Elden Ring Nightreign: How To Defeat the Gaping Dragon

The Gaping Dragon is a Night Boss in Elden Ring Nightreign and can be a daunting opponent to face because of its nightmarish form.

Gaping Dragon in Elden Ring Nightreign (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

The Gaping Dragon is a horrifying Night Boss in Elden Ring Nightreign that is far easier to beat than it looks. First seen in Dark Souls, the six-legged abomination can appear on Night 1 if you are on the Augur or Gaping Jaw expeditions. This article will explore its attack patterns and weaknesses to make every encounter with the Gaping Dragon significantly easier.

Overview of the Gaping Dragon in Elden Ring Nightreign

The Gaping Dragon is a very large boss, with its elongated body presenting an easy target for melee and ranged Nightfarers alike. Any combination of classes can take down the boss without much trouble, with no level requirement needed. The boss is considered easy because of its loudly telegraphed attacks and the safe zones created on its sides, near the rear legs. Most of the attacks from the bosses are forward-facing, with only a tail swipe targeting players behind it in a wide arc.

Weaknesses of the Gaping Dragon

The Gaping Dragon’s main weakness is its slow speed and blind spots on either flank. The dragon can be damaged significantly with bleed, frost, and lightning attacks. As a melee character, staying near the rear legs of the dragon will negate most of its attacks. Attack the dragon’s tail continuously to cut it off and gain additional loot. When the Gaping Dragon is staggered, its tiny head will lower to the ground. Attack the head to deal high damage to the boss.

Tips To Easily Defeat the Gaping Dragon

Attack the Gaping Dragon continuously to stagger it (Image via Bandai Namco Entertainment)

The grab attack is the main move to watch out for. The dragon will rear its maw, pull back one side of its body, and lash out with the middle arm. If caught, it will chew on the player, likely killing them. The easiest way to avoid the attack is to sprint away from its sides when the dragon rears its head and move toward the tail.
The Gaping Dragon has a large AoE acid attack, which it telegraphs by starting to belch violently, with acid appearing around its jaws. It then pours the acid into a large pool in front of it. Sprint away from the dragon when it begins to telegraph this attack.
The boss can leap into the air and land with a crushing ground attack. Dodge away from its projected landing area.
The tail swipe attack is telegraphed by the dragon moving the tail to the side and charging up the attack. There is a half-second delay before the tail swipe is launched.