In the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, Ancient Dragon-Man is an optional boss that can be found in the Dragon's Pit area. It's a challenging encounter due to its fast melee attacks and powerful dragon abilities. Here's how to defeat it.
Location
Gravesite Plain, Dragon’s Pit: After securing access to the Land of Shadow by defeating necessary bosses from the base game, head to the Dragon’s Pit in Gravesite Plain to encounter the Ancient Dragon-Man.
Preparation
•Character Level: Aim for a level around 150. This boss is considered one of the easier ones in the DLC, but preparation will make the battle smoother.
Weapon Choice:
•Lightning Damage: Weapons like Bolt of Gransax or Death Knight's Twin Axes which deal innate Lightning damage are ideal. Alternatively, use the Sanctified Whetblade or Vyke's Dragonbolt to imbue your weapon with Lightning.
Armor and Talismans:
Equip armor with good Bleed resistance since the boss can apply Bleed buildup with his attacks. Talismans that boost your damage or help with stamina management can be beneficial.
Consumables:
Bolstering Boluses or other items that increase Bleed resistance. Ensure you have a good number of Crimson Flasks for healing.
Spirit Ashes:
Summoning can make the fight easier. Choose a Spirit Ash that can distract the boss or deal significant damage.
Battle Strategy
General Approach:
•Dodge and Counter: Ancient Dragon-Man has a predictable pattern. Dodge his attacks and look for openings to attack, especially after his more telegraphed moves like the jumping slam or dragon head summon.
Specific Moves to Watch For:
•Sprinting Slash: He'll run towards you with three possible attacks: a jumping downward slash, a piercing strike, or this basic slash. Dodge to the side for this one.
•Dragon Head Summon: A slow attack where a large dragon head appears to bite. Dodge away or wait for the recovery to attack.
•Air Slash Wave: When he jumps and glows red, he'll send out a wave of cutting energy. Roll through it at the right moment or dodge away to avoid it.
•Healing: At half health, he'll attempt to heal. This is your moment to deal uninterrupted damage.
Tactics: 
•Bleed Management: Don't rely heavily on blocking due to Bleed build-up. Dodge his attacks instead.
•Punishing Openings: Use his recovery times after heavy attacks to get in your own hits. Light attacks can stagger him if timed correctly.
•Avoiding Dragon Attacks: His dragon head attacks are slow but powerful. Keep your distance or dodge at the last second for safety.
Summoning Strategy:
If using a summon, let it take the boss's agro while you attack from behind or the side.
Rewards
•Runes: You'll gain 130,000 runes upon defeating him.
•Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana: This weapon is unique to this boss fight, offering good damage and reach.
Post-Battle
After defeating Ancient Dragon-Man, you can proceed through the large doors at the end of his arena to explore further into the DLC, leading to areas like Jagged Peak and Charo's Hidden Grave.
Community Insights
Players on platforms like X have shared various strategies, indicating that while not considered the hardest boss, patience and learning his patterns are key. Some humorously simplified the strategy to "hit him until he dies while not getting hit," highlighting the essence of Souls-like combat.
Continue
Despite its aggressive moveset and the environment of the Dragon's Pit, this boss can be defeated with patience, timing your dodges, and understanding when to attack. In this battle, you will be tested on your ability to respond to visual cues and manage your stamina effectively. It is designed to be both challenging and entertaining.
