This is a boss guide for Bayle the Dread in the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. Learn about Bayle's weakness, location, as well as the best build against Bayle here.

Bayle the Dread Weakness

Weak to Piercing Attacks

Bayle receives the most damage from Pierce-type weapons. We recommend using your strongest weapon under the Spear, Great Spear, Thrusting Sword, or Heavy Thrusting Sword class against Bayle.

Since you can do a critical hit on Bayle once he's staggered, Great Spears and Heavy Thrusting Swords are better choices due to their ability to deal more Poise damage per hit.

List of All Pierce Weapons

Receives More Damage From Lightning Attacks

Ranged builds can use Lightning incantations as Bayle has less resistance to this element. As always, Dragon Incantations paired with the Radagon Icon talisman makes it easier to land hits on Bayle in between his attacks.

List of All Lightning Weapons

Weak to Dragonslayer Weapons

You can also use any Dragonslayer weapon that you are most proficient with against Bayle. The Dragon King's Cragblade that you can get through the Remembrance of the Dragonlord would be the best choice under this category. The Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana also works wonders against Bayle as a dragon slayer weapon.

Best Builds Against Bayle the Dread

Thrusting Sword and Shield Combo is Recommended

Rogier's Rapier

Fingerprint Stone Shield

Messmer Soldier's Spear

Like most bosses in Elden Ring, Bayle the Dread is weak to Pierce damage. We recommend using a Thrusting Sword like Rogier's Rapier and pairing it with a Greatshield like the Fingerprint Stone Shield for a safe poke build that isn't stamina hungry.

Alternatively, players can also opt to use the Messmer Soldier's Spear for a two-handed, Great Spear build. With its high poise damage and two-hit, charged heavy attack, this spear is one of the kings of stance breaks for both the DLC and base game.

Talismans That Enhance a Shield Poke Playstyle

Spear Talisman	Curved Sword Talisman
Axe Talisman	Two-Headed Turtle Talisman

The Spear Talisman, Curved Sword Talisman, and the Axe Talisman are all damage-boosting talismans that synergize with a shield poke playstyle. The Spear Talisman enhances your damage against attacking enemies, Curved Sword for guard counters, and the Axe Talisman for charged attacks.

If you find yourself constantly out of stamina, consider swapping out one of the damage talismans and replacing it with the Two-Headed Turtle Talisman.

Gravelstone Seal is Strong for Faith Players

Gravel Stone Seal

The Gravel Stone Seal is the best Sacred Seal to use if you're planning to use Incantations against Bayle as the Gravelstone Seal naturally strengthens Dragon Cult Incantations which primarily deals lightning damage.

If you're an ARC build, you can also equip the Gravelstone Seal into your off-hand slot and then equip the Dragon Communion Seal in your main hand so you can get the Gravelstone Seal's Dragon Cult incantation damage bonuses.

Lightning Incantations Deal More Damage

Lightning Spear

Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike

Since Bayle is weak to lightning, using incantations belonging to the Dragon Cult Incantations like the Lightning Spear and Ancient Dragons' Lightning Strike will be extremely effective for players using a Faith build.

Talismans That Strengthens Incantations and Lightning Damage

Radagon Icon

Flock's Canvas Talisman

Talismans that can strengthen the damage and casting time of Incantations are great to have if you wish to go for an Incantation setup.

Additionally, the Lightning Scorpion Charm also increases the damage of Dragon Cult Incantations thanks to its bonus damage to lightning, however take note that you'll take extra damage when using this Talisman.

Use Fire, Physical, and Lightning Resistance Talismans

Flamedrake Talisman +3	Boltdrake Talisman +3
Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman	Pearl Shield Talisman

Equip the necessary Talisman based on your lowest damage resistance as Bayle can inflict Physical, Lightning, and Flame damage. The Pearldrake Shield Talisman is a great alternative talisman if you're using a shield poke build as your shield will negate most damage when guarding and you'll take significantly less damage from non-physical attacks.

Specific Recommended Build: Shield Poke Build

Main Hand Weapon					Off-Hand Weapon
Messmer's Soldier's Spear					Fingerprint Stone Shield
Character Stat Distribution
VIG		60			MND		9
END		50			STR		50
DEX		50			INT		7
FAI		25			ARC		11

If you wish to fully respec into a new build to best Bayle, we recommend going with the Shield Poke build.

The Shield Poke build is capable of weathering out Bayle's attacks while also being able to utilize piercing weapons which can target Bayle's weakness. This allows you to easily negate most of Bayle's wide AoE attacks by using your shield and damaging him safely behind your shield.

Note: You may need to invest more stats into Endurance if you wish to equip a heavy armor set to couple with the build such as Radahn's armor set or the Verdigris armor set.

Poke Bayle After His Attacks

When playing the Shield Poke build, you'll want to always ensure that you're hitting right after Bayle's hits or combos. This will ensure that you'll be able to get a clean hit in but also be able to manage your stamina much better due to the build's stamina-heavy playstyle.

Bayle the Dread General Tips

Tips for Beating Bayle
Gain Levels and Collect 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

Gain Levels and Collect Scadutree Fragments

Recommended Levels for Bayle
Rune Level	Level 170 or Higher
Scadutree Blessing	Level 13 or Higher

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 a 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 counterattacks 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 continuously 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 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.

Jagged Peak Map and Location Guide

How to Get to Bayle

1	From the Dragon's Pit Terminus site of grace, take the dungeon's east exit and follow the rocky path ahead where you will fight a Jagged Peak Drake. Take the northeast path to continue.
2	Turn right to a cliffside and continue heading east.
3	At the end of this path will be a spirit spring that will take you to up to a bridge. Cross the bridge to reach the Foot of the Jagged Peak site of grace.
4	Continue the trail up and turn left at the end to find a large area with stone spikes and two Jagged Peak Drakes fighting.
5	Head east past this area and jump up the next two spirit springs.
6	Turn right into a tunnel.
7	Follow this path while avoiding the incoming boulders and turn left at the end to reach Ancient Dragon Senessax's boss arena.
8	After the fight, turn left to the steep slope that leads north and you will find the Jagged Peak Mountainside site of grace.
9	Head west and pass through the trail with dragon corpses and take the spirit spring up.
10	Run southwest and turn left at the corner.
11	Make for the end of this path for the next spirit spring while minding the gaps along the way.
12	Enter the cave ahead where you will run into electric slimes.
13	It will be quite difficult to find the path up as the cave is dark, but you should find a slope north of where the electric slimes are. The spirit spring at the end will take you to the Jagged Peak Summit site of grace and the entrance to Bayle's boss arena.

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

DLC Boss Lists
All DLC Bosses Order and Locations	All DLC Remembrance Bosses
Bosses Difficulty Tier List	-
Main Bosses
Rellana, Twin Moon Knight	Golden Hippopotamus
Messmer the Impaler	Romina, Saint of the Bud
Promised Consort Radahn
Optional Bosses
Divine Beast Dancing Lion	Commander Gaius
Demi-Human Queen Marigga	Demi-Human Swordmaster Onze
Blackgaol Knight	Chief Bloodfiend
Black Knight Edredd	Ancient Dragon-Man
Furnace Golem	Lamenter
Putrescent Knight	Jori, Elder Inquisitor
Death Knight	Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame
Bayle the Dread	Scadutree Avatar
Metyr, Mother of Fingers	Red Bear
Rakshasa	Jagged Peak Drake
Rugalea the Great Red Bear	Ralva the Great Red Bear
Ancient Dragon Senessax	Curseblade Labirith
Black Knight Garrew	Fallingstar Beast
Death Rite Bird	Tibia Mariner
Ghostflame Dragon	Tree Sentinel
Magma Wyrm	Crucible Knight Devonia
Hostile NPCs
Logur the Beast Claw	-

Main Bosses

All Bosses in Elden Ring
Margit the Fell Omen	Godrick the Grafted
Red Wolf of Radagon	Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
Royal Knight Loretta	Starscourge Radahn
Godfrey, First Elden Lord	Morgott, the Omen King
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy	Fire Giant
Malenia, Blade of Miquella	Mohg Lord of Blood
Regal Ancestor Spirit	Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
Lichdragon Fortissax	Godskin Duo
Dragonlord Placidusax	Maliketh, the Black Blade
Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing	Hoarah Loux, Warrior
Radagon of the Golden Order	Elden Beast

Optional Bosses

Limgrave Optional Bosses
Beastman of Farum Azula	Bloodhound Knight Darriwil
Demi-Human Chiefs	Flying Dragon Agheel
Guardian Golem	Leonine Misbegotten
Mad Pumpkin Head	Miranda the Blighted Bloom
Patches	Runebear
Scaly Misbegotten	Soldier of Godrick
Stonedigger Troll	Tree Sentinel
Liurnia of the Lakes Optional Bosses
Adan, Thief of Fire	Alabaster Lord
Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader	Bols, Carian Knight
Bloodhound Knight	Glintstone Dragon Smarag
Glintstone Dragon Adula	Magma Wyrm Makar
Royal Revenant	Spirit-Caller Snail
Caelid Optional Bosses
Battlemage Hugues	Black Blade Kindred (Caelid)
Commander O'Neil	Decaying Ekzykes
Fallingstar Beast	Flying Dragon Greyll
Frenzied Duelist	Magma Wyrm
Nox Swordstress & Nox Priest	Putrid Tree Spirit
Altus Plateau Optional Bosses
Ancient Dragon Lansseax	Crucible Knight Ordovis
Demi-Human Queen Gilika	Demi-Human Queen Maggie
Demi-Human Queen Margot	Draconic Tree Sentinel
Elemer of the Briar	Esgar, Priest of Blood
Fell Twins	Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast
Godefroy the Grafted	Kindred of Rot
Mohg, The Omen	Necromancer Garris
Onyx Lord	Perfumer Tricia
Red Wolf of the Champion	Sanguine Noble
Virgin Abductors	Wormface
Mountaintops of the Giants Optional Bosses
Astel, Stars of Darkness	Black Blade Kindred (Mountaintops of the Giants)
Borealis the Freezing Fog	Commander Niall
Misbegotten Crusader	Putrid Grave Warden Duelist
Great Wyrm Theodorix	Vyke, Knight of the Roundtable
Siofra River Optional Bosses
Ancestor Spirit	Valiant Gargoyles
Mimic Tear
Ainsel River Optional Bosses
Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella	-
Deeproot Depths Optional Bosses
Crucible Knight Siluria	-
Multiple Location Optional Bosses
Ancient Hero of Zamor	Black Knife Assassin
Bell Bearing Hunter	Cemetery Shade
Cleanrot Knights	Crucible Knight
Crystalian	Death Rite Bird
Deathbird	Erdtree Avatar
Erdtree Burial Watchdog	Godskin Apostle
Godskin Noble	Grafted Scion
Grave Warden Duelist	Mad Pumpkin Head
Misbegotten Warrior	Night's Cavalry
Omenkiller	Tibia Mariner
Dragonkin Soldier	-

Mini-Bosses

All Bosses in Elden Ring
Elder Dragon Greyoll	Lion Guardian
Valiant Gargoyle (Leyndell)	-

Hostile NPCs and Invaders

Limgrave Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Bloody Finger Nerijus	Old Knight Istvan
Recusant Henricus	-
Liurnia of the Lakes Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Great Horned Tragoth	Festering Fingerprint Vyke
Altus Plateau Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Eleonora, Violet Bloody Finger	Inquisitor Ghiza
Maleigh Marais, Shaded Castle Castellan	Rileigh the Idle
Vargram the Raging Wolf & Errant Sorcerer Wilhelm	Magnus the Beast Claw
Mountaintops of the Giants Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Juno Hoslow, Knight of Blood	-
The Roundtable Hold Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Mad Tongue Alberich	-
Multiple Location Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater	-