Conquering Astel: Leveling Strategies For The Void

by Jhon Lennon 51 views

Hey guys! Ready to dive deep into the cosmic abyss and face off against one of Elden Ring's most mesmerizing and challenging bosses? We're talking about Astel, Naturalborn of the Void! This guide is your ultimate companion to not only understanding this incredible boss but also figuring out the best ways to level up and optimize your character for a successful showdown. Trust me, beating Astel is a major accomplishment, and the feeling of victory is absolutely worth it. We'll be breaking down Astel's attacks, discussing effective strategies, and suggesting optimal levels and builds to give you the upper hand. So, grab your favorite weapon, summon your trusty spirit ashes, and let's get started on your journey to overcome the void!

Understanding Astel, Naturalborn of the Void

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of leveling and strategy, let's take a moment to appreciate (and understand) the formidable opponent we're up against. Astel, Naturalborn of the Void is an optional boss located in the Lake of Rot, accessed through the Grand Cloister. You'll need to navigate the treacherous Scarlet Rot and complete a series of quests to reach this cosmic horror. The boss design is utterly unforgettable – a colossal, star-like being with immense gravitational powers and devastating magical attacks. It's an imposing sight, and the arena itself contributes to the challenge, offering limited space and visual obstructions. This boss embodies the mysteries and dangers of the Elden Ring universe, a true test of a player's skills and their mastery of the game's mechanics.

Astel's attacks are primarily centered around gravitational manipulation and cosmic energy. Be prepared for a barrage of spells, teleports, and devastating area-of-effect attacks. Key attacks to watch out for include the gravity blasts, the star barrage, and the infamous grab attack, which can instantly kill you if you aren't prepared. The boss's ability to teleport adds another layer of complexity to the fight. It will disappear and reappear, often right next to you or at a distance, making it difficult to predict its movements. This requires players to remain constantly aware of their surroundings and ready to dodge at a moment's notice. The attacks deal significant damage, so you'll need to prioritize both offense and defense to stand a chance.

Key Attack Patterns and How to Counter Them

To effectively counter Astel, you'll need to familiarize yourself with its attack patterns. Let's break down some of the most dangerous attacks and discuss how to mitigate their effects:

  1. Gravity Blasts: Astel will often unleash a series of gravity blasts in front of itself. These blasts have a moderate range and can easily stagger you. Counter: Dodge to the side as the blasts are fired, timing your rolls carefully to avoid being hit. If you're using a shield, blocking is an option, but be mindful of stamina consumption.

  2. Star Barrage: This attack involves Astel summoning a shower of cosmic projectiles that rain down upon the arena. The projectiles cover a wide area and can quickly deplete your health. Counter: The best approach is to run away and keep moving. When the projectiles are falling, be sure to time your dodges so you avoid taking damage. Running and dodging is a reliable way to avoid taking damage.

  3. Grab Attack: Astel's grab attack is arguably the most dangerous. Astel teleports, then grabs the player and slams them into the ground, inflicting massive damage (and often resulting in instant death). Counter: The only real way to avoid this is to be vigilant. Watch for the teleport animation and immediately dodge. You can also try to keep a distance to minimize the chances of getting grabbed.

  4. Teleportation: Throughout the fight, Astel will frequently teleport around the arena. This makes it challenging to predict its next move. Counter: Remain patient and keep a close eye on Astel's movements. When it teleports, be prepared to reposition and react quickly to its attacks.

  5. AoE Attacks: The boss has several area-of-effect attacks. These can have a wide radius. Counter: Learn the attack animations. When you see a specific gesture, you need to either run away or dodge. Timing is key to avoid getting caught.

Understanding these attack patterns is crucial for developing an effective strategy. Remember, patience and timing are your greatest allies in this fight. This boss emphasizes adaptability and a keen understanding of your character's capabilities.

Recommended Level and Build for Astel

Alright, let's talk about the numbers game, shall we? Deciding on the optimal level and build for tackling Astel, Naturalborn of the Void is crucial for success. While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, a general recommendation is to aim for a character level between 80 and 100 before facing Astel. However, the ideal level can vary based on your chosen build, play style, and the stats you've prioritized. Remember, these are rough guidelines, and you can absolutely defeat Astel at a lower level if you're skilled and well-prepared. Some players prefer to over-level, but the challenge is part of the fun for many.

When it comes to your build, several options are viable, but some tend to perform better than others against Astel's cosmic onslaught. Here are a few popular build types and their strengths:

Melee Builds

For melee-focused characters, a balance between strength and vigor is essential. Strength builds can utilize heavy weapons to deal significant damage while staggering Astel. The most popular weapon choices for this encounter include colossal swords, great axes, and other hard-hitting weapons. However, melee builds face the challenge of getting close to Astel, which means you need to be proficient at dodging its attacks. Equip armor that provides a good balance between physical defense and poise. You need to withstand hits and avoid being staggered during attacks. Always remember to prioritize vigor so you have a comfortable health pool.

Magic Builds

Magic builds have a distinct advantage against Astel. This is because they can deal damage from a distance, avoiding most of Astel's close-range attacks. Intelligence-based builds, using powerful sorceries like Comet Azur or Loretta's Greatbow, can obliterate Astel's health bar quickly. Faith-based builds can use incantations for both offense and defense, summoning powerful spells to blast Astel. Regardless of your chosen magic build, make sure you have enough mind to cast spells and a good supply of mana potions. Also, ensure you have sufficient vigor so that you can survive some of Astel's attacks.

Hybrid Builds

Hybrid builds, such as a quality build that balances strength and dexterity, can also be effective. You could also use a build that balances faith and intelligence. These builds provide a good balance between melee and ranged capabilities. They offer versatility in combat, allowing you to adapt to Astel's various attacks. Hybrid builds must be carefully planned, and you must distribute your stats to optimize the damage output.

Stats to Prioritize

Regardless of your build, some stats should be prioritized for a successful encounter with Astel:

  1. Vigor: At least 40 vigor is highly recommended to increase your health and improve your survivability. Astel hits hard, so having a high health pool is essential.
  2. Mind: Magic users will want to have at least 30 mind to ensure they have enough FP (Focus Points) for spells. Melee builds don't need to put as many points into mind, but 20-25 mind is still valuable for using weapon skills and buffs.
  3. Endurance: Around 20-30 endurance allows you to wear heavier armor and still maintain a decent equip load. You will need stamina for dodging and attacking.
  4. Strength/Dexterity/Intelligence/Faith: The points you allocate to these stats will depend on your chosen build. Ensure you have the stats required to wield your desired weapons or cast your spells.

Essential Tips for the Astel Fight

Here are some essential tips to help you conquer Astel, Naturalborn of the Void:

  1. Summon Spirit Ashes: Spirit Ashes are incredibly helpful in this fight. Summoning a strong spirit ash, such as the Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche, can draw Astel's attention, giving you openings to attack and reducing the pressure on yourself. Experiment with different ashes to find one that suits your playstyle.
  2. Use Magic Resistance: Astel's attacks deal significant magic damage. Consider using items that increase your magic resistance, such as the Magic-Shrouded Cracked Tear in your Flask of Wondrous Physick, or armor with high magic defense. This will significantly reduce the damage you take.
  3. Stay Mobile: Constant movement is key in this fight. Astel's attacks have a wide reach. Don't be afraid to run away to create distance and reposition. Use the arena's environment to your advantage. Dodging is critical, so be sure you have the stamina to keep dodging.
  4. Learn the Teleport Patterns: Astel teleports frequently. Keep an eye on its animations. Be ready to dodge after each teleport to avoid getting caught off guard by an attack.
  5. Target the Head: Astel's head is a weak point. When you get an opportunity, target its head to deal extra damage. Some attacks will be easier to dodge, and you can deal more damage in this way.
  6. Patience is Key: This fight can be challenging, but don't get discouraged. Astel is a formidable foe. Stay patient, learn its attack patterns, and don't give up. Persistence is key to victory.
  7. Take Breaks: If you're struggling, don't be afraid to take a break. Come back with a fresh perspective. Sometimes a few hours away is enough to reset your focus and improve your performance.

Recommended Equipment

Choosing the right equipment can significantly impact your performance against Astel, Naturalborn of the Void. Here are some recommendations based on different playstyles:

Weapons

  1. Melee Builds:
    • Blasphemous Blade: This weapon scales with faith and deals fire damage while restoring health on hit. Very effective in this fight.
    • Moonveil Katana: For intelligence/dex builds. Fast attacks and strong weapon skills.
    • Giant-Crusher: A colossal hammer dealing high damage. Very effective if you have high strength and can trade hits.
  2. Magic Builds:
    • Carian Regal Scepter: A powerful staff for intelligence builds, offering high sorcery scaling.
    • Prince of Death's Staff: An excellent staff for faith/intelligence builds.
    • Meteorite Staff: An early-game staff with good scaling.

Armor

  • Armor with high Magic Resistance: Consider armor sets like the Mausoleum Knight set or the Royal Remains set (for its healing effect on low HP).
  • Armor with high Poise: For melee builds, aim for armor that offers a good poise to avoid being staggered during attacks. Bull-Goat set is a good choice if you can wear it.

Talismans

  • Magic Scorpion Charm: Increases magic damage dealt (but also increases damage taken).
  • Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman: Greatly increases physical damage negation.
  • Crimson Amber Medallion/Cerulean Amber Medallion: Increases HP and FP, respectively.
  • Great-Jar's Arsenal: Increases equip load, allowing you to wear heavier armor without fat-rolling.

Spells/Incantations

  • Comet Azur/Glintstone Pebble/Loretta's Greatbow: High damage spells for mages.
  • Golden Vow/Flame, Grant Me Strength: Buffs that increase attack power and damage negation for melee builds.
  • Black Flame: Incantations for faith builds.

Conclusion: Mastering the Void

So there you have it, guys! Conquering Astel, Naturalborn of the Void is a significant milestone in Elden Ring. It tests your skills, patience, and character build. By understanding its attacks, choosing the right level and build, and using the suggested tips, you'll be well on your way to claiming victory. Remember to stay focused, adapt to the fight, and never give up. The rewards are worth the effort, and the sense of accomplishment is unmatched. Good luck, Tarnished! Go forth and crush the cosmic horror! Let me know in the comments if you have any tips or questions, and happy gaming!