Facing the Dragonlord Placidusax in Elden Ring is not just a test of skill; it’s a battle against one of the game’s most formidable and visually stunning foes. Nestled within the crumbling ruins of Crumbling Farum Azula, this secret boss boasts an arsenal of devastating lightning and fire attacks that can obliterate even the most prepared players. As you prepare to confront this four-headed dragon, understanding its attack patterns and mastering your dodging techniques will be crucial. In this guide, we’ll unravel the strategies you need to emerge victorious against this legendary beast and claim your well-deserved rewards.
To get to the boss, start by traveling to Beside the Great Bridge site of grace. Once you’re at the site, turn back and use the elevator that will lead you down. From the elevator, move to the small church next to the stairs. You will find 3 aggressive beasts here. Use the western exit and when you get outside, go to the edge – the cliff is directly opposite the mentioned exit. From there you will see rock ledges that you can follow.
Eventually, you will get to a construction fragment, where you can lie down in one of the places (in front of the tornado) by interacting. After that, a cutscene will be activated and you will be transferred to the boss encounter.
Reward for defeating
Defeating Dragonlord Placidusax yields significant rewards, making the challenge worthwhile for players. Upon his defeat, players receive 280,000 Runes, which can be used to level up or purchase items, and the Remembrance of the Dragonlord, a unique item that can be exchanged for powerful weapons or spells. This boss is not only a formidable foe but also a key part of the game’s lore and progression, enriching the player’s experience in Elden Ring.
Defeating Placidusax is rewarded with Runes (280,000) and Rememberance of the Dragonlord.
General tips
To successfully defeat Dragonlord Placidusax in Elden Ring, players should adopt a strategic approach that emphasizes patience and adaptability. Preparation is key: ensure your character is at least level 100 and fully equipped with upgraded weapons and armor to withstand the dragon’s powerful attacks. Utilize audio cues to anticipate Placidusax’s teleportation moves, allowing you to dodge effectively. Staying close to his back legs can minimize the risk of being targeted by his devastating lightning strikes. Ranged attacks can be particularly effective, as they allow you to maintain distance while dealing damage. Lastly, be mindful of his second phase, where he unleashes powerful beam attacks; timing your dodges is crucial to avoid being overwhelmed. By combining these tactics, you can enhance your chances of victory against this formidable foe.
- Placidusax, the Dragon Lord, is vulnerable to bleeding, scarlet rot, poison, and frostbite . Feel free to place these statuses, however, it will take some time thanks to the boss’s high resistance.
- When it comes to equipment, we recommend armor and amulets that protect from fire, lightning and physical damage.
- During the fight, remember to maintain distance, and be ready to get closer and farther away alternatively. During the first phase, it is best to stay close, while in the second one, there are several sequences where you’ll need to get away as far as possible.
- Sometimes the opponent deliberately increases the distance . In such situations, try to get closer as fast as possible.
- In the first phase of the fight, it’s best to stick to the part of his body where the tail meets his hind legs . This way you will avoid many attacks – although sometimes you will have to move away a bit.
- In the second phase, the enemy will start to teleport . Most of the time, he will teleport to melee range in order to attack. However, sometimes he teleports away from you to perform a devastating long-range attack – when that happens, get away as far as possible, or run behind him.
- In the final moments of the fight, the enemy will fly up and throw lightning bolts over a large area. In such a situation, you must observe the sky to know where he is and avoid the lightning bolts.
- In the last moments of the fight, the Placidusax will become enraged , firing lasers that stay active until they are joined into a single beam. Each laser generates an explosion and fire damage and is therefore highly dangerous. The safest way is to get far away from him and avoid the last attack.
- The laser attack starts horizontally on both sides of the dragon, then intersects in the center and finally fires in a straight line. Therefore, if you do not have time to run away, in the early stages of this sequence, you may risk going behind the enemy and landing a few attacks. Lasers can be avoided with a well-performed dodge.
- You can always make the battle easier by utilizing Ashes or other players’ help. A high-endurance melee fighter is the best choice.
How to defeat?
To defeat Dragonlord Placidusax in Elden Ring, players must adopt a strategic approach to manage his powerful attacks and exploit his weaknesses. Begin by preparing your build with high resistance gear and talismans, such as the Boltdrake Talisman, to mitigate his lightning attacks. During the battle, stay vigilant for his red lightning strikes on the ground, which indicate where to avoid standing. Focus on attacking his tail when safe, particularly after he performs his lightning claw swipe. In the second phase, watch for his teleportation attacks and golden laser beams, rolling towards him rather than away to dodge effectively. Patience is key; avoid greedily attacking when he is vulnerable, and instead prioritize dodging and maintaining your health. With persistence and careful observation of his attack patterns, you can emerge victorious and claim valuable rewards from this formidable foe.
Once you’re in the boss arena, you’ll have plenty of time to prepare. He will remain inactive until you get close to him. Use the opportunity and use Ashes or items that will help you in battle.
When you start approaching an enemy, it will wake up and start throwing lightning over a very large area. Observe the arena and try to avoid places where red lightning accumulates. This way you will avoid taking damage.
Once you’re in the melee range of the opponent, it is best to run to his hindlegs. This way you will avoid attacks with the wing, front paws and tail swing. However, you have to watch out for lightning, which must be avoided with a timed dodge. Be prepared to dodge when you see lightning piling nearby .
It may also happen that the enemy moves away from you, because it sometimes deliberately increases the distance and then uses an area of effect lightning attack or breathing fire over a relatively long distance. You have to avoid the fire attack even when you are near the Placidusax’s hind legs – fire can reach you there as well .
Placidusax will make it difficult for you to stay at its rear, especially when no one distracts him from the front. Therefore, when you notice that it is lifting the tail up, get ready to avoid the attack and then move to the back of your opponent as quickly as possible. At the same time, watch out for the fire attack that he can perform when you are directly in front of the dragon.
When you’re in melee range, watch out for the moment when the enemy starts to glow red. This means that there is going to be a powerful explosion soon. At such a moment, it is best to escape the vicinity of the dragon. After this (and after any other attack) you have a moment to get close again.
Halfway through the fight, the Placidusax will fly up and disappear, then materialize in the distance . After that, it will start flying towards you, ready to attack with his paw. Prepare to dodge on impact – this way you avoid taking damage. If you’ve summoned an ally, the enemy may focus on the second hero – presumably based on who attacked last.
From now on, the enemy will teleport and attack you immediately after reappearing. However, unlike, for example, Astel, Naturalborn of the Void Placidusax teleports to your vicinity to attack. Apart from that, he also can materialize at a distance, but only to perform a strong attack – same as at the beginning of the second phase.
In the second phase of the fight, the opponent can also generate an area of effect lightning attack while airborne. In such a situation, you will have to observe the sky and the immediate surroundings. On the one hand, you have to avoid lightning, and on the other hand, get ready for the incoming dragon, which will land on you with impact and attack with a claw. Once the attack passes, expect him to fly away from you and start firing lasers, which is a long-range attack. At this point, it’s best to get as far away as possible. However, beware of lasers as they can reach even the other end of this large arena. If possible, try to get behind the dragon and wait out the attack there.
If you can see that the enemy is going to fire the laser in a straight line, it means that the worst attack is about to end . After that, all you have to do is get closer to the enemy, preferably behind his back and go on the offensive. At the end of the fight, Placidusax can also place a lightning into the ground, temporarily making your hero deaf – this is a signal to get away as far as possible you have a few seconds to do that.
What are the best strategies for dodging Placidusax’s lightning attacks
To effectively dodge Dragonlord Placidusax’s lightning attacks in Elden Ring, consider the following strategies:
Key Strategies for Dodging Lightning Attacks
- Listen for Audio Cues: Pay attention to the sounds that signal Placidusax’s teleportation. A rustling wind followed by a roar indicates he is about to swoop in with lightning claws. Being aware of these cues can help you prepare your dodge in advance.
- Hug His Back Legs: Positioning yourself near Placidusax’s hind legs minimizes exposure to his more dangerous attacks, including those from his front claws and fire breath. Staying behind him allows you to avoid many of his lightning strikes while still being in range to attack.
- Roll Towards the Attack: When Placidusax unleashes his Ruin beams, which sweep across the arena, your instinct might be to run away. Instead, roll towards him at the right moment to avoid the beams and position yourself for a counterattack.
- Watch for Ground Indicators: Be vigilant for red flashes on the ground that indicate where lightning will strike. Moving out of these areas before the strike occurs is crucial to avoiding damage.
- Maintain Distance and Timing: In the first phase of the fight, stay close to Placidusax, but be ready to back away when he telegraphs a powerful attack, such as when he raises his tail or prepares for a long-range lightning strike. In the second phase, anticipate his teleportation and prepare to dodge as he reappears.
- Use Shields Wisely: Equip a shield with high stability and lightning resistance. Perfect guarding can mitigate damage from his lightning attacks, allowing you to counterattack immediately after blocking.
By combining these strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of dodging Dragonlord Placidusax’s lethal lightning attacks and emerge victorious in this challenging encounter.
What are the best audio cues to listen for during the fight
During the fight with Dragonlord Placidusax in Elden Ring, there are several key audio cues to listen for that can help you anticipate his attacks and avoid damage:
- Teleportation Cues: When Placidusax prepares to teleport, listen for a distinct rustling wind sound. This is followed by a roar as he swoops down to attack. Recognizing these sounds will give you a critical advantage in dodging his incoming strikes.
- Attack Indicators: Placidusax has various lightning attacks, including the Ruin beam, which produces a noticeable audio cue as he charges up. Being attentive to these sounds can help you time your dodges effectively. The roar or sound of his breath before launching these attacks can signal when to move out of the way.
- Ground Effects: While not an audio cue per se, the visual cue of red flashes on the ground indicates where lightning will strike. Sound can accompany this visual effect, so staying alert to both can enhance your reaction time.
By honing in on these audio cues, you can better navigate the chaos of the battle and increase your chances of defeating Placidusax.
