Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has plenty of end-game content, but one of the toughest bosses you’ll come across is Bayle the Dread. Here’s how to beat Bayle in Elden Ring.
How to Beat Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring
Before facing Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring we strongly suggest recruiting Igon to help you in the fight. This must be done at the foot of Jagged Peak where you will see two dragons fighting. Kill the Jagged Peak Dragons and you’ll be congratulated by Drake Warrior Igon. Speak to him before continuing on, and then you’ll be able to summon him while inside the boss arena during the fight with Bayle.
The Best Weapons to Counter Bayle in Elden Ring
For this boss fight, you’ll want armor that is strong against fire and lightning-type damage. These are the two main types of attacks that Bayle will use, and he hits extremely hard, so the more health you have to compliment this armor, the better. The Firedrake Talisman +3 found in Fort Retaliation will go a long way here.
You can break Bayle’s poise in Elden Ring, and the best weapons to do so are Colossal-grade. Of course, right now the best choice among these is the Bloodfiend’s Arm with bleed added to it. Right now, this is the strongest choice against most endgame bosses in Shadow of the Erdtree.
What Moves Does Bayle Use in Phase One
- Fire Breath
- Jumping Smash
- Lightning Smash
- Head Smash
- Sweeping Arm Attacks
During the first phase, Bayle typically opens with his fire breath, which creates a wave of flames sweeping across the arena. Simply roll through this as it approaches you to avoid taking damage. Another attack he will use when you are at range is a jumping smash. You’ll notice this attack coming when he lifts his right arm, so get ready to roll forward through the attack. If successfully rolled, you will have a pocket of time to deal damage while he resets.
If you are already close, he can also do the same attack, but this time igniting his arm with lightning magic first leaves an area of sparks on the ground where it makes an impact. You need to dodge the attack then roll out of this area to avoid taking damage.
Other physical attacks to be careful of in phase one include a hit that you can see coming by watching his head that can also be combined with two sweeping arm attacks. This can be avoided by rolling towards him and getting away from his arms.
These are the core attacks in the first phase of your fight against Bayle, but be careful. They can be used in combination, making it a little tricky to spot the openings. If you choose to summon Drake Warrior Igon then it’s a good idea to let him pull aggro from the beast while you safely position yourself behind to do damage. Don’t stress about the NPC, as his health is infinite, so he will remain in the battle while you survive.
What Moves Does Bayle Use in Phase Two
- Meteor Shower
- Aerial Strike
- Phase One Moves
When Bayle initiates phase two in Elden Ring, he will stand on two feet and spread his wings. This will channel fire and lightning around his position, so it’s important to back off and get out of the blast zone. During this phase, he often takes flight, sending meteors flying towards you, so get ready to dodge multiple projectiles at once.
Bayle looks to land an aerial strike when he descends, so be ready to dodge as he makes an impact. In this phase, you need to be careful not to step in the fire that will ignite around the boss arena.
Other than these new moves, the fight should be relatively similar to phase one. Either pick your openings after attacks to deal damage, or use your NPC companion to take the boss aggro and deal damage to the beast from behind.
How to Beat Bayle Easily
If you’re truly stuck against Bayle, then you can always use the Mimic Tear Ashes to help you out. This will provide a copy of the player that can deal and take damage during the fight. Combine this with the NPC companion,, and you should have more than enough help to win the fight.
You can always summon another player to help you fight,, but we’d suggest being cautious about this as it will increase Bayle’s health and, in all likelihood, increase the duration of the fight.
Bayle’s Drop Rewards in Elden Ring
- Heart of Bayle
- 490,000 Runes
You can then return to Igon’s body at the base of Jagged Peak to claim his items. And you should go to the Dragon Communion Priestess to claim your reward. If you gave her Thiollier’s Concotion, you’ll receive her Spirit Ashes. But if you didn’t, you’ll receive her heart and gain Dragon-Form instead.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is available now.
