Divine Beast Dancing Lion Guide: Location & Tips

The Divine Beast Dancing Lion is a mandatory boss in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, found at the foot of the tower in Belurat, Tower Settlement. You fight it to obtain the first of two Great Runes needed to enter the final area of the DLC. This guide covers its exact location, how to beat it, and the best tips and tricks for both melee and spellcasters.

Location: How to Reach the Dancing Lion

The Dancing Lion is the boss of Belurat, Tower Settlement, the first major legacy dungeon in the DLC. To reach it, you must first enter the Realm of Shadow by touching Miquella’s cocoon in Mohgwyn Palace. From the starting area, follow the path east through the Gravesite Plain until you reach the large, walled settlement of Belurat.

1. Enter Belurat through the main gate and work your way upward through the streets and rooftops.
2. Activate the “Small Altar” Site of Grace, then continue up the central tower.
3. You will eventually reach a large arena with a fog gate—this is the boss room. Interact with the golden mist to begin the fight.

There is no way to skip the boss; it must be defeated to progress. The nearest Site of Grace after the fight is “Divine Beast Dancing Lion,” which appears in the boss arena.

Boss Overview: Attacks and Phases

The Dancing Lion is a large, beast-like creature that uses a mix of physical claw swipes, spinning leaps, and elemental attacks. It has two main phases, triggered when its health drops to about half.

Phase 1 (Physical): The lion uses fast claw combos, a forward lunge, and a spinning tail swipe. It also has a roar that staggers you if you are too close.

Phase 2 (Elemental): The lion infuses its attacks with lightning, frost, or a whirlwind of storm clouds. It gains new attacks, including a lightning slam that creates a shockwave and a frost breath that can inflict frostbite. The boss becomes more aggressive and has longer combos.

How to Beat the Dancing Lion: Step-by-Step Strategy

The key to this fight is staying close to the boss’s rear and learning to dodge its telegraphed attacks. Here is a reliable strategy that works for most builds:

1. Summon Spirit Ashes: Use a tanky spirit ash like Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche to draw aggro. This gives you openings to attack from behind.
2. Stay behind it: The lion’s front attacks are deadly, but its rear is relatively safe. Attack its hind legs and tail.
3. Dodge into its attacks: Roll toward the boss when it does a claw swipe, not away. This puts you in position to counterattack.
4. Watch for the spin: When the lion rears up and spins, roll away twice to avoid the full arc.
5. Use a shield: If you struggle with dodging, a greatshield with high stability can block most physical attacks, but beware of the elemental attacks that can chip through.
6. Heal only during safe windows: After it finishes a combo or misses a lunge, back off and heal. Do not heal while it is idle, as it will often punish you.

Tips and Tricks for Different Builds

Your approach will vary depending on your character’s strengths. Here are specific tips for common playstyles:

• Melee (Strength/Dex): Use a weapon with good reach, like a spear or halberd, to hit the boss from behind while staying out of its claw range. Consider using the “Bloodhound’s Step” Ash of War to evade its combos.
• Spellcasters (Sorcery/Incantation): Keep your distance and use fast-casting spells like Glintstone Pebble or Lightning Spear. The boss is vulnerable to Scarlet Rot and Poison, so consider using the Rotten Breath incantation or Poison Mist. Summon a spirit ash to keep the boss busy while you cast.
• Faith/Arcane: Use the Dragon Communion incantations, especially “Rotten Breath” (Scarlet Rot) and “Ekzykes’s Decay” to inflict status effects. These will do damage over time and make the fight much shorter.
• Parry-focused: The Dancing Lion cannot be parried. Do not attempt it.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many players struggle with this boss due to a few common errors. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Being too aggressive: The boss has very fast recovery times. If you attack after every dodge, you will get hit. Wait for a clear opening, such as after its spinning leap or when it does a long recovery animation.
• Standing in front of it: The lion’s front attacks have huge hitboxes and can one-shot you. Always try to circle around to its back.
• Not using status effects: The boss is not immune to Scarlet Rot or Poison. Inflicting these can make the fight significantly easier, especially in phase 2.
• Ignoring the elemental phase: In phase 2, the lion’s attacks deal extra elemental damage. Equip talismans that boost lightning, frost, or magic resistance, such as the Pearldrake Talisman or Spelldrake Talisman.
• Forgetting to upgrade your weapon: The DLC scales heavily with weapon level. Make sure your weapon is at least +10 (or +5 for somber weapons) before attempting this boss.

Rewards and Aftermath

Defeating the Divine Beast Dancing Lion rewards you with:

• Remembrance of the Dancing Lion (can be exchanged for the Divine Beast Head or the Blasphemous Claw).
• Dancing Lion’s Great Rune (required to enter the Shadow Keep).
• 120,000 Runes (before any NG+ multipliers).

After the fight, you can access the rest of Belurat and eventually the Scadu Altus region. The Great Rune is not equippable; it is a story item that unlocks the path forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dancing Lion weak to any element?

The boss is most vulnerable to Scarlet Rot and Poison. It also takes slightly more damage from Strike and Slash attacks than from Thrust. It is resistant to Frost, so avoid using frost-infused weapons.

Can I summon NPCs for this fight?

Yes, you can summon the NPC “Horned Warrior” if you have progressed the “Needle Knight Leda” questline far enough. His summon sign is located just outside the boss fog gate. Spirit Ashes are also allowed.

What is the best Spirit Ash for this boss?

The Mimic Tear is generally the best because it copies your build and can tank hits. If you are a caster, the Black Knife Tiche is excellent because she is fast and applies a health-reducing debuff.

How do I avoid the lightning slam in phase 2?

When the lion raises its front legs and lightning crackles around it, wait for the slam and then roll sideways (not backward) just as it hits the ground. The shockwave has a wide radius, so you need to be at mid-range to dodge it effectively.

What level should I be for this boss?

The DLC is balanced for characters around level 150 or higher, but your weapon level and Scadutree Blessing level matter more. Aim for at least Scadutree Blessing level 3 or 4 before fighting the Dancing Lion.

Does the boss have any lore significance?

Yes, the Dancing Lion is a divine beast that was once a symbol of the Hornsent’s faith. It is said to be a vessel for a god, and its dance is a form of prayer. The boss’s design is inspired by the Chinese lion dance, which is a common motif in the game’s world.

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