How to Defeat the Elden Beast in Elden Ring

The Elden Beast is the climactic final boss in Elden Ring, following the fight against Radagon of the Golden Order. This encounter is not only a test of your skill but also a battle that demands careful resource management. With its colossal health bar, constant movement, and devastating attacks. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you prepare, understand the Elden Beast's attacks, and conquer this formidable foe.

Where to Find the Elden Beast

The Elden Beast fight begins immediately after you defeat Radagon of the Golden Order in Leyndell, Ashen Capital. Accessing the Elden Throne requires defeating two prior bosses in this area, Sir Gideon Ofnir and Hoarah Loux. Once they're down, climb the stairs to the throne room for your showdown with Radagon and, soon after, the Elden Beast itself. Make sure you're prepared, as this two-part battle sequence is relentless.

Preparing for the Elden Beast

To face the Elden Beast, it's essential to be at least level 150. However, sheer level alone won't guarantee success—you'll need the right Elden Ring Items and gear. Given that both Radagon and the Elden Beast deal heavy Holy damage, equip yourself with armor that has high resistance to Holy spells, like the Crucible Tree Set. For extra protection, consider using incantations such as Lord's Divine Fortification to mitigate Holy damage further.

Fire damage is ineffective against the Elden Beast, so avoid using fire-based weapons or spells. Instead, prioritize strong physical attacks, as the Elden Beast is vulnerable to them. While it can't be affected by bleeding or poison, you can stagger it with high-damage attacks. Equipping a powerful weapon will give you a solid chance to break the Elden Beast's stance and maximize your damage output.

For added support, summon Ashen Spirits or multiplayer allies. While there are no specific NPC summons for this fight, having another entity to draw the Elden Beast's attention is immensely helpful. These diversions allow you to focus on learning the boss's movements and setting up your attacks.

Key Attack Patterns and Avoidance Strategies

The Elden Beast fight is lengthy, primarily because of its vast health bar and evasive behavior. Its movement and constant shifting across the arena can be frustrating, as it frequently teleports just as you're about to strike. To succeed, approach the battle patiently and study the Elden Beast's attacks to exploit the few windows of opportunity it offers.

Sword Swings and Combos

The Elden Beast often starts by swinging its massive sword in a single arc or a combination of strikes. Roll toward the opposite side of the swing to dodge, timing each roll carefully. After the final swing in its combo, it will pause briefly, giving you a chance to land one or two attacks.

Sometimes, the sword will glow with Holy energy, creating magical slashes that shoot toward you. The speed of these slashes makes them tricky to avoid, so practice timing your rolls to dodge these waves effectively.

Holy Explosion

The Elden Beast may drive its sword into the ground, charging an explosive Holy attack. This move can hit you twice: once from the sword itself and again from the resulting explosion. To dodge, run out of the affected area quickly, or, if you're close, try moving behind the boss for a few safe hits.

Area-of-Effect (AOE) Attacks

The Elden Beast's AOE attacks are some of its most dangerous moves. Its Golden Breath attack, for example, releases a stream of fire covering a wide area in front of the boss. To avoid it, sidestep to the left or right, ideally moving toward the boss's rear for an opening to attack.

One of its most devastating moves is the Shrinking Golden Circles ability, which summons a large golden ring that shrinks and eventually explodes. Initially, the Elden Beast only casts one circle, but later in the fight, it casts three in quick succession. If you're in the center, jump over the shrinking edges to escape or sprint away from the ring to dodge the final explosion.

Golden Spears

The Elden Beast also fires golden spear projectiles across the arena. In the earlier phase, it will glow before casting these, but later on, it will execute the attack without warning as it emerges from the ground. In both instances, avoid the spears by sprinting in a wide arc around the arena.

Nebula Clouds and Black Holes

The Elden Beast's nebula attack spreads clouds of purple mist in different formations. Sometimes, it'll spread the clouds horizontally, creating explosions in a line in front of it, while other times, it forms a row of clouds that eventually create a black hole. Avoid getting near the boss during these sequences, as the explosions have large hitboxes and can quickly overwhelm you.

The Homing Star Attack

One of the Elden Beast's trickiest moves is its Golden Star attack, where it launches a large homing star along with smaller projectiles that follow you. When the boss's left hand glows, prepare to deal with this persistent threat. To avoid, create as much distance as possible and roll in the direction of the approaching star. Eventually, the spell dissipates, but it can be especially challenging if the Elden Beast uses other attacks simultaneously.

Surviving and Capitalizing on Openings

The Elden Beast's massive size and sweeping attacks mean that most of the fight will focus on survival rather than constant aggression. As you familiarize yourself with its patterns, you'll start to recognize safe moments to strike. The key to success lies in patience: prioritize dodging and positioning to stay alive, then capitalize on brief openings to deal damage.

If you're consistent in dodging and make use of powerful Elden Ring items and equipment, you'll gradually wear down its health bar. By defeating the Elden Beast, you'll collect a significant number of Elden Ring Runes and complete the main storyline, opening up the option to start New Game Plus and face even greater challenges.

Conclusion

Taking down the Elden Beast is a milestone achievement in Elden Ring. By successfully completing this demanding fight, you'll earn invaluable Elden Ring runes, gain access to the game's ending, and have the chance to re-explore the Lands Between in New Game Plus mode. With careful preparation, the right Elden Ring items, and a strategic approach, you can claim victory over this god-like entity and see your journey in Elden Ring reach its epic conclusion.