The Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC features some of the hardest bosses in the Souls-like genre, and even if you hop onto the game with a high-level character, they can delete you on a whim.
With an insane amount of damage output and exceptional fighting mechanics, these bosses are more unforgiving than some of the base game’s bosses. As such, the DLC is getting negative reviews just for its difficulty.
Nevertheless, if you want to learn about seven of the hardest bosses in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (in no particular order), keep reading!
Most difficult bosses in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
1. Radahn, Consort of Miquella
Location: Enir-Ilim, a legacy dungeon.
The last boss in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree is Radahn, Consort of Miquella. And it’s arguably the most difficult one. When you reduce Promised Consort Radahn’s health to a certain point, he metamorphoses into Radahn, Consort of Miquella.
This new form retains all of Radahn’s previous attacks but also acquires more powerful divine abilities. He can pounce at you from a distance in midair, dealing massive AoE damage; emanating purple electricity from his swords along with various other unearthly attacks.
2. Messmer the Impaler
Location: Specimen Storehouse.
Messmer the Impaler, the face of the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, is a Legacy boss with incredible fighting mechanics. Despite meeting him at an early stage, Messmer’s battle can be quite exhausting.
Alongside a serpent companion, Messmer wields fiery spells for offense and a menacing large spear. Possessing a wide range of far-reaching combos with staggering damage capabilities, encountering Messmer is an unforgettable experience.
3. Bayle the Dread
Location: At the summit of Jagged Peak.
Dragons abound in Elden Ring, yet none match the ferocity or peril of Bayle the Dread. Despite being an optional boss, this stands out as one of FromSoftware’s most monumental dragon duels ever presented to its audience.
Bayle doesn’t just breathe fire; he breathes out both fire and lightning, a dual onslaught that spells instant doom for those unprepared.
His agile, unpredictable, and boasts an obscene pool of health coupled with attacks teeming with excessive damage output. Moreover, he favors using wide-reaching AoE assaults that are tough to avoid.
4. Rellana, Twin Moon Knight
Location: Castle Ensis.
Rellana, Twin Moon Knight, is considered one of the most challenging bosses within Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree. Notably, overcoming her is vital to progress into the subsequent region.
Rellana’s fighting style encompasses swift dual sword attacks that cover a great distance paired with mystical incantations.
Evasion becomes near impossible due to her attacks’ misguiding frequency in termination. She can dodge your attacks and lash out fast or extended attacks based on circumstances.
5. Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame
Location: Midra’s Manse dungeon.
Midra, the Lord of Frenzied Flame, is an optional boss in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, but is often considered one of the toughest challenges in the DLC.
Midra doesn’t hold back, as it unleashes a torrent of madness flame attacks that not only deal physical damage but also spike your madness meter.
Midra is relentless with both close-quarters melee strikes and fiery spells from a distance. It strategically uses her spear to narrow down any gaps you create. Dodging them isn’t easy either, as Frenzied Flame bursts await those who attempt escape, inflicting considerable harm upon impact.
6. Putrescent Knight
Location: Fissure Depths.
In Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, the Putrescent Knight is armed with an arsenal of powerful moves and accompanied by his horse, presenting quite a formidable battle.
The Putrescent Knight itself is an eerie large boss— grotesquely composed from a fusion of an ordinary horse with a mutated undead skeleton knight. The knight brandishes an unusual weapon, a blade crafted in the shape of a skeleton, curved like a half-circle.
7. Commander Gaius
Location: In the large field behind the Shadow Keep.
This fighter on a warthog of epic proportions, Commander Gaius, is among the top bosses to make your blood boil in the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
His overwhelming melee assault and aggressive attack patterns comprising AoE spells with far-reaching gravity magic certainly present a significant challenge.
Gaius is mounted on a huge wild boar capable of charging with great velocity. In this fight, you will have to face both the rider and the wild boar as they coordinate their attacks against you.
