Unleash the Fury: A Thrilling Encounter with Elden Ring's Ferocious Dragon Bosses

Highlights

The dragons in Elden Ring, especially Agheel, have compelling designs and make impressive entrances into boss fights.

Agheel is a distinct dragon boss that players can actively battle, featuring avoidable attacks and the capacity for close combat engagement. In Elden Ring, the other dragons exhibit comparable excellence in design and movesets, ensuring that every fight remains exciting and varied throughout the game.

Dragons have always been a beloved tradition in FromSoftware's boss lineup, and Elden Ring continues this legacy with the introduction of enemies like the formidable Flying Dragon Agheel. Although dragons are a familiar element for the developer, the latest iteration surpasses previous attempts to create compelling dragon boss designs right from the start.

The new breed of dragons in Elden Ring makes a bold statement with Agheel, who makes a grand entrance in the murky marshes surrounding the Dragon Burned Ruins in Limgrave. The enhanced dragon design extends beyond Agheel, with other variations of the boss adding additional layers of awe to an already incredible foundation.

Agheel Earns the Flying Moniker by Dropping in From Above

Many bosses in Elden Ring make grand entrances, either through cutscenes or magically appearing in an area. However, Agheel, the first Flying Dragon, earns its name by flying into the arena and crushing a group of wandering nobles who were creating a flaming effigy in the marshes. This entrance is equally impressive as those of Godrick or Horah Loux, but lacks the cinematic setup that accompanies those fights, which have more importance in the game's lore.

The surrounding area also prepares players for what is to come, although the exact nature of Agheel's entrance may still surprise those exploring freely during their initial playthrough. However, the presence of a location called the Dragon Burned Ruins in the marsh serves as a quick hint that there is a dragon nearby. It's worth noting that this is also where players encounter Elden Ring's first teleporting trap chest, so some may have forgotten the name of the place by the time they return to fight Agheel.

Agheel as the Template for Dragons in Elden Ring

Dragons in the Dark Souls series have been known for their epic battles, such as Midir in Dark Souls 3 and Kalameet in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. However, not all dragon fights have lived up to the hype, like the red and blue dragons in Demon's Souls or the Hellkite Dragon in Dark Souls. While these dragons aren't traditional bosses with health bars, they still pose significant obstacles to player progress. It doesn't help that they are often defeated by shooting arrows from a safe spot.

In the earlier games, dragons were more like obstacles than true boss fights. This is where Agheel and the other dragons in Elden Ring shine, as FromSoftware has designed them to be engaging opponents. Agheel, being a dragon, still takes to the skies to unleash fiery attacks on the player. However, these attacks can be avoided to some extent, especially while battling on Torrent.

Agheel's stomps and bites are a deterrent for players attempting to flank the boss or focus on its head for a quick victory. Unlike Dark Souls 3's Ancient Wyvern, these attacks lack shockwaves, allowing players to engage in close combat without relying on ranged weapons. Furthermore, players will encounter other dragons after the fight with Agheel, each with similar attacks but incorporating unique elements and magic into their movesets, ensuring that every battle in the Lands Between remains exciting.

Elden Ring is currently accessible on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.