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Is There Two Astels in Elden Ring? Unveiling the Cosmic Horrors

Yes, there are indeed two distinct Astel encounters in Elden Ring. While both share the same name and terrifying appearance, they are located in different areas and have slightly varying attack patterns, solidifying their status as separate boss encounters, even if sharing the same core design.

Understanding the Astels of Elden Ring

The Astels are among the more visually striking and challenging bosses in Elden Ring. These cosmic horrors, with their unsettling blend of insectoid and alien features, pose a significant threat to Tarnished seeking to claim the Elden Ring. Knowing where to find them, and what to expect, is crucial for survival.

Astel, Naturalborn of the Void

This is arguably the more famous and strategically important of the two Astel encounters. Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, guards the entrance to the Deeproot Depths. Defeating it is required to progress through a specific late-game questline, particularly Ranni the Witch’s questline.

Location: Grand Cloister in the Lake of Rot (accessed through Ranni’s questline).
Significance: Blocking access to the Deeproot Depths and a crucial step in Ranni’s ending.
Strategy Notes: Highly vulnerable to physical damage, especially to the head. Be wary of its teleportation abilities and gravity magic.

Astel, Stars of Darkness

While sharing the same name and general move set, Astel, Stars of Darkness, represents a more optional challenge. This version of Astel is located in a separate area and can be bypassed entirely if a player chooses to do so. However, defeating it yields valuable rewards.

Location: Yelough Anix Tunnel in the Consecrated Snowfield.
Significance: Optional boss; grants access to a Remembrance and powerful sorceries.
Strategy Notes: Similar weaknesses to the Naturalborn of the Void, but the confined arena can make dodging its attacks more challenging.

Distinguishing Features and Combat Tactics

While the two Astels share the same fundamental design, small variations exist in their attack patterns and the arena in which they are fought.

Differences in Attack Patterns

Although both bosses utilize similar moves, the Stars of Darkness version seems to favor certain attacks more frequently than the Naturalborn of the Void. Some players have reported slightly altered timing on specific attacks, although this can be subjective and influenced by individual playthroughs.

Arena Considerations

The most significant difference lies in the environments themselves. The Grand Cloister, while still enclosed, provides more space for maneuvering than the Yelough Anix Tunnel. This cramped space in the Tunnel makes dodging Astel’s area-of-effect attacks considerably more challenging.

General Combat Strategies

Regardless of which Astel you face, the following tips are essential for survival:

Target the Head: Astel’s head is its weakest point. Concentrating your attacks there will significantly increase your damage output.
Dodge the Gravity Magic: Astel frequently uses gravity-based attacks that can pull you in or deal massive damage. Pay close attention to the animations and dodge accordingly.
Beware the Teleportation: Astel can teleport across the arena, often followed by a surprise attack. Be prepared to react quickly.
Utilize Summons: Summons can distract Astel and provide you with opportunities to deal damage. Strong, tanky summons are particularly effective.
Resist Magic Damage: While physical damage is preferable, building resistance to magic can mitigate some of the boss’s more devastating attacks.

Rewards for Defeating the Astels

Successfully conquering these cosmic abominations grants valuable rewards to the Tarnished.

Rewards for Defeating Astel, Naturalborn of the Void

Defeating this Astel is not directly rewarded with a remembrance or unique item drop. Its importance lies in unlocking progress in Ranni’s questline and providing access to the Deeproot Depths.

Unlocks: The path to the Deeproot Depths.
Quest Progression: Advances Ranni’s questline, a crucial component for unlocking one of the game’s multiple endings.

Rewards for Defeating Astel, Stars of Darkness

This optional encounter provides more tangible rewards.

Remembrance of the Naturalborn: Allows you to acquire powerful weapons or sorceries from Enia at the Roundtable Hold.
Astel’s Wing: A powerful sorcery that summons miniature Astel wings to launch projectiles at enemies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are the two Astels the same boss, just in different locations?

While they share the same name, appearance, and move set, their separate locations, rewards, and slight attack variations suggest they are distinct encounters, rather than simply the same boss transplanted. They can be considered two versions of the same archetype.

2. Which Astel is harder to fight?

Many players find Astel, Stars of Darkness, in the Yelough Anix Tunnel to be more challenging due to the confined arena, making dodging attacks much more difficult.

3. What level should I be before fighting Astel?

For Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, a level of 80-100 is recommended. For Astel, Stars of Darkness, a level of 100+ is suggested, given the location is in the late-game Consecrated Snowfield area.

4. What type of damage is Astel weak to?

Astel is particularly vulnerable to physical damage, especially when targeting the head.

5. What talismans are useful against Astel?

Useful talismans include:

Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Increases physical damage negation.
Magic Scorpion Charm: Increases magic damage dealt (be cautious, as it also reduces magic damage negation).
Marika’s Soreseal/Scarseal: Increases Mind, Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane (but also increases damage taken).
Erdtree’s Favor: Increases HP, Stamina, and Equip Load.

6. Can I summon Spirit Ashes for the Astel fights?

Yes, you can summon Spirit Ashes for both Astel encounters. Tanky summons that can draw aggro are particularly effective.

7. What are some good Spirit Ash summons against Astel?

Popular choices include:

Black Knife Tiche: High damage and agile dodging.
Lhutel the Headless: High defense and strong melee attacks.
Mimic Tear: Creates a copy of your character, providing significant damage output.
Omenkiller Rollo: A very aggressive summon with great damage output.

8. Does Astel have any status vulnerabilities (e.g., bleed, frostbite)?

Astel is somewhat resistant to most status effects. However, Frostbite can be applied effectively, as it reduces its damage negation. Bleed can also work but is generally less effective.

9. Is Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, required to beat the game?

No, defeating Astel itself is not directly required to beat the game. However, it is essential for completing Ranni’s questline, which unlocks a specific ending.

10. Where is the Yelough Anix Tunnel located?

The Yelough Anix Tunnel is located in the Consecrated Snowfield, a secret area accessible by collecting the two halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion.

11. What does the Remembrance of the Naturalborn give you?

The Remembrance of the Naturalborn can be exchanged at Enia at the Roundtable Hold for either the Bastard’s Stars weapon or the Flail weapon, which are both good choices.

12. How do I reach the Lake of Rot and the Grand Cloister?

The Lake of Rot is accessible via the Ainsel River and ultimately through completing various steps in Ranni’s questline, which will lead you through Renna’s Rise, Nokstella, Eternal City, and the Rot itself.

13. What stats are best for fighting Astel as a mage?

Focus on Intelligence and Mind. Spells that deal high physical damage are generally more effective. Consider using Rock Sling or other gravity-based sorceries.

14. Is there a way to cheese either of the Astel fights?

While not a guaranteed “cheese,” utilizing strong summons to draw aggro and focusing on attacking the head from behind is a common and effective strategy. Utilizing ranged attacks can also make the fight easier if you maintain sufficient distance.

15. How does Astel fit into the lore of Elden Ring?

Astel’s lore is somewhat ambiguous, but its title, “Naturalborn of the Void,” suggests it is an ancient being from beyond the Lands Between. It is speculated to be connected to the falling stars and potentially related to the Greater Will’s influence. The name Astel literally translates to “star” in a fictional language within the game, suggesting its celestial origins. It is also heavily implied to be responsible for destroying the Eternal City.

Is there two astels in Elden Ring?