How to Beat Decaying Ekzykes: Boss Fight Guide

This is a guide on how to beat Decaying Ekzykes, an optional boss in Elden Ring. Read on to learn more about Decaying Ekzykes's drops, weaknesses, and recommended level!

Decaying Ekzykes General Info

Stats and Rewards

Decaying Ekzykes
Weakness	Resistance	Immune
Standard Strike Slash Magic Fire Holy Lightning Thrust	Scarlet Rot Poison	Sleep Madness Instant Death
Affected By	Poison, Scarlet Rot, Bleed, Frost
Spirit Ashes Available?	Yes
Rune Rewards	38000 (NG)
Summonable NPCs	None
Location	・Caelid
Item Drops	・Dragon Heart

Decaying Ekzykes Location

Where to Find Decaying Ekzykes

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You can find Decaying Ekzykes by following the Caelid Highway to the south. The dragon is sleeping in a small clearing close to the Cathedral of the Dragon Communion.

When to Fight Decaying Ekzykes

You can fight Decaying Ekzykes as soon as you reach the Caelid region and heading directly to the Cathedral of the Dragon Communion.

Fight at Level 70+

While Decaying Ekzykes many weakness make it seem easy to take down, it also has stronger attacks than other dragons and can inflict Scarlet Rot with its breath attacks.

Level your character to at least Level 70 so that you can deal as much damage to the boss with your attacks.

How to Beat Decaying Ekzykes

Tips for Beating Decaying Ekzykes
Use your Mount for Added Mobility
Aim for its Head with Ranged Attacks
Hit its Wings and Legs
Use Spirit Ashes to Summon Spirits

Use your Mount for Added Mobility

Decaying Ekzykes' larger size compared to other dragons means most of its attacks have a wider reach, particularly its breath attacks which can cover a surprisingly large area.

Instead of rolling or running away from its attacks, ride Torrent so you can quickly dash away and get yourself to a safe space where the dragon can't reach you.

Aim for its Head with Ranged Attacks

Ekzykes' larger size makes it relatively easy to hit its head with ranged attacks. The dragon is weak to all elemental damage types, which means its easy to stagger with a well placed Rock Sling or Flame Sling.

If using glinstone sorceries such as Glinstone Pebble or Glintstone Stars, lock on Ekzykes' head so that the spells home and stay on target.

Hit its Wings and Legs

For melee users, hitting Ekzykes' head is more challenging due to its larger size and there's few weapons that can normally hit it without jumping.

Instead, focus on hitting the dragon's wings and legs which are easier to hit. Dealing enough damage to its legs can also cause it to stagger and give you the opportunity to riposte.

Use Spirit Ashes to Summon Spirits

Tanky spirit ashes such as Banished Knight Oleg and Lhutel the Headless are great options for this fight. Oleg's aggressive and sweeping attacks can keep aggro on him for most of the fight, while Lhutel's ability to teleport and higher bulk make it a great tank to distract the dragon.

Elden Ring Related Guides

List of All Bosses

DLC Bosses

Main Bosses

Optional Bosses

Mini-Bosses

Hostile NPCs and Invaders