Exploiting Rennala’s Weaknesses in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide

Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, is a formidable boss in Elden Ring, known for her potent sorcery and challenging two-phase battle. While she might initially seem overwhelming, understanding her weaknesses is key to achieving victory. So, to answer the question directly: Rennala’s primary weaknesses are her susceptibility to Bleed damage and her vulnerability to physical melee attacks. This combination makes her less intimidating if you approach the fight with the right strategy and equipment. Let’s delve deeper into how to effectively exploit these vulnerabilities.

Understanding Rennala’s Weaknesses

Bleed Damage: Her Kryptonite

Rennala is significantly weak against Bleed status effects. Weapons with inherent Bleed buildup, such as Katanas, twinblades, and claws, can rapidly inflict massive damage against her. A fast bleed weapon can dramatically cut through her health bar, especially in her first phase, before she begins using her powerful magic attacks. The consistent damage from Bleed procs bypasses her inherent magic resistance, making it an exceptionally effective strategy.

Melee Attacks: Brawn Over Brain

While Rennala is a powerful sorceress, she’s surprisingly vulnerable to physical damage. Standard, slashing, and striking attacks will all deal significant damage. This means that warriors and melee-focused builds, often perceived as being at a disadvantage against magic-heavy opponents, can excel in this fight. If you can effectively dodge or mitigate her spells, getting in close and unleashing melee combos is highly effective.

Breaking Her First Phase

Rennala’s first phase involves her floating in the center of the room, protected by a magical shield that can only be broken by destroying her golden minions. This process requires you to locate and hit three specific golden minions. Once the minions are taken out, she will fall from her protected floating position, and become vulnerable for a short period. Using this opening to unleash your Bleed or physical attacks will make quick work of her first health bar.

Leveraging Spirit Ashes and Summons

While there isn’t an NPC summon available for this encounter, your Spirit Ashes can be an invaluable asset. The article notes the Godrick Soldier Ashes or Lone Wolf Ashes as being effective, as they can disrupt Rennala’s spellcasting. However, it’s best to save your Spirit Summons until the second stage of the fight. This can be done by breaking the minions in the first phase, doing some chip damage and then waiting to use your summons in the 2nd stage. The spirit ashes act as a distraction allowing you to get melee attacks in.

Ideal Weapons, Armor, and Level

Weapon Selection

The article mentions using a “sword spell along with an actual sword”. This highlights the benefits of a mixed approach. A weapon with good physical damage alongside Bleed build-up is perfect. Combining this with physical based summons like the banished knight will be extremely useful. Some of the best weapons to use are:

• Katanas: Due to their fast attacks and bleed build-up.
• Twinblades: Effective for quickly stacking bleed damage.
• Claws: Very fast attacks and inherent bleed properties.
• Standard Greatswords: If you prefer slower, heavier attacks that deal significant physical damage.

Armor

The Carian Knight Armor is a solid choice due to its fairly high magic defense for its weight. It provides good defense without being too heavy. However, if you prioritize heavy defense, the Bull-Goat Set offers the highest physical and lightning resistance in the game, at the cost of weight. Generally speaking, magic defense is helpful but physical damage mitigation and a medium weight loadout is more important for this fight.

Recommended Level

The recommended character level for this fight is 40-45, with a weapon upgraded to +7/+8. This level range ensures that you have sufficient health, stamina, and attack power to handle the challenge without being overwhelmed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Rennala resistant to lightning damage?

Yes, Rennala is noted to have resistance to lightning and electricity-based magic and incantations. Therefore, avoid using lightning-based attacks against her.

2. Is Rennala resistant to status effects?

The article mentions that Rennala is strong against status effects, however, the exception to this is Bleed, which is one of her weaknesses.

3. Can I summon help for the Rennala fight?

There aren’t any NPC summons for Rennala, but you can use Spirit Ash Summons effectively in the second phase. It is recommended to save these until phase 2 for best effect.

4. Does Rennala’s magic attacks deal high damage?

While she does deal high magic damage, her melee defenses are weak, and her overall health is comparatively low which can be exploited.

5. What is the best type of damage to use against Rennala?

Bleed damage and physical attacks (standard, slashing, and striking) are the most effective against Rennala.

6. What kind of spells are ineffective against Rennala?

Magic-based spells are not advised for this fight, as she is highly resistant to it. Rely instead on physical-based damage sources.

7. What is the highest damage reduction armor in Elden Ring?

The Bull-Goat Set offers the highest physical damage mitigation and lightning resistance, however, at the cost of high weight.

8. How do I break Rennala’s shield?

You must hit three golden minions to break Rennala’s shield. Each minion appears one after the other.

9. What level is recommended to explore Caelid?

The recommended level for exploring Caelid is around 60-70.

10. Which boss comes after Rennala?

After Rennala, you could fight either General Radahn or Morgott, the Omen King, depending on your preferred path.

11. How many runes do I receive from defeating Rennala?

Defeating Rennala will earn you 40,000 runes, as well as two other items, the Great Rune of the Unborn and Remembrance of the Full Moon Queen.

12. What is in the chest behind Rennala?

The chest behind Rennala contains the Dark Moon Ring, which is important for Ranni’s questline.

13. What does it mean to rebirth in Elden Ring?

Rebirth allows you to reassign your character’s level and attribute points to their starting values, allowing you to change your build. This process is achieved by speaking to Rennala after you defeat her.

14. Does Rennala’s Great Rune have to be activated?

Unlike other Great Runes, Rennala’s Great Rune of the Unborn doesn’t need to be activated. It allows you to access the rebirth option at the Raya Lucaria Grand Library.

15. What is the best damage type overall in Elden Ring?

While it depends on what you are fighting, Magic and Fire damage are considered to be amongst the best overall damage types in Elden Ring.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rennala’s weaknesses are not difficult to exploit with a focused build. Her primary vulnerability to Bleed damage and physical melee attacks, coupled with intelligent use of Spirit Ash Summons, makes her a manageable challenge. By carefully selecting your equipment, and strategically focusing on her weaknesses, you’ll be able to defeat Rennala and obtain her Great Rune. Understanding her weaknesses transforms what seems like a daunting encounter into a winnable fight for any Tarnished. Remember to stay close, dodge effectively, use Bleed, and be patient to become victorious in this challenging encounter.