Unveiling Elden Ring’s Reused Bosses: A Comprehensive Guide

Elden Ring, the sprawling open-world masterpiece from FromSoftware, offers a dizzying array of challenges, epic encounters, and memorable characters. One aspect that often sparks debate amongst Tarnished is the repetition of certain boss encounters. So, to answer the burning question directly: The number of repeated bosses in Elden Ring is significant, with estimates ranging from 20 to 30 depending on what you classify as a “boss”. This includes variations with slight tweaks, multiple instances in different locations, and bosses that appear both as standard encounters and as dungeon or area bosses.

Why the Boss Recycling? Game Design or Cost Cutting?

The re-use of bosses in Elden Ring is a deliberate design choice, not a sign of laziness or resource constraints. The game’s immense scale necessitates this approach for a few key reasons:

• Pacing and Progression: Repeated bosses serve as checkpoints to gauge player progress. Encountering a familiar foe in a new area allows you to assess how much stronger you’ve become and whether your build is effective against familiar combat patterns.

• Worldbuilding and Lore: Sometimes, boss repetition reinforces the lore of the Lands Between. For example, multiple Tree Spirits highlight the pervasive influence of the Erdtree and the dangers of its corruption.

• Open-World Structure: The non-linear nature of Elden Ring means players can stumble upon different areas at wildly different levels. Reused bosses provide a baseline challenge, regardless of where a player chooses to explore early on.

• Variety through Variation: While some bosses are straight-up copies, others are given new movesets, elemental affinities, or are placed in environments that drastically alter the fight’s dynamics. This provides a fresh challenge even when the core enemy remains the same.

Common Examples of Repeated Bosses

Here are a few of the most frequently encountered repeated bosses:

• Erdtree Burial Watchdog: Appears in numerous catacombs throughout the Lands Between. Their movesets vary slightly, and some are imbued with elemental damage.
• Stonedigger Troll: These large trolls can be found guarding mines and tunnels across the map.
• Night’s Cavalry: These mounted fiends patrol the open world at night.
• Deathbird: Flying horrors that emerge in specific locations at nighttime.
• Ulcerated Tree Spirit: A corrupted version of the Erdtree, appearing in several areas.
• Fallingstar Beast: A gravity-manipulating monstrosity that appears both in caves and as a more challenging, unique encounter.
• Crucible Knight: These heavily armored warriors provide consistent challenges.
• Cemetery Shade: Found guarding catacombs with unique abilities.

How the Repetition Impacts the Game

The repetition of bosses in Elden Ring elicits mixed reactions. Some players find it disappointing, diminishing the sense of wonder and unique encounters. Others appreciate the opportunity to test their skills against familiar foes and see how their builds perform. Ultimately, whether the boss repetition detracts from the experience is subjective. However, the game offers more than enough unique encounters to compensate for the reuse of certain enemies.

The Value of Unique Encounters

While repeated bosses contribute to the overall experience, the unique boss fights are what truly define Elden Ring. Encounters like Malenia, Blade of Miquella, Radagon of the Golden Order, and Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, offer unparalleled challenges and spectacular set pieces that cement Elden Ring’s status as a modern classic. These encounters, coupled with the game’s rich lore and deep combat system, solidify its place in gaming history. The Games Learning Society explores how game design, including boss battles, can be used for learning and education, visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do all bosses respawn in Elden Ring?

No, bosses do not respawn in Elden Ring after they are defeated. This applies to both unique bosses and the repeated ones. Unlike regular enemies, defeating a boss is a permanent action for that playthrough. New Game Plus resets all bosses, allowing you to fight them again.

2. Do mini-bosses respawn in Elden Ring?

Mini-bosses (such as those found in Evergaols) also do not respawn upon defeat. They are considered bosses, and their defeat is permanent for that playthrough.

3. Why are there so many repeated bosses in Elden Ring?

As mentioned above, this is due to the game’s scale, open-world structure, and the need to provide consistent challenges and reinforce the game’s lore.

4. Are some repeated bosses harder than others?

Yes. Even when fighting the same type of boss, factors like location, enemy level scaling, and added environmental hazards can make some encounters significantly harder.

5. Does New Game Plus make repeated bosses more difficult?

Yes, New Game Plus increases the health and damage of all enemies, including bosses, making the repeated encounters more challenging.

6. Is it worth fighting all the repeated bosses?

While not essential for completing the game, defeating repeated bosses is generally worthwhile. They often drop valuable upgrade materials, runes, and sometimes unique weapons or armor.

7. Does defeating repeated bosses affect the ending of the game?

No, defeating repeated bosses does not directly affect the ending you receive. The ending is determined by the player’s choices related to key characters and quests.

8. What’s the difference between a boss and a regular enemy in Elden Ring?

Bosses are distinguished by their unique health bar displayed at the bottom of the screen, their unique name, and the fact that they drop significant rewards upon defeat. Regular enemies do not possess these characteristics.

9. Are there any repeated bosses that are actually mandatory?

There are no strictly mandatory repeated bosses required to complete the main storyline. However, some repeated bosses may guard paths or items that are necessary for progression.

10. Does spirit ash summoning work on all repeated bosses?

Yes, spirit ash summoning is generally available for repeated boss fights, unless the area specifically restricts its use.

11. Can you parry all repeated bosses?

No, not all repeated bosses are parryable. This depends on their attack patterns and weapon types. Some, like the Crucible Knights, are partially parryable, while others, like the Ulcerated Tree Spirits, are not.

12. Which repeated boss offers the best rune farm?

The Night’s Cavalry provides a relatively easy rune farm early in the game. They can be found patrolling different regions at night and offer a decent amount of runes upon defeat.

13. Are there any repeated bosses that are considered optional?

Most repeated bosses are optional. They are typically found in side dungeons, caves, and catacombs and are not required for story progression.

14. Is it possible to over-level and make repeated bosses too easy?

Yes, it is possible to over-level your character, making the repeated boss encounters less challenging. However, the game’s scaling ensures that they still pose some threat, especially in later areas.

15. Will there be new bosses added in the Elden Ring DLC?

Yes, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will introduce new areas, enemies, and, of course, bosses. It is highly anticipated that these bosses will provide fresh challenges and further expand the game’s already impressive roster.

Elden Ring’s use of repeated bosses is a controversial topic, but understanding the reasons behind this design choice can enhance your appreciation for the game’s vast and intricate world. While some encounters may feel familiar, the sheer volume of content and the numerous unique boss fights ensure that Elden Ring remains a truly unforgettable experience.