How to Get to Frying Pan Tower? Elden Ring Frying Pan Tower Guide

Introduction

If you’ve been scouring the internet for directions to the “Frying Pan Tower” in Elden Ring, you’ve probably hit a wall trying to find it on a map. That’s because the Frying Pan Tower isn’t an officially recognized landmark on your in-game map—it’s a community-given nickname for one of the most bizarre and visually striking structures in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. But the question remains: “How to Get to Frying Pan Tower?”

Whether you’re searching for the giant, pan-headed obelisk in the Land of Shadow, or you’ve accidentally teleported to a jail cell in Leyndell and are trying to figure out what just happened, this guide will break everything down for you. We’ll cover the exact location, the step-by-step path to reach the tower, the loot you can grab along the way, and the common confusion surrounding the base game’s “Tower of Return.”

So, grab your best weapon, level up your Scadutree Blessing, and let’s dive into the ultimate Elden Ring Frying Pan Tower guide.

Table of Contents

• What Is the Frying Pan Tower in Elden Ring?
• Why Is It Called the “Frying Pan” Tower?
• Prerequisites and Preparation
• How to Get to Frying Pan Tower: Step-by-Step
• Loot and Rewards at the Tower
• The Base Game Alternative: The Tower of Return
• Comparison: DLC Finger Tower vs. Base Game Tower of Return
• Tips and Best Practices for Navigating the Towers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What Is the Frying Pan Tower in Elden Ring?

The “Frying Pan Tower” is a colloquial term used by the Elden Ring community to describe the massive, monolithic structures found in the Finger Ruins of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. These are the same ruins associated with the “Fingercreepers”—those terrifying giant spider-hands that drop from the sky.

There are three distinct Finger Ruins in the DLC:

• Finger Ruins of Rhia (Located in the southern region, near the Cerulean Coast)
• Finger Ruins of Dheo (Located in the eastern region, near Jagged Peak)
• Finger Ruins of Miyr (Located deep in the northern regions, close to the endgame area)

Each of these ruins contains a central tower or pillar that stretches impossibly high into the sky. Because the tops of these structures are perfectly flat and circular, they resemble a giant, cast-iron frying pan. If you are looking for the so-called “Frying Pan Tower,” you are most likely looking at the central tower within the Finger Ruins of Rhia or Dheo, as those are the easiest to reach early in the DLC.

Why Is It Called the “Frying Pan” Tower?

Fromsoftware games are notorious for having community-generated nicknames for their most bizarre landmarks, and the Frying Pan Tower is no exception. The name comes from the unique shape of the structure itself. The tower is a long, vertical column of ancient stone, but the top widens into a large, round platform. When viewed from a distance, or from above, it looks exactly like a frying pan resting on its handle.

Another reason the name sticks is due to the game’s level of visual absurdity. Elden Ring doesn’t often explain why a massive stone pan is holding up the sky—it just is. Players naturally gravitate toward humorous, relatable names to describe these grotesque or absurd structures. Furthermore, reaching the top of the tower, fighting through giant hands, and unlocking a chest that teleports you is a classic “out of the frying pan and into the fire” scenario, cementing the nickname in the community.

Prerequisites and Preparation

Before you even think about making the journey to the Frying Pan Tower, you need to ensure you have met the necessary requirements. If you are playing on a fresh New Game+ character or stepping into the DLC for the first time, here is what you need to do:

Accessing the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

1. You must own the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
2. You must have defeated Radahn, Starscourge at Redmane Castle (in Caelid).
3. You must have defeated Mohg, Lord of Blood at Mohgwyn Palace.
4. Defeat the Omen guarding the corpse in Mohgwyn Palace to interact with Miquella’s Cocoon.

Recommended Loadout

• Scadutree Blessing Level: It is highly recommended to have at least a +4 or +5 Scadutree Blessing before tackling the Finger Ruins. These fragments increase your damage dealt and damage negation significantly in the DLC.
• Strike Damage Weapons: The Fingercreepers are weak to strike damage (hammers, clubs, and fists). Bring a set of heavy-hitting blunt weapons.
• Torrent & Flasks: Make sure your Spectral Steed Whistle is ready, as you will need to use Torrent to navigate the ruins and make quick escapes from enemies.
• Anti-Panic Items: Bring poise-boosting talismans and a shield if you struggle with the hand enemies’ grab attacks. The Pearldrake Talisman is also useful for reducing magic damage taken from the Giant Fingercreepers.

How to Get to Frying Pan Tower: Step-by-Step

Now, for the main event. If you want an exact route to the central tower in the Finger Ruins of Rhia, follow these steps carefully. This is the most common location players refer to when asking “How to Get to Frying Pan Tower?”

Step 1: Reach the Realm of Shadow

To start, you need to be in the Realm of Shadow. If you’ve already beaten the DLC intro, you should have spawned in the Gravesite Plain. If you haven’t, teleport to the Gravesite Plain Site of Grace located right outside the starting mausoleum.

Step 2: Head South to the Cerulean Coast

From the Gravesite Plain, open your map and look to the very south. You will see a region labeled Cerulean Coast, characterized by its blue-tinted water and rugged cliffs. There are two main ways to get there:

• Through the Ellac River: Find the entrance to the Ellac River Cave in the western cliffs of the Gravesite Plain. Follow the river downstream, navigating the waterfalls and the giant Miranda Flowers, until you emerge in the Cerulean Coast.
• Dropping Down from the South Cliff: If you have the Spirit Spring unlocked, you can ride Torrent and launch off the southern cliffs of the Gravesite Plain to safely drop down into the lower coastal region.

Step 3: Locate the Finger Ruins of Rhia

Once you are in the Cerulean Coast, look towards the eastern edge of the map. You will see a massive, finger-like structure jutting out of the ground. That is the Finger Ruins of Rhia. The entrance to the actual ruins is not a giant archway; instead, it is a steep descent into a chasm filled with ruins and massive stone fingers. Follow the trail of broken pillars and glowing flora until you find the downward slope.

Step 4: Survive the Descent

As you descend into the ruins, you will encounter several Fingercreepers. These enemies are fast, hit hard, and can grab you. You have two options here:

• Fight: Use a hammer or a great hammer. Jump attacks will stagger them quickly. Focus on one hand at a time.
• Flee: The enemy placement is spaced out enough that you can sprint on Torrent, dodging the hands, and make a beeline for the central tower.

Step 5: Climb the Frying Pan Tower

At the center of the Finger Ruins of Rhia, you will find the main tower. Here is the trick: you can’t climb it the traditional way. There are no ladders or stairs on the outside. Instead, look for a Spirit Spring located near the base of the tower. Stand on it with Torrent and press the jump button to launch high into the air. You will land on the first ledge of the tower. From there, follow the broken walkway and debris upward, jumping across gaps until you reach the very top.

Step 6: Defeat the Guardian at the Top

When you reach the top of the Frying Pan Tower, you will be greeted by a massive Giant Finger Creeper boss. This is a scaled-up version of the hand enemies with a unique grab attack that can one-shot you at lower levels. Attack its fingernails (the glowing red or white spots) to deal significant damage. Once defeated, it will drop a Larval Tear or various upgrade materials.

Loot and Rewards at the Tower

Why would you brave giant hands and precarious platforming? For the loot, of course. Here is a breakdown of the valuable items you can find at the Frying Pan Tower and the surrounding ruins:

• Great Ghost Glovewort (9): Found on the upper ledges of the tower.
• Ghost Glovewort (7, 8, 9): Scattered around the base and the walls of the ruins.
• Pata: This is a unique fist weapon found in one of the ruined buildings at the base of the tower, not on the tower itself. Make sure you explore the crumbled structures before you leave.
• Larval Tear: Drops from the Giant Finger Creeper boss at the top.
• Various Runes: Golden Runes and Numen’s Runes are scattered around the area, often guarded by Fingercreepers.

Note: If you specifically came here looking for the actual “Frying Pan” weapon—the joke weapon added in the DLC—it is not on this tower. The Frying Pan weapon is located in the Ruins of Unte, a completely separate area. We’ll cover more on that in the FAQ.

The Base Game Alternative: The Tower of Return

While the community’s “Frying Pan Tower” refers to the DLC Finger Ruins, a massive portion of search traffic for this term comes from players who are actually stuck in the base game. There is a location called the Tower of Return in the Weeping Peninsula. The confusion is understandable: the top of this tower looks like a giant pan, and the chest in it is a trap that flings you into the heart of the Royal Capital—straight out of the frying pan and into the fire.

How to Reach the Tower of Return

1. Fast travel to the Church of Pilgrimage site of grace in the Weeping Peninsula.
2. Ride east toward the coastline. You will see a massive, solitary tower standing on the cliffs.
3. Enter the tower and fight your way up the swarms of low-level enemies.
4. At the top, open the glowing chest. Do not open it if you are not prepared to be teleported.
5. You will be teleported to a jail cell in the Royal Capital, Leyndell. Simply walk out of the cell, and you will be in the capital city proper. This is an excellent early-game route to grab the Ruins Greatsword.

Comparison: DLC Finger Tower vs. Base Game Tower of Return

To help you decide which location you need to visit, let’s compare the two “Frying Pan Towers” side-by-side.

Tips and Best Practices for Navigating the Towers

Whether you’re climbing the massive stone pan of the DLC or falling for the teleport trap in the Weeping Peninsula, there are several universal tips that will make your experience significantly less frustrating.

Dealing with Fingercreepers

• Use Fire Grease: Applying fire to your fists or hammer will significantly boost your damage against the hand enemies.
• Jump Attacks: Use heavy jump attacks to break their poise. Once they are staggered, you can land a critical hit riposte.
• Stay Close: While it seems counterintuitive, staying in close range prevents their ranged “hair” or magic attacks. Rolling into them is often safer than rolling away.

Platforming Safely

• Save Summons: If you are using Spirit Ashes, do not summon them on narrow walkways. They will block your path and get you knocked off the edge. Wait until you reach the top or the wider platforms.
• Use Torrent’s Double Jump: When relying on Spirit Springs, hold down the jump button to gain maximum altitude. You can also use Torrent’s mid-air double-jump to correct your landing trajectory onto the tower ledges.
• Equip the Longtail Cat Talisman: If you are prone to slipping or have poor platforming instincts, this talisman prevents fall damage from hitting the ground. It will save you from a lot of embarrassing deaths at the Frying Pan Tower.

Teleport Trap Safety

“If you see a glowing chest in a decrepit tower, there’s a 50% chance it’s a mimic, and a 75% chance it’s a teleport. In Elden Ring, it’s almost always a teleport.”

Before opening a chest in the Tower of Return, make sure you have the Lyendell, Royal Capital site of grace already unlocked. If you don’t, you’ll be trapped in the capital with no fast travel access except for the hidden site of grace directly outside the jail cell. You can just walk out of the cell, run past the enemies, and touch the “Outer Wall Battleground” site of grace to regain your ability to fast travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the Frying Pan Tower in the base game or the DLC?

The term “Frying Pan Tower” is most commonly used to describe the giant finger-like towers in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, specifically within the Finger Ruins. However, many players use the same nickname for the Tower of Return in the base game’s Weeping Peninsula due to the teleport trap mechanic and its circular top. This guide covers both to eliminate confusion.

2. Can I get the actual “Frying Pan” weapon at the Frying Pan Tower?

No, you cannot. This is the most common misunderstanding. The Frying Pan weapon in Elden Ring is found in the Ruins of Unte, which is located in the western part of the DLC map, accessible via the Abandoned Ailing Village or the Ellac River basin. The Ruins of Unte is a small circular arena with a ghost NPC. The chest containing the Frying Pan is right in the center. It is in the West, not anywhere near the Finger Ruins in the East/South.

3. How many Scadutree Fragments do I need to survive the Finger Ruins?

It is highly recommended to have at least a +6 Scadutree Blessing before venturing into the Finger Ruins alongside your journey. The Giant Finger Creeper at the top of the tower deals tremendous physical and magic damage. If you are getting one-shot, leave the area, explore other parts of the map to collect Scadutree Fragments, and return.

4. What is the best weapon to use against the Giant Finger Creeper?

Strike weapons are the undisputed champions here. A +10 or +15 Great Hammer (like the Giant-Crusher or the Prelate’s Inferno Crozier) will absolutely flatten the Fingercreepers. If you are running a magic build, use Glintstone Pebble or Comet Shard at a distance, but beware of their magical arm attacks which have long reach.

5. Is the Tower of Return available at the start of the game?

Yes. The Tower of Return in the Weeping Peninsula is available immediately after you leave the tutorial area. It is an extremely popular route for early-game players to reach the Royal Capital for late-game loot. Just be prepared to potentially run away from massively overpowered enemies in the capital if you’re only level 20.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a crystal-clear understanding of How to Get to Frying Pan Tower? in Elden Ring. To summarize:

• If you are looking for the massive stone pan-like structure, you need to head to the Finger Ruins of Rhia in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Follow the southern coast, survive the giant hands, and use the spirit springs to climb the tower.
• If you are looking for the weapon named “Frying Pan,” you need to go to the Ruins of Unte in the western regions of the DLC.
• If you are looking for a fun early-game adventure and the Ruins Greatsword, then the base game’s Tower of Return is your destination.

The world of Elden Ring is vast, confusing, and filled with secrets that players have mapped, tested, and affectionately nicknamed. The Frying Pan Tower is just one of these bizarre landmarks that makes the game so memorable. Now that you know the exact path, gear up, watch your step, and may your journey through the Lands Between (and the Realm of Shadow) be filled with discovery.

Safe travels, Tarnished!