How to Defeat Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree introduces many exciting new bosses, but none stand out like Bayle the Dread. This dragon boss is arguably the finest in the entire Soulsborne series, surpassing even Midir in my opinion. However, Bayle the Dread is also one of the toughest bosses in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, known for his aggressive attack patterns and high damage output. If you’re finding him challenging, here’s a guide to help you locate and defeat Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Finding Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring

The journey to Bayle the Dread is as thrilling as the battle itself. Bayle is situated in the Jagged Peaks region. To get there, you must first defeat the Ancient Dragon Man in Dragon’s Pit and then make your way to the Summit of Jagged Peaks. Follow these steps to reach Bayle the Dread:

Traverse through Dragon’s Pit to reach the Jagged Peaks.

Upon arriving in the Jagged Peaks, proceed straight until you encounter the Jagged Peak Drake.

You can either engage and defeat the Drake or bypass it by heading north-east.

If you’re following Igon’s quest, defeat all the dragons along the path to the Summit.

Eventually, you’ll come across a spiritspring. Use it to jump to the next area, run past the bridge, and rest at the Foothills and Jagged Peaks Site of Grace.

Continue forward until you see two Jagged Peak Drakes battling each other.

You can choose to defeat both Drakes or bypass them through the eastern passage. If you’ve taken down all the dragons up to this point, you’ll find Igon waiting for you. He will ask to be summoned during your fight with Bayle the Dread.

Proceed upwards until you reach the Jagged Peak Summit.

Along the way, you may encounter the Ancient Dragon Sennesax, which you can either defeat or avoid.

Keep moving forward, using spiritsprings as needed to reach the Jagged Peak Summit.

Once at the Jagged Peak Summit Site of Grace, enter the boss room to commence the battle with Bayle the Dread.

Bayle the Dread Weaknesses in Elden Ring

Bayle the Dread can seem daunting due to his substantial health pool, but understanding his weaknesses can give you a crucial advantage in battle. Here’s how to exploit his vulnerabilities:

Head: Bayle’s head is especially susceptible, taking double the damage compared to other parts of his body. Targeting this area will be crucial for dealing significant damage.

Bleed: While bleed builds are effective, they require time to accumulate. Be patient and persistent to make the most of this damage type.

Physical Damage: Bayle is most vulnerable to raw physical attacks. Focusing on physical damage will yield the highest impact.

Throwing Weapons: By keeping your distance, you can avoid many of Bayle’s attacks. This makes throwing weapons particularly effective, as they allow you to deal damage without engaging in close combat.

Vulnerable While Breathing Flames: When Bayle the Dread breathes flames, his head becomes exposed and vulnerable. Use this opportunity to strike and deal extra damage.

Dragon-hunter’s Great Katana: This weapon inflicts increased damage on Bayle, making it a powerful choice for the fight.

Tips and Tricks to Defeat Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring

Bayle the Dread is one of the most challenging dragon fights in the Soulsborne series, drawing comparisons to Darkeater Midir but with heightened difficulty. His aggressive moves and large size can make it tough to anticipate and avoid attacks. Here’s how to approach the fight and maximize your chances of victory:

Fight Bayle the Dread in Phase 1

Bayle the Dread is a formidable opponent, presenting a greater challenge than Dark Eater Midir with his superior speed and aggression, though he shares similar weaknesses. To tackle him effectively, start by avoiding being cornered; the expansive boss arena can still feel restrictive if Bayle’s aggression forces you into walls. Keep yourself positioned in front of Bayle’s head to maintain a clear view of his attacks and improve your reaction time. It’s often beneficial to avoid locking onto him unless you’re preparing to strike, as this can limit your movement.

Given that Bayle’s head is his most vulnerable area but is constantly moving, using long-range weapons such as colossal weapons or great spears is recommended to consistently target it. Even if you can’t hit his head consistently, ensure you’re applying damage to other parts of his body, particularly if using a bleed build. Since bleed takes time to build up, frequent attacks are necessary. If dodging his attacks proves difficult, the Bloodhound Step ability can be helpful.

Finally, when you get a chance, focus on dealing sustained damage to Bayle’s head. If you break his poise, continue attacking his head rather than attempting a critical hit. Employing these strategies will improve your chances of overcoming Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring

Lunging Pierce: Bayle will shift weight to his right leg and lunge with his right claw. Watch for the weight shift and dodge-roll when he jumps.

Straight Flame Breath: Bayle breathes fire straight at you, tracking your movement. Dodge by rolling sideways three times or sprinting first and then rolling.

Wide Flame Breath: Bayle breathes fire from right to left in layers. Wait until the flame reaches you and then dodge-roll forward over it.

Downward Flame Breath: When close, Bayle breathes fire downward around his body. Keep your distance to avoid this attack.

Jumping Lightning Smash: Bayle leaps into the air and drops with lightning strikes. Time your dodge-roll at the peak of his jump and continue rolling to avoid the lightning.

Biting Grab Attack: Bayle lunges with a lightning-filled mouth, attempting to grab you. Sprint back to avoid the attack, or time your dodge-roll to escape it.

Right-Left-Smash Combo: Bayle will do a right claw slash, a reverse attack, and then a right claw smash. Time your dodges or sprint back when he screams if you have space.

Spinning Tail Attack: When behind Bayle, he may perform a spinning tail swipe. Be prepared to side-roll when behind him to avoid this attack.

Calls Lightning: Bayle will scream and summon lightning. Sprint to one side to evade the lightning strikes.

Strategies for Defeating Bayle the Dread in Phase 2

Once Bayle reaches 50% or lower HP, he transitions into Phase 2 by spawning Lightning and doing the AoE blast into the Flying Smash attack, as mentioned below. Bayle carries forward all his Phase 1 attacks to Phase 2, while also calling Lighting alongside most attacks.

To defeat Bayle the Dread in Phase 2, follow the same strategy as Phase 1: stay in front of his head and strike whenever possible. Be especially cautious to avoid the surrounding lightning.

AoE blast: The area around Bayle will start to tremble and fire will sprout from the ground as he does an AoE attack around him, followed by lightning strikes. Just sprint out of the AoE to avoid it.

Plasma Breath: Bayle will launch into the air to perform a left-to-right plasma breath attack, followed by a straight plasma breath. This attack deals significant damage, so be cautious. When he attacks, sprint back to evade the first plasma breath, then quickly move left or right to dodge the second. If he’s too close, be prepared to dodge roll.

Flying Smash:Bayle will leap into the air, leaving a fire trail and launching Fireballs at you as he approaches, dealing AoE damage upon landing. To avoid the fireballs, sprint backwards to let them pass. Time your dodge carefully to evade the landing attack, doing so just before he lands on you.

Bayle the Dread Rewards In Elden Ring

Defeating Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring yields valuable rewards. Upon vanquishing him, you will receive Bayle’s Heart. This item allows you to acquire one of two powerful incantations at the Grand Alter of Dragon Communion:

Bayle’s Flame Lightning
Bayle’s Tyranny

In addition to Bayle’s Heart, you can find the Flowerstone Gravel weapon and the Priestess’s Heart around the Grand Alter. If you have completed Igon’s quest, you can also collect his ball bearing, armor set, and bow by visiting the location where you last encountered him in Jagged Peaks. The Priestess’s Heart offers the ability to transform into a Dragon, adding another layer to your gameplay options.

We hope this guide has been helpful in your battle against Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. If you have more questions or need assistance, please leave a comment.