As if the name wasn’t enough to give players the creeps, a big reason Astel, Naturalborn of the Void is so scary is because of the place it calls home. One of many hidden areas worth exploring in “Elden Ring,” the Lake of Rot is a pool of health-draining Scarlet Rot. In other words, Astel’s abode is a literal bloodbath.
For those who can hold their own in the Lake of Rot, Astel, Naturalborn of the Void awaits for a truly trying boss battle. Players should note that defeating Astel is optional, unless they’re working on completing Ranni the Witch‘s questline.
At first glance, Astel looks almost like a giant firefly, but with some completely unsettling features. Each of its six legs ends in a human-like skeletal hand, and its head is a smiling, cracked human skull with a mouth full of pincers. Glowing orbs of blue, purple, yellow, and green light make up its body and tail, with rays of light circling certain sections. Completing the intimidating look is its tail, which features long, thorny spikes.
Beating Astel is no easy task, as it’s clearly set up to attack with all parts of its nightmarish form, doling out everything from laser beams to tail whips to meteor showers. Taking into account appearance, abilities, and overall atmosphere, Astel has the potential to scare even the most composed gamer.
