Elden Ring Ancient Dragon-Man Boss Guide
This guide covers where to find the Ancient Dragon-Man, how to effectively battle him, and the best strategies to maximize your chances of victory.
Where to Find the Ancient Dragon-Man
You'll encounter the Ancient Dragon-Man in Dragon's Pit, a lesser-explored area that requires careful navigation.
Location Instructions:
Start from the Dragon's Pit Site of Grace.
Follow the main path forward until you reach a large room filled with lit candles between descending stairs and a massive basin.
You will notice a deep pit in the center of the room. Peer down and you'll see the basin below.
Continue past the candle-lit area into another corridor which leads to stairs heading downward.
Once you reach the edge of the pit, drop down carefully.
From the landing point, move forward to enter through the fog wall and initiate the boss fight.
Due to the drop required, entering this fight commits you to the encounter, so make sure you're properly prepared before stepping over the edge.
Understanding the Ancient Dragon-Man
Unlike many massive or monstrous bosses in Elden Ring, the Ancient Dragon-Man is humanoid. This makes him highly mobile and capable of chain-attacks that can catch players off guard. His moveset closely resembles skilled NPC invaders or katana-based duelists.
Key Characteristics:
Wields a katana, capable of rapid slashes and reach-based strikes.
Frequently dashes between attacks, making timing crucial.
Uses feints and quick step maneuvers to bait dodges.
Moderate poise but highly aggressive.
Because of his relentless pressure, this battle favors players who can parry, dodge with precision, or break his stance quickly to trigger critical hits.
Combat Strategy
1. Master the Rhythm
The Ancient Dragon-Man often opens fights with fast horizontal slashes, followed by a delayed vertical strike. Watch his shoulder movement to anticipate the final blow.
Dodge sideways, not backward, to avoid getting tracked by his second swing.
Heavy armor players can attempt to tank one hit, then counterstrike.
2. Use Guard Counters or Stance Breaks
His aggressive combos make him vulnerable to guard counters (block then heavy attack). Alternatively, weapons like colossal swords or hammer builds can interrupt his poise after a couple of clean hits.
3. Bleed and Frost Effects Work Well
As a humanoid enemy, the Ancient Dragon-Man is susceptible to bleed build-up, making weapons like Rivers of Blood, Uchigatana (with Blood affinity), or bleed-infused daggers very effective. Frostbite builds using Hoarfrost Stomp or Ice Spear can also slow his movements.
4. Use Spirit Ashes Wisely
Because the fight takes place in a confined area, spirit ashes with aggression and high survivability work best. Consider summoning:
Banished Knight Oleg – for pressure.
Skeletal Militiamen – they revive once, making him waste time.
Lone Wolf Ashes – distracts him enough for you to land multiple hits.
Recommended Builds and Equipment
Best Weapons
Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana (his drop) – His own weapon, powerful once acquired.
Bloodhound's Fang – Quick with bleed and good dodge recovery.
Starscourge Greatsword – Powerful stagger potential.
Suggested Skills
Flame of the Redmanes – Great for stance breaking.
Quickstep or Bloodhound Step – Helps counter his rapid attacks.
Unsheathe – High-speed katana duel counter.
Useful Spells
Adula's Moonblade – Can hit him during dodge frames.
Carian Piercer – Fast and good during his forward rush.
Catch Flame – For Faith builds looking to punish attack gaps.
Keeping a balance of mobility and damage output is key. Heavy defense alone may not be sufficient because his fast combos can break your guard.
Rewards for Defeating Ancient Dragon-Man
Successfully defeating the Ancient Dragon-Man awards players with valuable Elden Ring Runes, helpful for leveling at this stage of the game. More importantly, you will receive:
Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana – A long-reaching, high-damage katana that rewards aggressive gameplay.
A chance at associated Elden Ring Items tied to strength and dexterity builds.
While not required to progress, the weapon he drops is considered exceptionally strong for melee users specializing in aggression and speed. Many players return to this area later to farm the encounter for Elden Ring Runes, especially on New Game Plus.
Final Tips Before the Battle
Enter with full flasks allocated to HP unless you are a mage.
Use medium-weight load to allow quick dodges.
Enter the fight with your weapon already buffed (Flame, Holy, Magic, or Blood).
Stay calm, reaction time matters more than aggression.
Conclusion
The Ancient Dragon-Man may not be a required boss, but he stands as a memorable and rewarding duel for players who appreciate fast, skill-based combat. With proper preparation and awareness, you can not only earn a significant number of Elden Ring Runes but also acquire powerful Elden Ring Items that enhance your build significantly.
Challenging him tests your mastery of timing, positioning, and tactical aggression, making this encounter one of the most satisfying in Elden Ring for those who enjoy close-quarters combat.