Elden Ring: How To Defeat The Ancestor Spirit Boss

Quick Links

• Ancestor Spirit Overview

• Ancestor Spirit Attacks

• Battle Strategy

• General Tips

Elden Ring is home to some of the most gorgeous areas in FromSoftware's impeccable repertoire of uniquely beautiful and grotesque titles. The Siofra River is one of the best examples of the team's artistic prowess. It does an excellent job showcasing the stunning art direction from the acclaimed studio, culminating with one of the game's most beautiful boss fights.

The Ancestor Spirit boss fight in Elden Ring will be remembered by fans for years to come, as everything leading up to it and the battle itself ticks every boss that makes these titles so beloved. With the past six titles following a similar formula, it's quite an achievement how they keep surprising and pleasing their audience.

Ancestor Spirit Overview

While getting to the Ancestor Spirit can be excruciatingly difficult to accomplish, the fight itself isn't that bad and ranks in the lower portion of the "challenging" category. However, that isn't to say that the battle is terrible or uninteresting in any way. In fact, the Ancestor Spirit is amongst the most beautiful and spectacular encounters in the entire game. And, for that, we appreciate it deer-ly.

Anyway, as mentioned before, getting to the Ancestor Spirit can be grueling, which may even be one of the reasons you popped in here. If that's the case, please check out our guide on where to find the eight braziers in Siofra River, as that covers the steps needed to reach this encounter!

Ancestor Spirit Attacks

The Ancestor Spirit, majestic as it is, is a relatively straightforward fight, with a few heavy-hitting attacks requiring your full attention to dodge and reposition yourself properly. With a series of thrashing attacks, wild stomps, and a beautiful spray of bluish-white flames, the Ancestor Spirit is an excellent showcase boss encounter.

Flying Ethereal Flame

The Ancestral Spirit will occasionally leap into the air and move from left to right while spewing a bluish-white flame towards you. The flame is slow-moving and slightly spreads after making contact with the ground.

Counter: Remain patient and back away from the flame. Do not attempt to charge under the boss while it is performing this action, as you will likely get stunned by the flame and can potentially die in the process. Just let the move play out and get ready for the small list of attacks that are likely to follow.

Flutter Jump

Typically, after performing its Flying Ethereal Flame attack, the Ancestral Spirit will try to make up ground on you by performing a Flutter Jump of sorts. This action has the boss jump three times in the air before concluding the move with a charged slam towards the player.

Counter: After you see the Ancestral Spirit perform its third jump, roll shortly after to the left or right to evade the slam. If timed correctly, you should avoid all damage and knockback and get a few hits in before going back on the defensive.

Ground Ethereal Flame

Like its Flying Ethereal Flame attack, the Ancestral Spirit will spew bluish-white flame onto the ground beneath it. However, with the Ground Ethereal Flame, the flame will start at its feet and will spread out as the boss attempts to get closer to the player.

Counter: When you see the Ancestral Spirit begin this attack – indicated by a bluish-white flame igniting in its mouth – create distance between you and the boss. While you can get risky here and try attacking or staying close, we advise you just get away from the area altogether until the attack finishes.

Antler Sweep

Periodically throughout the battle, the Ancestral Spirit will perform an Antler Sweep attack, typically when you are very close to it. The boss will perform wide sweeping motions with its antlers by thrashing its head around roughly three times before stopping.

Counter: Due to this attack being one of the few that is hard to telegraph, we suggest being ready for it at all times whenever you're in close. Each sweep can be rolled through to negate damage, and there will never be more than three consecutive attacks, so you'll know when you can stop rolling and get a few hits in yourself.

Charge

If you're a decent distance from the Ancestral Spirit, it will usually do one of its aerial attacks but can occasionally mix in a Charge attack here and there to keep you on your toes. This action is fast but well telegraphed.

Counter: If at any point you see the Ancestral Spirit lower its head with its antlers facing you, you need to prepare to either get out of dodge or attempt a well-timed roll to then go on the offensive. Sue to this attack being readable from a mile away, we prefer trying the latter approach and getting a few hits in.

Battle Strategy

Whether you prefer getting up close and personal or attacking your enemies from a safe distance, the Ancestor Spirit shouldn't pose much of a threat if you play your cards right. If you trudged through the nightmarish enemy placement to get here, then you can take this boss down with ease.

The Ancestor Spirit doesn't possess many outrageous attacks (or attacks in general) and is a relatively tame boss fight in the grand scheme of all things Elden Ring offers. Due to the area leading up to this encounter being callous, we recommend being at least Level 30-35 before attempting it. And, if you're in that ballpark, then you should be more than ready if you reach it.

Melee Strategy

For melee-focused players, we strongly urge you to practice a great deal of patience in this encounter, as many of the Ancestor Spirit's attacks a slow-building and reactionary. Baiting the boss' Flutter Jump, Charge, and Antler Sweep attacks will put you in the best possible position to land many hits with ample time to prepare for what's next. Impatience will be your downfall here, so just take things one step at a time.

Additionally, if you have a weapon that can inflict the Bleed status effect, we urge you to use it (if upgraded) as it will take large chunks of health away from the boss in just a few strikes. We recommend using the Reduvia Dagger or the Bloody Slash Ash or War if you go this route.

Ranged Strategy

The ranged strategy for the Ancestor Spirit is a tad different from what we presented under the melee section. Still, you will ultimately be looking to bait a couple of attacks while avoiding most of them. Again, the goal here is to have patience and not rush into your demise. Since you will want to be at a safe distance, you want to force the beast into its aerial attacks as much as possible, then cast spells at it after it lands on the ground.

One of the more popular strategies is to summon the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes as the Ancestor Spirit performs its Flutter Jump attack, which will draw its attention after it lands. As the boss is performing ground attacks on the Jellyfish, you can safely cast incantations at it until it takes to the air once more. From here, just wait for it to land, have your Jellyfish friend pull agro, and keep repeating until you successfully slay the Ancestor Spirit.

General Tips

• Be Level 30-35 or higher
• Watch out for its Antler Sweep attack.
• Be patient. Rushing in during most of its attacks will be lethal.
• If able, melee users should use the Reduvia Dagger or the Bloody Slash Ash or War.
• If you're a ranged player, use the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes to your advantage.

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