Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed action RPG from FromSoftware, continues to captivate players with its expansive world, intricate lore, and challenging gameplay. The game's only expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, introduces new areas, enemies, and bosses that test the skills and perseverance of even the most seasoned players. Among these formidable foes is the Death Rite Bird, a returning boss from the base game. This guide will help you locate, prepare for, and defeat the Death Rite Bird in Shadow of the Erdtree.

Locating the Death Rite Bird in Shadow of the Erdtree

The Death Rite Bird in Shadow of the Erdtree is found in Charo's Hidden Grave, a secret area south of the larger Gravesite Plain region. To reach this hidden area, follow the main path from the Shadow Keep until you arrive at the Dragon Pit. This dungeon must be cleared to unlock a path forward. After defeating the enemies in the Dragon Pit, continue along the road toward the imposing Jagged Peak.

On your way to the Jagged Peak, you'll discover the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion. Here, you can learn Ancient Dragon Incantations next to a large dragon's corpse. Climb over the dead dragon and drop down to the lower ledges, revealing a new path that leads to Charo's Hidden Grave. This area is characterized by shallow waters and red flowers, providing a hauntingly beautiful backdrop for your encounter with the Death Rite Bird.

The Death Rite Bird itself is located a short distance northeast of the Charo's Hidden Grave Site of Grace. This creature is defended by smaller bird enemies perched among the tall gravestones in the area. To improve your chances in the upcoming boss fight, explore the area and eliminate as many of these smaller avians as possible to reduce the clutter during the battle.

Preparing for the Death Rite Bird

Understand the Bird’s Resistances and Weaknesses

The Death Rite Bird boasts a variety of resistances, making it a challenging opponent. It is highly resistant to status effects such as Bleed, Frost, Sleep, Poison, and Madness. Additionally, it has natural defenses against Lightning, Fire, and Magic damage. This combination of resistances makes the boss seem nearly invulnerable to many common builds in Elden Ring. However, the Death Rite Bird has significant weaknesses that you can exploit.

Holy Damage

The Death Rite Bird is extremely weak to Holy damage. Weapons and spells that deal Holy damage will be particularly effective against this boss. Consider using weapons like the Sacred Relic Sword or the Halo Scythe, which deal Holy damage. These weapons will perform exceptionally well, especially if your build has a high Faith stat, enhancing the damage scaling.

Holy Spells

If your character build relies on magic, Holy damage spells will be invaluable in this fight. Incantations such as Discus of Light or Wrath of Gold can deal considerable Holy damage, quickly reducing the boss's health. Experiment with different Ashes of War or Unique Skills that generate Holy damage, such as the Wave of Gold Skill, to find the most effective combination for your playstyle.

Strike Damage

The Death Rite Bird is also weak against Strike damage, a type of physical damage dealt by certain weapons in the game. Hammers, Flails, Shields, Fists, and some Clubs typically deal Strike damage, making them useful against this boss. Avoid using weapons that rely on Pierce damage, as the boss has the highest resistance to this type of attack.

Gear and Consumables

Many of the Death Rite Bird's attacks utilize ghostflame, a type of fire that inflicts Frostbite. Frostbite can quickly deplete a significant portion of your health if it builds up enough. To mitigate this, bring gear or consumables that resist Frostbite. This will help you survive the boss's ghostflame attacks and maintain your health throughout the fight.

The Battle Strategy

Mobility with Torrent

The best strategy against the Death Rite Bird is to use Torrent, your spectral steed, for mobility. Torrent allows you to quickly engage the boss, land a few hits, and retreat to avoid its powerful AoE (Area of Effect) attacks. Staying mobile will help you dodge the wide-reaching ghostflame attacks and position yourself strategically during the battle.

Close Combat Tactics

While many of the Death Rite Bird’s attacks can be avoided from a distance, staying close to the boss can prevent it from using its most potent magic attacks. Pay attention to the bird’s attack patterns and learn how to counter specific moves. For example, when the bird raises its head to cast ghostflame, move in quickly to interrupt the attack or position yourself to dodge the incoming fire.

Countering Specific Attacks

1. Ghostflame AoE: The Death Rite Bird’s ghostflame AoE attack spreads fire in a wide area. Use Torrent to quickly move out of the attack’s range. Staying on the move will help you avoid taking significant damage from this powerful attack.

2. Close Combat Flails: The bird has a series of flailing attacks in close combat that can be devastating. When you see it preparing these attacks, use Torrent to retreat and reposition yourself. After the flailing attacks, move back in for a few hits before retreating again.

3. Ghostflame Spit: The bird spits ghostflame that spreads across the ground. This attack can cover a large area and inflict Frostbite. Stay vigilant and use Torrent to move out of the affected area quickly.

Utilizing Holy and Strike Damage

As mentioned, Holy and Strike damage are your best options against the Death Rite Bird. Equip weapons and spells that deal these types of damage to maximize your effectiveness. Use Holy damage spells to attack from a distance when it’s safe, and switch to Strike damage weapons when you’re up close. Balancing these two damage types will help you deplete the boss’s health efficiently.

Rewards for Defeating the Death Rite Bird

Defeating the Death Rite Bird in Shadow of the Erdtree will reward you with 230,000 Runes and the Ash of War: Ghostflame Call. This powerful ability allows you to create a lingering line of ghostflame across the ground or conjure a huge explosion of black and white fire against your enemies. The Ash of War: Ghostflame Call can be particularly useful in other boss encounters within the Land of Shadow, providing you with a valuable tool for future battles.

The Death Rite Bird in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is a formidable opponent that requires careful preparation and strategic combat. By understanding its resistances and weaknesses, equipping the right gear, and employing effective battle strategies, you can overcome this challenging boss and earn valuable rewards. Utilize Holy and Strike damage, stay mobile with Torrent, and pay attention to the bird’s attack patterns to ensure your victory. With persistence and skill, you’ll be able to conquer the Death Rite Bird and continue your journey through the rich and dangerous world of Elden Ring.

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