Who is the Boss in the Dream Dragon in Elden Ring?
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The boss encountered within the dream of the slumbering dragon Greyoll in Elden Ring is Fortissax, Lichdragon. This is not merely a standard dragon fight; Fortissax is a formidable foe steeped in lore and possessing unique abilities tied to Deathblight and lightning. Defeating him is crucial for advancing the storyline related to Fia and unlocking the Dung Eater questline’s ending.
Understanding Fortissax, Lichdragon
Fortissax is one of the Ancient Dragons, a lineage of dragons predating the Erdtree’s influence. He was a close friend and ally of Godwyn the Golden, and their bond was severed by Godwyn’s assassination during the Night of the Black Knives. The event of Godwyn’s death led to the introduction of Deathblight into the Lands Between. Consumed by grief and the spreading Deathblight emanating from Godwyn’s corpse, Fortissax succumbed to the blight, transforming into the Lichdragon we face in the dream.
Key Characteristics of Fortissax
- Deathblight Build-Up: Fortissax’s attacks inflict significant Deathblight, an instant-death status effect. Managing this build-up is paramount to surviving the encounter.
- Lightning Attacks: As a dragon, Fortissax commands powerful lightning magic. He utilizes lightning strikes, bolts, and area-of-effect attacks, making positioning and timing essential.
- Unique Arena: The arena is within the Deeproot Depths, specifically inside the Prince of Death’s Throne, which has a mystical and somewhat surreal atmosphere, reflecting the dream state.
- Lore Significance: Fortissax’s defeat is pivotal to Fia’s quest. By absorbing the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince from Fortissax’s remains, Fia can fulfill her ambition to birth a new order centered around Death.
Strategies for Defeating Fortissax
Defeating Fortissax requires a combination of skillful dodging, strategic positioning, and understanding his attack patterns.
- Deathblight Resistance: Equip armor and talismans that boost your Vitality stat and Deathblight resistance. The Immunizing Horn Charm and armor with high Vitality are invaluable.
- Lightning Resistance: Similarly, equipping gear that provides lightning resistance will mitigate damage from his lightning attacks. The Boltdrake Talisman is a solid choice.
- Melee Strategies: For melee builds, focus on attacking Fortissax’s legs or head after dodging his attacks. Be mindful of his lightning strikes and Deathblight build-up. Utilize jump attacks to maximize damage when opportunities arise.
- Ranged Strategies: Ranged builds have the advantage of maintaining distance, making it easier to dodge attacks. Use powerful sorceries or incantations that deal significant damage.
- Spirit Ashes: Spirit Ashes can be incredibly helpful in distracting Fortissax and drawing his aggro. Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche are excellent choices.
FAQs About Fortissax, Lichdragon
Here are some frequently asked questions about Fortissax, Lichdragon, and the dream dragon encounter in Elden Ring.
1. Where do I find the dream dragon?
The slumbering dragon, Greyoll, is found in Limgrave, near Fort Faroth in Caelid. However, the fight with Fortissax takes place within her dream, accessed after progressing Fia’s questline in the Deeproot Depths.
2. How do I trigger the Fortissax boss fight?
You must progress Fia’s questline. This involves giving her the Cursemark of Death, found on Ranni’s body after defeating her quest’s boss. After progressing further in Deeproot Depths, you will have the option to enter the dragon’s dream from a resting point near Fia.
3. What level should I be to fight Fortissax?
Ideally, you should be around level 80-100 with weapons upgraded to at least +18 or higher for standard weapons or +8 for somber stone weapons.
4. What are the best weapons to use against Fortissax?
Weapons that deal holy damage or have good scaling are effective. Consider using weapons like the Blasphemous Blade, Sacred Relic Sword, or weapons buffed with holy incantations. Weapons that deal physical damage also work well, especially if you can consistently land critical hits.
5. How do I avoid Deathblight?
Increase your Vitality stat and equip gear that provides Deathblight resistance, such as the Immunizing Horn Charm. Learning Fortissax’s attack patterns and dodging efficiently is crucial. Consuming items that temporarily boost your Vitality can also help.
6. Is Fortissax resistant to any damage types?
Fortissax has decent resistance to holy damage but is generally more vulnerable to physical, fire, and frost damage. Experiment with different damage types to find what works best for your build.
7. What rewards do I get for defeating Fortissax?
Upon defeating Fortissax, you receive a significant amount of runes and the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. This rune is crucial for unlocking the Dung Eater ending by using it after defeating the final boss of the game.
8. Can I summon other players for the Fortissax fight?
Yes, you can summon other players for co-op assistance in the Fortissax fight. Use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to reveal summon signs near the boss arena.
9. What Spirit Ashes are most effective against Fortissax?
Mimic Tear and Black Knife Tiche are excellent choices because they can distract Fortissax and deal significant damage. Other good options include Lhutel the Headless and Cleanrot Knight Finlay for their survivability and damage output.
10. Does Fortissax have any unique attacks?
Yes, Fortissax has several unique attacks, including a Death Lightning strike that causes massive Deathblight build-up and a lightning spear attack that deals heavy damage. Learning to recognize and dodge these attacks is key to survival.
11. How does Fortissax’s lore connect to other characters?
Fortissax’s story is deeply intertwined with Godwyn the Golden and Fia. His transformation into the Lichdragon is a direct result of Godwyn’s death, and his defeat allows Fia to fulfill her plans to birth a new order centered around Death. This also indirectly ties into Ranni’s fate and quest because of her involvement with Godwyn’s death.
12. Can I revisit the Fortissax boss arena after defeating him?
No, once you defeat Fortissax, the arena is considered completed and you cannot re-enter it. However, the Deeproot Depths area remains accessible for exploration and other activities.
13. Is the Fortissax fight skippable?
While you don’t have to fight Fortissax to finish the main game, defeating him is essential for unlocking the Dung Eater ending. So, if you want to achieve that specific ending, you must face and defeat the Lichdragon.
14. Is there any environmental hazard in the Fortissax boss arena?
No, the arena itself doesn’t have any active environmental hazards. The primary threats come directly from Fortissax’s attacks.
15. Is Fortissax harder than other dragon bosses in Elden Ring?
Fortissax is generally considered one of the more challenging dragon bosses due to his Deathblight build-up and varied lightning attacks. His unique lore significance and the context of the fight within a dream add to the overall difficulty and impact of the encounter.
By understanding Fortissax’s attacks, exploiting his weaknesses, and managing Deathblight, you can overcome this formidable foe and progress further in Elden Ring’s intricate storyline.