Hey Tarnished! So, you're aiming for that elusive Duskborn ending in Elden Ring, huh? Let me tell you, the path is long and leads to one of the game's most epic and secret showdowns: Lichdragon Fortissax. This isn't your average dragon fight, oh no. It's the grand finale of Fia's questline, and it's an absolute must-do for any completionist. Forget the base ending, the real lore and challenge are hidden away, waiting for you to uncover them. As of 2026, this boss remains one of the most talked-about secrets in the Lands Between. Let me walk you through the whole journey, from the first hug to the final, glorious victory.

How To Start Fia's Questline In Elden Ring

First things first, you gotta find our favorite Deathbed Companion. You'll first meet Fia in Roundtable Hold. The quest truly kicks off when she gives you a weathered dagger. This is your key item! You need to give this broken dagger to D, Hunter of the Dead. He's usually hanging out near the Roundtable's balcony. Handing it over sets a chain of events in motion that will take you to some seriously deep places.

Your next major stop is Nokron, Eternal City. Here, you'll face the Valiant Gargoyle boss duo. Tough fight, but once they're down, look around the arena! You'll find a coffin. Don't be shy, hop in! It acts as a transport, sending you to the hidden area of Deeproot Depths. This place is magical, spooky, and absolutely massive.

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The Trek Through Deeproot Depths

Once you arrive in Deeproot Depths, head west from the starting point toward the Great Waterfall Crest Site of Grace. Mount up on Torrent and keep going west. You'll eventually see a huge tree root acting as a bridge. Take it! Follow this path, and you'll find the Deeproot Depths Site of Grace. Keep exploring in the general direction from there, and you'll meet an NPC dressed like a fortune teller chilling by a cliff. You're on the right track!

Where To Find The Lichdragon Fortissax Secret Boss

Now for the precise navigation. Continue down the path past the fortune teller. You'll come across a small, cottage-like structure. Grab the map fragment nearby if you haven't already. From there, head southwest to activate the Nameless Eternal City Site of Grace.

Next, go south through an archway guarded by a tough enemy knight. Pro tip: just deal with him. He's persistent and will chase you down. After the archway, travel east, navigating through a maze of giant tree roots. You'll hit a fork in the path—go right. This leads you to the 'Across the Roots' Site of Grace. And there she is, Fia, waiting.

But wait! Before you just run up and chat, you need to defeat her Champions. Three tough spectral warriors will appear to protect her. Take them down. Once they're gone, you can finally talk to Fia. Here's a crucial step: you must give her the Cursemark of Death. You get this key item from Ranni's questline, specifically from a corpse at the top of the Divine Tower of Liurnia. Hand it over.

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After giving her the Cursemark, leave the area and come back. You'll find Fia asleep. Interact with her to enter her dream. And boom—you're in the boss arena. Welcome to the lair of the Lichdragon Fortissax.

How To Defeat The Lichdragon Fortissax: Best Tips & Strategy

Okay, let's talk tactics. This dragon is no joke. He's arguably the hardest dragon fight in the game, and for good reason.

Phase 1: He shares many moves with other dragons—swipes, bites, and fire breath. His main gimmick is that he always tries to face you head-on. If you try to circle to his side or back, he'll quickly readjust with a swift swipe or back off to use a ranged attack. My advice? Surprisingly, stick near his head. Hits to the noggin do double damage! It's risky but rewarding.

Phase 2: This is where things get electrifying. Fortissax dramatically increases his lightning-based attacks. You'll see:

  • Lightning Spear slams

  • Glaive sweeps

  • Huge area-of-effect lightning strikes

The good news? These moves are heavily telegraphed. Watch for the glow and the raise of his weapons. The bad news? They hit like a truck.

Essential Prep & Strategy:

  • Consumable is Key: Come in with the Lightningproof Liver equipped. This item is a lifesaver, massively reducing all that lightning damage. Don't leave the Roundtable without it!

  • Weapon Choice: Holy damage is very effective here. Weapons like the Sacred Relic Sword or any weapon you can buff with Sacred Order or Holy Grease will give you an edge.

  • Play Patiently: Learn his lightning telegraphs. Roll into the lightning spears, not away. His combo strings are long, so wait for a clear opening after he finishes a big move.

  • Spirit Ashes: If you're summoning, a tanky spirit like Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche can draw agresso you can safely target the head.

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The Rewards: SO Worth It.

When you finally bring this magnificent beast down, the payoff is incredible. You'll get:

  • A whopping 90,000 Runes (cha-ching!)

  • Remembrance of the Lichdragon. Take this to Enia at Roundtable Hold to get your choice of two incredible items:

    1. Fortissax's Lightning Spear (An awesome Incantation)

    2. Death Lightning (Another powerful Incantation)

Completing this fight is also the final step for Fia's quest, locking you into the path for the Age of the Duskborn ending. It's a journey of death, dreams, and dragons that truly encapsulates the epic scale of Elden Ring's world. So gear up, Tarnished. Your date with destiny (and a very angry lichdragon) awaits. Good luck, and don't you dare go hollow! \ud83d\udc09\u26a1