What’s the best way to beat the Elden Ring DLC final boss without summons?

[Adam.S]

I’m stuck on the final boss in the Elden Ring DLC and I can’t seem to get past his second phase, no matter what build I try. I’ve watched a few videos but they all use a specific spirit ash I don’t have leveled up. Has anyone found a reliable method without relying on summons?

[Aaron_S]

I did it without summons by staying in his space and reading the tells. The second phase opens with a big stomp, then a sweeping swipe. I rolled to his left, clipped him with a few light hits, and backed off before the next move. Rinse and repeat. Hovering on the edge of his range and not chasing after every hit helped with stamina.

[Ava37]

I tried a few things and kept hitting a ceiling. I wonder if maybe the real issue is timing, not build. I’d land a hit and get punished by the follow up before I had a chance to react. It feels like I’m stepping into a wall no matter what weapon I use.

[AaronHC]

My plan was to stay midrange, not get behind him or too far away. If you stay close enough he telegraphs the big slam and you can dodge through it, then punish with a quick combo before he recovers. It’s not flashy, just consistent.

[JasonTS]

One question: are you sure you’re not engaging the wrong phase? It happened to me once where I thought I was in phase 2 but the moves were still his earlier pattern, and I kept getting wrecked by a long grab. Might be a bug, might be me.