Dragon Age The Veilguard: How to defeat final boss Elgar’nan

The final fight in Dragon Age The Veilguard is with the fierce and fearsome Elgar’nan, who is encountered in the game's final quest titled "The Dread Wolf Rises". He is a formidable opponent, whose attacks can be quite challenging to counter and survive should players enter the battle arena unprepared. However, learning his attack sequence can help make the fight a bit easier.

Given this is the final boss fight in the game, it is also recommended to select party members accordingly should you wish to achieve the good or the bad endings of the game. Below is a guide on how to do so, and the steps that can be used to take down Elgar'nan in battle.

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Defeating Elgar'nan in Dragon Age The Veilguard

The battle with Elgar'nan takes place across three phases, and his health bar is quite substantial as well. Though there are three phases, only the first and final phases involve battling the boss — the second one is a transition phase of sorts.

In the first phase, he can summon Aspects of Elgar'nan, which are smaller ghost-like clones of himself, who are weak but can deal major damage with their attacks. He also summons a host of electric attacks such as lightning attacks concentrated in a red circle and electric attacks when the ground around him glows red. Furthermore, Elgar'nan can also throw energy balls towards the party.

The first phase of the battle involves electric attacks, so prioritize dodging while sending Necrotic damage the boss' way. (Image via EA/BeetsByDre911)

The ideal strategy for this phase is to dodge all his attacks, which include him swinging his sword after floating backward. Avoid the parts of the ground that glow red or have red circles, and repeatedly dodge when he is about to swing the sword. Use Lucanis or Emmrich to deal Necrotic damage to which he is vulnerable, and make sure to eliminate the ghost-like clones before they have a chance to deal too much damage.

In the second phase, the battlefield becomes dark and no companions can assist the player. Elgar'nan will continue to bombard Rook with his attacks, so make sure to keep dodging his attacks and prevent taking damage. Attacking him without allies proves to be challenging, so keep dodging until the phase ends, and a cutscene plays.

The second phase requires timely dodging on your part, as Rook's attacks alone will not be very powerful without the assistance of allies on the battlefield. (Image via EA/BeetsByDre911)

Once the third and final phase starts, note that Elgar'nan will now have new elemental weaknesses. While now immune to Heat attacks, he is weak against Cold attacks. He can also launch new attacks on the party in this phase. These include the previous sword attack but with fire damage, some fireball attacks, and a combination of electric and fire sword attacks when he jumps.

Much like the first phase, time your dodges correctly in the final phase of the battle. (Image via EA/BeetsByDre911)

As with the first phase, prioritize dodging and avoid being within or near the ground when it glows red. When the battle area is engulfed in a circular shape by flames, land heavy damage to the boss using Cold attacks. Once again, a combination of timely dodging and landing the correct Cold spell attacks will see Elgar'nan defeated.

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Read more Dragon Age The Veilguard articles below:

• Dragon Age The Veilguard: Into the Crossroads quest and Sirin the Twice-Forged boss battle guide
• Dragon Age The Veilguard walkthrough: How to complete Spinning Gold From Grey quest
• How to fully increase health in Dragon Age The Veilguard
• The Veilguard Interactive Map