Dragons, humanoids, trolls, otherworldly beings, and whatever else are all scattered around the game world in Elden Ring, just waiting for you to embark on a battle with them to the death.
Among those arduous-to-beat enemies is the Magma Wyrm Makar, a seemingly challenging boss to best, thanks to its fire attacks and tendency to charge at its targets. Defeating it may seem a daunting prospect, but the right approach and strategy will allow you to conquer it like any challenge.
Magma Wyrm Makar Overview
As the name suggests, the Magma Wyrm Makar is a wyrm, a snake-like, fire-breathing dragon. Wyrms are humans who were cursed to crawl the earth upon their bellies as condemnation for taking part in the dragon communion.
Weaknesses: Magma Wyrm Makar is weak to Sleep, Strike, Pierce, and Standard damage.
Elden Ring Magma Wyrm Makar’s Location: Magma Wyrm Makar can be found in Ruin-Strewn Precipice in Caelid, northeast of Liurnia of the Lakes. Here is how to get to the fight:
The easiest way to get to Magma Wyrm Makar is to start from the Ravine site of grace and then head northeast through the ravine itself while avoiding any enemies on your way.
You will eventually get to a wooden building with a short set of stairs in front of the entrance and a ladder inside. Scale the first ladder, then the second, then the third, and make your way through the light blue-tinted cave to another ladder leading to another blue-tinted cave.
Watch out for the numerous enemies guarding the entrance to the tunnel. Go right, and pull the lever. Hop on the platform and let it take you up to the next story.
Keep going through the tunnel until you find a set of stairs on your right. Ignore the stairs and go left, through another tunnel. On the other side of the tunnel, you will find another elevator, which will take you to a set of stairs.
Once you take both sets of stairs and climb the ladder ahead, head west towards the porch-like structure and climb the ladder on it, follow the path and turn left towards the next ladder. You will find another structure, with two enemies perched on it and an elevator.
Once your elevator journey is over, you will be met by a cave entrance. Going through that entrance will lead you to the boss fight.
Can you skip Magma Wyrm Makar?
Since Magma Wyrm Makar is an optional boss, you are not required to defeat it. However, you will be rewarded with some worthwhile items if you do so.
Pre-fight Preparation
Assuming you have made it to the boss fight location, you’ll need to make some pre-fight preparations to help facilitate your fight strategy.
What level should I be for Magma Wyrm?
In typical Elden Ring fashion, this boss fight can be accessed reasonably early in the game, when players are yet to reach the recommended level to fight the Magma Wyrm Makar.
If you’re one of those players and you’re lower than level 30, make sure to go level up your character and come back later so that you’re no longer at a disadvantage.
Summon tanky or ranged spirit ashes
During this boss fight, spirit ashes can be of great help, as they’ll distract the boss and deal bits of damage to it.
However, The Wyrm will spew magma around itself throughout the fight, which will leave sizeable areas of danger scattered around the arena.
Melee spirit ashes will most likely perish early in the boss fight due to damage sustained from the magma. Whereas ranged spirit ashes will keep out of the boss’ reach at all times, reducing the likeliness of them stepping in magma.
On the other hand, Tanky’s spirit ashes should be able to outlive the damage from the magma.
Avoid summoning any melee spirit ashes unless they’re tanky. Ideally, you should summon spirit ashes that are tanky and ranged, such as the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes, for maximum effect. Ranged spirit ashes, such as Latenna the Albinauric, would make for a good pick.
Spirit Jellyfish Ashes can be obtained from Roderika in Stormhill Shack in Limgrave.
Bring fire-resistant items
The Wyrm’s hallmark attack is its Magma breath, leaving several AoEs scattered around the arena, which become increasingly difficult to avoid as the battle grows older.
A Flamedrake Talisman or a Fireproof Dried Live, or any fire-resistant item, can greatly assist you, as they negate the effect of fire damage.
The Flamedrake Talisman is awarded to players after defeating the Beastamn of Farum Azula in either Groveside Cave or Dragonbarrow Cave.
The Fireproof Dried Liver can be found on a corpse in the cellar of Stormveil Castle.
Casters should use powerful magic spells.
While the boss isn’t technically “weak” to magic damage, its resistance to it is fairly low. This fact is somewhat irrelevant to melee players, as they have a myriad of strike and pierce weapons at their disposal.
Casters, however, should capitalize on the Wyrm’s low resistance to magic by using spells, such as Comet Azur and Meteorite.
Comet Azur can be obtained from Primeval Sorcerer Azur, sitting near the cliffs northeast of Mt. Gelmir.
Meteorite can be obtained after defeating the Onyx Lord in Royal Grave Evergaol. Check out our guide if you need some help defeating the Onyx Lord.
Melee should coat weapons in Magic Grease.
Should you want to maximize your damage, you must exploit all of the boss’s weaknesses as a melee player.
Assuming you’re already using a weapon that deals strike or pierce damage, coating it in magic grease will further accentuate your advantage over the Magma Wyrm Makar.
Bring a copious number of HP flasks.
Since most of this boss’s attacks are virtually one-hitters, it would be wise to bring in a fair number of health-regenerating flasks if you sustain any damage from the Magma Wyrm Makar.
Fight Strategy
Like any Elden Ring boss fight, an effective fight strategy is an utmost priority to get the better of the boss. We’re sure you’ll breeze past the Magma Wyrm Makar if you implement the following tips.
Stay close to the boss’ hind legs.
The boss’ back-facing defensive moves are quite limited, allowing you to strike from behind and the side with minimal risk of sustaining damage.
This becomes especially overpowered during the second phase, as the Wyrm stands up on its hind legs, making it more vulnerable than before, and giving you the possibility of tripping it down and striking its head for extra damage.
Ranged players should keep away from the boss.
Instead of lurking close to the boss’ hind legs, ranged players must maintain a good distance away from the boss to make use of their bows and casts.
That being said, the same concept applies. Keep behind the boss and continuously attack its sides and hind legs.
Capitalize on the aid from your spirit ashes
Considering the moveset of the Magma Wyrm Makar, your summoned spirit ashes may not last as long as you’d like them to. So, capitalize on their assistance while still there by mounting heavy attacks and using powerful casts whenever the boss is preoccupied with the spirits.
Target the boss’ head whenever possible
For melee players, this is easier said than done. The only viable and safe opportunity to strike the boss’ head as a melee player is during the second phase after you topple it down.
However, for ranged players, targeting and hitting the boss’ head for extra damage can be done whenever the boss is executing its tail swipe attack, being distracted by the spirit ashes, or while it’s standing still.
Striking the boss’ head is a viable tactic that grants ranged players a slight edge over their melee counterparts.
Be wary of the ground around you.
This boss’s marquee attack is its Magma breath, plaguing the arena with several magma puddles.
Pay attention to what’s around you and plan your movements ahead of time not to corner yourself.
Anticipate a Magma Breath attack from any direction
While most times, the Magma Wyrm Makar will spew magma directly in front of it as it moves around, it will sometimes spew it towards its side, potentially catching you off-guard.
As long as you’re up close and personal to the boss, keep an eye on what attacks its performing, and if you notice any magma, you can either wait and see which side it’s landing on if you’re feeling daring or steer clear of the boss until it finishes the attack.
Make use of your surroundings.
You’ll find a large pillar in the center of the arena, which can be used as a barrier between yourself and the boss.
If you’re lucky, the Magma Wyrm Makar might get stuck against the pillar, allowing you to attack it freely or take a breather.
Dodge through physical attacks
Most of the boss’ non-magma attacks can be dodged with relative ease, as long as you’ve got the timing down to a tee.
You’ll probably find more luck dodging through certain attacks than others, but it’s still worth trying, as it will place you in a prime position to strike.
Be patient
Once you find yourself in prime striking positions, don’t be over-eager, and don’t try your luck. Err on the side of caution and limit your attacks to four or so attacks, then retreat before the boss can retaliate.
Eventually, you’ll beat the Magma Wyrm Makar.
How to cheese Magma Wyrm Makar?
Whether your efforts have fallen short of defeating the Magma Wyrm Makar, you cannot be bothered and have no desire to fight it. You want to get your precious rewards scot-free; we get that.
You’re in luck because, despite popular belief, the Magma Wyrm Makar can be cheesed. Here’s how:
Before we start, you need the Rock Sling spell and numerous FP flasks for this strategy to work.
You’ll need to access the boss fight from behind for this strategy. You need to jump to your death down the elevator shaft near the Abandoned Coffin site of grace. Doing so will trigger the elevator to rise while you respawn. Once you respawn, go back to the elevator shaft, which will now be up, and descend to the back “entrance” to the boss fight, covered by mist.
Stand as close as possible to the mist and start casting your spell around the arena, starting from one side and slowly moving to the other. As soon as you notice a health bar pop up, stop and maintain the same direction, as that is where the Wyrm is.
Keep shooting in that direction until the Magma Wyrm Makar is no more.
Rewards
Whether you’ve defeated the Magma Wyrm Makar properly or cheesed the boss fight, you’ll be entitled to the following rewards:
- 24,000 Runes on your first playthrough.
- Magma Wyrm’s Scalesword: A curved greatsword, perfect for builds with high strength and faith.
- Dragon Heart: A consumable item that can be traded at the Church of Dragon Communion for dragon-based incantations.
You now know all there is to know about the Magma Wyrm Makar and should be as ready as can be to take on and defeat the boss, using the strategies and knowledge bestowed upon you in this guide.
