In Elden Ring, I've beaten the best of the best. I've defeated Dragonlord Placidusax, slaughtered Starscourge Rahdan, battered the Elden Beast, and murdered Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Over multiple playthroughs and a handful of profiles, I've spent close to 400 hours roving The Lands Between – from its highest peaks to its Blighttown-like bowels – combing the corners of its sprawling overworld, conversing with its whimsical NPCs, and laying waste to the wicked creatures that stalk its grasslands and garrisons alike.
Not to toot my own Envoy's Horn too loudly, but with a very meticulous sorcery routine and my +17 Cold Morning Star spiked mace in-hand, I'm a bit of a badass. A badass, admittedly, who is not above an absolute humbling. Just ask the random banished knight in Castle Sol who kicked my ass with more force than the Fire Giant's cauldron lid slam. Major bosses aside, I don't think I've come across a tougher melee opponent in all of my time with Elden Ring so far – one that I'm yet to defeat without turning my hand to ranged magic.
