Elden Ring is no stranger to terrifying enemies, but the Yapped Rune Bear stands out as one of the most overwhelming optional bosses in the Lands Between. Massive, aggressive, and with a punishing moveset, this creature has broken many a Tarnished spirit. But fear not—this guide will break down how to take it down cleanly, and more importantly, how to do it without dying.
Where to Find the Yapped Rune Bear
The Yapped Rune Bear lurks deep within the northern woods of Liurnia, near a sealed cave that opens only after triggering a specific rune event. You’ll know you’re close when the ambient sounds grow tense and distant roars echo through the trees. It’s a late mid-game boss, so make sure you’re well-leveled before stepping into its domain.
Preparation Is Everything
Going into this fight without preparation is a recipe for disaster. Equip armor with strong physical and slash resistance—think Bull-Goat or Crucible Tree armor sets. Make sure your Flask of Wondrous Physick is optimized for healing and stamina recovery. Also, stock up on crafting materials or buy Elden Ring Items like boluses and resins to give yourself the edge.
Magic users should lean on high-damage spells like Comet Azur or Night Comet, while melee players should bring weapons with bleed or frost buildup. The Yapped Rune Bear is susceptible to both, especially if you can maintain pressure between its attack windows.
Learn Its Attack Patterns
The Yapped Rune Bear has a fast and relentless moveset that includes:
- Double swipe + slam combo: Often chained with a leap or roar.
- 360° spin attack: Hard to dodge if you’re locked on too tightly.
- Unblockable charge: This is the one that gets most players—roll toward the charge to avoid it.
- Bellowing Roar: Causes minor stagger and opens the bear up for a brief punishment window.
The key to surviving is staying calm and learning its rhythm. Most of its attacks come with exaggerated windups. Watch its shoulders—when it starts to twist, it’s about to spin. When it crouches, a leap is incoming. Patience wins this fight.
Summon Wisely
Spirit Ashes can be a game-changer here. Mimic Tear is great for splitting aggro, but players who prefer ranged support might opt for Latenna the Albinauric. Just make sure to keep your summons alive long enough to draw attention, giving you a few clean hits or heals in return.
Co-op is also an option if you’re really stuck. While some players like to buy Elden Ring runes or other resources to keep their character powered up, sometimes the best boost is a real ally with solid teamwork.
The Safe Strategy: Hit and Run
For melee players, circling the bear’s left side gives the best results. Wait for it to finish a combo, then dash in for one or two hits and immediately retreat. Don’t get greedy—this boss punishes overconfidence.
Ranged users should keep their distance but remain mobile. Don’t spam spells wildly. Wait for the bear’s longer animations, like after its slam or spin, to cast. Use terrain and trees as obstacles to buy time for FP regen.
After the Kill
Defeating the Yapped Rune Bear rewards a significant amount of runes and a unique talisman that enhances stamina recovery, making it especially useful for aggressive melee builds. If you’re looking to save time and invest in upgrading your character, some players choose to buy Elden Ring runes to keep the momentum going, especially after such a high-stakes battle.
The Yapped Rune Bear is tough, but not unbeatable. With preparation, strategy, and patience, you can bring it down without losing a single life. Don’t let its size and aggression throw you off—every move it makes can be answered if you stay focused and fight smart.
Keep exploring, keep upgrading, and never forget: every boss in Elden Ring has a weakness. You just have to find it.
