The Great Red Bear is one of the first major threats you face in The Forsaken Hollows DLC. It appears as a Night One boss during the Dreglord expedition and hits far harder than anything before it.
The good news is that it is slow, readable, and very punishable once you understand how its attacks work.
This guide explains how to unlock the fight, what to expect, and simple strategies you can use to beat the Great Red Bear without getting flattened.
How to Unlock the Great Red Bear Boss Fight?
The Great Red Bear is only accessible if The Forsaken Hollows DLC is installed. Once the DLC is active, the bear turns into a boss possible on Night One during the Dreglord expedition.
Two lesser bears have to be dealt with first, and only after eliminating them does the Great Red Bear come to the arena. Treat those early enemies as a warm-up and a chance to build Ultimate or switch to a safer position.
The recommended level for this boss is Level 7, although higher levels noticeably easy the fight.
The Great Red Bear Attack Patterns
This enemy is huge, strong, and very straightforward. Nearly all of its attacks are coming from straight-ahead swings or explosive ground effects. It’s not very fast, but it only needs a few hits to knock you out.
Two things matter most in this fight:
- Positioning behind the bear whenever possible
- Recognizing the signals before its AoE attacks land
If you stay alert to those patterns, this is one of the more manageable Night Bosses.
How to Defeat the Great Red Bear in Elden Ring Nightreign?
1. Stay Behind the Bear to Avoid Most Attacks
The safest angle to attack from is the bear’s rear or back-left side. Most of its claw combos swing forward in wide arcs, leaving its backside open when it focuses on another player.
If you’re in a group, let one ally hold the bear’s attention. When the bear commits to a frontal combo, move behind it and deal clean, uninterrupted damage.
If you’re solo, circle to its side after every dodge. Its tracking is slow enough for you to reposition after each swing.
2. Move Away When It Stands Up on Its Hind Legs
This is the biggest warning sign in the entire fight. When the Great Red Bear rises up, it is preparing one of two moves:
A shockwave stomp
It slams the ground with both forelegs, sending a wide shockwave forward.
A roar that knocks you down
This creates a circular blast that punishes anyone standing too close.
Both moves cover more space than they look, so immediately retreat when you see the bear lift its body upright. You can return for damage once the roar or stomp animation ends.
3. Watch for Ground Fissures and Keep Your Distance
The bear can drill its claws into the ground and activate the fissures that erupt around it. This action damages several times, brings you down, and punishes anyone who gets too close.
The bear church’s breathing and posturing are very obvious: it lowers its body and then digs its claws in the ground.
As soon as you spot this, retreat immediately. The fissures will not be able to reach you if you quickly respond. After the attack is over, you can slowly approach again while the bear is resetting its position.
4. Manage Blood Loss Before It Becomes a Problem
The Great Red Bear is capable of inflicting Blood Loss, tha,t if triggered quickly, wipes out your health. The presence of Stanching Boluses will aid you in combating this condition. Apply them as soon as the meter starts rising.
Moreover, the boluses you find on the floor during the fight also give the area effect resistance throughout the rest of the expedition. Erasing the Blood Loss pressure permits you to be near and continue to punish openings.
5. Use Heavy Weapons and Jump Attacks to Force Staggers
Even though the bear is large, it is easier to stagger than it appears. Heavy weapons, charged attacks, and jump attacks build stagger very quickly, especially after it finishes a roar or a body slam.
Forcing a stagger gives you time for a high-damage opener and reduces the pressure from its slow but strong attacks.
Even though the bear is large, it is easier to stagger than it appears. Heavy weapons, charged attacks, and jump attacks build stagger very quickly, especially after it finishes a roar or a body slam. Forcing a stagger gives you time for a high-damage opener and reduces the pressure from its slow but strong attacks.
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