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.
There are many ways to approach the combat of Elden Ring. From nimble knife-wielders and armored greatsword swingers in melee to clerics who heal from afar or mages who sling spells. Whether players choose to focus on melee, range, or a little bit of both, there are some bosses that will test certain builds more than others.
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For mages, it’s usually the more relentless bosses that want to stay in melee range that are the toughest task. Then, there are bosses with high magic resistance to contend with, too. Players who want to stick to magic only might find some of these bosses a lot tougher than normal. Mostly, these bosses are tough for pure mages, as opposed to simply the hardest bosses in the game.
8
Red Wolf of Radagon
Early Mage Stumbling Block
- Location: Academy of Raya Lucaria
- HP: 2204
While it’s far from one of the hardest bosses in the game, mages who come across the Red Wolf of Radagon early will definitely have a hard time. The boss has high magic resistance, and the way it moves around the arena lets it dodge ranged spells without even trying. It’s much easier for most players to use whatever melee option they have on hand, but for those restricting themselves to spells only, fast melee options like Carian Slicer are the best bet.
7
Rennala, Queen of The Full Moon
The Carian Queen
- Location: Academy of Raya Lucaria
- HP: 3493 (Phase 1) / 4097 (Phase 2)
In the grand scheme of Elden Ring’s Shardbearers, Rennala normally isn’t considered one of the toughest. However, as players might expect, the former ruler of Raya Lucaria is not so vulnerable to magic. Her first phase is a relative breeze for a mage or a melee player, but her second phase can definitely be hard work for mages.
Not only do players have to contend with her high magic resistance, but they also have to factor in actually getting off spell casts while being chased down by her summons. One of the best options for a spell-only run is to use Rock Sling, as the physical damage of this spell gets around her magic defense.
6
Fire Giant
Size Matters
- Location: Flame Peak
- HP: 42363
Despite his immense size, the Fire Giant can create distance from the player with relative ease. That can cause all kinds of problems for lock-on fired spells and can make it a frustrating fight for a mage character. Not only that, but casting has to be timed well as being locked in place at range can make players highly vulnerable to certain attacks.
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Counter-intuitively, the fight can work better for mage players if they get close and fire attacks at the ankles, just like the average melee player is going to do. Spell-only characters should make sure they allocate enough cerulean flasks, too, as the Fire Giant’s large health bar will take quite a few spells to get through, even with good damage output.
5
Elden Beast
The Final Fight
- Location: Elden Throne
- HP: 22127
The mobility and unpredictability of the Elden Beast can be a nightmare for pure mage characters. Having to do this fight after Radagon and balancing resources between both is a tough test, but factoring in MP usage as well makes it even tougher.
Standing at range and trying to spam spells isn’t going to work here, players will need to stay close and bait melee attacks whenever they can, then take those opportunities to attack. Getting caught in a casting animation when the Elden Beast hits one of its AoE holy attacks at range is a death sentence.
4
Metyr, Mother of Fingers
Cosmic Force
- Location: Finger Ruins of Miyr
- HP: 43296
One of the optional DLC bosses, Metyr, Mother of Fingers, is a fight that is well worth pursuing, as it’s tied to one of Shadow of the Erdtree’s best side quests. Anyone who packs a pure mage might have a tough time with the fight though.
Arguably, a lot of Metyr’s attacks are easier to deal with at range. Yet, due to its relatively high magic resistance and Metyr’s large health pool, a ranged magic fight can be a bit of a slog to get through. Even with enough damage output, mage players will still have to be on point with their dodges as the boss has some pretty mean ranged options itself.
3
Maliketh, The Black Blade
The Blade of Death
- Location: Crumbling Farum Azula
- HP: 10620
The frightening speed of Maliketh’s second phase can be very tough for a ranged caster to adjust to. By this point in the game, casters will have some high-damage options available. Yet, with Maliketh’s movement and the need for the player to react quickly, mages will find their viable options reduced to quick spells like Carian Slicer.
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If players absolutely want to use ranged spells for this fight, then the best option is Night Comet, as Maliketh won’t dodge it (on purpose). Mages can at least make use of the pillars in Maliketh’s room to block his projectiles, in classic boss fight fashion.
2
Rellana, Twin Moon Knight
Carian Royalty
- Location: Castle Ensis
- HP: 29723
As Rennala’s sister, players should expect that this optional boss from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is pretty resistant to magic. The relatively small arena makes it hard to keep distance from the boss, and Rellana will dodge most spells if players allow it.
Ranni’s Darkmoon can help reduce the bosses’ magic defense, though players need a window to use it, making it hard to get off after the start of the fight. The other spell that comes in handy is, once again, Night Comet. Like many bosses, Rellana won’t dodge this spell as frequently.
1
Malenia, Blade of Miquella
- Location: Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
- HP: 33251 (Phase 1) / 80% healed for phase 2
Malenia is a tough boss for any player, arguably still the hardest boss in the game despite Shadow of the Erdtree adding new tough fights. Players who take this fight on from range will have an especially tough time, though. Staying at range baits attacks like her notorious second-phase Waterfowl Dance more frequently.
Even players who have their dodging absolutely perfect need to watch out for the tells of this move starting, and an unprepared ranged player is a vulnerable target. Whittling down Malenia’s health with Night Comet while desperately dodging attacks so she doesn’t heal the damage right back is not the fastest or most fun way to take on this fight.
