Bayle the Dread is one of the most epic bosses you can face in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, because of how amazing the fighting arena and the spectacle of this devastating dragon.
Bayle the Dread guide
In this guide, we’ll explain how you can beat Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree.
Bayle the Dread Location
You can find Bayle the Dread at the Jagged Peak Summit. To get there you need to head to Jagged Peak and venture your way to the top of it.
To reach Jagged Peak itself, you’ll have to pass the Dragon’s Pit Dungeon which is east of the Gravesite Plain Site of Grace.
Best Build for Bayle the Dread and Bayle weaknesses
As with facing most dragons, you’ll need protection from fire, so equipping the Flamedrake Talisman and using the Fireproof Dried Liver will help immensely along with fire-resistant armor.
Bayle is pretty much resistant to most status effects, but he is weak to weapons and spells that specifically affect dragons. We recommend using the Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana, as it’s used to defeat dragons specifically. Additionally, its special Dragonwound Slash takes a fair chunk of its health.
Dragon Cult Incantations are perhaps the most effective against Bayle. Using the Ancient Dragon Lightning Strike is very useful against it, so if you have it in your build make sure to use it as it takes its health very quickly.
To boost this, use the Godfrey Icon as one of your Talismans. Additionally, it is also affected by frostbite so if you have any weapon that has it, then you should use it.
During this fight, you can summon the Mimic Tear Ashes and Igon, whose questline connects to Bayle. They can take its aggro while you spam it with attacks.
How to defeat Bayle the Dread in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
Bayle the Dread — first phase
In the first phase, Bayle does some bites and stomps that can one-shot you if you are not careful enough. He also alternates that with fire attacks so the best strategy is to get as far away from it as possible.
The Mimic Tear and Igon are useful here as they can draw its aggro while you recover and plan the next attacks.
It also does lightning and fire attacks together so dodge-rolling away or getting under its body is the best strategy. Bayle also calls in lightning attacks from above so you’ll need to dodge this at the perfect moment. He alternates these with some lunges and bites.
The trick is to get close to his body and do some heavy attacks after his combo attacks. Again, keeping close to his body is beneficial to land the attacks.
This is where the Ancient Dragon Lightning Strike works wonders as when Bayle is attacking, you’ll cast the incantation from under his body to weaken him.
Sometimes it also does these area-wide stomps that can one-shot you. Get out of its range as much as you can and dodge-roll when it lands to lessen your chances to take damage.
When it does it fire and lightning breath attacks, go behind it and land a few heavy blows. Just make sure you do not get hit by the spreading fire and you should be good.
Another noticeable attack is that he uses his tail to perform a spinning attack and also a dive, both of which you can avoid by dodge-rolling.
There are small windows between Bayle’s attacks which can give you the ability to land some heavy attacks and combos. But, be prepared for his aggro moves after that.
Bayle the Dread — second phase
Bayle’s second phase begins with an area-wide molten lava attack from the ground and spreading its wings. After that, the first phase attacks are more charged and happen more frequently.
Those also get alternated with fire and lightning attacks while it’s flying. Run away from these as much as you can when those happen. Then get under or by Bayle’s body to attack quickly.
Its lunges include both fire and lightning so the best strategy as before is to get close to its body. Watch out for the fire attacks in the second phase as they will basically kill you in one-shot now.
If you’re a ranged user, you need to be smart with how you use spells and incantations because Bayle moves very quickly in this phase. Staying close to its body guarantees the best chance to land some good hits.
Bayle the Dread rewards and unlocks
Defeating Bayle the Dread will reward you with the 490,000 Runes and the Heart of Bayle. The latter can be used to get Bayle’s Flame of Lightning or Bayle’s Tyranny at the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion.
That’s everything you need to know about defeating Bayle in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree.
READ MORE: How to defeat Messmer in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree: location, weaknesses, and rewards
