How to Defeat Rugalea the Great Red Bear in Elden Ring

Elden Ring is filled with powerful enemies that test the strength, patience, and preparation of even the most experienced players. Among the terrifying beasts introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is Rugalea the Great Red Bear, a massive and savage Field Boss that roams the rugged wilderness of Rauh Base. While this enemy is not required to complete the game, taking down Rugalea offers a generous reward of Elden Ring Runes and potentially rare Elden Ring Items, making it a worthwhile challenge for any Tarnished seeking to grow stronger.

Who Is Rugalea the Great Red Bear

Rugalea the Great Red Bear is one of the more fearsome animal-based bosses in Elden Ring. Like its kin, Ralva the Great Red Bear, the standard Runebear, and the Lesser Runebear, Rugalea possesses raw physical power, relentless aggression, and the ability to tear through unprepared players with ease. However, Rugalea stands out with greater health, increased damage output, and faster attack chains compared to its lesser counterparts.

Found deep within Rauh Base, a dense and dangerous area introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Rugalea isn't a boss you'll stumble upon by accident. Players seeking out this encounter usually know what they're in for, an all-out battle of endurance and survival.

Is Rugalea a Required Boss

No, Rugalea is an optional boss. Players do not need to defeat it to progress through Shadow of the Erdtree or complete the main storyline of Elden Ring. That said, the rewards for defeating this beast, both in terms of Elden Ring Runes and powerful Elden Ring Items, make it a worthwhile target, especially for players looking to push their builds to the next level or collect everything the game has to offer.

Optional bosses like Rugalea often guard high-value loot or open the path to unique encounters and side quests. Even if you're not a completionist, there's good reason to test your strength against this red-furred juggernaut.

Where to Find Rugalea

You'll find Rugalea in Rauh Base, a wild and dangerous location full of difficult enemies and hidden secrets. Rugalea typically roams an open section of this area, allowing players to observe its patrols from a distance before initiating the fight. Be cautious: this beast can spot you quickly and close the gap with surprising speed.

Due to the terrain and enemy density in Rauh Base, it's best to clear out nearby enemies before triggering the boss fight. Doing so gives you a safe space to retreat and regroup if the battle doesn't go your way on the first attempt.

How to Defeat Rugalea

1. Time Your Dodges, Not Your Blocks

Rugalea is a relentless boss that strings together long chains of heavy attacks, many of which can break through shields, even those with high physical resistance. While a solid shield might block the occasional blow, your best defense is well-timed dodging. Learn the animation patterns and roll through attacks instead of backing away. Rolling into the boss during its swipe animations often positions you under its arms or behind it, ideal for a few safe hits.

2. Use Fire and Bleed Effects

Like other bear-type enemies, Rugalea is vulnerable to Fire damage, making spells like Flame Sling and Taker's Flames excellent choices. Additionally, weapons with Bleed buildup, such as katanas or certain daggers, can be devastating. Rugalea's large health pool makes it a prime candidate for percentage-based damage effects.

Infuse your weapon with Fire or Blood, or use consumable Elden Ring Items like Fire Grease or Blood Grease to boost your offense. Crafting these items ahead of the fight can give you the edge you need in a prolonged battle.

3. Summon Help

If you're having trouble surviving alone, consider summoning Spirit Ashes or even a co-op partner. Spirit Ashes like the Mimic Tear or Lhutel the Headless can hold Rugalea's attention, giving you time to cast spells, heal, or prepare your next attack. Diversion is key when facing enemies with overwhelming aggression.

Best Loadout for the Fight

    Armor: High Poise armor like Bull-Goat or Veteran's Set helps absorb glancing blows, though mobility is often more useful than tanking.

    Talismans: Equip the Green Turtle Talisman for faster stamina regen and the Fire Scorpion Charm to boost Fire damage.

    Consumables: Bring Pickled Turtle Neck, Fire Grease, Flask of Wondrous Physick with buffs like damage negation or stamina regen.

    Spells: Taker's Flames, Flame, Grant Me Strength, or Catch Flame are excellent for close-range damage.

Rewards for Defeating Rugalea

Taking down Rugalea the Great Red Bear awards a significant number of Elden Ring Runes, giving players a chance to level up or upgrade key stats. Additionally, Rugalea may drop rare Elden Ring Items, including upgrade materials, powerful talismans, or even unique weapons or crafting ingredients introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

These items can be critical to enhancing your build, especially as the game's difficulty ramps up in the later stages of the DLC. The runes alone may be worth the fight, but the loot makes the victory even sweeter.

Final Thoughts

Rugalea the Great Red Bear is a classic Elden Ring boss, fierce, optional, and highly rewarding. While it doesn't gate progression in Shadow of the Erdtree, the battle offers a satisfying test of skill and preparation. Whether you're seeking a large haul of Elden Ring Runes, hunting rare Elden Ring Items, or just proving your mastery over the game's most fearsome creatures, Rugalea is an encounter worth pursuing.

Explore, prepare, and strike with precision. With the right tools and timing, this beast will fall, and the rewards will be yours.