Elden Ring Unravels Mystery with Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree expansion finally unveils the fate of the enigmatic Dragonlord Placidusax, resolving a long-standing mystery surrounding his missing body parts. The DLC reveals the source of the formidable boss's missing heads and other injuries.

Spoiler Warning: This discussion contains significant lore and boss spoilers for Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree.

Dragonlord Placidusax, a notoriously challenging secret boss found in Crumbling Farum Azula, is encountered in a significantly weakened state, missing three heads and a wing. The recently released expansion clarifies this by showing two of his missing heads impaled on Bayle the Dread, another formidable dragon boss. The damage is mutual; Bayle also suffers grievous injuries, missing wings and limbs, seemingly torn off in the same epic battle.

The Talisman of the Dread, found in Elder's Hovel, provides further context. Its description details a legendary duel between Bayle and Placidusax, a "challenge" issued by Bayle resulting in "grievous mutual injury." This explains the severely damaged state of both creatures, highlighting the ferocity of their encounter. Despite their injuries, both remain immensely powerful bosses, boasting massive health pools and complex attack patterns. Bayle's aggressive initial assault presents a unique challenge, demanding strategic use of Spirit Ashes or specific item combinations.

While the whereabouts of Placidusax's third head remain unknown, the evidence strongly suggests Bayle's involvement in its removal as well. The discovery provides a satisfying conclusion to a long-standing question within the Elden Ring community, enriching the game's lore and further highlighting the epic scale of the conflict between these two ancient dragons.