden Scarab is among the best talismans for leveling and farming. Its passive rune boost stacks with consumables like Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot, creating perfect synergy for late-game grinding.
This alone makes the Abandoned Cave one of the most strategically useful dungeons in the Lands Between.
What Else You Can Find
Besides the boss loot, the cave offers these useful items:
Venomous Fang : Claw weapon with innate poison effect.
Aeonian Butterfly x3 : Useful for crafting rot-resistant items.
Serpent Bow : Ideal for poison builds.
Fire Grease & Dragonwound Grease : Great for buffing weapons.
Every item here caters to poison, rot, or bleed playstyles—perfect synergy.
Farming the Cleanrot Set Later
Missed a piece of the armor? You can farm it later:
Location : Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree.
Method : Kill Cleanrot Knights near Inner Elphael Site of Grace.
Tips : Boost Arcane, use Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot, and fast-travel reset.
This is one of the more stylish and powerful sets in the game, making the grind worth it.
Why This Area Still Matters in 2025
Despite newer updates and DLC expansions, the Abandoned Cave remains essential. Here’s why:
Efficient Rune Boosting : Nothing beats the Golden Scarab early on.
PVE Scaling : Cleanrot Armor still holds up under heavy attack.
Poison Builds : The gear and weapons sync beautifully with rot/poison tactics.
Completionist Goal : 100% map progress requires this area.
In other words—it’s not optional.
FAQs – Abandoned Cave Elden Ring
How to get to Abandoned Cave Elden Ring?
From Smoldering Wall Grace, head east to the tree branch bridge. Cross it to find the cave.
Can you solo the Cleanrot Knights?
Yes, but it’s difficult. Bring strong summons and gear that resists rot. Use ranged attacks and play defensively.
What level should I be?
Level 50–60 minimum is recommended. Bring rot resistance items and upgrade your weapon to +6 or higher.
Is the Golden Scarab missable?
No. Once you beat the Cleanrot Knights, it’s a guaranteed drop.
Can I come back later?
Yes. The cave stays open permanently once discovered.
Final Thoughts
The Abandoned Cave is more than a pit stop—it’s a crucible that tests your resolve and rewards your effort. With the Golden Scarab and Cleanrot Armor on the line, it delivers both style and substance.
Ready to challenge it yourself? Stock up on Boluses, trust your reflexes, and plunge into the rot.
And if you're ready to tackle Elden Ring at full strength, grab your Elden Ring EU Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys and dive straight into the Lands Between with the best deal available.