Dragonlord Placidusax

竜王プラキドサクス　(Ryūō Purakidosakusu)

**Dragonlord Placidusax** is a boss in *Elden Ring*, encountered in Crumbling Farum Azula.

## Overview

In the prehistoric era before the age of the Erdtree, the world was ruled by the Ancient Dragons. Above them all was Placidusax, a many-headed Ancient Dragon who ruled as Elden Lord from the royal city of Farum Azula.

When Placidusax's god fled, the Dragonlord resolved to await its return, withdrawing to his seat at the heart of the storm beyond time. Farum Azula became a mausoleum enshrining Placidusax, guarded by chosen Beastmen. In his absence, the age of the Erdtree began under the rule of Queen Marika the Eternal, and the descendants of the Ancient Dragons became enfeebled, weak to the primeval lightning wielded by their forebears. Placidusax's Gravel Stone Scales were disseminated throughout the world, used as smithing stones said to allow for the creation of god-slaying weapons by lightly twisting time.

A Tarnished finds their way into Placidusax's seat at the heart of the storm while exploring Farum Azula in search of the Rune of Death. They approach Placidusax, who attempts to ward off the intruder. Placidusax ultimately falls to the Tarnished interloper, dying without ever being reunited with their missing god.

## Boss Information

### Moveset

 Giant Lightning Bolt
 Lightning Claws
 Wing Slam
 Lightning Claw Lunge
 Golden Fire Breath
 Rear Fire Breath
 Tail Sweep
 Boulder Throw
 Thundercloud
 Teleporting Lightning Claws
 Moving Thundercloud
 Placidusax's Ruin
 Performs a Lightning Strike and then vanishes while the lightning bolts are still being summoned. Performs his Moving Thundercloud move and lands some distance from the player. Breaths fire directly in front of him using both heads, before both jets of fire turn into narrow lasers which sweep erratically around the arena, covering a large distance.

### Phase 1

Placidusax will begin the fight by summoning a storm of red lightning bolts which rain down on the arena for a few seconds. During his first phase, he will primarily use lightning claw attacks if the player is in front, a slam attack with his wings if they are to either side, and a tail sweep if they get behind him. He also has fire breath attacks which cover a large area in front of or around him. He has an area of effect attack which involves summoning a large lightning bolt and thrusting it into the ground, creating a massive explosion after a short delay. When he performs this attack, the music will briefly get quieter and red waves will emanate from where the lightning bolt hits, providing an indicator for the range of the explosion.

### Phase 2

Placidusax now gains the ability to disappear in a cloud of fog. If he floats into the air before doing so, he will reappear in a stationary or moving thundercloud above the arena, before emerging and diving down at the player. He also gains the ability to disappear and reappear in quick succession, unleashing attacks with his lightning claws in between.

### Environment

The arena is a large, circular platform with pillars dotted around the outside. These can be destroyed by Placidusax's attacks. The size of the arena gives ample room to avoid his area of effect or dodge his divebomb attacks.

## Notes

* Placidusax shows serious signs of damage on it's body. Notably he is missing three of his five heads, in spite of the Old Lord's Talisman showing just four.
* Part of a dragon’s body (an arm, wing, and head) resembling Placidusax can be seen sticking out of a body of rock in Farum Azula prior to reaching his arena.
* According to the Remembrance of the Dragonlord, Placidusax was an Elden Lord before the era of the Erdtree, making him the earliest known Elden Lord.
* Placidusax's design is most likely modeled after King Ghidorah.

## References

1. ↑ Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Remembrance of the Dragonlord
3. ↑ Old Lord's Talisman
4. ↑ Azula Beastman Ashes
5. ↑ Dragon Greatclaw
6. ↑ Dragon King's Cragblade
7. ↑ Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone
8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FS6OKJf7Eo