Does the Sleeping Dragon Respawn in Elden Ring?
No, the Sleeping Dragon, also known as Greyoll, located in Fort Faroth within the Dragonbarrow region of Caelid, does not respawn after being defeated in Elden Ring under normal circumstances. Once you slay this massive, stationary dragon, the 80,000 Runes it provides are a one-time reward for most players. However, clever Tarnished have discovered ways around this limitation through glitches and specific multiplayer mechanics, which we’ll explore in detail. This dragon isn’t really sleeping, however, but more of a plague or Scarlet Rot victim.
The Truth About Greyoll: More Than Just a Rune Farm
Greyoll isn’t just a static rune source; she’s a figure steeped in the lore of Elden Ring. As the apparent mother dragon surrounded by her smaller offspring, her passive nature suggests a tragic vulnerability, possibly due to her affliction with Scarlet Rot. Killing her, while a quick way to acquire a substantial number of Runes early on, carries a certain weight, as it removes a unique element from the game’s world.
The Sleeping Dragon, while offering a substantial rune reward, is ultimately a finite resource unless players exploit specific glitches or multiplayer mechanics. This begs the question, what are some ways to circumvent this limitation?
Exploiting Respawn Glitches
One method that gained traction involves a glitch that, under specific circumstances, causes the dragon to respawn immediately after being defeated. This exploit typically requires precise timing, often involving resting at a Site of Grace immediately after the dragon’s death. This is not a reliable method and has likely been patched in more recent versions of the game.
Here’s how the supposed glitch works:
- Attack Greyoll until her health is depleted.
- Immediately after the final blow, and before the runes are fully awarded, rest at the nearby Fort Faroth Site of Grace.
- If timed correctly, Greyoll may respawn upon loading back into the world.
The Multiplayer Method
The most reliable method, however, involves multiplayer cooperation. The key here is leveraging the game’s summoning mechanics, which are very complex and make Elden Ring a unique game to study, as noted by experts in the field of the Games Learning Society.
Here’s the method:
- A player creates a new character and progresses to Fort Faroth, unlocking the Site of Grace.
- This player summons another player (the one intending to farm runes) into their world.
- The summoned player helps defeat Greyoll.
- The host player then deletes their character.
- The host repeats the process with another new character, allowing the summoned player to repeatedly kill Greyoll and receive the 80,000 Runes each time.
This method exploits the game’s save system to repeatedly make Greyoll available, giving players a reliable means of farming runes.
Why Not Just Kill Greyoll Normally?
While tempting, simply slaying Greyoll once is often seen as inefficient in the long run. Later in the game, more lucrative rune farming methods become available. Killing Greyoll is a fine boost early in the game, but it’s not a sustainable long-term strategy for leveling up.
The Implications of Killing Greyoll
Beyond the rune rewards, there are consequences for killing Greyoll. While she doesn’t directly gate any content, her death impacts the world around her.
- Baby Dragons: The smaller dragons surrounding Greyoll will remain, but their passive behavior might feel different after her demise.
- Lore Implications: Killing her arguably removes a piece of the game’s puzzle. Some players feel that the game’s lore should take priority and is more valuable than the measly amount of runes she provides.
- Missed Encounter?: There may be an assumption that some dialogue and actions related to the baby dragons will never become available.
Is It Worth It? A Question of Morality and Efficiency
The decision to kill Greyoll ultimately comes down to player choice. Do you value the quick rune boost early on, or do you prefer to leave this ancient dragon undisturbed, respecting her place in the game’s lore? Furthermore, with more efficient rune farming methods available later on, is exploiting her for a one-time reward truly worth it? Consider the cost of this choice to truly understand what you value. It is also worth it to note that, with the runes, you can afford the incantation Greyoll’s Roar, which unleashes an area of effect blast that lowers every enemy’s attack power in range.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Greyoll and dragon respawning in Elden Ring:
1. Does the Sleeping Dragon respawn in Elden Ring under normal circumstances?
No, Greyoll does not respawn after being defeated through normal gameplay.
2. How many Runes do you get for killing Greyoll?
Killing Greyoll awards 80,000 Runes.
3. What is the glitch that allows Greyoll to respawn?
The glitch involves resting at the Fort Faroth Site of Grace immediately after delivering the final blow to Greyoll. However, it is not a reliable method and may have been patched.
4. What is the multiplayer method for repeatedly killing Greyoll?
One player creates a new character and summons another player to kill Greyoll. The host player then deletes their character and repeats the process.
5. Where is Greyoll located?
Greyoll is located in Fort Faroth, within the Dragonbarrow region of Caelid.
6. Is it immoral to kill Greyoll?
That’s a subjective question. Some players feel it’s unethical to exploit a passive creature, while others see it as a legitimate strategy for gaining Runes.
7. Are there more efficient rune farming methods than killing Greyoll?
Yes, several more efficient rune farming methods exist later in the game, such as the Mohgwyn Palace area.
8. Does Greyoll drop any unique items besides Runes?
No, Greyoll primarily awards Runes upon death.
9. What is Scarlet Rot, and does it affect Greyoll?
Scarlet Rot is a status ailment in Elden Ring that deals damage over time. It is speculated that Greyoll suffers from this ailment.
10. Is Greyoll the biggest dragon in Elden Ring?
No, Elder Dragon Greyoll is one of the largest dragons, but Dragonlord Placidusax is considered the biggest boss in general.
11. What are the best weapons to use against dragons in Elden Ring?
Effective weapons against dragons include the Dragon Greatclaw, Rivers of Blood, and various spells and sorceries.
12. Does the Roar Medallion affect dragon breath attacks?
No, the Roar Medallion enhances roars and breath attacks associated with specific weapons and Ashes of War, not dragon breath incantations.
13. Can the Night King resurrect a dragon in Elden Ring?
The Night King is from Game of Thrones, not Elden Ring. There is no mechanism to resurrect a dead dragon like the Night King did in Game of Thrones.
14. What are the best dragon incantations in Elden Ring?
Top dragon incantations include Placidusax’s Ruin, Ekzyke’s Decay, and Rotten Breath.
15. Are there other dragons that do not respawn in Dragonbarrow?
The dragons that start at half HP surrounding Greyoll do not respawn after she dies, but the full HP dragons further away do respawn.
Remember, the Lands Between are vast and full of secrets. Experiment, explore, and find your own path to becoming Elden Lord.