Randy Chandler
Cheesing Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, in *Elden Ring* requires exploiting specific mechanics to simplify this notoriously challenging boss fight. Players often utilize strategies like summoning NPC allies, such as the River of Blood Spirit Ash, to distract Astel while focusing on dealing damage. Another popular method involves using the Bloodhound’s Step Ash of War to dodge its devastating laser attacks and close the distance quickly. Additionally, equipping high bleed-build weapons or spells can significantly reduce Astel’s health bar, as it is particularly vulnerable to bleed damage. By combining these tactics and understanding Astel’s attack patterns, players can effectively cheese the boss, making the encounter far more manageable and less reliant on pure skill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Astel, Naturalborn of the Void |
| Location | Lake of Rot (Mohgwyn Palace) |
| Weaknesses | Strike, Pierce, Blood, Fire, Lightning, Holy |
| Resistances | Slash, Magic, Poison, Scarlet Rot |
| Immune To | Sleep, Frenzy, Frostbite |
| Cheese Strategy | Use the Lake of Rot's terrain to your advantage; stay on the edges or elevated areas to avoid rot damage. Pull Astel to the shallow areas or near the shore to limit its mobility. |
| Recommended Weapons | Ranged weapons (bows, crossbows) or long-range spells to avoid melee combat. |
| Recommended Talismans | Talismans that boost ranged damage or resist rot (e.g., Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, Talisman of Sin). |
| Summons | Not recommended due to the terrain and Astel's aggressive behavior. |
| Phase 1 Tactics | Stay mobile, dodge its sweeping attacks, and strike during openings. Use the environment to create distance. |
| Phase 2 Tactics | Focus on dodging its new, more aggressive attacks. Continue using ranged attacks or hit-and-run tactics. |
| Key Vulnerabilities | Astel's attacks leave it briefly exposed after each combo. Exploit these moments to deal damage. |
| Rot Management | Use Preserving Boluses or Flask of Crimson Tears to mitigate rot buildup. |
| Difficulty | High due to the Lake of Rot's hazards and Astel's fast, unpredictable attacks. |
| Reward | Stars of Ruin (Sorcery) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Exploit Astel's Slow Start: Focus on aggressive early game tactics to overwhelm before he gains strength
- Use Poison/Scarlet Rot: Apply status effects to drain health and limit his healing abilities
- Summon Allies Strategically: Use NPC summons to distract Astel while you deal damage
- Target the Floating Hands: Destroy his hands to reduce attack frequency and damage output
- Abuse Range Attacks: Stay at mid-range to avoid melee and exploit his slower movement
Exploit Astel's Slow Start: Focus on aggressive early game tactics to overwhelm before he gains strength
Astel Naturalborn's early game vulnerability presents a critical window of opportunity for players seeking to gain the upper hand. His slow start, characterized by limited mobility and weaker attacks, can be exploited through a well-coordinated, aggressive strategy. By focusing on high-damage, fast-paced tactics, players can overwhelm Astel before he has a chance to unleash his full potential. This approach requires precision, teamwork, and a deep understanding of both Astel's weaknesses and your own character's strengths.
To execute this strategy effectively, prioritize builds that maximize burst damage and mobility. For melee classes, invest in skills that offer quick, high-damage combos, such as a dual-wielding assassin build with critical strike bonuses. Ranged classes should focus on rapid-fire abilities or area-of-effect spells that can disrupt Astel's positioning while dealing significant damage. Ensure your team coordinates their attacks to capitalize on openings, such as when Astel is recovering from a missed attack or is momentarily stunned. Communication is key—use pings, voice chat, or pre-established signals to synchronize your assault.
One practical tip is to exploit Astel's predictable early-game patterns. During the first phase, he often relies on slow, telegraphed attacks that leave him vulnerable to counterattacks. For instance, after his ground slam, there’s a brief window where he’s immobile—use this moment to unleash a flurry of attacks or a high-damage ultimate ability. Similarly, his ranged energy blasts have a noticeable wind-up, allowing agile characters to dodge and close the distance for a punishing counterattack. Timing is crucial; practice recognizing these cues in lower-stakes scenarios before attempting this strategy in high-pressure matches.
However, caution must be exercised to avoid overcommitting. While aggression is the core of this tactic, reckless play can lead to a swift defeat if Astel lands a well-placed counterattack. Maintain awareness of your health and stamina bars, and be prepared to disengage if the tide turns. A balanced approach—pushing hard but knowing when to retreat—ensures sustainability throughout the fight. Additionally, assign one team member to monitor Astel’s behavior, calling out when he begins to transition into his stronger phases, signaling the need to shift tactics.
In conclusion, exploiting Astel Naturalborn’s slow start requires a blend of aggression, precision, and adaptability. By focusing on burst damage, capitalizing on his predictable patterns, and maintaining disciplined teamwork, players can overwhelm him before he becomes a formidable threat. This strategy is not without risk, but with practice and coordination, it offers a reliable path to victory against this challenging opponent.
Discover Top Spots to Order Meat and Cheese Breakfast Bars
You may want to see also
Use Poison/Scarlet Rot: Apply status effects to drain health and limit his healing abilities
Poison and Scarlet Rot are not just status effects in Elden Ring—they’re strategic tools to dismantle Astel, Naturalborn of the Void. Both inflict damage over time, but Scarlet Rot excels here due to its higher tick rate and ability to bypass certain resistances. Apply these via weapons, spells, or consumables to drain Astel’s health while limiting its innate healing capabilities. For instance, the Rotten Stray Ashes summon can passively apply Scarlet Rot, freeing you to focus on dodging or dealing direct damage. Pair this with a Poison-infused dagger for early-phase pressure, as Poison reduces Astel’s stamina regeneration, indirectly hindering its ability to heal.
To maximize effectiveness, time your applications during Astel’s slower, more predictable attacks, such as its ground slam or void beam. Scarlet Rot’s damage scales with time, so prolonging the fight works in your favor. Use the Frenzied Burst incantation if you’re a faith build, or coat your weapon with Poison Grease for a melee approach. Avoid overcommitting to status buildup, though—Astel’s agility allows it to punish greed. Instead, weave status applications into your hit-and-run strategy, ensuring consistent damage without sacrificing defense.
Comparatively, Poison is more accessible early game but weaker against bosses. Scarlet Rot, however, requires investment in Arcane or specific items like the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia. If you lack these, combine Poison with bleed effects for a dual-status approach. Astel’s healing is tied to its void-based abilities, so disrupting its rhythm with status effects forces it into a defensive posture. Think of it as a tug-of-war: every tick of rot or poison pulls the fight in your favor.
Practical tips: Equip the Talisman of Poison or Talisman of Scarlet Rot to boost status buildup. If using spells, the Rotten Breath sorcery applies Scarlet Rot in an area, ideal for phase transitions. For melee, the Uchiwa Fan or Rotten Greataxe are excellent choices. Monitor Astel’s health bar—once it drops below 50%, its healing becomes more frequent, making status effects even more critical. Finally, prioritize dodging over attacking when the status effect is active; let the rot do the work while you survive.
In conclusion, Poison and Scarlet Rot aren’t just damage numbers—they’re a psychological weapon against Astel. By forcing it to heal less and react more, you dictate the fight’s pace. This method isn’t about brute force; it’s about precision, patience, and exploiting the boss’s mechanics. With the right setup and timing, even Astel’s cosmic might crumbles to the slow, relentless march of decay.
Pour Over Cheese Popcorn: The Disappearance of a Snack Favorite
You may want to see also
Summon Allies Strategically: Use NPC summons to distract Astel while you deal damage
In the battle against Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, every tactic counts, and summoning NPC allies can be a game-changer. This strategy leverages the game’s mechanics to create openings for damage by drawing Astel’s aggro away from you. The key lies in timing and positioning: summon your allies just as Astel begins a long-animation attack or when he’s at a distance, ensuring they have time to engage before he refocuses on you. Popular NPC summons like Black Knife Tiche or the River Valiant are effective due to their high damage output and ability to withstand Astel’s initial assaults, giving you precious seconds to strike.
Analyzing Astel’s behavior reveals why this strategy works. His AI prioritizes the closest or most aggressive threat, making NPC summons ideal distractions. However, not all summons are created equal. Avoid using allies with low health or those that move too slowly, as they’ll be quickly dispatched without providing meaningful distraction. Instead, opt for summons with high poise or those that can stagger Astel, such as the Great Horned Tragoth, which can momentarily stun him, granting you a brief but crucial window to attack.
Executing this tactic requires precision. Position yourself near Astel but slightly offset, allowing your summon to intercept his attacks. Use the time they buy you to target his weak spots—his head and core—with high-damage weapons like the Rivers of Blood or the Sword of Night and Flame. Be mindful of Astel’s phase transitions, as his aggression spikes during these moments. Summon your ally just before he enters a new phase to maximize their effectiveness and minimize your risk.
While this strategy is powerful, it’s not without risks. Astel’s homing attacks and area-of-effect spells can still target you, even when distracted. Always keep a Flask of Crimson Tears ready and prioritize dodging over greedily attacking. Additionally, monitor your summon’s health; if they’re low, use the opportunity to heal or reposition rather than risking a counterattack. With practice, this method becomes second nature, turning a daunting fight into a manageable—even repeatable—victory.
Is Cheese Your Enemy? Spotting Cheese Allergy Symptoms Easily
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Target the Floating Hands: Destroy his hands to reduce attack frequency and damage output
Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, is a formidable foe in Elden Ring, known for his relentless and unpredictable attacks. Among his arsenal, the floating hands that orbit him are particularly dangerous, delivering swift and damaging strikes. Targeting and destroying these hands is a strategic move that can significantly reduce his attack frequency and overall damage output, turning the tide of battle in your favor.
To effectively target the floating hands, prioritize them as soon as the fight begins. These hands are Astel’s primary source of rapid, close-range attacks, and eliminating them early minimizes the risk of being overwhelmed. Use a combination of ranged attacks, such as arrows or spells, to engage them from a safe distance. If you’re a melee-focused build, time your dashes and strikes carefully to avoid Astel’s other attacks while focusing on the hands. Aim for precision rather than raw damage output, as each hand destroyed directly weakens his offensive capabilities.
A critical aspect of this strategy is understanding the hands’ behavior. They often move in predictable patterns, orbiting Astel at varying speeds. Observe their rhythm and strike when they’re momentarily stationary or within range. Be cautious, however, as Astel’s other attacks can still catch you off guard. Use a shield or roll to deflect or dodge his larger, sweeping strikes while maintaining focus on the hands. Patience and timing are key—rushing in recklessly will likely result in taking unnecessary damage.
Once you’ve destroyed the floating hands, you’ll notice a marked decrease in Astel’s aggression. His attack frequency drops, and his damage output becomes more manageable, allowing you to focus on dodging his remaining moves and landing your own attacks. This strategy is particularly effective for players who struggle with the fight’s chaotic pace. By neutralizing the hands, you strip Astel of one of his most dangerous tools, transforming the battle into a more controlled and predictable encounter.
In conclusion, targeting and destroying Astel’s floating hands is a high-reward tactic that requires precision, observation, and patience. It’s a methodical approach that pays off by drastically reducing his offensive pressure, making the fight more approachable for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re a ranged caster or a melee warrior, incorporating this strategy into your gameplay can turn a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a manageable—and ultimately rewarding—victory.
Subway's Steak and Cheese: Unveiling the Delicious Ingredients Inside
You may want to see also
Abuse Range Attacks: Stay at mid-range to avoid melee and exploit his slower movement
Astel Naturalborn's sluggish gait becomes a glaring weakness when you position yourself at mid-range. This distance, roughly 15-20 meters, creates a sweet spot where his melee attacks fall short, and his slower movement speed prevents him from closing the gap quickly.
Step 1: Weapon Selection & Positioning
Equip a weapon with strong range capabilities, such as a bow, crossbow, or even a spear with a poking attack. Maintain a consistent distance, circling around Astel to avoid his frontal attacks. His turning radius is noticeably slower than his forward movement, giving you ample time to reposition.
Step 2: Exploit the Lag
Astel’s attacks, particularly his melee swings and lunges, have noticeable wind-up animations. Use this lag to your advantage. Time your shots to coincide with the end of his attack animations, when he’s momentarily locked in place. Aim for his head or torso for maximum damage output.
Caution: Avoid Overcommitment
While mid-range is safe, don’t let your guard down. Astel’s homing missiles and area-of-effect spells can still reach you. Keep an eye on his casting animations and dodge sideways to avoid these attacks. Overcommitting to offense leaves you vulnerable to his unpredictable teleportation, which can close the distance instantly.
This strategy relies on patience and precision. By staying at mid-range, you force Astel to play into your strengths while neutralizing his own. His slower movement becomes a liability, turning the battle into a methodical dance where you dictate the rhythm. With practice, this approach transforms a daunting fight into a calculated, exploitable pattern.
Carbohydrate Content in Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese: A Nutritional Breakdown
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The most common method is to use the Rivers of Blood katana with the Bloody Slash Ash of War, exploiting its bleed buildup to quickly defeat Astel.
Yes, using a high-damage ranged weapon like the Crossbow with Bolt of Gransax or a magic spell like Carian Slicer can allow you to stay at a safe distance and chip away at Astel's health.
While summons can distract Astel, they are not reliable for cheesing. Astel's high damage and aggressive moveset often overwhelm summons quickly.
Positioning near the entrance of the boss arena allows you to exploit the terrain, as Astel's attacks often miss or deal less damage when you stay close to the walls.
