How to defeat Ghostflame Dragons in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

The Spirit Flame Dragon is a scarce but fierce enemy Ring of Fire‘S Shadow of Erdtree DLC. You’ll probably encounter this boss quite early on, but don’t expect an uncomplicated fight. In fact, you can expect three times more trouble than you expected…

Whether you’re a melee or ranged fighter, whether you like spirit steeds or not, there’s something for you here how to defeat the Ghost Flame Dragon IN Ring of Fire‘S Shadow of Erdtree expansion.

Ghostflame Dragon locations in the Elden Ring DLC

There is not one, not two, buts Three Spirit Flame Dragons v Ring of Fire DLC. To lend a hand you find them all, here’s an overview of each Ghostflame Dragon location in the Shadowlands:

1. In a shallow lake in the northern part of the Gravesite Plain.
2. The northern part of the Cerulean coast.
3. North of Fort Rebuke.

Although every Ghostflame Dragon w Ring of Fire uses the same attacks, the one on the Gravesite Plains is much easier to defeat. If you are looking to hunt dragons, this is the best place to start.

How to prepare for the Ghostflame Dragon boss fight

Photo: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

The Spirit Flame Dragon is not uncomplicated to defeat – at least not if you fight it unprepared. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from Frostbite damage, take advantage of their weakness to Holy damage, and equip yourself with a truly powerful dragon-slaying weapon.

This preparation checklist will lend a hand you defeat the Phantom Flame Dragon Ring of Fire: :

• Take steps to prevent frostbite from accumulating. Ghostflame Dragon has a series of lightweight green “ghost flame” attacks that stack to deal frostbite damage. As a status effect, you can reduce frostbite by consuming it Refreshing frigid cuts (recipe found in the Nomadic Warrior Cookbook [2]). Frostbite can also be cured by ingestion Thawing boluses (recipe found in the Nomadic Warrior Cookbook [16]) or projection Beastly Constitution spell (found in Dragonbarrow).
• Use Holy damage. The Phantom Flame Dragon is frail to Holy damage, so if this damage type suits your build, be sure to exploit it. The options are many: you can exploit melee or ranged weapons with innate Holy damage (e.g. Greatsword of Ordovis), exploit War Ashes to infuse the weapon with Holy damage (e.g. Holy Blade), or rely on magic spells and Holy damage spells. Of course you can also exploit it Holy grease to deal Holy Weapon damage (common in Leyndell) or cast Holy water vessels (the recipe can be found in the Missionary’s Cookbook [1]).
• Upgrade and equip some Spirit Ashes. You don’t need a specific type of Spirit Ash against Spirit Dragon as long as it’s distracting enough. Spirit Ash is especially vital if you’re looking to deal ranged damage and need some time to recharge. Soldiers of the Great Shield these are the best spiritual ashes for this purpose, but the good elderly ones Ash of the Lone Wolf it can also take a dragon (provided you’ve upgraded it). The Soldiers of the Great Shield can be found in the Eternal City of Nokron, in the graveyard east of the Siofra River Well Depths, while the Lone Wolf Ashes are more easily found in the Church of Elleh in the middle of Limgrave, where they are distributed by Renna after unlocking the Torrent.
• Obtain the Dragon Hunter’s Great Katana. The Dragon Hunter’s Great Katana is not only one of the best weapons in the world Ring of Fire DLC; also deals incredible damage against dragons. Dropped by the Ancient Dragon Man mini-boss in the Dragonpit dungeon (Gravesite Plain, below the cliff with the Suppressing Pillar).
• Get a long-range weapon. If you don’t like melee weapons, Loretta’s mastery can lend a hand you defeat the Phantom Flame Dragon with ease; thanks to its incredible range, it is possible to stay away from the dragon while shooting magic arrows. Loretta’s Mastery is dropped by Loretta, the Haligtree Knight in the Haligtree area Ring of Fire. If this is too hard to achieve, you can move on Loretta’s Grand Arch Instead; it is dropped by the Caria Manor boss. Just be careful, because you’ll probably need every mana bottle charge to defeat the Phantom Flame Dragon this way.

How to defeat the Ghostflame Dragon in the Elden Ring DLC

Photo: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

To defeat the Spirit Flame Dragon Ring of Fire, it is vital to anticipate his attacks. Here’s what to expect:

• Ghostflame’s fire-breathing attack: Instead of regular fire, Ghostflame Dragon breathes greenish flames that deal frostbite damage. This usually points it forward and then slowly moves it left or right. It’s possible to dodge the flames and hit the dragon’s legs, but it requires perfect timing – it’s much easier to just outrun the flames with Torrent.

Photo: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

• Ghostflame area attack: When the Ghostflame Dragon boss drops to around 60% HP, it will initiate a deadly area of ​​effect attack, spreading green flames around its position. Fortunately, this is uncomplicated to see, as the dragon will raise its head, roar loudly, and gather flames in its chest before launching an attack. Escape in time and there’s nothing to worry about.
• Striking attack: When you get close enough, the Spirit Flame Dragon will try to stomp on you with its wings. There are usually two or three stomps in a row.
• Ghostflame stomping attack: When the Phantom Flame Dragon uses its back leg to stomp on you, be careful because the first strike is followed by a wave of ghost flames. The area of ​​effect is not too immense, so it is possible to deal damage faster with Torrent.

Photo: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

• Hitting the ground: Ghostflame Dragon flies up and then hits the ground, dealing damage in the area of ​​impact. Be careful as the dragon can change the direction of its attack while in the air, so be sure to dodge or sprint just before it hits (flying takes about one second before the dragon initiates a ground impact). The Spirit Flame Dragon’s head will then remain close to the ground for a few seconds, providing melee fighters with an excellent opportunity to land multiple hits.
• Attack with slashing wings: The Phantom Flame Dragon flaps its left wing in front of itself, then its right. The wings are quite immense, so it has a long reach. If you dodge towards the dragon’s hind legs, it won’t hurt you.
• Tail wag: The Phantom Flame Dragon swipes its tail across the battlefield as it turns around. Whenever you find yourself behind a dragon, be ready for this attack.
• Bite attack: The Phantom Flame Dragon lunges towards you, trying to bite. Remember that he will step back and scream before performing his bite attack, so be prepared to dodge when you notice this.

Photo: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon

One strategy is to gain medium weight and exploit melee attacks, but be careful as this requires perfect timing as you will have to constantly dodge his attacks. If you want to try this, it’s best to dodge towards the dragon’s legs and hit them until you get an opportunity to aim for the head (usually after a ghost flame-breathing or biting attack). Try to break the dragon’s stance and land a critical hit on its head while it remains unconscious – this will drain a huge portion of its HP.

If dodging proves too hard, an easier way to defeat the Phantom Flame Dragon is with a melee fighter go to Torrent and circle the boss, hitting him with your melee weapon. You’ll have to sprint away every time Ghostflame Dragon breathes fire or initiates a ground pound, so learn to recognize incoming attacks. The downside to this strategy is that taking out a dragon usually takes a long time (unlike headshots, leg sweeps don’t do much damage), and one mistake can easily prove fatal – if Torrent dies and you get knocked down, the battle will likely swing. in favor of Ghostflame Dragon.

Finally, if you rock spacer construction, you can defeat the Phantom Flame Dragon by using Torrent and keeping your distance. It’s best to invoke Spirit Ashes as a distraction and assign the expansive majority of your flask stacks to mana. Also try to exploit the terrain; if you find higher cliffs in your range, exploit them as a buffer against the Elden Ring Flame Spirit Dragon.

Defeating the Phantom Flame Dragon rewards you with at least 100,000 Runes, and Dragon heartand Grim historic dragon smithing stone.

I’m looking for more Shadow of Erdtree guides? Check out our fresh release guides Ring of Fire Weapons, armor, bosses, map fragments, places of favor and talismans from the DLC. We also have tips on where to find the Scadutree Fragments and Reverend Spirit’s Ashes, as well as an interactive Ring of Fire DLC map.