Does the Final Boss in Elden Ring Have a Weakness? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, even the seemingly insurmountable final boss in Elden Ring, the Elden Beast, possesses weaknesses that Tarnished warriors can exploit to claim victory. While it’s true that the Elden Beast presents a formidable challenge, understanding its vulnerabilities and how to capitalize on them is crucial for success. Though immune to most status effects, and resistant to many damage types, effective strategies and knowledge of what works best is the key to victory.

Understanding the Final Boss Encounter

The final boss encounter in Elden Ring is actually a two-part affair: Radagon of the Golden Order followed immediately by the Elden Beast. Both bosses present unique challenges and require different approaches. While seemingly one seamless battle, understanding what works against one will not always translate to the other.

Radagon: The First Hurdle

Radagon primarily deals Holy damage and is quite aggressive. He is also resistant to Holy damage himself, so avoid using Holy-based attacks. He is however susceptible to certain strategies.

Elden Beast: The Cosmic Horror

The Elden Beast, a creature of cosmic origin, is the true final boss. Unlike Radagon, it is immune to most status effects, including bleed, poison, frostbite, sleep, and madness. It also exhibits high resistance to most elemental damage types. The key here is to focus on what the Elden Beast isn’t resistant to, and to capitalize on those openings.

Exploitable Weaknesses of the Elden Beast

Although the Elden Beast boasts impressive defenses, it does have exploitable weaknesses. Here’s the breakdown:

• Physical Damage: The Elden Beast is more vulnerable to physical damage compared to elemental or Holy damage. Weapons with high physical attack power are your best bet. This means focusing on weapons with high base damage, upgraded to their maximum level.

• Black Flame: Despite resistance to elemental types, Black Flame incantations are notably effective. Black Flame deals percentage-based damage in addition to its flat damage, making it great against enemies with high health pools.

• Weapon Skills/Ashes of War: Utilize weapon skills and Ashes of War that deal significant physical damage and are quick to execute. This allows you to maximize damage output during the limited windows of opportunity.

• Mobility and Positioning: The Elden Beast frequently moves across the arena. Having high mobility to chase it down and efficient stamina management is crucial for staying on the offensive. Try summoning a strong Spirit Ash to draw aggro.

Essential Strategies for Victory

Beyond exploiting weaknesses, consider these strategic tips for defeating the Elden Beast:

• Optimize Your Build: Respec your character if necessary to maximize physical damage output. Focus on Strength, Dexterity, or a combination of both, depending on your weapon of choice.
• Choose the Right Talismans: Talismans like Green Turtle Talisman (for stamina recovery), Erdtree’s Favor (for HP, stamina, and equip load), and Axe Talisman (for charged attack damage) can provide significant benefits.
• Maximize Damage Buffs: Use consumables like Exalted Flesh to boost your physical attack power. Spells like Golden Vow can further enhance your damage and defense.
• Learn the Attack Patterns: The Elden Beast’s attacks are telegraphed, and learning the timing and range of these attacks is crucial for dodging and creating openings.
• Cooperation is Key: If struggling, summon other players for assistance. Having allies to share aggro and deal damage can significantly increase your chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Final Boss

1. Is the Elden Beast truly immune to all status effects?

Yes, the Elden Beast is completely immune to status effects like bleed, poison, scarlet rot, frostbite, sleep, and madness. Do not waste your time and resources trying to inflict these ailments.

2. Does Holy damage affect the Elden Beast?

Actually, Holy damage heals the Elden Beast, making it actively detrimental to use. Avoid using any weapons, spells, or incantations that deal Holy damage.

3. What kind of spirit ashes are most effective against the final boss?

Spirit ashes that can draw aggro and survive for extended periods are the most effective. Options include the Mimic Tear, Black Knife Tiche, and Lhutel the Headless.

4. What are the best talismans to use against the Elden Beast?

Effective talismans include the Green Turtle Talisman (stamina recovery), Erdtree’s Favor (HP, stamina, equip load), Axe Talisman (charged attack damage), and talismans that boost physical damage like the Claw Talisman.

5. Are there any specific weapon skills or Ashes of War that are particularly effective?

Weapon skills and Ashes of War that deal high physical damage and can be executed quickly are ideal. Experiment with options like Lion’s Claw or Hoarah Loux’s Earthshaker to find what suits your playstyle.

6. Should I focus on ranged or melee combat against the Elden Beast?

Melee combat is generally more effective due to the Elden Beast’s high mobility and the difficulty of consistently landing ranged attacks. However, incorporating ranged options like Black Flame can supplement your melee attacks.

7. How important is stamina management during this fight?

Stamina management is crucial. The Elden Beast forces you to chase it down and dodge frequently. The Green Turtle Talisman and armor with high poise can help with this.

8. Is it possible to “cheese” the Elden Beast?

While it’s difficult to cheese the Elden Beast entirely, certain strategies can make the fight easier. This involves maximizing ranged damage output while keeping a safe distance, often using the Mimic Tear to draw aggro.

9. How much Vigor (HP) is recommended for this fight?

Aim for at least 50-60 Vigor to survive the Elden Beast’s powerful attacks. More Vigor is always beneficial, especially on higher NG+ cycles.

10. What armor provides the best protection against the Elden Beast?

Armor with high physical defense and poise is recommended. The exact armor set is less important than optimizing your overall build for physical damage and survivability.

11. Are there any specific buffs or consumables I should use before the fight?

Use consumables like Exalted Flesh to boost your physical attack power. Spells like Golden Vow and incantations like Flame, Grant Me Strength can further enhance your damage output.

12. How does the Elden Beast’s AI work? Does it have predictable patterns?

The Elden Beast’s AI is somewhat predictable once you learn its attack patterns. Pay attention to its movements and the telegraphed animations of its attacks to anticipate and dodge effectively.

13. Is it better to use a single powerful weapon or dual-wield weapons against the Elden Beast?

This depends on your playstyle. Single powerful weapons can deliver high damage per hit, while dual-wielding allows for faster attacks and status buildup (though status effects are useless in this fight).

14. What level should I be before attempting to fight the final boss?

A character level of 120-150 is generally recommended for the final boss fight. This provides sufficient stats to optimize your build and survive the encounter.

15. Where can I find more resources for improving my Elden Ring skills?

Websites, forums, and communities dedicated to Elden Ring offer valuable information, strategies, and build suggestions. Exploring the Games Learning Society for game theory and strategic insights can also offer another perspective. You can also look for YouTube videos and guides. See the official website: GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion: Triumphing Over the Elden Beast

Defeating the Elden Beast requires a combination of understanding its weaknesses, optimizing your build, and mastering its attack patterns. While it is a challenging encounter, with the right strategy and perseverance, any Tarnished can claim victory and become the Elden Lord. Good luck, and may the Greater Will be with you!