The Divine Beast Dancing Lion is an early boss encounter in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC that can present a significant challenge to players. Many Tarnished have found themselves struggling against this agile foe, but with the right approach and understanding of its attack patterns, victory is well within reach. This guide will break down the Dancing Lion boss fight, offering strategies for both phases to help you conquer this majestic creature.
Dancing Lion Phase One: Aggression is Key
Elden Ring gameplay featuring the Divine Beast Dancing Lion boss fight.
During the initial phase of the Dancing Lion fight, which typically lasts until you’ve depleted roughly one-third to one-half of its health, aggressive play is highly effective. This phase is characterized by the Dancing Lion’s susceptibility to stagger, opening it up for critical hits. Employing jump attacks or powerful Ashes of War such as Transient Moonlight from Moonveil or Bloodblade Dance from Eleonara’s Poleblade can quickly build up stagger. While Bleed and Frost are less effective in this fight, focusing on raw damage and stagger-inducing attacks will pay off.
The Dancing Lion possesses several aerial attacks, including dive bombs and a command grab. While the command grab can be punishing, it is not as devastating as similar grabs from bosses like Malenia or Astel in the base game, offering a window for recovery.
One of the trickier moves to watch out for in phase one is the Dancing Lion’s breath attack. Signaled by the boss rearing up on its hind legs at the end of a combo, this move might seem like an opening for attack. However, it’s crucial to recognize this cue and back away immediately. Staying close during this animation almost invariably results in taking damage from the circular breath attack.
Dancing Lion Phase Two: Elemental Shifts and Adaptation
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree boss battle against the Dancing Lion in phase two.
Phase two of the Dancing Lion encounter begins when the boss reaches approximately half health and introduces elemental power-ups. The Dancing Lion cycles through three elements—Lightning, Frost, and Air—each adding a unique layer of complexity to the fight while largely retaining its original moveset.
- Lightning: Drawing inspiration from Ancient Dragons, the Lightning phase sees the Dancing Lion periodically charging the ground, indicated by a brief glow before lightning strikes the area. During this phase, it’s important to be cautious and avoid overcommitting to attacks, as staying in one spot for too long can lead to taking lightning damage.
- Frost: The Frost phase is arguably the most dangerous. All of the Dancing Lion’s attacks now inflict frost buildup, particularly its breath weapon. Additionally, it gains a Hoarfrost Stomp-style AOE attack that requires careful timing to jump or dodge through. Maintaining awareness of frost buildup and prioritizing evasion is key in this phase.
- Air: The Air phase often feels like a relative reprieve. While the Dancing Lion gains a homing tornado attack that can be difficult to dodge or outrun, this phase generally presents fewer immediate threats compared to the Frost and Lightning phases.
If the Dancing Lion fight proves too challenging, summoning Redmane Freyja before entering the boss room can provide valuable assistance. While it’s recommended to speak to her at the Three Path Cross site of grace in the Gravesite Plain to progress her questline, her summon can significantly alter the dynamics of the fight.
Persistence and adaptation are crucial to defeating the Dancing Lion. By understanding its attack patterns in both phases and adjusting your strategy accordingly, you will eventually emerge victorious. After defeating the boss, remember to explore the elevator in the northern wall of the boss room to uncover crucial context for the Shadow of the Erdtree storyline.
