This is a boss guide for Ralva the Great Red Bear in Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. Learn about Ralva's weakness, location, and cheese strategies, as well as the best build against Ralva here.

Ralva the Great Red Bear Location

Located in a Small Lake Northeast of Highroad Cross

World View	Map Location

Ralva the Great Red Bear can be found at a Lake in Scadu Altar. The said lake is found Northeast of the Highroad Cross site of grace.

Ralva the Great Red Bear Weakness

Weak to Fire and Lightning Damage

Like most bear enemies in Elden Ring, Ralva the Great Red Bear is weak to fire damage. Weapons with granted Fire Affinity will be strong against Ralva. Unique weapons like Rivers of Blood, Blasphemous Blade, and Eleonora's Poleblade would also be great options to consider to use against Ralva.

However, take note that Ralva is found around a body of water that will nerf Fire damage, but also buff Lightning damage. So if you don't have a Fire damage weapon, you can instead opt for Lightning affinity weapons, or weapons with innate Lightning damage like the Death Knight's Twin Axes and Bolt of Gransax.

Susceptible to Scarlet Rot

Ralva's main status ailment weakness is Scarlet Rot, which can add to your overall damage to Ralva with damage over time.

One of the best weapons with innate Scarlet Rot buildup is the Antspur Rapier, but you can also use consumables such as Rot Grease, Rot Pot, and Hefty Rot Pots to apply Scarlet Rot to Ralva.

List of All Scarlet Rot Weapons

Best Builds Against Ralva

Weapons With Fire Damage Are Recommended

Rivers of Blood

Backhand Blade (Fire affinity)

Ralva's main weakness is Fire Damage so consider gearing up and use weapons that can deal fire damage such as the Rivers of Blood and Blasphemous Blade. Standard weapons like the Backhand Blades can also be infused with fire Affinity to grant them fire damage on their attacks.

Fire Damage Incantations Are Strong Options

Catch Flame

Giantsflame Take Thee

Incantations that deal fire damage are also recommended if you're a spell caster. Incantations that are fast to cast such as Catch Flame are great options to consider. Giantsflame Take Thee is also a strong option if you can cast it in melee range to deal a huge bulk of damage to Ralva.

Eternal Sleep is Recommended

Velvet Sword of St. Trina

Eternal Sleep Pot

The best way to trivialize Ralva's fight is to put him to Eternal Sleep. Ralva's resistance to Eternal Sleep is low which allows you to repeatedly use Eternal Sleep on it. Additionally, every Eternal Sleep trigger on Ralva gives you around 8 seconds of free time to hit Ralva as well as a free critical hit.

Ralva the Great Red Bear Rewards

Ralva the Great Red Bear Details
Runes	180000
Drops	・Pelt of Ralva
Spirit Summons?	Spirit Ashes Allowed
Gold Summons?	None

Ralva the Great Red Bear General Tips

Tips for Beating Ralva the Great Red Bear
Use Frost, Bleed, or Fire Watch for Bestial Attacks Avoid her Second Grab Phase 2 Uses Lingering Attacks

Use Frost, Bleed, Fire, or Poison

Ralva is highly susceptible to status debuffs like Bleed, Poison, or elemental damage from Frostbite or Fire attacks. Choose from a variety of weapons, spells, and incantations to take advantage of her lack of resistances.

Eliminate the Bears in the Area

While not mandatory, we highly recommend killing any nearby bears in the area first. The fight has a high chance of moving away from the original boss spot and it may put you in a position that can draw the aggro of nearby bears.

While their attacks are not lethal, getting staggered or interrupted could spell the difference between a successful run and a crushing defeat.

Watch for Bestial Attacks

Dodge Into Its Fury Swipes

When Ralva uses its fury swipes (a move that consists of consecutive slashes), be sure to dodge into it instead of dodging away. Since the swipes have Ralva moving forward, dodging into it will allow you to get under and away from the attack.

Jump to Avoid Its Ranged Slash

Ralva can shove its claw into the ground before swiping at you to do a ranged rock sling attack. Make sure to dodge roll or jump into Ralva when it uses this move since the ranged attack may still hit you if you roll backward and into it.

Jump During Her Quake Move

When Ralva uses its ground slam move, it causes a small earthquake AoE to appear. If timed right, you can use jump to dodge the aftershock that come out of her quake move.

Avoid Ralva's Grab

Ralva has a move where it stands up and attempts to grab the player. It has a delayed animation which makes it easy to dodge. However, unlike the regular Runebear grab attack, Ralva can attempt a second grab after this move.

Whenever it does a grab attack, dodge the first one but hold off on counterattacking. Instead, wait to see if she starts another grab animation before you start hitting her again.

Phase 2 Uses Lingering Attacks

Move Away During her AoE Roar

Once Ralva is ready to transition to phase 2 which triggers around 50% HP, it'll use an AoE roar that has a long duration. Be sure to keep your distance during the roar to avoid taking unnecessary damage.

However, do note that while it uses this as its phase 2 transition, it can still use this move during the rest of the fight so be wary and prepare to sprint away when necessary.

Dodge Into Ralva to Avoid Lingering Claw Attacks

Ralva's attacks will start to have wind effects that will trail behind her claw attacks. During this phase, it is much more important to dodge into Ralva as these lingering winds can deal its own damage and may easily hit you if you roll sideways or away from the boss.

Elden Ring Related Guides

List of All Bosses

DLC Bosses

Main Bosses

Optional Bosses

Mini-Bosses

Hostile NPCs and Invaders