Bayle the Dread Location and How to Beat

Bayle the Dread is an optional boss at the end of Jagged Peak in the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. Learn more about Bayle the Dread's location, how to beat, rewards, and how to unlock the gold summon Igon for help.

Bayle the Dread Location

Found at the Summit of Jagged Peak

World View	Map Location

Bayle the Dread is found at the summit, and end, of the Jagged Peak region. From the end of the Dragon's Pit cave, cross over to Jagged Peak and journey along the north side, eventually climbing the mountain and jumping numerous Spiritsprings to get to the summit.

How to Beat Bayle the Dread

How to Beat Overview

Tips for Beating Bayle
Gather Levels and Scadutree Fragments Prepare Fire and Lightning Resistance Switch Between Auto Lock and Manual Camera Attack the Body Watch for Delayed Explosions Dodge and Punish Powerful Attacks Track Projectiles During Flying Attacks For Magic Builds: Use Great Glintstone Shard
Available Summons	・Igon ・Spirit Ashes

Gold Summon Only Appears if You Have Igon's Furled Finger

In order to acquire Igon as a gold summon for this fight, you will need to have progressed his questline to the point where he gives you Igon's Furled Finger. This item allows you to see and use Igon's summon sign inside Bayle's arena.

Igon Quest and Location

Gather Levels and Scadutree Fragments

Bayle the Dread is the optional boss at the end of Jagged Peak, one of several optional regions of the DLC.

He has a large health pool and high-damage attacks, encouraging you to stock up on more levels and Scadutree Fragments to give you more damage reduction and leeway in case of an prolonged engagement with Bayle.

All Scadutree Fragment Locations

Prepare Fire and Lightning Resistance

Fighting with Bayle the Dread will be a battle of attrition due to Bayle's large HP pool, and he will assault you with fire and lightning attacks that can accumulate heavy damage over the course of the battle. Boost fire and lightning resistance to mitigate the dragon's damage and lessen the Flasks of Crimson Tears you'll need to consume.

Try equipping talismans such as the Boltdrake Talisman and Flamedrake Talisman +3 at the same time to mitigate both damage types. You can even stack the protection of the Flame, Protect Me incanation on top to fortify your defenses even further.

Get Flamedrake Talisman +3

Alternate Between Auto Lock and Manual Camera

Like fighting other dragons and large enemies, it can be difficult to keep track of Bayle's windups and attacks if he closes in on you or you are trying to attack his body. This is especially frustrating here as you can only auto lock to Bayle's head, resulting in camera and model clipping.

Consider locking and unlocking the camera, depending on how close Bayle is, so that you can keep track of his animations.

Attack the Body

Trying to hit Bayle's head, especially with short melee weapons like Curved Swords or Daggers, can be difficult due to how much his neck will sway. An easier, more consistent target is the large hitbox of his body.

Skills like Adula's Moonblade or Ashes of War like Nebula are especially effective because they have multiple hits within an area, which equals to multiple instances of damage on Bayle's large body.

Retreat When Bayle Breathes Fire on Himself

If you stay too long right under Bayle, you may get caught by the attack where he zones you out by breathing fire in AoE right under him. Roll or run away as soon as you see him doing this or hear the flames.

Watch for Delayed Explosions in Phase 2

Bayle will do an eruption and storm AoE attack at around 60% HP, then his flying circling projectile attack, to mark the second phase of the fight. During Bayle's second phase, aside from his new moves, his Phase 1 combos where he drives lightning into the ground will also have delayed lightning explosions to punish you for countering too early or roll spamming.

Be more cautious during Phase 2 by adding delayed dodges and holding off on your counter attacks to adapt to this gimmick.

Dodge and Aggressively Punish His Powerful Attacks

Bayle has a mix of fast and slow attacks, but his strongest attacks reward you for good dodge timing with long windows for you to damage him. Attack him aggressively during these windows and avoid unnecessary risks during Bayle's other combos, where he may be faster to counter.

Bait His Grab Attack

When you see Bayle charging lightning in his mouth, prepare to roll forward at the last minute to get a few hits in after he misses. If you're lucky, you'll roll directly in front of his head so that you can easily spot if he's starting his next attack.

Dodge His Normal Aerial Slam Attack

During the attack wherein Bayle charges lightning around his feet, roll the moment Bayle starts to descend from the air to avoid the attack and get free damage on his body.

Roll Twice During His Phase 2 Aerial Slam Attack

Follow the same principle as avoiding Bayle's Phase 1 Aerial Slam by dodging last-second, but walk a bit or time a second roll afterwards to avoid the delayed lightning explosion.

Jump his Earthquake

When Bayle thrusts his lightning bolt into the ground, dodge or stay at a safe distance for the first thrust, then jump once the ground cracks to avoid the tremor attack. It's better to be running towards Bayle as you jump the earthquake so that you have more time to punish him.

Attack from Range During His Eruption Storm AoE

Bayle's AoE eruption and lightning storm attack will strike in spots near and around him, so you can simply sprint away to avoid the lightning strikes and use the time to restore HP and FP, or safely hit Bayle with spells and bow attacks.

Track Projectiles During His Flying Attacks

Bayle has two specific attacks where he flies and attacks you from the air that can get you to waste your stamina or hit you if you dodge improperly. For both these attacks, watch the projectiles more than Bayle to avoid the majority of the potential damage.

Run Directly to the Side During His Delayed Projectiles

During the flying attack where Bayle flies into the air and circles you while leaving delayed projectiles, lock onto Bayle and sprint directly right to avoid the beams, then dodge once Bayle descends and starts sliding towards you.

Unlock then Lock the Camera During Bayle's Flying Beam Attack

Bayle has a flying attack during Phase 2 where he fires two beams at you, but there's a specific behavior to these beams. Alternate between watching the ground and Bayle himself.

For the first beam, look at the ground in front of you to time your dodge against the wave of flames approaching you instead of the beam. Then, for the second beam, aim at Bayle and roll when Bayle closes in with the beam, and hold your last dodge in time to i-frame the delayed explosions.

For Magic Builds: Great Glintstone Shard Shreds Him

Great Glintstone Shard is a very good sorcery for spellcaster characters against Bayle due to its consistent damage, low FP cost for endgame builds, and relatively quick casting time. It's a flexible spell for you to continously poke at Bayle while having enough time to dodge his attacks when needed due to the short animation of firing the shard.

Get Great Glintstone Shard Location

Bayle the Dread Rewards

Bayle the Dread Rewards
Runes	490000 Runes
Drops	・Heart of Bayle

Heart of Bayle Rewards

Bayle's Flame Lightning

Bayle's Tyranny

The Heart of Bayle can be exchanged at the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion to receive either Bayle's Flame Lightning, or Bayle's Tyranny.

Elden Ring Related Guides

List of All Bosses

DLC Bosses

Main Bosses

Optional Bosses

Mini-Bosses

Hostile NPCs and Invaders