Is Elden Beast Immune to All Status Effects? The Definitive Guide

No, the Elden Beast is not immune to all status effects, but its resistance is exceptionally high. While many players struggle to inflict status ailments on this final boss of Elden Ring, a few select effects can be applied, albeit with significant effort and specific builds. Understanding which status effects work, and how effectively they do, is crucial for crafting a winning strategy against the Elden Beast.

Elden Beast’s Status Resistance: A Deep Dive

The Elden Beast is designed to be a formidable opponent, and its resistance to status effects reflects this. Its built-in resistances are astronomically high compared to many other enemies in the game. This means that applying status effects will take far more hits, even with optimized builds focusing on Arcane and status buildup.

However, “high resistance” doesn’t mean “immunity.” While many players have tried and failed to inflict common status ailments like Poison, Scarlet Rot, and Madness, some have found success with others. The key is understanding which effects are even theoretically possible and then building around maximizing their application rate.

Status Effects and the Elden Beast: What Works (and What Doesn’t)

Here’s a breakdown of the status effects and their viability against the Elden Beast:

• Bleed (Hemorrhage): This is arguably the most consistently viable status effect against the Elden Beast. While its resistance is very high, it can be inflicted. Builds focused on fast weapons with high Bleed buildup, such as dual katanas or Bloodflame Blade-infused weaponry, are the most effective. The Rivers of Blood katana, while popular, is not necessarily the best choice due to its lower Bleed buildup compared to some other options. Maintaining constant aggression and landing multiple hits in rapid succession is critical for building up the Bleed meter.

• Frostbite: Similar to Bleed, Frostbite can be inflicted, though it requires a dedicated build and persistence. Cold weapons, such as those infused with the Chilling Mist Ash of War, can be used to apply Frostbite. While Frostbite doesn’t do as much burst damage as Bleed, it also reduces the enemy’s damage absorption, potentially amplifying subsequent attacks. The utility of the debuff it provides makes it a useful status effect.

• Poison: Highly resistant. While theoretically possible, the effort required to inflict Poison often outweighs its minimal benefits. The Elden Beast has substantial resistance, and the damage-over-time effect is relatively weak. It’s generally not recommended to build around Poison against this boss.

• Scarlet Rot: Similar to Poison, Scarlet Rot is extremely difficult to apply. The resistance is so high that it’s practically considered immune. Building up Scarlet Rot requires a tremendous number of successful hits with Rot-inducing attacks, making it an impractical strategy for most players.

• Madness: The Elden Beast is widely considered immune to Madness. Reports of successfully inflicting it are extremely rare and often attributed to glitches or unintended interactions. Building around Madness is strongly discouraged due to its near-certain futility.

• Sleep: Almost certain immunity. Sleep is generally ineffective against most bosses, and the Elden Beast is no exception. You’ll find it almost impossible to inflict Sleep on this boss.

• Death Blight: Immunne. Death Blight’s mechanics are generally designed for PvP combat, and its effectiveness against bosses is severely limited. It’s not a viable strategy against the Elden Beast.

• Instant Death: Immune. No known method exists to cause instant death to the Elden Beast through any means.

Optimizing Your Build for Status Application

If you’re determined to use status effects against the Elden Beast, focus on these key strategies:

• Arcane Scaling: Arcane directly affects the buildup rate of Bleed and other status effects. Optimize your build to maximize your Arcane stat. Weapons with innate Arcane scaling, such as the Rivers of Blood katana or the Eleonora’s Poleblade, are good choices.

• Talismans and Buffs: Use talismans like the Lord of Blood’s Exultation (for Bleed) to boost your damage after inflicting a status effect. Consider using incantations like Bloodflame Blade to further enhance your weapon’s status buildup.

• Weapon Choice: Prioritize weapons with high status buildup per hit. Faster weapons are generally better, as they allow you to land more hits in a shorter amount of time. Dual wielding weapons is particularly effective for maximizing hit frequency.

• Persistence: Don’t give up after a few failed attempts. Applying status effects to the Elden Beast requires persistence and a consistent strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I stagger the Elden Beast with status effects?

No. Status effects do not contribute to the Elden Beast’s stagger meter. Staggering this boss relies on heavy attacks and jump attacks to the head.

2. Does the Elden Beast’s resistance to status effects increase during the fight?

There is no definitive evidence to suggest that the Elden Beast’s resistance to status effects increases during the fight. However, some players report that it feels more difficult to inflict status ailments in the later phases, possibly due to the boss’s erratic movement making it harder to land consistent hits.

3. What’s the best weapon for inflicting Bleed on the Elden Beast?

While Rivers of Blood is popular, dual wielding curved swords like Scavenger’s Curved Sword with Bloodflame Blade or a Cold infusion on one is often more effective due to higher hit rates and Bleed buildup potential.

4. Does the Mimic Tear spirit ash help in applying status effects?

Yes, the Mimic Tear can significantly improve your chances of inflicting status effects. The Mimic Tear will mirror your build and attack patterns, effectively doubling your output.

5. Does increasing my Luck stat (Discovery) affect status buildup?

No, the Luck stat (Discovery) only affects item drop rates, not status buildup. Arcane is the primary stat that influences status buildup.

6. Is it worth using consumables like throwing pots that inflict status effects?

Generally no. Throwing pots inflict a one-time application of status buildup, and given the Elden Beast’s resistance, they are unlikely to have a significant impact. They are more suited for quicker enemies or easier encounters.

7. Can I use weapon arts to apply status effects more effectively?

Yes, certain weapon arts, such as the Corpse Piler on Rivers of Blood or the Chilling Mist Ash of War, can be very effective for inflicting status effects. Focus on weapon arts that deal multiple hits or apply a large amount of status buildup.

8. Is it easier to inflict status effects on the Elden Beast in co-op?

While co-op allows for more coordinated attacks, it also increases the boss’s overall health and resistance to status effects. The effectiveness of co-op for inflicting status ailments depends on the build and coordination of the players involved.

9. What are some good talismans to use for status effect builds against the Elden Beast?

Key talismans include: Lord of Blood’s Exultation (for Bleed), Millicent’s Prosthesis (for Dexterity and increased attack power on successive attacks), Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (further enhances attack power on successive attacks), and Ritual Sword Talisman (for increased attack power at full health).

10. Does using a Whetstone Knife to change my weapon’s scaling affect status buildup?

Yes, choosing an Occult infusion will drastically increase Arcane scaling if the weapon allows it. This will boost status buildup if you’re using a weapon that inherently has a status effect like Bleed. Blood infusions do the same for arcane scaling, but also add bleed if the weapon doesn’t have it by default.

11. Is it possible to apply status effects to the Elden Beast during its Elden Stars attack?

Applying status effects during Elden Stars is challenging due to the boss’s invulnerability frames and the difficulty of landing consistent hits. It’s generally better to focus on dodging the attack and waiting for a more opportune moment to strike.

12. Is it easier to inflict status effects on the Elden Beast in New Game Plus (NG+)?

No, NG+ does not inherently make it easier to inflict status effects. While you’ll have access to more powerful equipment and higher stats, the Elden Beast’s health and resistances also scale up in NG+.

13. Are there any glitches or exploits that make it easier to inflict status effects on the Elden Beast?

While glitches and exploits may exist, relying on them is generally discouraged, as they can be patched out and may detract from the intended gameplay experience. The information here does not cover them.

14. Besides bleed and frostbite, is there any other status effect worth considering against the Elden Beast?

Given the high resistance, no, the other status effects are not recommended. Using a strategy that relies on poison or scarlet rot will most likely not be enough to defeat the Elden Beast.

15. Does the Shard of Alexander talisman affect the ability to apply status effects?

No, the Shard of Alexander only boosts the damage of weapon skills, not the buildup of status effects.