Encounters in the Depths Where Astel Lies
The Lands Between, a sprawling tapestry of myth and legend, hides many terrifying secrets beneath its golden boughs and crumbling castles. Few Elden Ring bosses inspire as much primal fear as Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, a cosmic horror lurking in the depths of the earth, a test of skill and nerve for any Tarnished seeking to become Elden Lord. This article will explore Astel’s combat mechanics, unravel its lore significance, and provide comprehensive strategies for overcoming this formidable foe. We’ll delve into Astel’s devastating attacks, pinpoint its weaknesses, explore the lore implications surrounding its mysterious origin, and offer practical tips for any Tarnished brave enough to face this being from beyond the stars.
Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, isn’t confined to just one forgotten corner of the Lands Between. This lends to its mystique, suggesting a pervasive influence or perhaps even a multitude of similar entities. Two prominent locations where you’ll face this cosmic entity are the Lake of Rot and the Yelough Anix Tunnel.
The Lake of Rot presents a particularly harrowing journey before even reaching Astel. This accursed landscape, a sea of scarlet rot, demands resilience and careful navigation. Reaching the Grand Cloister within the Lake of Rot requires traversing this deadly swamp, managing your immunity to the Rot, and dealing with the various creatures that call it home. At the end of the Grand Cloister lies a coffin. Interacting with this coffin transports you to Astel’s boss arena, a stark reminder that death can come from the most unexpected places in Elden Ring. The Scarlet Rot element adds another layer of challenge to the fight itself, making preparation and proper equipment essential.
Alternatively, those venturing into the Consecrated Snowfield might stumble upon the Yelough Anix Tunnel. This tunnel, hidden within the perpetually snowy landscape, leads to another encounter with Astel. The Yelough Anix encounter is similar to the one within the Lake of Rot in terms of attacks, the location itself being easier to navigate, but with the same difficult fight.
There is a final Astel fight, also, within Deeproot Depths.
The fact that Astel appears in these disparate locations raises numerous questions. What connection do these locations share? Does Astel travel between realms? Perhaps it is a guardian or a harbinger of some unknown force, planting itself in locations of strategic importance. The mystery surrounding its presence only deepens the intrigue surrounding this enigmatic boss.
Combat Analysis: Breaking Down Astel’s Formidable Arsenal
Astel is a formidable opponent, relying on a blend of physical prowess and devastating gravity magic. Its attacks are often telegraphed but are capable of inflicting significant damage, requiring patience, precision, and a keen understanding of its attack patterns.
Astel possesses a range of basic attacks to punish any Tarnished who gets too close. Its sharp claw swipes can easily catch you off guard, so maintaining a safe distance is crucial. Be wary of its powerful tail lashes, which have a wide arc and can knock you to the ground. Furthermore, Astel can stomp with its legs, creating tremors that can disrupt your movement and leave you vulnerable.
However, Astel’s true strength lies in its command of gravity magic. It can hurl gravity bolt projectiles that track your movement, requiring quick reflexes to dodge. The Gravity Well attack pulls you towards Astel, making you vulnerable to its melee attacks. The Nebula attack is an explosive area-of-effect spell that can deal massive damage to anyone caught within its radius. One of Astel’s most dangerous abilities is its teleportation. It can vanish and reappear elsewhere in the arena, often following up with a surprise attack. Finally, Comet Astel is its signature move – a barrage of powerful comets that rain down upon the arena, capable of one-shotting even seasoned players. Recognizing the telegraphing for this attack and finding cover is crucial for survival.
Astel’s attack patterns are not entirely random. It often strings together attacks in specific sequences. Learning these patterns will allow you to anticipate its moves and react accordingly. For instance, it might follow a claw swipe with a gravity bolt, or teleport away before unleashing a Nebula attack. Paying close attention to its movements and the animations preceding each attack is key to mastering the fight.
Triumphing Over the Cosmic Horror: Strategies for Defeating Astel
Defeating Astel requires a multifaceted approach, combining strategic preparation with skillful execution. Consider employing the assistance of Spirit Ashes. Mimic Tear and Black Knife Tiche are especially effective, providing valuable distractions and dealing significant damage. The choice between locking onto Astel or fighting unlocked is a matter of personal preference. Locking on can help you keep track of its movements, but fighting unlocked gives you greater control over your camera and allows you to better dodge its attacks.
Stamina management is paramount, as you’ll need to be able to dodge frequently. Avoid over-committing to attacks and always leave enough stamina to roll away from danger. Recognizing Astel’s attack patterns is key to victory. Study its movements, learn the timing of its attacks, and develop a plan for dodging each one.
Astel has a few key weaknesses that you can exploit. Primarily, Astel’s head is its main weakness. Focus your attacks on its head to inflict critical hits and deal increased damage. Astel is also susceptible to certain damage types, notably physical damage. Builds centered around Strength and Dexterity can be very effective against it. Bleed and Frostbite can also be useful, although Astel has some resistance to these status effects. It’s also possible to stagger Astel by dealing enough poise damage, opening it up for critical attacks.
A variety of builds, weapons, and spells can be effective against Astel. Strength builds can utilize heavy weapons to deal significant damage to its head. Dexterity builds can use faster weapons to land more hits and inflict status effects. Faith builds can use incantations to heal and buff themselves, while Intelligence builds can use sorceries to deal ranged damage. Some popular weapons include the Black Knife, the Rivers of Blood, and the Wing of Astel (somewhat ironically).
Astel doesn’t have traditional phase transitions, but its attack patterns can become more aggressive as its health dwindles. Be prepared for it to use its more powerful attacks more frequently in the later stages of the fight.
An effective strategy involves staying at a medium range, baiting out its attacks, and then dodging in to land a few hits on its head before retreating. Be particularly cautious of Comet Astel, and always be ready to dodge or find cover. Some Tarnished even use a cheese strategy of using the pillars near the Grand Cloister site of grace to block many of the attacks, while using a ranged attack, or sorcery to defeat the boss.
Unraveling the Cosmic Tapestry: The Lore of Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
The title “Naturalborn of the Void” provides a crucial clue to Astel’s origin. It suggests that it is not a native of the Lands Between, but rather a being from the void beyond the stars. The similar appearance between Astel and the Fallingstar Beast could suggest a connection, both being creatures that fell from space. Is it a scout, a colonizer, or something far more sinister?
Some speculate that Astel is connected to the Greater Will, the Outer God that seems to have the most influence over the Lands Between. Perhaps it was sent as a punishment or a tool to reshape the world. The presence of Astel in the Lake of Rot raises further questions. Was it responsible for the creation of this accursed landscape? Its presence in Deeproot Depths further complicates the picture, linking it to the Erdtree and the cycle of life and death.
One prevalent theory suggests that Astel played a role in the destruction of the Eternal Cities. These cities, known for their advanced technology and defiance of the Golden Order, were destroyed by an unknown cataclysm. The presence of Astel in areas connected to the Eternal Cities lends credence to the theory that it was responsible for their downfall.
The item descriptions and dialogue found throughout the game provide further clues to Astel’s lore. These fragments of information, when pieced together, paint a picture of a powerful, enigmatic being with a profound impact on the world of Elden Ring.
Astel’s Lasting Legacy: Impact and Significance
The Astel boss fight is a testament to FromSoftware’s mastery of boss design. It is a challenging and rewarding encounter that tests the player’s skill and knowledge of the game’s mechanics. The fight is fair, but unforgiving, demanding patience, precision, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes.
Astel’s lore integration is seamless, adding depth and intrigue to the world of Elden Ring. Its presence raises numerous questions and provides valuable insights into the game’s overarching narrative.
Thematically, Astel represents cosmic horror, the fear of the unknown, and the corrupting influence of forces beyond human comprehension. It serves as a reminder that the Lands Between are not merely a medieval fantasy world, but a battleground for cosmic entities with agendas beyond our understanding.
Defeating Astel provides significant rewards, including access to new areas and powerful items. More importantly, it gives the player a sense of accomplishment and a deeper understanding of the lore and mysteries of Elden Ring.
Conclusion: A Cosmic Horror Masterpiece
Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, is more than just a challenging boss; it is a crucial piece of the Elden Ring puzzle. Its presence adds depth, mystery, and a sense of cosmic dread to the game’s world. It’s a testament to how well the developers put into this beast, and is a memorable, challenging, and terrifying glimpse into the cosmic horrors that lurk within the Lands Between. Share your own experiences fighting Astel, and let’s discuss our theories about its origins and its place in the grand tapestry of Elden Ring!
