Elden Ring: Conquering Astel, Naturalborn Of The Void

by Jhon Lennon 54 views

Hey everyone, let's dive into one of Elden Ring's most awe-inspiring and challenging bosses: Astel, Naturalborn of the Void! This cosmic horror is a serious test for any Tarnished, and trust me, you'll need your wits about you to survive this encounter. This guide will provide you with all the essentials to not only beat Astel but also understand his moveset, and even some helpful strategies to make the fight a bit less daunting. So, if you've been struggling against this interdimensional monstrosity, you've come to the right place. We'll break down the fight, piece by piece, so you can claim victory and move forward in your Elden Ring journey. Getting ready to become the Elden Lord? Let's get started!

Where to Find Astel, Naturalborn of the Void

Before you can even think about fighting Astel, you need to know where to find him. This is an essential step, right? Astel isn't just wandering around the Lands Between; you'll have to do a little exploring and questing to reach him. Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, is located in the Lake of Rot area, reachable via the Grand Cloister in the Nokstella, Eternal City. To access Astel, you must first progress through Ranni's questline. This includes defeating Starscourage Radahn (a whole other beast, I know!), and then exploring the underground areas. You'll eventually reach a teleporter that leads to the Grand Cloister. From there, navigate through the lake (watch out for the Scarlet Rot!) and enter the boss arena. So, basically, you need to be prepared for some serious exploration before you even get to the main event. Getting to Astel is a quest in itself, so take your time, and enjoy the journey (as much as you can, given the dangers!). Be sure you are well-prepared with your weapons, armor, and flasks, because you will certainly need them!

Astel's Moveset: What You Need to Know

Okay, guys, here’s the most important part: understanding Astel’s moveset. This boss has a wide range of attacks, many of which can one-shot you if you're not careful. Let's break down some of the most dangerous ones, so you know what to look out for. Remember, the best defense is knowing your enemy! Astel is a massive, multi-limbed creature that uses both physical and magical attacks. His attacks are often telegraphed, but they come out fast and have massive range. Here's a breakdown:

  • Gravitational Waves: Astel will often slam the ground, creating waves of gravity that travel outwards. These waves can be dodged, but they have a wide area of effect, so be ready to roll! This attack is often a precursor to his other attacks. You can spot the waves coming, so be sure to time your dodges. This is one of the more common attacks, so practice dodging it early. Learning to avoid the gravity waves will save you a lot of health.

  • Teleportation: Astel is a master of teleportation, disappearing and reappearing in different locations. This can make it tricky to keep track of him, and he often follows up his teleports with devastating attacks. Watch for the purple smoke! When he teleports, immediately try to predict where he will appear. Being able to anticipate his movement is key to surviving the fight.

  • Pincer Attacks: Astel will use its pincers to swipe and grab at you. These attacks can deal significant damage and, if you get caught, can easily lead to a quick death. Astel often leads with these moves. They are also highly telegraphed but deal a large amount of damage. Dodging these are essential to survival. Keep an eye on his pincers and be ready to dodge when they come.

  • Laser Beams: Astel can fire powerful laser beams from its head. These beams have a wide arc and can easily wipe you out. The beams can sometimes be dodged, but the timing is tricky. Staying near his head or behind him can mitigate the effects of this ability. Make sure you don't stay in front of the head for too long, as the beams are quite deadly!

  • Meteor Shower: One of Astel’s most fearsome attacks is the meteor shower. He will summon a volley of meteors that rain down on the arena. This attack is almost impossible to avoid completely, so the best strategy is to be mobile and try to stay alive. The timing is difficult; dodging isn’t always the best option. This will leave you vulnerable and prone to taking damage from other attacks. Try to position yourself to avoid as many meteors as possible, and heal when you can.

  • Gravity Blast: Astel will create a massive gravity blast around itself, pulling you in and dealing massive damage. This attack is often preceded by a tell, where Astel will raise its head and start glowing. This is a very dangerous attack. This attack has a large area of effect, so you need to create distance fast! When you see him charging this ability, try to move away quickly. Staying close is a quick death.

  • Grab: Astel has a grab attack where he uses its pincers to grab you and deal massive damage. It's often followed by a follow-up attack, so dodging it is critical. This attack can often kill you outright, so dodge when Astel goes for a grab.

Understanding these attacks is crucial to surviving the fight. Pay attention to the tells and learn to react accordingly. It's a dance, guys, and you have to learn the steps! Be patient and learn the tells. Eventually, you’ll be able to predict his moves and stay alive longer. Good luck!

Effective Strategies for Defeating Astel

Now that you know what you're up against, let's talk about how to beat Astel. There isn’t one single “right” way, but these strategies have proven effective for many players. You can find your own style, but these should help you get started. Let’s look at some important advice.

  • Melee Builds: For melee builds, sticking close to Astel's head and flanks is generally the safest strategy. This allows you to avoid some of the more dangerous attacks, like the laser beams, and gives you opportunities to strike. Be prepared to roll frequently, and don't get greedy with your attacks. Wait for openings and then get your hits in. Make sure your weapon is upgraded to its maximum potential. Staggering Astel is possible but difficult, and it requires multiple strikes. This is best accomplished when Astel is in the middle of a combo.

  • Ranged Builds: If you prefer ranged combat, using spells or ranged weapons can be effective. Maintain a safe distance and be prepared to dodge his attacks. The fight arena provides ample space for ranged combat. Magic and ranged attacks are especially good against Astel. However, you'll still need to be aware of his teleportation and closing speed. Make sure you are positioned near a good place to dodge his attacks, and use the terrain to your advantage.

  • Summons: Spirit ashes can be incredibly helpful in this fight. A strong spirit ash can draw Astel's attention, giving you opportunities to attack. Mimic Tear is especially effective, as it can mimic your build and deal significant damage. The key to using Spirit Ashes is timing. If you summon them, it will give you a major advantage. Astel will divide its attention, allowing you to get in more attacks. Be careful not to let your summons die quickly, and try to keep them alive for as long as possible.

  • Weapon Choice: Consider using weapons that deal high damage with fast attacks. Weapons that can inflict status effects like bleed or frost can be particularly effective. Bleed builds are very powerful against Astel. If you have a bleed build, be sure to use it. Fast weapons will help you get those hits in without being punished too much. Frost is also a good option. Any weapon with high damage and speed is your friend in this fight.

  • Armor and Talismans: Choose armor that offers good physical and magic resistance. Equip talismans that boost your resistances or reduce damage from specific attack types. These will help you survive some of Astel's more devastating moves. Armor choice is very important. Magic resistance is especially critical, given the number of magic attacks Astel uses.

Tips and Tricks for the Fight

Let’s go through some extra tips and tricks to give you an edge in the battle against Astel. These can sometimes make the difference between victory and defeat. Take these to heart, and you should make short work of this boss.

  • Patience is Key: This fight will take time. Don't get discouraged if you don't beat Astel on your first try. Learn his attack patterns and be patient. Astel is a difficult boss, and you will need to practice his moves. Take your time. Don't rush or make mistakes. With patience, you'll get it. Make sure you are calm and collected.

  • Manage Stamina: Stamina management is crucial. Don't get caught with no stamina when you need to dodge or block. Plan your attacks and be conservative with your stamina. Astel's attacks are powerful and frequent, so you need to be able to dodge them effectively. Always have some stamina for an emergency dodge.

  • Healing Wisely: Know when to heal! Don’t heal at the wrong moment, as Astel's attacks can be punishing. The key is knowing his attacks and when you have an opening. Watch Astel's movement closely and be aware of your surroundings before you try to heal. He will punish you for it! Only heal when you're sure it's safe.

  • Take Breaks: Don't get tilted! If you're getting frustrated, take a break. Come back to the fight later with a fresh mindset. The fight can get stressful, so take a break and come back. This will help you keep your cool and perform better. Being frustrated will make you perform poorly, so avoid it.

  • Learn from Mistakes: Every death is a lesson. Watch your replays and identify your mistakes. Learn from them and adjust your strategy accordingly. Learn the telegraphs, and adapt to them. Analyzing your mistakes will make you improve your performance. What went wrong? How can you fix it? The more you learn from mistakes, the better you’ll get!

Conclusion: You Got This!

Alright, guys, you should be well-prepared to face Astel, Naturalborn of the Void! This is a challenging fight, but with the right strategy, patience, and a bit of luck, you can conquer this cosmic horror. Remember to learn his moveset, adapt your strategy based on your build, and don’t give up! Elden Ring is all about overcoming challenges. So go out there, Tarnished, and show Astel what you're made of! Good luck, and happy hunting! Let me know how it goes in the comments!