In the vast expanse of Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree, one formidable foe stands tall: Ralva the Great Red Bear. This behemoth, reminiscent of the Runebear but with amplified ferocity, roams the northern reaches of Scadu Altus, challenging even the bravest Tarnished. To emerge victorious, players must master the art of dodging its relentless attacks and exploit its weaknesses to fire and status effects. Dive into this guide to uncover the strategies and tactics necessary to conquer Ralva and claim the coveted Pelt of Ralva.
Reward for defeating
Defeating Ralva the Great Red Bear in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring yields a substantial reward. Upon victory, players receive 180,000 runes, which can be used to upgrade equipment or enhance character abilities. Additionally, they earn the Pelt of Ralva, a unique headpiece that not only offers a rugged appearance but also boosts the power of certain incantations, such as Bear Communion spells. This headgear provides moderate physical and elemental defenses, making it a valuable addition to any character’s arsenal.
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For defeating the boss, you will receive 180,000 runes and the Pelt of Ralva helmet.
Ralva in a nutshell
Ralva the Great Red Bear is a formidable boss in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, located in Scadu Altus. This aggressive bear is similar to Runebears from the base game but with enhanced strength and ferocity. Ralva uses a variety of attacks, including biting, swiping, and slamming its paws to create shockwaves. It becomes even more aggressive when its health drops below 50%, incorporating wind effects into its swipes. To defeat Ralva, players should focus on dodging its attacks and retaliating with weapon arts or fire damage, as it is vulnerable to fire. Using Spirit Ashes can help draw aggro and create opportunities for attack. Defeating Ralva rewards players with 180,000 runes and the Pelt of Ralva.
- Ralva is very aggressive, its difficult to get the timing right, and it is even more difficult to find a safe moment to heal.
- The boss is vulnerable to fire damage.
- Fighting on horseback is not the best idea because the boss’s attacks are very wide.
- The safest time to attack or heal is right after the forward lunge attack.
- When the boss digs its paws into the ground, it will cause an earthquake or send a shockwave towards you – you have to jump over both attacks. Ralva gets briefly exposed to your attacks after these moves.
- When the bear stands on its hind legs and spreads its front legs, it means to use a grab attack – retreat and dodge backwards.
- Try not to get under the boss because you won’t be able to avoid the earthquake.
- The second phase begins with a roar attack – move away from the boss or raise your shield when its health drops by half.
- In the second phase, paw attacks have an additional wind effect – they deal damage multiple times instead of just once, which can make it impossible to block them effectively if you don’t have enough stamina.
How to defeat Ralva?
To defeat Ralva the Great Red Bear in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree, it’s crucial to understand her attack patterns and utilize effective strategies. Ralva primarily uses biting and swiping attacks, often starting with a charge that can transition into a ground slam or claw swipe combo. Players can dodge these attacks by rolling under or to the side, then counterattack with weapon arts. Using a Great Shield can help negate some attacks and allow for guard counters. Fire-based weapons like the Blasphemous Blade or Rivers of Blood are effective, as Ralva is weak to fire damage. Additionally, summoning Spirit Ashes, such as Mimic Tear, can provide a distraction and create opportunities for attack. As Ralva becomes more aggressive below 50% health, maintaining distance and timing dodges carefully is essential.
As befits a bear, Ralva fights aggressively and has an irregular movement pattern. Its attacks are difficult to get timing right, it doesn’t give you much time to heal or counterattack, its moves have a long range due to its size, and the boss’s paws cause bleeding. Ralva is vulnerable to fire. We don’t recommend fighting while riding Torrent – Ralva’s attacks are very wide, they can easily reach your mount and quickly knock you off.
Pay attention to the boss’s front paws – if it drives them into the ground, it will soon cause a small earthquake that you must jump over. This is the best moment to attack or heal – after removing its paws from the ground, the boss is exposed for a while. If you are standing far away from the boss, it can dig its paw into the ground and send a shockwave towards you, which you can also jump over.
The boss’s other attacks that leave it slightly exposed are the charge and grab. The charge is a sudden leap forward, and you will recognize the grab when the boss stands on its hind legs and spreads its front paws to the sides. Back away, dodging backwards if necessary. Be careful not to end up under the boss while avoiding its attacks – you won’t be able to jump over the earthquake.
When Ralva drops to half health, it will roar (stay away or block the roar), starting phase two. It is almost identical, but now the bear’s paws are surrounded by a fierce wind during the basic combo, dealing damage several times with a single hit. This can make the fight much more difficult for characters wielding shields, because blocking the attack will require much more stamina – if you don’t use a shield, focus on dodging.
What are the best weapons to use against Ralva the Great Red Bear
When facing Ralva the Great Red Bear in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree, the most effective weapons are those that deal fire or lightning damage. Here are some of the best options:
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Fire Damage Weapons:
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Rivers of Blood: A versatile sword with innate fire damage.
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Blasphemous Blade: Known for its powerful fire-infused attacks.
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Eleonora’s Poleblade: Offers a mix of melee and fire damage.
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Catch Flame and Giantsflame Take Thee: Incantations for spellcasters to deal fire damage from a distance.
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Lightning Damage Weapons:
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Death Knight’s Twin Axes and Bolt of Gransax: Useful if you prefer lightning over fire, especially since the fight takes place near water, which can buff lightning damage.
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Other Effective Options:
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Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword: Can stagger Ralva effectively when paired with the Claw Talisman and Blade of Mercy.
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Velvet Sword of St. Trina: Can put Ralva to sleep, allowing for safe damage.
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Additionally, applying Scarlet Rot can be beneficial, as Ralva is weak to this status effect. Weapons like the Antspur Rapier or using consumables such as Rot Grease can help build up Scarlet Rot.
What are the best Ashes of War to use against Ralva
When facing Ralva the Great Red Bear in Elden Ring, the best Ashes of War to use are those that provide a mix of damage, poise damage, and survivability. Here are some effective options:
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Ice Spear Ash of War: This is a versatile choice, offering ranged attacks that can build up frost quickly and deal significant stance damage. It’s particularly effective against large enemies like Ralva13.
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Lion’s Claw Ash of War: Ideal for strength builds, this ash can enhance your melee attacks by flipping you into the air and slamming you down onto the enemy, pinning them to the ground. It’s excellent for dealing massive damage and staggering Ralva1.
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Earthshaker Ash of War: Useful for creating distance and staggering Ralva with its powerful shockwave. It can be followed up with a strong attack to deal additional damage.
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Wild Strikes Ash of War: Provides a rapid and aggressive attack pattern that can quickly build up damage and stagger Ralva if used correctly1.
These Ashes of War can be combined with weapons that exploit Ralva’s weaknesses to fire and Scarlet Rot for a more effective battle strategy.
