Dragonlord Placidusax is one of Elden Ring's most mysterious and awe-inspiring bosses.Hidden deep within Crumbling Farum Azula, he is not encountered through normal progression and offers no obvious guidance to players.Many complete the game without ever realizing he exists.Those who do find him, however, are rewarded with one of the most cinematic, lore-rich, and Elden Ring Runes challenging boss encounters FromSoftware has ever designed.
This guide breaks down exactly where to find Dragonlord Placidusax, why so many players miss him, whether he is required to beat the game, how the fight works, and what rewards you gain for overcoming this ancient dragonlord.
Where Is Dragonlord Placidusax Located?
Dragonlord Placidusax is found in Crumbling Farum Azula, but not on the main critical path.You will never stumble upon him naturally while progressing through the area.Instead, reaching him requires deliberate exploration and a leap of faith.
To begin, travel to the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace, the same checkpoint used before fighting Maliketh, the Black Blade.From the Site of Grace, take the elevator downward.Once you exit the structure at the bottom, move outside and look over the edge.Below you are several stone platforms that descend gradually into the storm-filled void.
Carefully drop down from platform to platform.This descent is dangerous, and one misstep can send you plummeting to your death.Eventually, you will reach a flat stone area that looks strangely calm compared to the rest of Farum Azula.There are no enemies, no bones scattered across the ground, and no visual cues that a boss lies ahead.
When you stand in the center of this quiet space, a prompt appears: "Lie Down." Interacting with it triggers a cutscene where time seems to rewind, transporting you to Dragonlord Placidusax's arena.
This is the only way to access the fight.There are no NPC hints, no map markers, and no quests that point you in this direction.That lack of guidance is why so many players struggle to find Placidusax or never encounter him at all.
Why Can't I Find the Hidden Drop?
The difficulty in finding Dragonlord Placidusax comes down to design philosophy.Elden Ring rewards curiosity and observation rather than direct instruction.The drop-down path blends into the environment, and the "Lie Down" prompt appears in an area that looks unimportant.
Additionally, most players are already tense when reaching the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace, as it leads directly to Maliketh.Many rush forward, focused on the main objective, and never think to explore downward.Without prior knowledge or extreme curiosity, it is very easy to miss the hidden descent entirely.
Is Dragonlord Placidusax Required or Optional?
Dragonlord Placidusax is completely optional.You do not need to defeat him to finish the main story, unlock any ending, or progress past Crumbling Farum Azula.The game allows you to ignore him entirely without consequence.
Despite this, Placidusax is widely regarded as a major late-game boss.His difficulty rivals mandatory encounters, and his lore significance places him among the most important figures in Elden Ring's mythos.Optional or not, he is very much designed as a pinnacle challenge for experienced players.
Dragonlord Placidusax Fight Overview
The fight against Dragonlord Placidusax is a two-phase battle that emphasizes positioning, patience, and situational awareness.He is massive, fast for his size, and capable of overwhelming players with lightning, fire, and spatial manipulation.
In the first phase, Placidusax primarily uses lightning-infused melee attacks, wide claw swipes, tail strikes, and devastating lightning bolts that erupt from the sky.His range is enormous, and standing directly in front of him is extremely dangerous.Staying near his legs or flanks is generally safer, though not without risk.
Placidusax can also vanish briefly, reappearing with sudden lightning strikes that punish players who panic-roll or lose track of his position.Lock-on can become unreliable during these moments, so manual camera control is often necessary.
The second phase escalates the fight dramatically.Placidusax gains fiery attacks, teleportation chains, and one of his most iconic moves: a sweeping double laser breath that covers huge sections of the arena.This attack is lethal if mistimed and requires precise movement to avoid.
The arena itself offers little protection.There are no pillars or terrain features to hide behind, forcing players to rely entirely on spacing, timing, and stamina management.
Fight Tips and Strategy
Lightning resistance is extremely valuable in this encounter.Armor, talismans, and buffs that reduce lightning damage can significantly improve survivability.Fire resistance also becomes important in the second phase.
Summoning Spirit Ashes can help draw aggro, but they often die quickly due to Placidusax's wide-area attacks.Tanky summons may survive longer, but players should not rely on them entirely.
Melee builds should focus on attacking during recovery windows after large swipes, lightning slams, or breath attacks.Greed is heavily punished.Ranged and magic builds can deal consistent damage but must remain mobile to avoid sudden teleports and aerial strikes.
Stamina management is critical.Running out of stamina during a lightning barrage or laser sweep almost always results in death.Knowing when to disengage is just as important as knowing when to attack.
Rewards for Defeating Dragonlord Placidusax
Defeating Dragonlord Placidusax grants a massive rune reward, fitting for a late-game optional boss.More importantly, he drops the Remembrance of the Dragonlord, which can be exchanged for powerful dragon-themed incantations or weapons.
These rewards cater especially well to Faith-based and dragon-themed builds, offering unique abilities not found elsewhere in the game.Beyond mechanical rewards, the victory itself is deeply satisfying, marking mastery over one of Elden Ring's toughest optional encounters.
Lore Significance of Dragonlord Placidusax
Dragonlord Placidusax is described as the former Elden Lord before the age of the Erdtree.He ruled during an ancient era when dragons held dominion over the Lands Between.Unlike later lords chosen by the Greater Will, Placidusax represents a forgotten age, abandoned by the god he once served.
His arena exists outside normal time, reinforcing the idea that he is a relic of a bygone world, waiting endlessly for the return of a god that will never come.This tragic context adds emotional weight to the battle and helps explain why such an important figure is hidden rather than celebrated.
Summary
Dragonlord Placidusax is a hidden, optional boss in Crumbling Farum Azula that many players miss entirely.Reaching him requires careful exploration, a dangerous descent, and interaction with an easily overlooked "Lie Down" prompt.While not required to complete Elden Ring, he stands as one of the game's most challenging and memorable encounters.
With devastating lightning and fire attacks, a dramatic two-phase fight, and Elden Ring Items buy deep lore tied to the ancient history of the Lands Between, Placidusax represents everything Elden Ring does best.For players willing to explore carefully and fight smart, the battle offers a powerful sense of accomplishment, valuable rewards, and insight into a forgotten age of gods and dragons.
https://www.mmoexp.com/Elden-ring/Runes.html Dragonlord Placidusax is one of Elden Ring's most mysterious and awe-inspiring bosses.Hidden deep within Crumbling Farum Azula, he is not encountered through normal progression and offers no obvious guidance to players.Many complete the game without ever realizing he exists.Those who do find him, however, are rewarded with one of the most cinematic, lore-rich, and Elden Ring Runes challenging boss encounters FromSoftware has ever designed.
This guide breaks down exactly where to find Dragonlord Placidusax, why so many players miss him, whether he is required to beat the game, how the fight works, and what rewards you gain for overcoming this ancient dragonlord.
Where Is Dragonlord Placidusax Located?
Dragonlord Placidusax is found in Crumbling Farum Azula, but not on the main critical path.You will never stumble upon him naturally while progressing through the area.Instead, reaching him requires deliberate exploration and a leap of faith.
To begin, travel to the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace, the same checkpoint used before fighting Maliketh, the Black Blade.From the Site of Grace, take the elevator downward.Once you exit the structure at the bottom, move outside and look over the edge.Below you are several stone platforms that descend gradually into the storm-filled void.
Carefully drop down from platform to platform.This descent is dangerous, and one misstep can send you plummeting to your death.Eventually, you will reach a flat stone area that looks strangely calm compared to the rest of Farum Azula.There are no enemies, no bones scattered across the ground, and no visual cues that a boss lies ahead.
When you stand in the center of this quiet space, a prompt appears: "Lie Down." Interacting with it triggers a cutscene where time seems to rewind, transporting you to Dragonlord Placidusax's arena.
This is the only way to access the fight.There are no NPC hints, no map markers, and no quests that point you in this direction.That lack of guidance is why so many players struggle to find Placidusax or never encounter him at all.
Why Can't I Find the Hidden Drop?
The difficulty in finding Dragonlord Placidusax comes down to design philosophy.Elden Ring rewards curiosity and observation rather than direct instruction.The drop-down path blends into the environment, and the "Lie Down" prompt appears in an area that looks unimportant.
Additionally, most players are already tense when reaching the Beside the Great Bridge Site of Grace, as it leads directly to Maliketh.Many rush forward, focused on the main objective, and never think to explore downward.Without prior knowledge or extreme curiosity, it is very easy to miss the hidden descent entirely.
Is Dragonlord Placidusax Required or Optional?
Dragonlord Placidusax is completely optional.You do not need to defeat him to finish the main story, unlock any ending, or progress past Crumbling Farum Azula.The game allows you to ignore him entirely without consequence.
Despite this, Placidusax is widely regarded as a major late-game boss.His difficulty rivals mandatory encounters, and his lore significance places him among the most important figures in Elden Ring's mythos.Optional or not, he is very much designed as a pinnacle challenge for experienced players.
Dragonlord Placidusax Fight Overview
The fight against Dragonlord Placidusax is a two-phase battle that emphasizes positioning, patience, and situational awareness.He is massive, fast for his size, and capable of overwhelming players with lightning, fire, and spatial manipulation.
In the first phase, Placidusax primarily uses lightning-infused melee attacks, wide claw swipes, tail strikes, and devastating lightning bolts that erupt from the sky.His range is enormous, and standing directly in front of him is extremely dangerous.Staying near his legs or flanks is generally safer, though not without risk.
Placidusax can also vanish briefly, reappearing with sudden lightning strikes that punish players who panic-roll or lose track of his position.Lock-on can become unreliable during these moments, so manual camera control is often necessary.
The second phase escalates the fight dramatically.Placidusax gains fiery attacks, teleportation chains, and one of his most iconic moves: a sweeping double laser breath that covers huge sections of the arena.This attack is lethal if mistimed and requires precise movement to avoid.
The arena itself offers little protection.There are no pillars or terrain features to hide behind, forcing players to rely entirely on spacing, timing, and stamina management.
Fight Tips and Strategy
Lightning resistance is extremely valuable in this encounter.Armor, talismans, and buffs that reduce lightning damage can significantly improve survivability.Fire resistance also becomes important in the second phase.
Summoning Spirit Ashes can help draw aggro, but they often die quickly due to Placidusax's wide-area attacks.Tanky summons may survive longer, but players should not rely on them entirely.
Melee builds should focus on attacking during recovery windows after large swipes, lightning slams, or breath attacks.Greed is heavily punished.Ranged and magic builds can deal consistent damage but must remain mobile to avoid sudden teleports and aerial strikes.
Stamina management is critical.Running out of stamina during a lightning barrage or laser sweep almost always results in death.Knowing when to disengage is just as important as knowing when to attack.
Rewards for Defeating Dragonlord Placidusax
Defeating Dragonlord Placidusax grants a massive rune reward, fitting for a late-game optional boss.More importantly, he drops the Remembrance of the Dragonlord, which can be exchanged for powerful dragon-themed incantations or weapons.
These rewards cater especially well to Faith-based and dragon-themed builds, offering unique abilities not found elsewhere in the game.Beyond mechanical rewards, the victory itself is deeply satisfying, marking mastery over one of Elden Ring's toughest optional encounters.
Lore Significance of Dragonlord Placidusax
Dragonlord Placidusax is described as the former Elden Lord before the age of the Erdtree.He ruled during an ancient era when dragons held dominion over the Lands Between.Unlike later lords chosen by the Greater Will, Placidusax represents a forgotten age, abandoned by the god he once served.
His arena exists outside normal time, reinforcing the idea that he is a relic of a bygone world, waiting endlessly for the return of a god that will never come.This tragic context adds emotional weight to the battle and helps explain why such an important figure is hidden rather than celebrated.
Summary
Dragonlord Placidusax is a hidden, optional boss in Crumbling Farum Azula that many players miss entirely.Reaching him requires careful exploration, a dangerous descent, and interaction with an easily overlooked "Lie Down" prompt.While not required to complete Elden Ring, he stands as one of the game's most challenging and memorable encounters.
With devastating lightning and fire attacks, a dramatic two-phase fight, and Elden Ring Items buy deep lore tied to the ancient history of the Lands Between, Placidusax represents everything Elden Ring does best.For players willing to explore carefully and fight smart, the battle offers a powerful sense of accomplishment, valuable rewards, and insight into a forgotten age of gods and dragons.
https://www.mmoexp.com/Elden-ring/Runes.html