In Elden Ring, some of the most memorable encounters aren't the mainline bosses tied to story progression but the optional foes scattered across the Lands Between. Among these is the Beastman of Farum Azula, a ferocious enemy said to hail from a doomed city in the sky. The Beastman fights with animalistic aggression, slashing relentlessly with its massive cleaver and pouncing like a wild predator.

Though not required to advance the game's story, the Beastman of Farum Azula is worth hunting down. Beating this foe grants valuable Elden Ring Runes for leveling, unique drops, and the satisfaction of mastering one of the game's more primal opponents. This guide will cover locations and strategies.

Where to Find the Beastman of Farum Azula

Players can encounter different versions of the Beastman of Farum Azula in two distinct locations:

Groveside Cave (Limgrave): This is likely the first Beastman you'll encounter. As an early-game boss, it serves as a great introduction to the feral fighting style of these enemies.

Dragonbarrow Cave (Caelid): The second version is much tougher, featuring stronger stats and a harsher environment. This Beastman is better suited for mid- to late-game players who have collected more powerful Elden Ring Items and farmed plenty of Elden Ring Runes.

Both fights share the same general move set, but difficulty scales depending on the location.

How the Beastman Fights

The Beastman of Farum Azula is defined by relentless aggression. Its attacks include:

Wild Cleaver Combos: Long flurries of swings that can easily overwhelm unprepared players.

Jump Attacks: Leaps forward to close distance quickly, forcing you to stay alert.

Roaring Pounce: An aggressive slam that deals heavy damage if not dodged.

The Beastman's ferocity means it rarely leaves long openings. Patience, timing, and stamina management are key to survival.

Best Strategies to Defeat the Beastman

1. Bait and Punish

The Beastman's combos look terrifying, but they often end with a brief recovery window. Instead of panic-rolling through every swing, backstep or roll at the right time, let the combo finish, and then land a safe hit or two. Overcommitting to offense will get you punished.

2. Avoid Blocking

While shields can be useful in many fights, the Beastman's rapid combos drain stamina too quickly. Blocking often results in a broken guard, leaving you wide open for devastating damage. Rolling and spacing are far safer strategies.

3. Exploit Status Effects

The Beastman has relatively low resistance to Scarlet Rot. Summoning the Rotten Stray Spirit Ashes is particularly effective, as its bite can inflict Rot over time, steadily draining the boss's health while you focus on dodging. This is a prime example of how certain Elden Ring Items can make specific fights much easier.

4. Use Spirit Summons Wisely

If you struggle to keep up with its pace, summoning Spirit Ashes can give you breathing room. Wolves or tankier summons can distract the Beastman, while you circle around for backstabs or charged attacks. Keep in mind that Spirit Ashes cost FP, so plan your Elden Ring Runes investment into Mind if you intend to lean on them.

Recommended Elden Ring Items

Several talismans, consumables, and ashes can turn this fight in your favor:

Rotten Stray Ashes: Inflicts Scarlet Rot, dealing significant damage over time.

Lone Wolf Ashes: Distracts the Beastman with multiple targets.

Claw Talisman: Boosts jump attack damage, perfect for punishing recovery windows.

Blood Grease or Rotten Grease: Apply these consumables to weapons to increase bleed or Rot buildup.

Even common crafting items can give you an edge if used smartly. Stockpiling useful consumables before the fight can save you many failed attempts.

Rewards for Victory

Defeating the Beastman of Farum Azula is worth the effort, even though it's an optional encounter. The Groveside Cave variant drops a generous amount of early-game Elden Ring Runes, perfect for boosting your stats before taking on tougher areas. The Dragonbarrow version yields even greater rune rewards, giving you a strong infusion of levels during the mid- to late game.

In addition, these fights reinforce good combat habits, patience, stamina management, and punish windows, that carry over to bigger, story-critical bosses. The loot, Elden Ring Runes, and practice all make this boss fight valuable.

Farming and Preparation Tips

If you're struggling with the Dragonbarrow Cave version, consider farming Elden Ring Runes in nearby Caelid areas before returning to the fight. Even a few extra levels in Vigor and Endurance can help you survive longer combos.

Likewise, take time to upgrade your weapon with Smithing Stones. Pairing a strong weapon with Rot-inflicting consumables or ashes makes the battle much more manageable. Exploring thoroughly to gather additional Elden Ring Items, like talismans and crafting materials, will also give you more options for tackling this aggressive foe.

Final Thoughts

The Beastman of Farum Azula exemplifies what makes Elden Ring so memorable: even optional encounters are challenging, atmospheric, and rewarding. While you don't need to defeat the Beastman to complete the game, the Elden Ring Runes and loot it provides make it a worthwhile fight. More importantly, mastering this enemy's relentless style sharpens your skills for the trials ahead.

With the right strategy, baiting its combos, avoiding stamina-draining blocks, and leveraging status effects, you can bring down this savage foe. Using the proper Elden Ring Items like Rotten Stray Ashes or talismans further tilts the odds in your favor.

Optional or not, the Beastman of Farum Azula is an iconic adversary, and defeating it is both a practical and symbolic victory in the Lands Between.