Honestly, if you're playing Elden Ring offline, you've probably hit a wall at some point with White Mask Varré. You know the guy—he calls you maidenless, hangs out by the Rose Church, and then demands you go invade three real people to progress his quest. It’s annoying. Or at least it was, until FromSoftware patched in Magnus the Beast Claw.
He’s basically the "anti-lonely" fix for solo players.
Most players think Magnus is just some random NPC added for a quest bypass, but there is actually a lot of weirdness going on with him that people miss. Whether you're trying to get to Mohgwyn Palace early or you just want his specific loot, Magnus isn't just a hurdle. He’s a bit of a beast (literally).
Finding Magnus the Beast Claw in the Wild
If you’re looking for him, don't bother scouring the Limgrave starting area. He’s tucked away in the Altus Plateau. Specifically, you need to head to the Writheblood Ruins.
It’s a nasty place. Full of those annoying bloody dogs that used to one-shot you back in the day before they fixed the hitboxes. Once you get there, look for a red summon sign on the ground in the ruins. It’s not like a regular gold sign; it’s the "invade this NPC" type.
Actually, here’s a tip: you don't even have to kill him to satisfy Varré’s bloodthirst. If you just want to move the quest along, you can jump into his world, realize you forgot your health flasks, and die. It still counts as an invasion attempt. You do this three times, and Varré will be happy. But if you actually want his gear, you’re going to have to put him down.
Why Magnus the Beast Claw is Actually Tough
Magnus doesn't fight like a standard soldier. He uses the Great Stars greathammer, which is already a top-tier weapon because it has innate bleed and heals you for 1% of your health every time you hit something.
He also spams bestial incantations.
You’ll see him throwing rocks (Bestial Sling) and ripping the ground up with the actual Beast Claw spell. It’s a very aggressive, high-pressure fight. He uses the Lion’s Claw Ash of War too, which means if you try to trade hits with him, he’s probably going to pancake you into the dirt.
If you manage to beat him, the rewards are pretty solid:
- Great Stars (The greathammer)
- Somber Smithing Stone [6]
- Rune Arc
- Furlcalling Finger Remedy
Getting a second Great Stars in a single playthrough is honestly the biggest win here. Power-stancing two of those things is a legendary build for strength users.
The Confusion with the Beast Claw Weapon
Here is where things get confusing for some people. There is a character named Magnus the Beast Claw, but there is also a weapon category called Beast Claws introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Don't mix them up.
Magnus the NPC is in the base game. He uses the spell called Beast Claw. However, if you are looking for the actual weapon that lets you jump around like a wild animal, you have to go to the DLC. That weapon is dropped by an NPC named Logur the Beast Claw.
Logur is a different beast entirely. You find him in the Gravesite Plain, wandering around the woods to the southeast. Unlike Magnus, who is an invasion NPC, Logur is just a guy standing in a forest waiting to scrap.
How to Handle the Beast Claw Moveset
If you do grab the Beast Claw weapon from the DLC (or you're trying to mimic Magnus's style), you have to change how you play. It's not like the Hookclaws or the Bloodhound Claws.
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It’s erratic.
You lunge forward with almost every R1. This is great for closing distance, but it’s terrible if you’re used to standing your ground. The heavy attacks have you crouching down, which—kinda cool—can actually let you duck under some boss attacks if your timing is perfect.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make with the beast style is trying to play it safe. You have to stay in their face. The "Savage Claws" Ash of War is basically a blender mode. You press the button and just start shredding. If you put something like Bloodflame Blade on them, the bleed buildup is frankly disgusting.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Build
If you’re currently standing in the Rose Church wondering what to do next, here is the move:
- Grab some Festering Bloody Fingers from Varré or the merchant at the entrance to Liurnia.
- Ride up to Altus Plateau. You can take the Grand Lift of Dectus or the Ruin-Strewn Precipice if you’re feeling brave.
- Head to Writheblood Ruins. Be careful of the bleed dogs!
- Invade Magnus. Even if you lose, do it three times. Or win once. Both work for the quest.
- Talk to Varré. He’ll give you the Pureblood Knight's Medal, which is your ticket to the best rune farming spot in the entire game (the Palace Approach Ledge-Road).
If you’re doing this specifically for the "Beast" flavor, consider pairing the Great Stars Magnus drops with the Clawmark Seal. It scales with Strength, meaning your rocks will actually hurt when you throw them.
Magnus might just be a "patch-fix" NPC, but he’s one of the most useful additions for anyone playing Elden Ring without a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live sub. Go get your greathammer.