Summary
Elden Ringfeatures an impressive selection of bosses for players to take on. Many of these are smaller optional bosses that guard catacombs, mines, or small areas around the map. All of these bosses have a deep backstory and a reason for being where they are.The loreofElden Ringis vast and complex, and this is also evident through the game’sdragons.
The dragons ofElden Ringhave a long history. They were the first rulers of the Lands Between and were large stone-scaled creatures of immense power, the remains of which can often be seen throughout the game. The original Elden Lord, before the time of the Erdtree, was a Dragonlord. These ancient dragons had power over lightning and were the undisputed masters of the world. Many of the dragons players meet in the game are lesser versions of these ancient beasts and are both smaller and weaker. There are many dragons inElden Ringthat players will encounter, and they range from easily won fights to grueling battles.
Updated on July 14, 2025, by Andy Chapman: Elden Ring’s massive new DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, has been released to widespread critical acclaim. With the brand-new content comes new locations, new gear, and new challenging boss fights. The Dragon fights in Elden Ring are some of the most memorable and spectacular encounters in the game, and the DLC has introduced several new Dragons to the series, one of which is easily one of the toughest in FromSoftware history. The Dragons in Elden Ring offer tough challenges, worthwhile rewards, and stunning spectacle. As such, this article has been updated to include the new Dragon boss fights that Shadow of the Erdtree has introduced.
16Jagged Peak Drake
An Easy Encounter For Late Game Players
The Jagged Peak Drake is an optional field boss in theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC. Players will come across this large enemy sleeping, surrounded by the bodies of dead Dragons. VeteranElden Ringplayers should have no difficulty defeating this enemy as many of the moves are the same as the commonly found Dragons in the base game. The main exception is the powerful lightning attack.
Using Torrent in this encounter will make the fight very easy. Most players will achieve victory within a few tries if not immediately.This boss fight is completely optionalas players can bypass the Dragon without even waking it. Further along the path, players will find two additional Jagged Peak Drakes fighting each other, both of which can also be completely avoided.
15Flying Dragon Agheel
A Tough Early-Game Challenge
Flying Dragon Agheelis the first dragon players will encounter inElden Ringand is one of the first big challenges they will facewhile exploring Limgrave. Found very close to where players first emerge, the fight can be tough for newcomers who aren’t used to the mechanics of the game, especially if fought on-foot.
The boss is located close to where players will receive Torrent, the mount they will travel on, and works as a tutorial for mounted combat. The boss fight is fought on an open lake with plenty of room to ride. The dragon’s fire breath can reach further than expected. As such, fast movement is ideal for defeating this boss.
14Dragonkin Soldier Of Nokstella
A Dramatic Encounter In A Mysterious Arena
TheDragonkin Soldier of Nokstellacan be found in various locations underneath the Lands Between and is depicted as a reanimated corpse. The Dragonkin are underground dwelling beings that attempted to achieve immortality by becoming like the Ancient Dragons, but they failed in their quest. They are lesser versions of their more powerful cousins and share only some similarities.
The Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella is a more powerful Dragonkin variant that can fly into the airduring its second phase. It can be found at the end of the Ainsel River below the Eternal City of Nokstella. It guards a large and mysterious throne that a giant skeleton sits upon. This boss can hit quite hard and shoots lightning that builds up frostbite, but most of its attacks are well-telegraphed. Most players won’t have many problems taking down this great enemy.
13Glintstone Dragon Smarag
A Memorable Fight On The Path To Raya Lucaria
Another of the more commonly found Dragons seen around the Lands Between.Glintstone Dragon Smaragis a dragon that guards a key to entering the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Found sleeping on the nearby lake, the dragon has Glintstone scales and can perform Glintstone sorcery attacks in addition to its normal moves.
This boss is located in an open area and is best tackled while mounted. Players will recognize many of the attacks from fighting Flying Dragon Agheel, with only a couple of additions. Some players will have little trouble taking on Smarag, who is strong against magic but weak to piercing damage.
12Magma Wyrm Makar
A Challenging Opponent Blocking The Way To The Altus Plateau
Magma Wyrms are Lesser Dragons thatwere once human. After performing the Dragon Communion, they were cursed to never be a true dragon. They cannot fly and are forced to crawl on their large bellies. They are sad parodies of their more majestic flying cousins.
Magma Wyrm Makaris one of the first of these types of dragon that players will encounter in the game. It guards the route through the mines that lead to the Altus Plateau region. Players won’t have too much issue taking on this enemy, but they will have to avoid its lava, large sword swipes, and charging attacks.
11Borealis, The Freezing Fog
Has Access To Powerful AOE Attacks That Can Kill Quickly
Borealis, the Freezing Fogis one of the last common dragons players will encounter in the game and can deal a lot of damage to those who aren’t careful. The dragon will appear when players are crossing a large frozen lake, covered in a thick mist, and seemingly appears out of nowhere.
Most of its attacks players will have encountered in previous dragon fights, except for a move that can quickly kill the Tarnished if they get too close. Set in a large open area, the fight is best fought on horseback to easily avoidthe enemy’s freezing breath attacks. Players shouldn’t have too many issues with this encounter, having defeated tougher enemies to get to this point.
10Flying Dragon Greyll
A Large Enemy Fought In A Small Area
Another of the morecommonly found dragons inElden Ring,Flying Dragon Greyllis found at the very top of Caelid, guarding a bridge. Seemingly unaffected by the surrounding Scarlet Rot, Greyll has the same attacks as the first dragon players encounter, Flying Dragon Agheel.
Players shouldn’t have too much issue taking down this enemy, although there is far less room to avoid its fire attacks as the fight takes place on a bridge. Defeating Greyll requires some quick reactions to avoid damage, and using Torrent to ride out of the way can be a great help.
9Ghostflame Dragons
Powerful Enemies That Can Deal Lots of Damage
One of the first bosses players will find when exploringElden Ring’s massive DLC,Shadow of the Erdtree, is the Ghostflame Dragon. There are three of these challenging field bosses scattered across the map, all of which are completely optional for players. Due to the DLC’s increased difficulty, players just starting in the Land of Shadows will have trouble defeating these large enemies. Returning later, though, players will find that these Dragons pose little trouble.
The key to success with these bosses is to stay close to the Dragon’s feet. Players will need to avoid AOEs and devastating charge attacks if they hope to survive. Once defeated, players are rewarded with a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone and a sizable stack of Runes.
8Ancient Dragon Lansseax
Has Access To Powerful Lightning Attacks That Deal High Damage
Ancient Dragon Lansseaxis an Ancient Dragon that is first encountered when players reach the Altus Plateau region after making their way through the Rock-Strewn Precipice. This first fight will only last for a short time before the dragon disappears.
When players meet Lansseax again, later in the same region, the fight takes place in a large area that is ideal for mounted attacks. Ancient Dragon Lansseax is the sister of Lichdragon Fortissax and has some similar attacks. Both can control red lightning, which they use to great effect. This boss has some dangerous attacks that can deal high damage, but witha relatively small health pool, players should be able to take down this Ancient Dragon easily.
7Glintstone Dragon Adula
Has Access To Devastating Attacks That Can Kill Instantly
This dragon is first encountered in the Three Sisters, where players will meetRanni the Witchfor the second time.Adula is unbeatablein this battle and will disappear once its health has dropped to a certain amount. After progressing through Ranni’s questline, however, players will meet this dragon once again.
The second meeting is a tougher encounter.Glintstone Dragon Adulahas the same move set as the previous Glintstone Dragon Smarag, which players will be well-used to by this point. The danger from this enemy is its additional Moonblade attacks, which can deal huge damage to the player. With plenty of room to ride and with a few well-timed dodges, however, players should achieve victory with few problems.
