How to Defeat the Ancient Dragon-Man in Elden Ring

The Ancient Dragon-Man is one of Elden Ring's fast, deadly, and highly agile optional bosses. Armed with a lethal katana and exceptional mobility, this mysterious warrior appears in the Dragon's Pit, testing players with his relentless attack patterns. While you don't need to defeat him to progress through the main story, overcoming this foe is worth the effort, not just for the challenge, but for the Elden Ring Runes and rare Elden Ring Items he drops.

Who Is the Ancient Dragon-Man

Unlike many of Elden Ring's monstrous bosses, the Ancient Dragon-Man is a humanoid adversary with finely honed sword skills. His weapon of choice, a katana, allows him to chain fast slashes and surprise attacks. His moveset encourages aggressive play but punishes reckless mistakes, making him a fight of skill rather than brute force.

Upon defeat, he rewards players with the Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana, one of the more unique weapons in the game. In addition, he drops a healthy sum of Elden Ring Runes, making this encounter a solid option for players looking to both expand their arsenal and strengthen their build.

How to Reach the Ancient Dragon-Man

The Ancient Dragon-Man can be found deep within the Dragon's Pit. To locate him, you'll need to follow these steps:

    Start at the Dragon's Pit Site of Grace

    Begin your journey from this checkpoint. Follow the path forward until you reach a large chamber lit by numerous candles.

    Find the Deep Pit

    The candle-lit room is located between a staircase and a massive basin. In the center of this room is a deep pit that drops into a lower area.

    Descend Into the Basin Area

    From above, you can see the basin below. Continue down past the candle-lined area into another narrow passageway with stairs leading further downward.

    Drop Into the Pit

    Once you reach the pit, drop down to find yourself near a fog wall, the entrance to the Ancient Dragon-Man's lair.

Pro Tip: Equip gear or talismans that reduce fall damage if you're cautious about the descent.

Ancient Dragon-Man's Combat Style

This boss is defined by speed and precision rather than overwhelming strength. His katana gives him an advantage in both range and attack frequency, forcing players to be constantly alert.

Key Attacks to Watch For:

    Quick Slash Combo: A chain of rapid strikes that can break through careless blocking.

    Dashing Strike: A sudden forward lunge that closes distance in an instant.

    Katana Counterattack: If you attack too predictably, he can time a devastating retaliatory slash.

His mobility makes ranged combat less effective unless you can maintain significant distance. Melee fighters will find themselves locked in a duel that tests reaction time and stamina management.

Best Strategy for Defeating the Ancient Dragon-Man

To defeat the Ancient Dragon-Man, you'll need to approach the fight with patience and adaptability. Here are some tips:

    Time Your Dodges

    His combos are fast, but his rhythm is consistent. Wait for the last hit in a chain before counterattacking.

    Use Spirit Ashes Wisely

    Summoning aggressive Spirit Ashes can help distract him, giving you openings to land heavy hits. A summon that can withstand multiple strikes, such as Banished Knight Oleg, works well.

    Exploit Recovery Windows

    After executing his dashing strike or a long combo, the Dragon-Man has a brief recovery period. Punish these moments with strong attacks or weapon skills.

    Manage Stamina

    Don't overcommit to blocking, his rapid swings can quickly drain stamina and leave you vulnerable. Dodging is often safer.

    Use Bleed or Frostbite

    As a humanoid boss, he's susceptible to both bleed and frostbite status effects. Weapons like Uchigatana or frost-infused armaments can wear him down faster.

Rewards for Victory

Defeating the Ancient Dragon-Man yields both powerful loot and valuable progression resources:

    Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana: A unique and powerful katana with high damage potential. Perfect for players looking to expand their weapon collection with rare Elden Ring Items.

    Elden Ring Runes: A generous sum that can be used to level up, enhance gear, or purchase items from merchants.

    Boss Experience: While intangible, the experience of mastering his attack patterns will help prepare you for other fast, human-like bosses in the game.

Why Fight the Ancient Dragon-Man if He's Optional

Many players might wonder why they should take on an optional boss, especially one this fast and dangerous. Here are the main benefits:

    Rune Farming Opportunity: His rune drop can be an efficient way to boost your levels, particularly in mid-game.

    Exclusive Weapon: The Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana is unavailable anywhere else. If you're a katana enthusiast, this is a must-have.

    Combat Practice: Learning to fight agile, sword-wielding enemies is invaluable in Elden Ring, especially for later PvP encounters or duels with other human-like NPCs.

Final Thoughts

The Ancient Dragon-Man is a thrilling test of reflexes, patience, and precision. While he may not boast the size or spectacle of Elden Ring's colossal monsters, his speed and sword mastery make him a worthy adversary. Players willing to descend into the Dragon's Pit and face this relentless fighter will be rewarded with both a rare weapon and a satisfying trove of Elden Ring Runes.

Whether you're chasing every optional boss, collecting rare Elden Ring Items, or simply seeking a challenge, the Ancient Dragon-Man is well worth your time. Defeat him, claim his blade, and add another trophy to your ever-growing legend in the Lands Between.