Facing the Deathbird in Elden Ring can be a daunting challenge, especially for those venturing into the dark corners of the Lands Between at night. This eerie boss, a grotesque avian creature wielding a long staff, drops from the sky with a haunting screech, signaling an intense battle ahead. With its powerful melee attacks and unique combat mechanics, players must adopt strategic approaches—whether through nimble ranged assaults or careful melee tactics—to emerge victorious. In this guide, we’ll explore effective strategies to conquer the Deathbird and claim its valuable rewards.
In the case of the Death Rite Bird, versions of these bosses will appear in Caelid, Liurnia of the Lakes, Mountaintops of the Giants, and Consecrated Snowfield.
This is an optional boss that can only be found at night.
Locations
In Elden Ring, the Deathbird is a formidable boss that players can encounter in several locations across the Lands Between, primarily at night. Notable locations include:
- West Limgrave: This Deathbird appears at night near the ruins in the southeastern corner of Storm Hill, above a group of wandering trolls. It drops the Blue-Feathered Branchsword upon defeat.
- North Liurnia: Found near the Scenic Isle, this variant also only spawns at night and drops the Red-Feathered Branchsword. It’s crucial to maintain distance during the fight to avoid its powerful attacks.
- Weeping Peninsula: Another Deathbird can be found here, requiring players to wait until nightfall for it to spawn. This location is known for its challenging environment and enemy encounters3.
Each location presents unique challenges and strategies for defeating the Deathbird, emphasizing the importance of preparation and awareness of its attack patterns.
Death Rite Bird in Liurnia of the Lakes:
You will encounter a variant of the boss for the first time in Liurnia of the Lakes, more precisely next to the Gate Town North site of grace.
Death Rite Bird in Caelid:
The second version of the boss is in Caelid, more precisely near the South Aeonia Swamp Bank site of grace.
Death Rite Bird on the Mountaintops of the Giants:
The third version of the boss is located on the Mountaintops of the Giants, to the west of Castle Sol.
Death Rite Bird in the Consecrated Snowfield:
The fourth and last version of the boss is in the Consecrated Snowfield, by the frozen lake.
Rewards for defeating
Defeating the Deathbird in Elden Ring yields significant rewards that can enhance your gameplay experience. The first Deathbird encountered in Limgrave drops the Blue-Feathered Branchsword, a talisman that boosts defense when your health is low, along with 3,900 Runes. Subsequent Deathbirds offer unique items: for example, the one in the Weeping Peninsula drops the Sacrificial Axe, which recovers FP with each kill, while the Deathbird in Liurnia of the Lakes rewards players with the Red-Feathered Branchsword, increasing damage when health is critically low. Each Deathbird presents a challenge but also an opportunity to acquire powerful gear that can significantly aid players in their journey through the Lands Between .
For defeating the first version of the Death Rite Bird, located in Liurnia of the Lakes, you will receive the Ancient Death Rancor sorcery and 7800 Runes.
For defeating the second version of the boss, located in Caelid, you will receive the Death’s Poker weapon and 15,000 Runes.
For defeating the third version of the boss, located in Mountaintops of the Giants, you will receive the, Death Ritual Spear weapon and 77,000 Runes.
The final version of the boss, located in the Consecrated Snowfield, will reward you with the Explosive Ghostflame sorcery.
General tips
To successfully defeat the Deathbird in Elden Ring, players should adopt a strategy that emphasizes mobility and distance management. Stay mobile to avoid its powerful close-range attacks, such as the leaping slam and sweeping strikes. Using ranged weapons like bows or spells allows you to deal damage while keeping a safe distance. Timing is crucial; dodge its attacks and retaliate during openings, especially after it performs its more predictable moves. If you prefer close combat, position yourself behind or beside the Deathbird to evade its frontal assaults. Remember that this boss only appears at night, so ensure you’re prepared for the fight when the time comes.
- The Deathbird can use an attack that will give you the Death Blight status – filling this bar will kill you instantly, no matter how many HP you have. He doesn’t do this very often, but it’s a good idea to have Rejuvenating Boluses on hand. You can also equip an armor with a high vigor stat.
- If you are in close combat, try to use your surroundings to be under the Deathbird. This will make avoiding his attacks a bit easier.
- Close combat can be easier without a mount – you’ll be able to dodge more easily, because otherwise, if your horse simply disappeared due to damage, you’ll have to wait until your character would stand back up.
- Watch out for the nearby monsters . You will most likely move around a lot during the fight, thus luring in other enemies. Wild animals can also attack you. Sometimes it will disturb your fight, but luckily the Deathbird can kill them too.
- The Deathbird moves back during a lot of his attacks. Use this to your advantage by dodging towards him and staying close to his legs. They’re more resistant to damage than his head, but it’s definitely a safer tactic.
- You cannot use the help of spirits in this fight. However, you can still play in co-op.
How to defeat?
To defeat the Deathbird in Elden Ring, players should employ specific strategies to exploit its weaknesses effectively. First, ensure you engage the Deathbird at night, as it only spawns during this time. Utilize Holy Water Pots or weapons imbued with Holy damage, as the Deathbird is particularly vulnerable to this type of attack. Staying on foot is crucial; riding Torrent can make dodging its long-range attacks difficult. Focus on staying close to its hind legs to avoid its powerful melee swings, timing your dodges carefully after its attacks for counter opportunities. Be mindful of its death-blight inducing scream and avoid getting too close when it performs this move. By combining these tactics—maintaining distance when necessary and capitalizing on openings after its attacks—you can effectively chip away at the Deathbird’s health and secure victory.
The fight will begin when you come to the ruins near the Warmaster’s Shack at night. Before you start the fight for good, head to a nearby clearing. You will have much more room for maneuver there and thus, you won’t have to worry about falling off a cliff. However, watch out for enemy groups and wild animals that may join the fight and disturb you a little.
The enemy attacks mostly with his weapon, and you can defend many of these attacks with a shield – though dodging makes more sense. Especially that the end of the boss’s combo is a powerful AoE hit on the ground.
Watch out when the Deathbird attacks straight ahead. It’s a two-part attacks, even though it doesn’t look like one. After pushing forward, the enemy will stick the weapon into the ground. He’ll then yank it out, causing an AoE explosion. If you manage to defend or dodge the first blow, be ready for the next one, if you are near the enemy’s weapon.
Try to stay lower than the Deathbird for most of the fight. This will make dodging a bit easier. In close combat, it is best to keep your opponent as close as possible, so that you are behind his back as often as possible.
Rarely (although it happens), the boss will scream loudly, spitting out blight . Exposing yourself to this too often can fill up your Death Blight bar, which will kill you instantly, no matter how many HP you have. That’s why it is worth having Rejuvenating Boluses on hand.
What are the best weapons to use against the Deathbird
To effectively battle the Deathbird in Elden Ring, choosing the right weapons can significantly impact your success. Here are some of the best options:
Recommended Weapons
- Bows and Crossbows: Utilizing ranged weapons like bows or crossbows allows you to maintain distance from the Deathbird while dealing damage. This is particularly effective due to the boss’s limited ranged attacks. Aim for a weapon with high damage output and quick draw speed to capitalize on openings after its attacks.
- Glintstone Spells: Magic users can leverage Glintstone spells, which provide powerful ranged options. Spells like Glintstone Pebble or Comet can deal substantial damage while keeping you safe from the Deathbird’s melee attacks. Lightning incantations such as Lightning Spear and Horned Bolt are also effective, especially if acquired early in the game.
- Melee Weapons: If you prefer close combat, choose fast melee weapons that allow for quick hit-and-run tactics. Weapons with good reach, like spears or long swords, can be advantageous. Focus on attacking the Deathbird’s legs or head, as these areas take extra damage and can break its poise more effectively.
Weapon Level Recommendations
- For a successful fight against the Deathbird, it is recommended to have your weapons at a level of +3 to +5 for standard weapons and +1 to +3 for somber weapons, depending on your chosen approach.
By strategically selecting your weapons and maintaining mobility during the fight, you can effectively defeat the Deathbird and claim its rewards.
What are the best ranged weapons to use against the Deathbird
When facing the Deathbird in Elden Ring, utilizing effective ranged weapons can make the battle significantly easier. Here are some of the best options:
Best Ranged Weapons
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Bows:
- Composite Bow: Offers a good balance of damage and speed, making it suitable for quick shots while staying mobile.
- Greatbow: Provides higher damage output, ideal for players who can time their shots effectively.
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Crossbows:
- Heavy Crossbow: Delivers powerful bolts that can deal significant damage, especially when upgraded.
- Light Crossbow: Allows for faster reload times, enabling quick follow-up shots.
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Magic Spells:
- Glintstone Pebble: A basic spell that is quick to cast and effective for consistent damage.
- Rock Sling: Deals significant damage and can stagger the Deathbird, allowing for critical hits when it’s vulnerable.
- Rotten Breath or Ekzykes’s Decay: Inflicts Scarlet Rot, which gradually drains the Deathbird’s health while keeping you at a safe distance.
Strategy Tips
- Maintain distance to avoid the Deathbird’s melee attacks, especially its powerful slam and peck moves.
- Use your mobility to dodge its attacks while firing from afar, taking advantage of its limited ranged capabilities.
- If using a bow or crossbow, consider equipping arrows or bolts that enhance your damage output against flying enemies.
By leveraging these ranged weapons and strategies, you can effectively defeat the Deathbird while minimizing risk during the encounter.
