How to Beat Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater: Boss Fight Guide

This is a guide on how to beat Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater, an optional boss in Elden Ring found in the Smoldering Church. Read on to learn more about Anastasia's strengths, weaknesses, attack patterns, and lore!

Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater General Info

Stats and Rewards

Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater
Weakness	Resistance	Immune
━	━	━
Affected By	━
Spirit Ashes Available?	No
Rune Rewards	2531 (NG)
Summonable NPCs	None
Location	・Corpse-Stench Shack, Altus Plateau ・Ordina, Liturgical Town, Mountaintops of the Giants ・Smoldering Church, Caelid
Item Drops	・Sacred Scorpion Charm ・Furlcalling Finger Remedy

Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater Location

Where to Find

Anastasia can be found at the Smoldering Church in the most northeastern part of Limgrave. She will appear in front of the church ruins as you approach them, so don't count on being able to save at the Smoldering Church Site of Grace. Instead, use one of the other nearby Sites of Grace in preparation for the fight.

How to Beat Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater

Tips for Beating Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater
Take advantage of her slow attacks with your own backstrikes
Do NOT let her break your stance or you die
Have at least a medium roll speed to avoid her greatsword

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Ranged Strategy

Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater Boss Tips
Bring a physical weapon for backup
Cast spells when she uses forward movement

Bring a physical weapon for backup

Like all hostile NPCs, Anastia is nimble and will try to dodge ranged attacks. Her attacks are relatively slow due to her big greatsword, but she can still close the distance fairly quickly, so keep at least a small blade as a secondary weapon if she gets too close.

Cast spells when she uses forward movement

Try to hit Anastasia with your spells when she's stuck in an attack animation or forward movement such as a roll. It will be much easier to land spells this way, as she's generally quite good at dodging them.

Melee Strategy

Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater Boss Tips
Keep Anastasia at medium distance
Bait Wild Strikes' final swing by positioning just outside of its range during its animation

Keep Anastasia at medium distance

Most of Anastasia's attacks leave her open wide open if they don't land, so staying at medium distance will allow you to avoid getting hit and give you the chance to run in quickly to deal damage after her attack has finished.

Bait Wild Strikes' final swing by positioning just outside of its range during its animation

Bait Wild Strikes' final swing by positioning just outside of its range during its animation, then murder her. This attack has a long, slow animation, so it should give you enough time to plan your response.

Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater Attack Patterns

Spinning Slash

Anastasia spins in a circle once, swinging her greatsword horizontally. She pauses after the attack finishes, so try to get behind her for a backstab.

Wild Strikes

Anastasia swings a greatsword up to eight times in front of her while slowly advancing forward. The first seven swings cut diagonally, then she charges forward and swings once more horizontally.

Bait out this attack by standing just outside its reach, then punishing her afterward while she recovers.

Chop

Anastasia takes her greatsword with both hands and lunges forward, chopping the ground. The range is very short on this attack, so it's unlikely to land if you've been keeping your distance. Respond to this attack with your own, as Anastasia will need to recover after this attack.

Vertical Chop

A variant of chop where Anastasia jumps first, then does the same chopping motion. The attack doesn't cover much ground, so the boss tends to land close to where the attack starts. Just like the regular version, move on the offense when Anastasia lands.

Elden Ring Related Guides

List of All Bosses

DLC Bosses

Main Bosses

Optional Bosses

Mini-Bosses

Hostile NPCs and Invaders