Finding your way to the Ringleader Evergaol in Elden Ring can be one of the more elusive and rewarding challenges for players venturing deep into the world of the Lands Between. This powerful Evergaol houses a notorious boss that many players seek out for the thrill of battle and the loot it offers. However, unlike other Evergaols, the Ringleader Evergaol is located in a particularly hard-to-reach region, making the journey a test of both navigation and patience. If you’re aiming to locate and unlock this fight, it’s essential to follow a clear route and be prepared for a difficult trek filled with high-level threats.
Where to Begin Your Journey
Understand the Region: Moonlight Altar Plateau
The Ringleader Evergaol is found in the Moonlight Altar Plateau, a secretive and high-level area that many players will not reach until late in the game. This region is not accessible through normal map progression. Instead, it requires several key events and items to unlock, particularly involving Ranni’s questline.
Complete Ranni’s Questline
Before you can even begin to think about reaching the Ringleader Evergaol, you must first make significant progress through Ranni the Witch’s storyline. Here’s a summary of key milestones:
- Meet Ranni at Ranni’s Rise in Liurnia of the Lakes after defeating Royal Knight Loretta at Caria Manor.
- Agree to serve Ranni, triggering her questline.
- Proceed through Nokron and Nokstella, acquiring the Fingerslayer Blade and defeating Baleful Shadow.
- Obtain the discarded palace key and unlock the chest in the Grand Library of Raya Lucaria.
- Eventually, reach the Lake of Rot and defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
Only after completing these steps will you be able to proceed to the Moonlight Altar Plateau, the region containing the Ringleader Evergaol.
Accessing the Moonlight Altar Plateau
Obtain the Dark Moon Ring
To unlock the lift to the Moonlight Altar, you’ll need the Dark Moon Ring. This item is found in the chest in the Grand Library after completing much of Ranni’s quest. The ring is required to open the barrier past Astel’s arena.
Use the Lift Behind Astel
After defeating Astel, head toward the Grand Cloister and find the hidden path that leads to the lift at the Cathedral of Manus Celes. If you don’t have the Dark Moon Ring, the barrier at this lift will remain locked. Once you use the ring to bypass the seal, you’ll be able to ascend to the Moonlight Altar Plateau.
Explore the Plateau
The Moonlight Altar is a vast and beautiful area, full of tough enemies, including dragons, spirit knights, and spectral beasts. The Ringleader Evergaol is located toward the western part of this plateau, near a cliff edge. It is not directly marked on the map unless you are nearby, so navigation is key.
Reaching the Ringleader Evergaol
From the Cathedral of Manus Celes
Once you’ve arrived at the Cathedral, which is the final location in Ranni’s questline, rest at the Site of Grace there. From this point, you’ll want to travel southwest through the plateau.
Follow the Road Through the Plateau
Take the road that curves westward from the Cathedral. You’ll pass through a series of cliffs, ruins, and dangerous enemies. Continue past the ruins and carefully navigate the mountain paths. The enemies here are tough and aggressive, so either avoid combat or be prepared for some serious fights.
Look for the Western Cliffside
The Ringleader Evergaol is located on a large flat rock platform near the cliff’s edge in the far west of the Moonlight Altar Plateau. It’s not marked prominently on the map, but if you explore thoroughly, you’ll find a circular stone platform with glowing runes this is the Evergaol.
What to Expect at the Ringleader Evergaol
Boss Fight Overview
Inside the Ringleader Evergaol, you’ll face Black Knife Ringleader Alecto. This is a highly mobile and aggressive assassin-type boss that uses a Black Knife imbued with the Rune of Death. Alecto’s attacks inflict health-draining debuffs, and her flurries can be punishing if not parried or dodged correctly.
Tips for Beating Alecto
- Use Spirit Ashes to draw aggro and reduce the pressure on yourself during the fight.
- Equip armor or talismans that boost resistance to bleed or status buildup.
- Dodging her combos is key; learning her pattern will take a few attempts.
- Magic users can kite her with ranged attacks, but must maintain distance as she will close gaps quickly.
Rewards for Victory
Defeating Alecto in the Ringleader Evergaol rewards you with the powerful Black Knife Tiche summon. This Spirit Ash is considered one of the best in the game due to its speed and deadly attacks. It’s a top-tier reward for players seeking an edge in future boss fights.
Returning and Revisiting the Evergaol
Can You Fight Again?
Evergaols in Elden Ring function as one-time boss arenas, and once you defeat the boss inside, you cannot repeat the battle. However, the platform remains accessible if you wish to revisit the location or show it to others in multiplayer mode.
Map Marking and Fast Travel
Once discovered, the Ringleader Evergaol will be marked on your map. Use this point for fast travel if you want to explore more of the Moonlight Altar Plateau later or hunt for missed items in the area.
Things to Watch Out For
High-Level Enemies
The plateau is not meant for low-level players. Dragons, spirit knights, and wandering spirits pose a real threat. Come prepared with upgraded gear, high-level Spirit Ashes, and plenty of healing flasks.
Limited Access
Because the region is tied to Ranni’s questline, you cannot reach the Ringleader Evergaol without fully committing to her story. Missing key steps or making certain choices can permanently lock you out of the Moonlight Altar Plateau in your current playthrough.
Getting to the Ringleader Evergaol in Elden Ring is a journey that involves deep exploration, significant quest progression, and combat readiness. It’s hidden behind one of the game’s most complex questlines, and the boss waiting inside is no pushover. But for those who take the time to unlock the Moonlight Altar Plateau and face Alecto, the rewards are more than worth the effort. From an unforgettable battle to the powerful Black Knife Tiche summon, the Ringleader Evergaol stands as one of the most rewarding challenges in the game. Stay vigilant, and prepare well the path to this Evergaol is not for the faint of heart.