In the world of Elden Ring, there are many diverse bosses, including dragons that frequently appear on your path, both in the base game and in the Shadow of Erdtree expansion. Among them is the Ghostflame Dragon, which isn't the toughest boss, but you'll need to put in some effort and preparation to face it. If you're finding this boss challenging or are looking to gather information in advance, our guide on the Ghostflame Dragon will help you understand how to counter it.

Where to Find Ghostflame Dragon in Elden Ring DLC

In the Elden Ring DLC, you can encounter the Ghostflame Dragon three times. Let's take a look at all the locations where these dragons can be found.

1. The first Ghostflame Dragon hides in a shallow lake located in the northern part of Gravesite Plain. This area is deceptively calm, but as you approach, the beast will reveal itself.
2. The second dragon can be found on the northern part of Cerulean Coast. This dragon has taken over the shoreline, turning a peaceful beach into a dangerous battleground.
3. Finally, the third Ghostflame Dragon resides just north of the Fort of Reprimand, offering you yet another chance to earn rewards by defeating this boss type.

All these Ghostflame Dragons are essentially the same in terms of nature and attacks. The dragon in Gravesite Plains is slightly easier to fight, so you should start with it if you're new to the DLC. Make sure to kill this dragon if you've just started playing the expansion.

Preparing to Fight Ghostflame Dragon

Don't take the Ghostflame Dragon lightly, as the bosses in the DLC, including dragons, are stronger than those in the base game. These dragons use ghostflame attacks that cause frostbite, which can punish careless players. However, with proper preparation, you can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

First and foremost, equip items that increase resistance to frostbite accumulation. Ghostflame Dragon's attacks can quickly cause frostbite, dealing significant damage over time. To mitigate this effect, use Invigorating Cured Meat, which can be crafted from a recipe in Nomadic Warrior’s Cookbook [2].

Additionally, you can counter frostbite with Thawfrost Boluses, another item from Nomadic Warrior’s Cookbook [16]. For mages, the Bestial Constitution spell, found in Dragonbarrow, adds another layer of protection.

Take advantage of the dragon's weakness to holy damage. If your build allows, use weapons or spells that deal this type of damage. There are many options: you can use melee weapons like Ordovis’s Greatsword or use the Sacred Blade Ash of War to imbue your weapon with holy power.

For those who prefer magical builds, holy damage spells and incantations will be useful. Holy Grease, usually found in Leyndell, can also be applied to your weapon, or you can craft Holy Water Pots using a recipe from Missionary’s Cookbook [1].

In battle, summon spirit ashes. Greatshield Soldiers found in Nokron Eternal City are ideal for this. Alternatively, use Lone Wolf Ashes, which you receive from Renna in the Church of Elleh. While any spirit ash can be a useful distraction, they are not essential for fighting this boss.

Regarding weapons, consider the Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana, which is an excellent choice. This weapon, dropped by the mini-boss Ancient Dragon-Man in the Dragon’s Pit dungeon, deals significant additional damage to dragons.

If you prefer ranged attacks, consider Loretta’s Mastery, a spell dropped by Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree. If this approach seems too difficult, choose Loretta’s Greatbow, which can be found in Caria Manor.

Finally, the best way to fight dragons is on horseback with Torrent, giving you a better chance to dodge most of the boss's attacks.

How to Defeat Ghostflame Dragon

Ghostflame Dragon shares many traits with dragons from the base game but with notable differences. Its wings, though damaged, allow it to take flight, and it uses its ghostflame abilities to inflict frostbite.

Melee combat with the dragon involves bites, wing swipes, claw strikes, and tail whips, which can be dodged by rolling or moving a safe distance away from the dragon.

Ghostflame attacks include a fire breath stream that the dragon sweeps across the field. To increase your chances of survival, stay near the boss's legs and keep moving underneath it. This minimizes the effectiveness of its ranged attacks and forces it to rely on more predictable melee strikes.

One of the dragon's most deadly attacks is its area-of-effect (AoE) slam attack, which sends waves of ghostflame in various directions. This can be avoided by quickly running away as soon as you see the dragon preparing for the attack.

Ghostflame Dragon's Move Set and Attacks

Understanding and learning the boss's moves will make it easier to deal with, dodging attacks, timing your responses, and reacting appropriately.

• In close combat, the dragon uses wing and rear leg strikes, sometimes accompanied by ghostflame. The ground slam includes the dragon taking off and crashing down, dealing massive area damage. Its wings can change direction in the air, so avoid or run straight ahead before the strike.

• During a wing sweep attack in front of it, you can avoid the hit by dodging to the dragon's hind legs. Tail whips occur when you are behind the boss, so always be ready to dodge if you find yourself there.

• When the dragon's health drops to around 60%, it will perform an AoE ghostflame attack, sending green flames around. This can be anticipated by the dragon raising its head and roaring, giving you a moment to escape.

• For the bite attack, the dragon lunges at you with its jaws. It often retreats and roars before lunging, so be prepared to dodge.

Strategies for Different Builds

For those who prefer melee combat, a medium armor build is optimal, allowing for quick dodges and fast attacks. Stay near the dragon's legs, dodging its attacks, and aim for its head whenever possible, especially after it performs a ghostflame breath or bite attack.

If you have trouble dodging, definitely use Torrent for mobility, making it easier to escape attacks and safely heal. Run around the dragon, striking with melee weapons, and quickly move away when the dragon uses fire or prepares for a ground slam. This method may take more time and requires careful maneuvering to avoid being knocked off your horse.

For ranged fighters, the strategy with Torrent remains, but you should stay as far away from the dragon as possible. Stay out of the boss's reach, attacking with spells or arrows. Summon spirit ashes to distract the dragon, and allocate most of your flasks to mana. Use the terrain to your advantage, hiding on higher ground when possible to avoid the dragon's breath attacks.

Rewards for Defeating Ghostflame Dragon

Defeating the Ghostflame Dragon in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will reward you with several valuable items. After the victory, you will receive a dragon heart, a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, and approximately 100,000 runes.

While these rewards are similar to those dropped by other dragon bosses in the base game, they are still very useful for further progression and upgrading your gear.