Elden Ring is filled with incredible secrets, and unlocking the spectacular confrontation against Lichdragon Fortissax requires dedication to a specific side questline. This optional remembrance boss offers one of the most visually stunning battles in the Lands Between, combining lightning magic with deathblight hazards. Defeating this ancient creature requires proper preparation, a strong understanding of its unique mechanics, and patience.
Finding the Hidden Deeproot Depths Arena
To challenge this magnificent opponent, you must progress through Fia the Deathbed Companion questline to completion. Your journey will eventually lead you deep beneath the capital city into the surreal subterranean area known as Deeproot Depths. After defeating Fia Champions in the Prince of Death Throne room, talk to her and choose to offer her the Cursemark of Death.
Once the Cursemark is delivered, rest at the nearby site of grace multiple times until you find Fia asleep. Interacting with her sleeping body will trigger the option to enter the Deathbed Dream, transporting you directly into the arena. This specialized zone serves as the exclusive battleground where the mighty four-winged dragon awaits your challenge.
Surviving Death Lightning and Physical Sweeps
Lichdragon Fortissax relies heavily on red lightning strikes that deal high damage while simultaneously spreading fatal deathblight clouds. Standing directly beneath or behind the beast continuously triggers automated lightning strikes that target your position. Players must monitor their status bar constantly, as letting the deathblight gauge fill results in immediate death regardless of your current health pool.
The dragon also executes dangerous sweeping attacks with its giant claws and spins its tail to punish greedy players. Watch for its signature move where it summons two massive red lightning spears to slam directly into the ground. Rolling through the initial impact and quickly sprinting away from the expanding shockwaves is crucial for staying alive during this phase.
Effective Combat Strategies and Vulnerabilities
Like many ancient dragons in the game, Fortissax takes significantly increased damage when you attack its head directly. Locking onto its skull allows you to deal massive posture damage, which can eventually stagger the creature for a powerful critical strike. However, staying in front of the beast requires precise dodging since it frequently uses forward biting attacks and fire breath.
Using weapons that inflict physical pierce damage or utilizing holy armaments can drastically reduce the duration of this encounter. Ranged spellcasters can find success by utilizing powerful rock fling spells to break its stance from a safe distance. Alternatively, summoning a resilient spirit ash can distract the boss long enough for you to execute heavy jump attacks safely.
