The Hardest Elden Ring Bosses For Mages, Ranked

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Summary

  • Some Elden Ring bosses can be challenging for pure mages due to high magic resistance and relentless melee attacks.
  • Strategy for mage players includes using fast melee options like Carian Slicer and physical damage spells like Rock Sling.
  • Ranged mage characters face difficulties with certain bosses such as the Fire Giant, Elden Beast, and Malenia due to vulnerabilities in spell-casting tactics.

As a seasoned Elden Ring player with countless hours under my belt, I can confidently say that facing certain bosses from range is a recipe for frustration and despair. I’ve seen it all – the relentless dodging, the unforgiving arenas, and the seemingly impossible timing required to land a hit.

For instance, battling Malenia, Blade of Miquella, has been the bane of my existence since the game’s release. I’ve tried countless builds, strategies, and even summoned in some help, but nothing seems to work when I try to take her on from afar. The Waterfowl Dance is a dance of death that leaves me cowering behind cover, praying for mercy.

But alas, I’m not one to back down easily. I’ve learned the hard way that sometimes the best defense is a good offense, and I’ve found myself up close and personal with Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, more times than I care to remember. Her magic resistance makes her a formidable foe for any mage, and I’ve spent countless hours trying to find the perfect moment to land a hit without getting blown away by her spells.

And let’s not forget Malina, Blade of Miquella’s sister Rennala. She may be a bit easier on the eyes, but she’s no pushover when it comes to taking damage. With her quick reflexes and powerful spells, I’ve found myself running for cover more times than I can count.

In the end, I’ve come to realize that Elden Ring is not a game for the faint of heart or those who prefer a more passive playstyle. It demands skill, patience, and an unwavering determination to conquer even the toughest of foes. But as someone who has fought my way through the game’s many challenges, I can say that there is nothing quite like the sense of accomplishment that comes from finally defeating one of these bosses, no matter how many times it takes.

Oh, and let me tell you, if anyone ever tells you that Rennala’s dress is easy to dodge, just remember – they probably haven’t seen my battle scars!

In Elden Ring, you’ll discover numerous strategies for engaging in combat. Some might prefer quick and agile characters armed with knives, while others might opt for heavily armored figures wielding greatswords in close quarters. There are also healers who work their magic from a distance or mages who cast spells. Regardless of whether players focus on melee, ranged, or a combination, there are certain bosses that will challenge specific playstyles more intensely than others.

For mages, it’s often the unyielding bosses that prefer close combat that present the greatest challenge. Additionally, there are bosses with high resistance to magic that must be dealt with as well. Mages focusing solely on magic might find some of these bosses more difficult than usual. Generally, these bosses pose a greater challenge for pure mages rather than being the most challenging overall in the game.

8. Red Wolf of Radagon

Early Mage Stumbling Block

  • Location: Academy of Raya Lucaria
  • HP: 2204

Even though the Red Wolf of Radagon isn’t among the toughest bosses in the game for many players, mages encountering it early might find it challenging due to its high resistance to magic and agile movements that make it evade ranged spells effortlessly. Players with melee weapons usually have an advantage here, but those relying solely on spells may find fast-paced options such as Carian Slicer more effective.

7. Rennala, Queen of The Full Moon

The Carian Queen

  • Location: Academy of Raya Lucaria
  • HP: 3493 (Phase 1) / 4097 (Phase 2)

In the larger picture of Elden Ring’s Shardbearers, Rennala isn’t typically viewed as one of the most difficult adversaries. Nevertheless, keep in mind that she was once the ruler of Raya Lucaria, making her particularly resilient to magic. The initial phase is relatively straightforward for a mage or a melee combatant, but the second phase can prove quite challenging for mages.

In my experience, when engaging with this formidable character, it’s not just about overcoming her robust magic resistance; I also need to find ways to hurl spells while evading her summoned pursuers. A strategy that has proven effective for a pure spell-based approach is to employ the Rock Sling spell. The physical damage it inflicts bypasses her magical defenses, making it a valuable tool in my arsenal.

6. Fire Giant

Size Matters

  • Location: Flame Peak
  • HP: 42363

Despite his colossal stature, the Fire Giant moves with surprising agility, creating space from the player effortlessly. This mobility brings numerous challenges for spells targeted by lock-on, making combat tricky and frustrating for mage characters. Moreover, it’s crucial to time spell castings carefully because being stuck in place at a distance can leave players exposed to specific attacks, potentially putting them in danger.

Contrary to expectations, a mage player might find success in combat by getting up close and launching attacks at the ankle area, similar to how a typical melee player would fight. Also, be mindful that spell-based characters should stock enough Cerulean Flasks, as the Fire Giant’s substantial health pool means you’ll likely need numerous spells to defeat it, even with high damage output.

5. Elden Beast

The Final Fight

  • Location: Elden Throne
  • HP: 22127

Engaging with the elusive Elden Beast can be an agonizing ordeal for magic-focused characters like myself. Following the battles against Radagon, the challenge lies not only in managing resources between these two formidable adversaries, but also in carefully considering and conserving my magical energy reserves – a test of both skill and endurance.

In this scenario, simply casting spells from afar won’t be effective; instead, players should get close and provoke melee attacks as often as possible. They should then seize these moments to counterattack. Being in the middle of a casting animation when the Elden Beast launches one of its wide-area holy attacks at range is highly dangerous and could lead to your character’s demise.

4. Metyr, Mother of Fingers

Cosmic Force

  • Location: Finger Ruins of Miyr
  • HP: 43296

Among the additional content bosses you can choose, Metyr, the Mother of Fingers, is an engaging battle that’s definitely worth tackling. It’s connected to one of Shadow of the Erdtree’s finest side quests, so it’s highly recommended. However, if your character specializes solely in magic, they might find this fight particularly challenging.

It’s generally agreed that many attacks from Metyr are more manageable at a distance. However, its substantial magic resistance and sizeable health make a long-range magical battle rather challenging. Despite dealing enough damage, mage players must stay alert and dodge skillfully because the boss also has potent ranged abilities.

3. Maliketh, The Black Blade

The Blade of Death

  • Location: Crumbling Farum Azula
  • HP: 10620

As a film enthusiast immersed in the gaming world, I must say, the blazing speed of Maliketh’s second phase can be quite a challenge for ranged casters like myself. By this stage of the game, we’ve got some potent high-damage spells at our disposal. However, Maliketh’s swift movements and the need for instant reactions make it tricky. Consequently, our arsenal of effective spells narrows down significantly to quick ones such as Carian Slicer, which we can cast and dodge away in a flash.

If magicians prefer casting ranged spells during this battle, they should opt for Night Comet since Maliketh tends not to intentionally dodge it. Mages can also strategically position themselves behind the pillars within Maliketh’s chamber to shield themselves from his projectiles, emulating a traditional boss fight tactic.

2. Rellana, Twin Moon Knight

Carian Royalty

  • Location: Castle Ensis
  • HP: 29723

In the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, players encounter an optional boss named Rennala’s sister. This character exhibits a high level of resistance to magic. The compact arena makes it challenging for players to maintain distance from the boss, and Rellana has the ability to dodge most spells if given the opportunity.

Ranni’s Darkmoon can weaken the magical defense of the bosses, but it requires a suitable moment to cast, making it tricky to use during the early stages of a fight. Another useful spell is Night Comet, which Rellana doesn’t avoid as often.

1. Malenia, Blade of Miquella

  • Location: Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
  • HP: 33251 (Phase 1) / 80% healed for phase 2

Malenia, the boss character, presents a challenging encounter for any gamer, with many considering her the most difficult boss in the game even after the introduction of Shadow of the Erdtree’s tougher fights. Those opting to engage her from a distance will likely find themselves in a tricky situation. Engaging at range tends to provoke Malenia’s attacks such as her well-known second phase Waterfowl Dance more frequently.

Players who masterfully dodge her moves should still be cautious of her cues, as an unguarded ranged combatant can prove a vulnerable target. Chipping away at Malenia’s health with Night Comet while dodging attacks to prevent instant healing is not the quickest or most enjoyable approach for this battle.

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2025-01-02 05:36