Which Elden Ring bosses resist magic?
Bosses tied to sorcery, the stars and glintstone take reduced magic damage in Elden Ring. The main ones are Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, the Fallingstar Beasts, the Glintstone Dragons (Smarag and Adula) and the Red Wolf of Radagon. Resistance doesn't mean immunity; magic still works, just slower, so many players bring a second damage type.
Magic-resistant bosses
- Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon (Raya Lucaria Academy): a master sorceress with high magic resistance, especially in her second phase.
- Red Wolf of Radagon (Raya Lucaria): resists magic better than most early bosses.
- Glintstone Dragons Smarag and Adula (Liurnia and Caria Manor area): magic and dragon breath attacks, with matching resistance.
- Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast and other Fallingstar Beasts: astral creatures with strong magic resistance.
- Astel, Naturalborn of the Void (Lake of Rot boss): one of the most magic-resistant bosses in the game.
What to use instead
- Physical damage. Melee weapons or bows with physical damage work well against these bosses.
- Incantations. Fire and holy incantations from the Faith tree cover the gap.
- Status effects. Bleed, frostbite and poison stack regardless of magic resistance.
- Spirit Ashes. Summons such as the Mimic Tear deal their own damage types.
- Physical sorceries. Some sorceries, like Rock Sling, deal physical damage while still scaling with Intelligence.
FAQ
Is Radagon immune to magic?
No. Radagon and the Elden Beast resist holy damage strongly, but magic works fine on them.
Is magic or melee easier in Elden Ring?
Many players find a pure sorcerer easier for most of the game, since it can attack from range. Melee is more demanding but has fewer weak matchups.
Who is the hardest boss for a mage?
Fast, aggressive bosses like Malenia give pure casters trouble, since they leave little time to cast.