How to Beat Gaping Jaw in Elden Ring Nightreign (Solo & Co-op Guide)

 

 Introduction: Understanding the Gaping Jaw Challenge

Facing Gaping Jaw—also known as Adele, Baron of Night—in Elden Ring: Nightreign can be intense, especially for first-timers. Whether you're tackling it solo or with friends, this guide breaks down everything you need: builds, roles, relics, and attack strategies. Spoiler: the boss is weak to poison, and that’s where the Iron Eye comes in. We’ll walk through both solo and three-player strategies, with tips for relic optimization, character roles, and avoiding deadly grabs.

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Best Roles for Co-op: Build a Balanced Team

For those diving in with a full team of three, here's the ideal setup:

• One Iron Eye user: This is crucial for inflicting poison and staggering the boss.

• Two tanks: Choose characters like Wilder or Raider. Their high HP and stance resistance make them ideal to hold aggro.

Quick Tips:

• Tanks should focus on health and poise.

• Only the Iron Eye needs poison-based attacks.

• DPS roles should emphasize stance-breaking weapons and spells.

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Solo Strategy: How to Carry the Fight Alone

Yes, Gaping Jaw is totally beatable solo—and arguably easier. Your main weapon? A poison-enhanced Iron Eye setup.

Key Solo Tools:

• Poison Relics: Begin the fight with armaments that inflict poison early.

• Triangle + L2 Skill (Character Ability): Grants invulnerability frames—use it when dodging grabs or AoE gravity attacks.

• Ranged Poison Damage: Use a starter bow (preferably purple-tier) with poison arrows to keep up consistent pressure.

Rotation Summary:

1. Apply poison quickly.

2. Create distance once the boss starts vomiting.

3. Use passive ranged damage until he repositions.

4. Dodge using your L2 skill or jump during AoE.

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Iron Eye Build Essentials: What You Need

If you're playing as Iron Eye, make sure your character is set up right. This build is viable for both solo and co-op play:

• Starter Bow (Purple) – Enhanced with Smithing Stone I and II

• Poison Armament Relics – Ideally triggered from the beginning

• Stance-Damage Addons – Prioritize skills that boost poise break

Why Iron Eye Works:

• High poise damage.

• Easy poison application.

• Great synergy with stagger mechanics.

Pro Tip: Marking the boss with Triangle + L2 increases your chance to stagger. Stack this with poison ticks for high disruption.

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Boss Phases and Patterns: What to Watch For

Phase 1: Standard Attacks

• Mostly melee-based with a grab move.

• Use triangle + L2 to dodge when it lunges or grabs.

Phase 2: Gravity Zone

• Purple gravity zones appear—move out fast.

• Avoid getting trapped. Jump or reposition using character skill.

Stagger Windows:

• The boss becomes vulnerable when poisoned (starts vomiting).

• Hit hard during this window, but maintain distance if solo.

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Multiplayer Tips: Support and Damage Roles

If you're not Iron Eye or a tank, here's how to contribute effectively:

• Recluse or Revenant Players: Summon familiars like Pumpkin Head or Frederick to grab attention.

• Pyro and Magic Users: Stay at range and unload damage during stagger or puke phases.

• Positioning: Keep mages and casters behind tanks—no need to kite if the boss is focused elsewhere.

Tip: Always communicate with tanks to stay alive and maintain positioning. Let them hold aggro while you deliver DPS safely.

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How to Mark and Stagger Gaping Jaw

To increase stagger rate:

• Always hit the boss with your marking ability (Triangle + L2 for Iron Eye).

• Stack it with ranged poison arrows.

• Switch between bow and melee only when the boss is vomiting.

Reminder: Marking = More staggers = More opportunities to deal big damage.

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Best Relics and How to Farm Them

You can’t “grind” for specific relics directly, but there are ways to improve your odds:

• Failing on Day 3 increases your chance of obtaining high-tier relics.

• Don’t worry if you’re losing fights—you’ll still be rewarded with progression-based items.

Tip: Play consistently, aim to survive until Day 3 or 4 each run, and keep your Iron Eye setup flexible for relic changes.

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Advanced Strategy: Managing Aggro and Support

If you’re the Tank:

• Focus purely on HP and poise resistance.

• Do not worry about poison. Let Iron Eye handle that.

• Use taunt or high-threat attacks to keep the boss on you.

If you’re Support:

• Stack healing or buffing relics.

• Focus on revives and ranged disruption (magic or fire).

• Stick close to the edge of combat zones.

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Conclusion: Boss Beat Down Recap

Gaping Jaw in Elden Ring Nightreign might look intimidating, but with the right strategy, it’s one of the easier late bosses to manage—especially if you understand the poison and stagger mechanics.

Key Takeaways:

• Iron Eye build is the core to any easy clear strategy.

• Poison application creates huge openings.

• Use triangle + L2 marking skill to stagger fast.

• In co-op, tanks keep aggro while DPS dishes it out from range.

• Keep your relics upgraded and focus on poison synergy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the easiest way to defeat Gaping Jaw in Elden Ring Nightreign?
The easiest method is using a poison-focused Iron Eye build. Applying poison causes Gaping Jaw to vomit, creating a damage window. Use ranged poison weapons and triangle + L2 marking skills to stack poise damage and trigger staggers.

Q2: Can I defeat Gaping Jaw solo, or do I need a team?
Yes, soloing Gaping Jaw is very possible and often easier. A properly built Iron Eye with poison relics and good timing can control the fight efficiently. Maintain distance and focus on passive damage.

Q3: What build works best for multiplayer runs?
In co-op, one player should run Iron Eye with poison, and the others should play tank roles like Wilder or Raider. Support characters like Recluse or Revenant can contribute from range using summons or spells.

Q4: What relics are recommended for this boss fight?
Relics that apply poison from the start are ideal. Focus on those that boost poise damage, mark targets, or enhance ranged attacks. These effects help you stagger the boss faster and maintain control.

Q5: How do I avoid the boss's gravity attacks in Phase 2?
Watch for purple energy forming under your character. Immediately reposition using your character skill (triangle + L2) or jump out of the area to avoid incoming damage from falling rocks or grabs.

Q6: Is there a way to farm relics for Iron Eye?
There's no guaranteed relic farming method, but failing on Day 3 increases your chance of earning high-quality relics. Keep playing and experimenting with setups, as progression rewards better loot over time.

Q7: Why does the boss start vomiting during the fight?
The boss vomits after taking a certain amount of poison damage. This is a core mechanic of the fight that you should take advantage of—it interrupts attacks and creates a window for damage dealing.

Q8: Can I use other builds besides Iron Eye to win?
Yes, but Iron Eye offers the best balance of poison access and stance-breaking power. Other builds require more coordination or risk. If you go with another setup, ensure your team includes high HP tanks and ranged support.

Q9: What does the triangle + L2 skill do exactly?
This character skill grants invulnerability frames, lets you mark enemies (increasing stagger chance), and can be used to escape boss grabs or AoE zones. It's essential for both offense and defense.

Q10: How do I join co-op teams for Nightreign?
Check community Discords or forums and include your platform (PC, PlayStation, etc.). Be clear about your build and role (tank, Iron Eye, support) when looking for teammates.