Elden Ring Red Bear Boss Guide
Who Is the Red Bear
At first glance, the Red Bear appears to be a humanoid draped in the pelt of a slain beast, but closer inspection reveals something far stranger. Its body radiates white light, its eyes burn with an eerie crimson glow, and its movements blend animal ferocity with human precision. This uncanny creature symbolizes the blurred line between man and nature that runs throughout the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.
Like many Great Enemy Bosses, the Red Bear is designed as a test of aggression, timing, and endurance. It wields devastating melee attacks, using claw-like slashes, charging tackles, and earth-shattering leaps to overwhelm unprepared Tarnished. Its combination of raw power and unpredictability makes it one of the more challenging field bosses in the early-to-mid stages of the DLC.
Red Bear Location
To find the Red Bear, you'll need to venture into the rugged highlands north of the Temple Town Ruins. This area is packed with deadly wildlife and hidden ruins, so prepare for resistance along the way.
Follow these steps to locate the boss:
Start at the Temple Town Ruins and head east.
You'll come across a sealed spiritspring that prevents you from using it until the seal is broken.
The seal is located on an upward path to the right, hidden behind a broken wall. Destroy it to reactivate the spiritspring.
Once the spiritspring is unsealed, use it to leap onto the plateau above.
At the center of the plateau lies the Northern Nameless Mausoleum, a solemn stone structure filled with spectral energy. Enter it to trigger the Red Bear boss encounter.
The Mausoleum's atmosphere sets the tone for the battle, dimly lit, echoing with ghostly howls, and scattered with ancient tombstones that hint at the tragedies buried within.
Preparing for Battle
Although the Red Bear is an optional boss, it's unwise to face it unprepared. Its relentless attack patterns, high damage output, and surprising speed can easily overwhelm even experienced players. Here are the best strategies, builds, and Elden Ring Items to bring along.
Recommended Spells
Rotten Breath: The Scarlet Rot buildup is extremely effective over time. Maintaining distance while applying rot can slowly chip away at the Red Bear's massive health pool.
Inescapable Frenzy: If you're using a Faith build, this incantation can inflict devastating madness damage when timed correctly during its recovery animations.
Recommended Ash of War
Flame of the Redmanes: A top-tier choice for this fight. The skill deals strong stagger damage, opening the Red Bear up for critical hits. A few well-timed casts can break its poise and create attack windows.
Recommended Crystal Tears
Cerulean Hidden Tear: Prevents FP consumption for a short period, allowing sustained spellcasting during critical moments.
Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear: Boosts fire damage output, synergizing perfectly with fire-based incantations and Ashes of War.
Opaline Bubbletear: Absorbs a major hit, often saving you from an early death if you mistime a dodge.
Understanding the Red Bear's Moveset
The Red Bear's attacks are fast and brutal, often chaining combos with deceptive reach. Observing its patterns is key to survival.
Claw Slashes: Quick, successive melee attacks. Block only if necessary; dodging sideways works better.
Lunging Grab: The Red Bear rears back before launching forward to grab you. If caught, it can one-shot weaker builds. Roll backward at the moment its arms extend.
Ground Slam: It leaps into the air and crashes down, creating a shockwave that can stagger you. Jump or roll right before impact.
Roar and Charge: Emits a loud roar before sprinting at you. This move is your opportunity, dodge to the side and counterattack during its recovery animation.
Frenzied Swipe Combo: Used when below 50% HP, this sequence chains multiple swipes with minimal delay. Use terrain or pillars in the Mausoleum to create space.
The Red Bear's aggressive nature rewards patience and discipline. Don't trade blows; instead, punish its recovery windows after its larger moves.
Battle Tips and Strategies
Keep Mid-Range Distance: Staying too close invites deadly combos. Maintain a moderate gap so you can react to its charges and jumps.
Use Spirit Ashes Wisely: Summon a tanky Spirit Ash, like the Greatshield Soldiers or Mimic Tear, to distract the boss while you attack from a safe distance.
Exploit Fire Weakness: The Red Bear's beastlike physiology makes it vulnerable to fire damage. Using Flame Art weapons, Flame of the Redmanes, or Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear can dramatically increase your effectiveness.
Time Your Dodges: Most of the Red Bear's attacks have a slight delay before impact. Rolling too early is a common mistake; wait until just before the strike lands.
Manage Stamina Carefully: This fight is all about endurance. Don't exhaust your stamina bar while attacking, save enough for emergency dodges.
If you prefer a ranged or hybrid playstyle, circle the arena to maintain distance, using terrain to block its line of sight while charging spells.
Rewards for Defeating the Red Bear
Once the beast falls, you'll be rewarded with a satisfying surge of Elden Ring Runes, enough to fund several level-ups or to buy rare crafting materials. You'll also receive unique Elden Ring Items, which can include crafting materials, upgrade resources, or rare consumables specific to Shadow of the Erdtree's endgame economy.
These rewards not only mark your victory but also contribute to your long-term growth, allowing you to strengthen your weapons, upgrade Spirit Ashes, and purchase higher-tier incantations.
Final Thoughts
The Red Bear encapsulates what makes Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree so enthralling, its blend of lore, mystery, and savage combat. This optional fight may not be required for story progression, but the satisfaction of taming this beast, and the Elden Ring Runes and Elden Ring Items it drops, makes the challenge well worth the effort.
Approach the Red Bear with patience, preparation, and precision, and you'll turn one of the expansion's fiercest predators into another testament to your strength as the Tarnished destined to rule the Lands Between once more.