Astel, Naturalborn of the VoidOptional major boss guarding access to the later part of Ranni the Witch's questline.
Astel, Naturalborn of the Void is an optional boss in Elden Ring found at the end of the Lake of Rot route. Its ranged gravity attacks, teleporting grab and large-area attacks reward patience and careful positioning.
Role
Optional major boss guarding access to the later part of Ranni the Witch's questline.
Status
available
Importance
supporting
Elden Ring · character art
01
Key takeaways
These points matter most when deciding whether to attempt Astel now or preparing for a repeat attempt.
01
The head is the primary target
Astel's head provides the most reliable melee opening. Circle near the front of the body, punish the end of committed attacks, and retreat before the boss's gravity effects or teleporting grab can catch you.
02
Do not treat distance as complete safety
Long-range builds can create space, but Astel's ranged magic covers the arena and its teleport can place the boss directly beside or behind the player. Keep the camera on the boss and save stamina for an emergency dodge.
03
The fight is optional outside Ranni's questline
You can leave Astel alone during a normal exploration route, but players pursuing Ranni the Witch must defeat this boss to continue through the sealed route beyond the Lake of Rot.
04
Prepare for scarlet rot before the arena
The approach through the Lake of Rot is itself a major hazard. Preserve healing resources, use whatever scarlet rot countermeasures are available to the character, and do not spend all consumables before reaching the fog.
05
The reward has both immediate and later value
The can be exchanged for a unique boss reward or consumed for runes. Keeping it is generally preferable until the player has checked whether its exchange options suit the build.
02
Astel, Naturalborn of the Void overview
Astel, Naturalborn of the Void is an optional remembrance boss reached through the underground route from Nokstella to the Lake of Rot and the Grand Cloister.
Astel is fought in a wide, dark arena at the end of the Grand Cloister. The boss is a giant insectoid void creature with a skull-like head, a long body, multiple limbs and powerful gravity magic. Its size makes the head easy to identify, but the arena and attack reach can make standing directly beneath it dangerous rather than safe.
The encounter matters most to players following Ranni the Witch's questline. Defeating Astel removes the boss barrier that prevents progress beyond the Lake of Rot route, allowing the player to continue toward the Moonlight Altar. The fight is optional for a general playthrough, but it becomes a required progression point for that particular questline.
Astel combines melee swipes and bites with long-range cosmic projectiles, gravity waves, teleportation and a lethal-looking grab attempt. The safest approach is to stay close enough to punish the head after clear attacks while avoiding the center of gravity effects, then disengage whenever Astel begins a large-area spell or disappears from view.
The boss has a later escalation after its health is reduced, adding more dangerous gravity pressure and making careless healing especially risky. Ranged characters can exploit the arena's distance, but they still need to react to teleportation and meteor attacks; melee characters generally get the clearest damage opportunities by attacking the head rather than striking the limbs repeatedly.
03
Route to Astel
Underground approachTravel through Nokstella and descend toward the Lake of Rot
Rot basinCross the Lake of Rot and reach the Grand Cloister
Boss routeFollow the coffin route to Astel's arena
1Reach the Lake of RotlocationContinue through the underground route after Nokstella.
2Cross the Lake of RothazardManage scarlet rot while moving between safe platforms and structures.
3Enter the Grand CloisterlocationFollow the lower route toward the coffin at the end of the area.
4Ride the coffintransitionUse the coffin at the Grand Cloister's end to reach the boss arena.
●Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the VoidbossBreak through the boss encounter to open the route beyond.
6Continue to the Moonlight AltarquestAfter the victory, continue the associated quest route beyond the previously sealed passage.
Astel is the endpoint of the Lake of Rot and Grand Cloister route.
04
Requirements and preparation
There is no universal character-level requirement to enter the arena, but the route and the encounter place heavy demands on movement, healing and ranged threat management.
RequiredReach the Grand CloisterThe arena is accessed after traversing the Lake of Rot and following the Grand Cloister route. The boss is not encountered in the open world.
RecommendedScarlet rot preparationThe approach exposes the player to scarlet rot. Bring restorative items, spells or equipment available to the build, and plan the crossing so the status effect does not consume all healing before the boss.
RequiredA reliable damage planAstel can be attacked from range, but ranged players must answer its projectiles and teleport. Melee builds should be able to reach and punish the head without remaining under the body for too long.
OptionalSpirit Ash or co-op supportOptional support can divide Astel's attention and create openings, but summons may also cause the boss to reposition or use attacks that are harder to read from the side.
RecommendedCamera and lock-on controlThe boss's size can obscure its limbs and make the camera pull upward. Unlocking briefly when repositioning can make it easier to see a teleport or arena-wide attack.
05
Encounter phases
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
1
Opening phase
Starts: The fight begins when the player enters Astel's arena.
Full health
Astel establishes distance with gravity magic and uses sweeping physical attacks when the player approaches. The head is the clearest damage target, but the player should avoid lingering beneath the torso or between the limbs.
Tail sweepTell Astel draws the long tail around the arena before sweeping it across the player's position.Answer Roll through the sweep or move toward a safe side rather than trying to block at the end of the tail's reach.
Gravity waveTell Astel gathers gravity energy before sending a ground-level magical effect through the arena.Answer Create distance or time a dodge through the wave; do not commit to a slow attack when the visual effect begins.
Cosmic projectileTell Astel forms a bright ranged attack around its head and launches it toward the player.Answer Keep moving laterally and dodge when the projectile is released rather than when Astel first begins casting.
Teleporting grabTell Astel vanishes and reappears near the player, often setting up a hand or body grab.Answer Watch the disappearance point, turn the camera immediately and dodge away from the reappearance rather than attacking on sight.
Use the head as the preferred target and take one or two safe attacks after a missed swipe or completed spell.
If the boss moves away, do not chase blindly across the arena; the next gravity attack may be aimed at the route you take.
2
Escalated phase
Starts: Astel reaches its later health threshold and begins applying heavier pressure.
Reduced health
The encounter becomes less forgiving as Astel adds more aggressive gravity pressure and can cover more of the arena with magical effects. The same head-focused plan remains valid, but the player must shorten damage windows and reserve stamina for repeated evasions.
Meteor showerTell Astel summons falling meteors over the arena after a pronounced gravity casting animation.Answer Run away from the impact zone and continue moving until the falling projectiles finish; do not heal while standing in the open.
Enhanced gravity assaultTell Astel creates a larger or more dangerous gravity effect around the player during the later portion of the fight.Answer Disengage immediately and prioritize escaping the area over finishing a combo.
Close-range limb sequenceTell Several limbs attack in succession when the player remains near the front or side of the body.Answer Dodge the first committed swing, then reposition outside the next sweep instead of repeatedly rolling in place.
A summon can be most useful in this phase if it survives long enough to draw attention away during meteor or gravity casts.
When the boss is low on health, avoid greed: a missed final combo can be punished by the grab or a wide-area spell.
06
Boss encounter strategy
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Enter with the camera ready to track a very large target, then move toward the head rather than attacking the legs or body at random. The best melee rhythm is to wait for a swipe, bite or spell recovery, deliver a short attack sequence to the head, and roll or retreat before the next limb chain begins. Ranged builds should keep a diagonal distance instead of backing straight away, because Astel's projectiles and teleport can punish predictable movement. When Astel disappears, stop attacking and locate the reappearance before committing to a heal or spell. During the later escalation, prioritize surviving the meteor and gravity sequences; the boss's remaining health is less important than preserving a clean opening.
Weaknesses
The head is the most practical target for repeated damage.
Astel is vulnerable to sustained pressure during recovery after committed attacks, especially when the player is positioned in front of the head.
Builds able to maintain safe ranged pressure can exploit the arena's open space, provided they continue moving.
Rewards
Remembrance of the Naturalborn
07
Strategy
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Cross the Lake of Rot without exhausting your healing
Move from one usable platform or raised section to the next and treat the scarlet rot buildup as a resource problem rather than a race. Cure the status when necessary and preserve enough healing to enter the boss arena with a functional supply.
Location: Lake of Rot
TipPlan the crossing before stepping into the basin; wandering for extra pickups can cost more healing than the item is worth.
Watch outDying in the lake sends you back to the last checkpoint and may force another hazardous crossing.
After reaching the lower ruins, follow the route through the Grand Cloister instead of searching the lake for another entrance. The path leads toward the far end of the area, where the transition to Astel is located.
Location: Grand Cloister
TipActivate the nearby checkpoint before making the final approach so a failed attempt does not require repeating the whole lake crossing.
Watch outThe area before the arena can contain additional threats, so heal and manage flasks before using the final transition.
03
Enter the boss arena
Use the coffin at the end of the route
The coffin at the Grand Cloister's endpoint is the intended way to leave the area and enter Astel's arena. Interact with it only after checking equipment, consumables and summon availability, because the encounter begins on the other side.
Location: Grand Cloister
TipTreat the coffin as the final preparation point rather than an ordinary piece of scenery.
Watch outOnce inside, the player must defeat Astel or die to return to the route; there is no ordinary shortcut through the arena.
04
Create a safe first damage window
Survive the opening gravity attacks
At the start of the fight, avoid standing directly beneath Astel while learning the timing of its projectiles, swipes and gravity wave. Move toward the head only after an attack has committed, then take a short punish before repositioning.
Location: Astel's arena
TipThe head is easier to read than the distant tail, so keep the camera oriented toward the front of the creature whenever possible.
Watch outChasing Astel across the full arena can place you in the path of the next projectile or tail sweep.
05
Deal consistent damage
Punish the head after recovery animations
Circle toward the front and wait for Astel to finish a swipe, bite or spell. Attack the head briefly, then disengage before the limbs and gravity effects overlap; the fight is safer when treated as repeated small openings rather than one extended combo.
Location: Astel's arena
TipIf the camera becomes unreliable under the body, unlock briefly and use the arena floor to guide your position.
Watch outRemaining between the limbs for extra hits exposes the player to attacks that are difficult to see through the boss model.
06
Avoid the teleporting grab
React immediately when Astel vanishes
When Astel disappears, stop committing to attacks and find the point where it returns. The teleport can lead into a grab or a sudden close-range attack, so dodge away from the reappearance and only resume offense after the animation has resolved.
Location: Astel's arena
TipKeep a reserve of stamina for the teleport response; a successful attack is not useful if it leaves no stamina for the escape.
Watch outBeing caught by the grab can end the attempt quickly, particularly if the player is already damaged.
07
Finish the second portion of the fight
Handle the later gravity escalation
As Astel's health falls, shorten attack strings and prepare for larger magical threats, including the meteor sequence. Run out of marked impact areas and do not stop to heal in an active strike zone; heal only after the spell has ended or while safely outside its coverage.
Location: Astel's arena
TipA surviving summon or co-op partner can create a valuable opening here, but do not assume it will hold the boss's attention permanently.
Watch outGreedy attacks during the final health segment are a common way to lose an otherwise successful attempt.
08
Claim the reward and continue
Confirm the victory and continue the route
After Astel falls, collect the Remembrance of the Naturalborn and use the newly available route if following Ranni the Witch's questline. The victory is not merely a loot stop for that quest: it removes the obstruction to the area beyond the boss.
Location: Astel's arena and the route beyond
TipReturn to a hub or trusted merchant before deciding whether to consume or exchange the Remembrance.
Watch outConsuming the Remembrance is irreversible for that playthrough's immediate reward choice, so check its exchange options first.
08
Pre-fight checklist
Carry a plan for scarlet rot before entering the Lake of Rot.The approach can consume healing if the player crosses without preparation.
Activate the closest available checkpoint before the final coffin approach.This reduces the cost of repeated attempts.
Choose whether the build will attack the head in melee or maintain moving ranged pressure.A mixed plan is possible, but panic-switching between distances often creates unsafe openings.
Reserve stamina for the teleporting grab and gravity attacks.Do not spend the entire bar on a long attack string.
Check that the preferred weapon, spell or summon is equipped before using the coffin.The coffin leads directly to the encounter.
Keep healing available for the boss rather than spending every charge on optional exploration.The lake and the boss demand separate resource planning.
Consider Spirit Ash or co-op support if the boss's movement prevents consistent head attacks.Support can divide attention but may also change Astel's positioning.Optional
09
Weaknesses and damage
Weaknesses and damage
Strengths
Astel controls both melee and long range, so simply retreating does not remove the encounter's main threats.
Its large body and long tail allow attacks to reach players who assume they are outside melee range.
Teleportation makes fixed positioning unreliable and can turn a safe-looking heal into a grab attempt.
Gravity magic and meteor attacks punish players who continue attacking after the boss begins a large casting animation.
Weaknesses
The head is the most dependable target for meaningful melee pressure and is easier to punish after Astel commits to an attack.
The open arena gives ranged builds room to kite, provided they move laterally and keep tracking the boss.
Recovery animations create short openings; disciplined single attacks or short combinations are safer than extended strings.
A summon or co-op partner can create additional attack windows by drawing Astel's attention away from the player.
Best uses
Use head-focused melee when the character has enough mobility to approach, strike and retreat without remaining beneath the body.
Use ranged damage when the build can maintain spell or projectile pressure while still reserving stamina for dodges.
Use support summons to create windows during the later gravity escalation, not as a replacement for watching the boss's teleport and area attacks.
10
Failure conditions
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
The player is killed by AstelDeath ends the attempt and returns the player to the last activated checkpoint, requiring another approach if the checkpoint is not near the arena.
The player remains in an active gravity or meteor zoneLarge-area magic can punish stationary attacks, healing or spell casting. Leave the marked or visibly affected area before trying to recover.
The player loses track of a teleportAstel can reappear close to the player and immediately threaten with a grab or close-range attack. Stop attacking when it vanishes and reacquire the boss first.
The player spends all healing in the Lake of RotEven a successful crossing can leave the character unable to recover from one mistake in the arena. Treat the route and boss as one preparation problem.
The player consumes the Remembrance without checking the exchange choiceThe remembrance can be consumed for runes or reserved for its unique reward exchange. Consuming it removes the immediate opportunity to choose the alternative during that playthrough.
On failure
A nearby checkpoint before the final approach is valuable because the route to the arena begins after the Lake of Rot.
11
Rewards and drops
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Rewards and dropsSpoilers
Remembrance of the Naturalborn
A remembrance item awarded for defeating Astel. It can be exchanged for a unique boss-related reward or consumed for runes, so players should inspect the exchange options before using it.
Access beyond Astel
Defeating the boss removes the obstruction on the route beyond the Grand Cloister. This progression is particularly important for continuing Ranni the Witch's questline toward the Moonlight Altar.
12
Lore
Spoilers
Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.
Astel is described as a malformed star born in the void, and its presence connects the underground regions of the with a wider cosmic threat. Its appearance is deliberately alien: the skull-like head and insectoid body do not resemble the ordinary creatures encountered on the surface, reinforcing the idea that Astel is an outsider rather than a native beast.
The boss is associated with destruction from above. Its attacks call down gravity and celestial force, while the surrounding route through the Lake of Rot places the player in an environment shaped by decay and deep underground mystery. The location makes the encounter feel like the end of a descent through increasingly hostile spaces.
Astel's defeat also has narrative significance because the creature blocks the route required for the next stage of Ranni the Witch's story. The player is not simply clearing an optional dungeon room: for that questline, defeating this void-born entity is the act that opens the way toward the elevated region beyond the underground basin.
13
Entities associated with the encounter
Ranni the WitchQuestline connected to the progression gate beyond Astel
Astel's encounter is one of the clearest examples of Elden Ring using a cosmic, void-born creature as a major underground story gate rather than as a surface-world enemy.
The game contains another boss with Astel in its name, Astel, Stars of Darkness, but the two encounters are separate entities and are found in different locations.
The reward's name, Remembrance of the Naturalborn, identifies Astel as a remembrance-bearing boss rather than an ordinary field or dungeon enemy.
The boss arena is reached by interacting with a coffin at the Grand Cloister, making the final transition visually distinct from a standard fog-door approach.
16
Astel, Naturalborn of the Void FAQ
Is Astel, Naturalborn of the Void optional?
Yes. Astel is optional for a general playthrough, but defeating it is required to continue the relevant route in Ranni the Witch's questline.
Where do I fight Astel, Naturalborn of the Void?
The boss is fought in an arena beyond the Grand Cloister, which is reached by crossing the Lake of Rot and using the coffin at the end of the area.
What should I attack on Astel?
The head is the most practical target for repeated damage. Melee players should attack after a committed swipe, bite or spell and then move away before the next limb or gravity sequence.
Can I safely stay at long range?
Long range creates room for spells and projectiles but is not completely safe. Astel can launch cosmic attacks, summon gravity effects and teleport close to the player, so ranged characters must keep moving and watch for its disappearance.
How do I deal with Astel's teleport?
Stop attacking as soon as Astel vanishes, turn the camera to locate its reappearance and dodge away from the landing point. The teleport can lead into a grab or an immediate close-range attack.
What is the main preparation issue before the fight?
The Lake of Rot comes immediately before the Grand Cloister, so scarlet rot management is essential. Bring the restorative tools available to the build and preserve healing for the boss itself.
What does Astel drop?
Astel awards the Remembrance of the Naturalborn. It can be exchanged for a unique reward or consumed for runes, so check the exchange options before consuming it.
What happens after Astel is defeated?
The route beyond the boss becomes available. This allows the player following Ranni the Witch's questline to continue toward the Moonlight Altar.
coreRanni the WitchDefeating Astel allows the player to continue the route associated with Ranni the Witch.
Optional field boss and late-game challenge encounterAstel, Stars of DarknessA separate Astel-named boss found elsewhere in the game.
Optional Evergaol boss and source of the Battlemage Hugues Ashes Spirit Ash.Battlemage HuguesBattlemage Hugues is an optional boss encountered inside Sellia Evergaol in Caelid. Defeating him rewards the Battlemage Hugues Ashes, a Spirit Ash that reproduces his heavy sorcery and melee style.
Optional remembrance boss and final encounter of the Jagged Peak route in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.Bayle the DreadBayle the Dread is the climactic dragon boss of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, fought at Jagged Peak Summit and tied to the Dragon Communion Priestess and Igon questlines.