How to Beat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void: Boss Fight Guide

Facing Astel, Naturalborn of the Void in Elden Ring is not just a test of skill; it’s a plunge into the cosmic unknown. This optional yet pivotal boss, nestled within the eerie depths of the Lake of Rot, challenges players with its unpredictable teleports and devastating attacks. As you navigate this surreal encounter, you’ll need to master dodging its powerful laser beams and learn the intricacies of its attack patterns to exploit its weaknesses. Whether you’re pursuing Ranni’s questline or simply seeking glory, our guide will equip you with essential strategies to conquer this formidable foe and emerge victorious from the void.

Its second version, on the other hand, is in the Consecrate Snowfield, more specifically in the Yelough Anix Tunnel.

Locations

Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, is located in a hidden area known as the Grand Cloister, which is accessible after navigating through the Lake of Rot during Ranni’s questline. To reach Astel, players must first find a coffin at the end of the Grand Cloister and ride it down to the boss’s fog gate. This area is significant not only for its challenging encounter but also because defeating Astel is essential for progressing in Ranni’s storyline and unlocking the ‘Age of Stars’ ending. The nearest Site of Grace is also at the Grand Cloister, providing a convenient checkpoint for players before engaging this formidable foe.

Astel, Naturalborn of the Void in Lake of Rot:

You can reach Astel’s arena by using the coffin in the Lake of Rot.

Astel, Stars of Darkness in Consecrated Snowfield:

The second version of the boss is in the Consecrated Snowfield, more specifically in the Yelough Anix Tunnel.

Reward for defeating

Defeating Astel, Naturalborn of the Void yields significant rewards for players in Elden Ring. Upon his defeat, players will receive 80,000 Runes, which can greatly aid in leveling up and enhancing equipment. Additionally, players obtain the Remembrance of the Naturalborn, a valuable item that can be exchanged for unique gear or used to gain further Runes. This battle is not only crucial for those pursuing the Age of Stars ending but also serves as a pivotal challenge within Ranni’s questline, making the victory all the more rewarding.

For defeating Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, you will receive the Remembrance of the Naturalborn and 80,000 Runes.

For defeating Astel, Stars of Darkness, you will receive the Meteorite of Astel sorcery and 120,000 Runes.

General tips

To effectively tackle Astel, Naturalborn of the Void in Elden Ring, consider these general tips to enhance your chances of success. Preparation is key: ensure your character is well-equipped with upgraded weapons and armor suited for the encounter. Utilize ranged attacks to keep a safe distance from Astel’s powerful melee strikes and magical abilities. Observe and learn from the boss’s attack patterns—patience is crucial, as understanding when to dodge or counterattack can turn the tide of battle. Additionally, don’t hesitate to summon spirit ashes or other players for assistance, as this can distract Astel and provide openings for you to strike. Finally, remember to stock up on healing items and buffs before the fight, as maintaining your health throughout the encounter is vital.

At the very beginning of the fight, Astel will often use the laser attack. He will first create a projectile by his head and then fire a laser beam. Dodge sideways when you see this attack.
Try to shorten your distance to the boss at the beginning of the fight. This way, Astel won’t be able to use his powerful ranged attacks all the time.
Astel may vanish into another dimension and then reappear elsewhere. Once Astel is out of your sight, look around to track him. His reappearance is also accompanied by a specific sound.
You can use ashes in this fight. Both Medusa’s Ashes and Mimic’s Ashes will be useful in this fight a lot more than the others.
Summon them only after the laser fires for the first time. If you start summoning the ashes as soon as you enter the arena, you will take a lot of damage. You also probably won’t have time to avoid this attack.
The boss’s melee attacks reach long distances. His tail can hit you from afar. This is a linear attack, though, easy to avoid with a side roll.
The boss will fly into the air and rotate to create a wave of stars. They will materialize after a while and explode, causing a lot of damage. This is an AoE attack, so it’s a good idea to retreat to a safe distance when the boss uses this attack.
If you’re playing as a mage, meteorite magic will work well for him, too. A few spells aimed at his head will cause the boss to fall to the ground. You can then use slow-charging spells, such as Azur Comet, or perform a critical hit to deal high damage.
The boss’s weakest point is his head, so you should aim at it, be it with arrows, magic projectiles or melee weapons.
When you see lightning under you, and the boss starts snapping his jaws and lifting his head up, run away from the area where he is. If you don’t do this quickly, Astel will pick you up, stop time, and then throw you to the ground. This attack can kill you even if you have full HP.
When the boss’s health is around 50%, Astel will teleport to create a meteor shower a moment later. This attack deals a lot of damage, but it’s diffused, and thus easier to dodge. Perform side dodges.
Astel is vulnerable to all kinds of magic, so use any weapons with special magic attacks you have. For instance, the Moonveil katana and its special attack Transient Moonlight will work very well, as it will also help in breaking the enemy’s stance.

Mage build – how to fight?

To effectively utilize a Mage build when fighting Astel, Naturalborn of the Void in Elden Ring, players should focus on maximizing their ranged capabilities while maintaining mobility. This boss is particularly susceptible to magic attacks, making spells like Rock Sling and Meteorite highly effective due to their ability to deal significant damage from a distance. Equip a staff that enhances gravity sorceries, such as the Meteorite Staff, to amplify your spell damage. Additionally, using summons can help distract Astel, allowing you to cast spells safely. Positioning is crucial; keep moving to avoid Astel’s powerful attacks while continuously applying pressure with your magic. By combining strategic spellcasting with evasive maneuvers, you can overcome this formidable foe.

Before starting a fight, choose spells that can easily break the boss’s stance. Meteorite magic will be perfect here. If you have several meteorite spells, you should also choose the Meteorite Staff, which strengthens these types of spells.

However, if you do not have such spells, you can choose standard glimstone spells.

You can also customize the Flask of Wondrous Physick with Tears that will eliminate any mana use and increase magic damage. If you don’t have tears with these effects, tears that increase intelligence and restore half of your mana will be a good substitute.

Before you summon the ashes, make sure you avoid the laser projectile first. Dodge to the side, which will increase your chances of the dodge being successful.

When you get a little closer to the boss, which you’ll have to do anyway, because most of your spells won’t reach Astel from a distance, he can fly into the air, creating magic orbs around his hands. They will cause a few explosions when hitting the ground. Step away from him and create some spells.

When teleporting, take advantage of the moment to heal yourself or restore yourmana. If you don’t need it, look for Astel instead. When you find him, use your next spells. Remember to aim for the head – this is his weak point.

When his health drops to 50%, he will most likely use a meteor shower after teleporting. A good method is to flank him and dodge at the same time. Once you’re in a convenient position, you will have time to use more powerful spells.

Use meteorite magic and aim for the head to interrupt the boss’s attack. Astel will fall to the ground and his weak spot will appear on the skull. Use magic or melee weapons to perform a critical hit and deal a lot of damage to the boss.

Melee build – how to fight?

To effectively fight Astel, Naturalborn of the Void in Elden Ring, a melee build should focus on maximizing damage output while maintaining agility and defense. Key strategies include:

Weapon Choice: Opt for high-damage melee weapons such as the Rivers of Blood or Giant-Crusher, which excel in stagger potential and can deal significant burst damage against Astel’s attacks.
Talismans and Buffs: Equip talismans like the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia to enhance damage from consecutive hits, and use buffs such as Golden Vow to increase overall attack power and defense.
Mobility: Stay agile by dodging Astel’s powerful ranged attacks, using quick rolls to avoid damage while positioning yourself for counterattacks.
Timing Attacks: Utilize jump attacks to maximize damage and stagger potential, especially after dodging Astel’s more predictable moves.

By combining these elements, players can create a formidable melee build capable of overcoming Astel’s challenges effectively.

At the very beginning of the fight with Astel, focus on avoiding his high-range attack. It deals a lot of damage and will knock you to the ground, so you won’t be able to use ashes successfully. You will recognize the attack by the magic ball that will form next to the boss’s jaws. Mimic Tears Ashes will come in handy.

Once you get close to him, you have to watch out for multiple AoE attacks. The boss can also try to catch you in his tusks and injure you with a large explosion. You will recognize the beginning of this attack by the “electricity” around the opponent’s head and the magic ball on his forehead. To avoid being caught, dodge when the tusks are right next to you, or move away a good distance when you see the boss preparing to attack.

When you see that the enemy rises into the air and forms magic orbs with his hands, that meas he’s about to perform a four-hit AoE attack. It consists of magic circles that will appear one after another at a relatively fast pace, increasing their range with each hit. Thus, backing away may prove ineffective. Instead, keep dodging at a regular pace.

The enemy will also spread magic dust, which will then explode where it hit the ground. Jump away from these areas and you will be able to avoid the attacks – their range is not very large.

You may also notice that sometimes your opponent will tense up and the small stones around him will float upwards. This means that the immediate area around the boss will explode and pull anyone else up into the air before throwing them hard against the ground. When you see him getting ready for this attack, runaway as soon as possible. A perfect dodge (just before everything goes up into the air) will also be effective, but you have to time it well.

When you take about half of his HP, the enemy will move to another place (which will look like an explosion) and create a meteor shower. You will recognize it by the magical clouds above him. To avoid the incoming stones, sprint to the side, but since the meteor shower is quite scattered, you still might get hit.

The second part of the fight looks the same as the first one – the only difference is the attack (teleport and meteor shower). Also, watch out for the magic shot that your opponent takes even if you’re close. At this point, you can use your shield (it will help you save a lot of HP), but the best tactic is to dodge. Hit your opponent’s head as often as possible, because that’s his weakest point. However, you can also attack his limbs, which are not as resistant as the crystalline torso.

What are the best strategies for dodging Astel’s attacks

To effectively dodge Astel’s attacks in Elden Ring, players need to master both timing and positioning. Here are the best strategies:

Key Dodging Strategies

Cosmic Burst:
- Dodge Timing: Watch for Astel to rear back before firing a fast laser beam. Roll to the side or diagonally forward just as its head twitches up to avoid the beam’s path.
Waves of Darkness:
- Movement: When you see Astel create orbs on its arms, quickly run away to avoid the shockwaves that follow. Jumping over the crest of these waves can also be effective if timed correctly.
Tail Attacks:
- Tail Lash and Tail Sting: For tail slams, dodge left or right to evade the attack, or get close enough to avoid it entirely. The tail sting is highly telegraphed; rushing forward can allow you to hit Astel while it’s occupied.
Teleportation:
- Awareness: When Astel teleports, immediately look around for its reappearance. Prepare to dodge in the opposite direction of where it lands, as it often follows up with a grab attack.
Meteorite Attack:
- Evade Strategy: During this phase, when meteors rain down, running to the sides or dodging through them can help you avoid damage. Locking on and rolling left repeatedly can also minimize exposure.
General Positioning:
- Avoid locking onto Astel unless attacking, as this can hinder your mobility. Instead, maintain a flexible position that allows you to react swiftly to its attacks.

By combining these strategies and staying adaptable during the fight, players can significantly improve their chances of dodging Astel’s devastating attacks and ultimately achieving victory.

What are the best builds for dodging Astel’s attacks

To effectively dodge Astel’s attacks in Elden Ring, players can benefit from specific builds that enhance mobility and survivability. Here are the best builds for dodging Astel’s formidable moves:

Recommended Builds

1. Dexterity Build

Weapon Choice: Use fast weapons like katanas or curved swords to maximize agility.
Armor: Equip light armor to maintain high mobility and quick rolls.
Talismans: Consider using the Ritual Shield Talisman for increased damage negation while blocking, and the Erdtree’s Favor for enhanced health, stamina, and equip load.
Strategy: Focus on rolling through Astel’s attacks, particularly the Cosmic Burst and Tail Slam, utilizing your speed to reposition quickly.

2. Melee Tank Build

Weapon Choice: Heavy weapons like greatswords or colossal weapons for high damage output.
Armor: Equip heavy armor sets like the Bull-Goat Set for maximum poise and damage resistance.
Talismans: Use the Great-Jar’s Arsenal to increase equip load, allowing you to wear heavier armor without sacrificing mobility.
Strategy: Get close to Astel to avoid its long-range attacks. Use a tanky summon (like the Mimic Tear) to draw aggro while you focus on dodging and countering.

3. Ranged Build

Spell Choice: Utilize powerful spells such as Comet Azur or Rock Sling, which can hit multiple times.
Armor: Light armor is still recommended to maintain mobility while casting spells.
Talismans: Equip talismans that boost spellcasting, like the Radagon’s Scarseal, to enhance your overall effectiveness.
Strategy: Maintain distance while casting spells. Dodge Astel’s attacks by rolling sideways or backward, especially during its meteor shower phase.

4. Poison/Scarlet Rot Build

Incantations: Use spells like Rotten Breath or items that inflict Scarlet Rot to chip away at Astel’s health over time.
Armor: Light armor for agility or medium armor for a balance between protection and mobility.
Summons: The Spirit Jellyfish can help apply poison while you keep a safe distance.
Strategy: Inflict Scarlet Rot and then focus on dodging. Stay mobile to avoid Astel’s powerful attacks, especially the grab attack after teleportation.

General Tips

Always keep an eye on Astel’s movements; many of its attacks have clear telegraphs that allow you to anticipate and dodge effectively.
Avoid locking onto Astel during most of the fight; this allows for better camera control and movement flexibility.
Use terrain to your advantage by positioning yourself behind obstacles when necessary, especially during its more devastating attacks like the meteor shower.

By utilizing these builds and strategies, players can enhance their chances of successfully dodging Astel’s attacks while dealing significant damage in return.