Elden Ring Nightreign: How To Defeat the Smelter Demon

Learn how to defeat the Smelter Demon in Elden Ring Nightreign by countering its special attacks and exploiting its weaknesses.

The Smelter Demon is one of the bosses you can face on the first and second day of the expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign. Originally from Dark Souls 2, the Smelter Demon is an iron construct seemingly powered by a flaming core in its chest. With flame-spewing attacks and wide swings of its burning sword, the Smelter Demon makes for a cinematic boss battle.

Overview of Smelter Demon in Elden Ring Nightreign

The Smelter Demon has slow and methodical attacks (Image via Bandai Namco)

Most of the Smelter Demon’s attacks deal fire damage, so it is ideal to have fire resistance while fighting the boss, especially during the second phase. Its attacks are telegraphed, slow, and straightforward to dodge. The main challenge presented by the Smelter Demon is in its second phase. When its flames turn blue, they slowly deal fire damage to all players. You can heal through the damage or perform a Critical Strike to disrupt the flames. Any team composition is suitable to deal with the boss, but having two ranged attackers or casters and one melee Nightfarer to draw aggro is ideal.

Weaknesses of Smelter Demon

The main weakness of the Smelter Demon is its slow movement and attack speed. The melee fighter should try to slip behind the boss whenever possible. Because the boss mostly deals forward-focused attacks. Its lumbering gait makes it easy for ranged fighters to kite the boss and avoid its lunges entirely. While the Smelter Demon lacks range on its attacks, Ironeye and mages should still maintain distance, especially in the second phase when a few of its attacks have greater AoE damage.

Tips To Easily Defeat Smelter Demon

The boss’s basic attack pattern consists of two slow sword swings, which are relatively easy to read. After the Smelter Demon telegraphs the attack by pulling its sword back, the first swing is slightly delayed to make you dodge sooner.
The quickest attack to watch out for is the stabbing lunge. The Smelter Demon will pull its sword back dramatically before stabbing forward with great speed.
When the boss raises the sword above its head, the following downward slash will cause flames to erupt from the ground in a straight line. This is the only attack that can affect players at range. The attack can also be the third in a combo, preceded by two sword slashes.
When the boss starts to charge up an attack, as if powering up, back away from it to avoid the fiery explosion.