CASE STUDY
Hollowdrake Consort Lysandra
A Boss Concept for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
A Boss Concept for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
1. Overview
Project Type: Content Design/Boss Encounter Design
Role: Systems & Encounter Designer (personal portfolio concept)
Goal: Design a fully lore-consistent, mechanically coherent Elden Ring boss fight that blends Dragon Communion, Magma Wyrms, Dragon Cult, and Messmer’s lineage while maintaining FromSoftware’s core combat philosophy: clear telegraphing, punishing timing, and deep synergy with player builds. Also, the creation of a new weapon, a new talisman, and the boss Rememberance that the player has access to after defeating the boss.
Role: Systems & Encounter Designer (personal portfolio concept)
Goal: Design a fully lore-consistent, mechanically coherent Elden Ring boss fight that blends Dragon Communion, Magma Wyrms, Dragon Cult, and Messmer’s lineage while maintaining FromSoftware’s core combat philosophy: clear telegraphing, punishing timing, and deep synergy with player builds. Also, the creation of a new weapon, a new talisman, and the boss Rememberance that the player has access to after defeating the boss.
Core Fantasy:
A failed ascendant of the Dragon Communion, once the secret consort of Messmer, who attempted transcendence through consuming drake hearts and a rare Rock Heart.
The ritual failed, twisting her into a hybrid of woman, dragon, wyvern, and magma wyrm, driven mad by betrayal, serpentine flame, and draconic hunger.
Encounter Pillars:
Strong identity rooted in Elden Ring lore.
Three-phase transformation with shape-informed movesets.A systemic mechanic (Communer’s Brand) that thematically reinforces the corruption of Dragon Communion.
Strong identity rooted in Elden Ring lore.
Three-phase transformation with shape-informed movesets.A systemic mechanic (Communer’s Brand) that thematically reinforces the corruption of Dragon Communion.
Telegraph clarity first, difficulty second.
Encourages build diversity while respecting FromSoftware’s strengths and weaknesses logic.
2. Lore Integration
Origins
Lysandra was once a noble of Leyndell and an unofficial consort to Messmer, fighting alongside him during the purge of the Land of Shadow. When Marika erased Messmer’s existence and condemned him to obscurity, Lysandra was equally discarded by both mother and son.
In the Land of Shadow, she turned to the Dragon Communion, seeking godhood beyond the reach of Grace. It is unclear if Marika herself had anything to do with it, but Lysandra felt like Grace itself had cast her aside.
Her descent reflects established Elden Ring precedent:
Her descent reflects established Elden Ring precedent:
1. Humans can become Magma Wyrms through failed communion rituals.
2. True ascension requires consuming Rock Hearts, tied to Ancient Dragons.
3. Dragon Cult lightning represents humanity’s imperfect imitation of true dragons.
4. Messmer’s serpentine flame and inner sealed serpent corrupt anything it touches.
2. True ascension requires consuming Rock Hearts, tied to Ancient Dragons.
3. Dragon Cult lightning represents humanity’s imperfect imitation of true dragons.
4. Messmer’s serpentine flame and inner sealed serpent corrupt anything it touches.
Lysandra consumed multiple Drake hearts and attempted a Rock Heart ritual at a ruined Communion altar near the Shadow Keep.
The presence of Messmer’s serpentine flame in her blood, paired with Marika’s lingering curse, warped the ritual, trapping her between states:
a consort abandoned, a dragon incomplete, a wyrm forced to crawl, a woman who still remembers enough to suffer, unable to fully give into the beast.
In her despair, she also sought knowledge in the broken imitation of dragonkind created by the Nox people, learning their ways.
3. Combat Pillars
1. “Form Communicates Function.”
Each phase uses a distinct silhouette and movement paradigm:
1. Humanoid / Knightly: thrusts, slashes, controlled ranges.
2. Quadrupedal / Wyrm-like: area denial, magma control, long charges.
3. Hybrid Ascended: mixed timing, airborne hops, lightning casts.
2. Quadrupedal / Wyrm-like: area denial, magma control, long charges.
3. Hybrid Ascended: mixed timing, airborne hops, lightning casts.
2. “Damage Type = Visual Language”
Every element has its own VFX, audio, posture, and color identity:
1. Fire (Messmer): clean red-orange flame, precise shapes.
2. Magma: viscous, cracking ground, heavy audio rumble.
3. Scarlet Rot: clouded, dirty reds with wet/gravelly sounds.
4. Lightning (Dragon Cult): floor decals, sharp timbre, fast flicker.
2. Magma: viscous, cracking ground, heavy audio rumble.
3. Scarlet Rot: clouded, dirty reds with wet/gravelly sounds.
4. Lightning (Dragon Cult): floor decals, sharp timbre, fast flicker.
3. “Clear Telegraphs, Punishing Timing.”
Attacks are readable but intentionally deceptive in rhythm, encouraging:
1. Patience
2. Dodge timing mastery
3. Pattern learning
4. Spatial awareness
2. Dodge timing mastery
3. Pattern learning
4. Spatial awareness
Classic FromSoft design: it feels fair, but brutal to overcome.
4. Build Expression
Encounter tuned so different builds have different challenges and advantages, respecting Elden Ring’s progression logic.
4. Encounter Structure
Location:
Ashen Grand Chapel of Communion: a collapsed church near the Shadow Keep, combining Leyndell architecture and burnt Dragon Communion altars.
Phase 1 - “Consort of Embers” (100%–70%)
Posture: Humanoid knight corrupted by communion.
Damage Types: Physical (Slash/Pierce), Fire.
Damage Types: Physical (Slash/Pierce), Fire.
Key Attacks & Telegraphs
Drakefang Lunge
Shoulder retracts, front foot pivots.
Sparks along the jawbone blade.
6–8f delay → fast linear thrust.
Fantasy: disciplined knightly technique corrupting into draconic ferocity.
Sparks along the jawbone blade.
6–8f delay → fast linear thrust.
Fantasy: disciplined knightly technique corrupting into draconic ferocity.
Ember Wing Sweep
Wings lower first (vertical tell).
Ground line ignites before the circular sweep.
Rewards jump attacks, punishes mid-range.
Ground line ignites before the circular sweep.
Rewards jump attacks, punishes mid-range.
Dragonmaw Echo
Hand to face, head pulls back.
Ethereal dragon jaw forms before dash.
Players familiar with Dragonmaw recognize it instantly.
Ethereal dragon jaw forms before dash.
Players familiar with Dragonmaw recognize it instantly.
Communion Threshold 1:
She devours a heart → gains a mini Dragonfire cone.
Player gains 1 stack of Communer’s Brand.
Player gains 1 stack of Communer’s Brand.
Phase 2 - “Crawling Wyrm of Grace” (70%–35%)
She collapses into a wyrm-like form; magma bleeds from her throat and joints.
Damage Types: Physical (Strike), Fire, Magma DoT.
Damage Types: Physical (Strike), Fire, Magma DoT.
Key Attacks & Telegraphs
Magma Crest Charge
Head locks onto player.
Veins in the floor glow preemptively.
Long straight-line charge leaving magma trail.
Positional check: stay calm or die.
Veins in the floor glow preemptively.
Long straight-line charge leaving magma trail.
Positional check: stay calm or die.
Jawbone Greatsword Slam
Slow overhead lift + deliberate hold.
Ground cracks
Delay bait counter-window.
Ground cracks
Delay bait counter-window.
Rotten Tempest
Distinct wet, choking wind-up (not fire).
Dense rot cloud before the breath begins.
Teaches the player to differentiate Rot vs Fire cues.
Dense rot cloud before the breath begins.
Teaches the player to differentiate Rot vs Fire cues.
Communion Thresholds 2 & 3:
Gains Rot breath → player Brand stack 2.
Gains Greyoll-inspired roar debuff → player Brand stack 3.
Gains Greyoll-inspired roar debuff → player Brand stack 3.
At 3 stacks:
Player’s lightning/Dragon Cult incantations become stronger, at the cost of taking more draconic/fire damage.
A lore-accurate “temptation mechanic.”
A lore-accurate “temptation mechanic.”
Phase 3 - “Hollowdrake Ascendant” (35%–0%)
Partial wing growth, alternating quadruped and humanoid posture.
Damage Types: Physical, Fire, Lightning, Minor Rot.
Damage Types: Physical, Fire, Lightning, Minor Rot.
Key Attacks & Telegraphs
Impaler’s Descent (Messmer homage)
Straight vertical lift, micro-pause midair.
A Circle pattern appears before impact.
Massive punish window if dodged sideways toward.
Straight vertical lift, micro-pause midair.
A Circle pattern appears before impact.
Massive punish window if dodged sideways toward.
Hollowdrake Storm (Lightning Pattern)
Arms + wings open skyward.
Lightning floor decals appear early.
Skill check: spatial pattern memorization.
Lightning floor decals appear early.
Skill check: spatial pattern memorization.
Dual Breath Spiral
Torch-bright chest for fire breath →
Blooming rot-swelling prior to the second spiral.
Two concentric danger zones; choose to move in or out.
Forces committed decision-making.
Blooming rot-swelling prior to the second spiral.
Two concentric danger zones; choose to move in or out.
Forces committed decision-making.
Following is the Excel table where I describe the attacks, the balance and budget table of them, and the other pertinent information.
5. UI & Systemic Feedback
Communer’s Brand (Debuff System)
Purpose:
To reinforce the narrative that the Tarnished is slowly being pulled into the same Dragon Communion corruption that consumed Lysandra.
To reinforce the narrative that the Tarnished is slowly being pulled into the same Dragon Communion corruption that consumed Lysandra.
Visual Design:
Icon: empty-eyed draconic skull bound by tightening chains.
Each stack adds another chain.
Applied with a heartbeat pulse on HP bar and red vignette flash.
Each stack adds another chain.
Applied with a heartbeat pulse on HP bar and red vignette flash.
Gameplay Effects:
+5% Fire + Dragon-type damage taken per stack.
-5% Crimson Flask healing per stack.
+5% Fire + Dragon-type damage taken per stack.
-5% Crimson Flask healing per stack.
At 3 stacks:
+Damage to Dragon Cult Lightning incantations
+15% draconic damage received
+Damage to Dragon Cult Lightning incantations
+15% draconic damage received
Design Rationale:
High thematic cohesion.
High thematic cohesion.
Meaningful risk–reward, encourages Lightning builds to lean in, punishes Fire/Dragon Communion casters heavily. Clear UI signaling without breaking Elden Ring’s subtle visual style.
Phase Transitions (Diegetic Feedback)
No segmented boss bar, phases indicated through animation, audio, and environment.
Heart-devouring sequences act as progress markers.
Lighting shifts + magma spreading communicate escalation intuitively.
Heart-devouring sequences act as progress markers.
Lighting shifts + magma spreading communicate escalation intuitively.
6. Build Matchups & Intentional Balance
Strong Matchups
Lightning / Dragon Cult builds
Exploit classic draconic weakness.
Communer’s Brand (3 stacks) actively buffs them.
Exploit classic draconic weakness.
Communer’s Brand (3 stacks) actively buffs them.
Dex/Quality Melee (Jump Attacks)
Easier avoidance of low sweeps.
Clean punish windows at the head/neck.
Easier avoidance of low sweeps.
Clean punish windows at the head/neck.
Frost builds
Frostbite counters magma resilience and a large HP pool.
Frostbite counters magma resilience and a large HP pool.
Bleed builds
Dex + bleed-based builds can avoid attacks and deal smaller blows of damage while building up the invisible meter to proc the bleed effect.
Dex + bleed-based builds can avoid attacks and deal smaller blows of damage while building up the invisible meter to proc the bleed effect.
Weak Matchups
Fire casters
High fire resistance; low payoff per FP.
High fire resistance; low payoff per FP.
Dragon Communion casters
Their own spell type becomes dangerous with Brand stacks.
Their own spell type becomes dangerous with Brand stacks.
Low-vigor glass cannons
Arena DoTs + lightning bursts + roar debuffs stack harshly.
Arena DoTs + lightning bursts + roar debuffs stack harshly.
Design Intent:
Different builds experience distinct fight rhythms, faithful to Elden Ring encounter DNA.
Different builds experience distinct fight rhythms, faithful to Elden Ring encounter DNA.
7. Learnings & Design Takeaways
1. Lore Consistency Elevates Mechanics
Every attack, transformation, and damage type stems naturally from Dragon Communion, Magma Wyrms, and Messmer’s serpent-flame. This creates a boss that feels native to Elden Ring’s world.
2. Telegraphs Must Speak Across Departments
Animation, VFX, audio, and UI work together to communicate:
1. Danger type
2. Direction
3. Timing
4. Counterplay
1. Danger type
2. Direction
3. Timing
4. Counterplay
Before difficulty is applied.
3. Shape Silhouettes Are Readability Tools
The three-phase silhouette shifts aren’t just spectacle; they signal:
1. Movement range
2. Damage type focus
3. Expected threat patterns
4. Whether the fight is vertical, horizontal, or radial.
2. Damage type focus
3. Expected threat patterns
4. Whether the fight is vertical, horizontal, or radial.
4. Systemic Mechanics Reinforce Narrative
Communer’s Brand connects player, boss, and lore with one interaction loop: corruption → increased power → increased vulnerability.
5. Build Diversity Creates Player Agency
The fight rewards knowledge of damage types and build matchups, giving each archetype a unique experience.
8. Hollowdrake Jawblade (Weapon)
More stats and info about the weapon can be found in the embedded document above.
More stats and info about the weapon can be found in the embedded document above.
Item Description (Short)
A colossal curved blade formed from the fused jawbones of a drake consumed by Lysandra.
Serrated fangs line its edge, and dried magma clings to its spine like cooled blood.
Serrated fangs line its edge, and dried magma clings to its spine like cooled blood.
Item Description (Long)
*Forged from the remains of the drakes Lysandra devoured during her pursuit of ascension.
The jawbones were softened by magma, reforged by Communion flame, and hardened again in her own wyrm-blood as she transformed.
The jawbones were softened by magma, reforged by Communion flame, and hardened again in her own wyrm-blood as she transformed.
When swung, the blade’s serrated fangs tear through flesh and armor alike, echoing the wrath of a consort abandoned by Grace.
Those attuned to Dragon Communion can sense a faint heartbeat coming from within the bon, as if the blade still remembers the hunger of its maker.*
Those attuned to Dragon Communion can sense a faint heartbeat coming from within the bon, as if the blade still remembers the hunger of its maker.*
Weapon Type
Colossal Curved Greatsword
(Same class as Bloodhound’s Fang or the Curved Great Club)
(Same class as Bloodhound’s Fang or the Curved Great Club)
Reasoning
Strength-focused due to colossal mass.
Faith requirement ties to Dragon Communion origins.
No Arcane scaling unless using an affinity.
Strength-focused due to colossal mass.
Faith requirement ties to Dragon Communion origins.
No Arcane scaling unless using an affinity.
09. Remembrance of the Hollowdrake Consort
“Remembrance of Lysandra, the Hollowdrake Consort, hewn into the Erdtree after her defeat. The traces of her failed ascension: writhing flame, wyrm’s hunger, and Communion’s failed promise yet linger within.”
Item Description (Long)
Lysandra was once a noble of Leyndell, favored companion to Messmer the Impaler during his ill-starred crusade into the Land of Shadow.
Lysandra was once a noble of Leyndell, favored companion to Messmer the Impaler during his ill-starred crusade into the Land of Shadow.
Forsaken by Grace and abandoned by the very line she served, her heart turned toward the ancient rite of Dragon Communion, seeking strength beyond the reach of gods.
But the serpentine flame in Messmer’s blood, and the unseen seal left by Marika, twisted her ritual into calamity. Neither woman, nor drake, nor wyrm, she crawled and rose by turns: a consort undone by devotion, hunger, and betrayal.
Use (Consume):
Grants 50,000 runes
(Comparable to Rellana / Scadutree Avatar tier)
Grants 50,000 runes
(Comparable to Rellana / Scadutree Avatar tier)
Trade to Enia (Two Choices)
Enia will speak a unique line:
“A consort’s heart torn between flame and fang. Such power births only ruin. Yet Tarnished, ruin is a fertile thing.”
Option 1: Weapon
Hollowdrake Jawblade
Colossal Curved Greatsword
Enia will speak a unique line:
“A consort’s heart torn between flame and fang. Such power births only ruin. Yet Tarnished, ruin is a fertile thing.”
Option 1: Weapon
Hollowdrake Jawblade
Colossal Curved Greatsword
Item Description
A colossal blade hewn from the fused jawbones of drakes, Lysandra consumed in her ascent. Magma and Communion flame hardened its edge, and serrated fangs still thirst for flesh.
A colossal blade hewn from the fused jawbones of drakes, Lysandra consumed in her ascent. Magma and Communion flame hardened its edge, and serrated fangs still thirst for flesh.
The weapon pulses faintly, as though remembering the hunger of its maker.
Weapon Skill: “Lysandra’s Communion”
Briefly assume a partial draconic form to perform a crushing magma slam followed by a lunging fang strike, echoing Lysandra’s own warped Communion.
Option 2: Incantation
Grace-Shorn Dragonform
Dragon Communion Incantation
Requires: 33 Faith, 18 Arcane
FP Cost: 36
Grace-Shorn Dragonform
Dragon Communion Incantation
Requires: 33 Faith, 18 Arcane
FP Cost: 36
Item Description
Incantation of a mangled Communion rite attempted by Lysandra in the Shadowed Lands.
Incantation of a mangled Communion rite attempted by Lysandra in the Shadowed Lands.
Twists the caster’s arms, neck, and jaw into draconic form, wreathing the body in pale, un-Grace’d lightning.
Those who use this spell taste a fragment of her ascension, power unbound by Grace, but vulnerable to the fire that claimed her.
Effect (Mechanical):
Transform partially into a draconic hybrid for 30 seconds
Transform partially into a draconic hybrid for 30 seconds
Gain:
+15% Dragon Cult lightning damage
+20% poise
A unique lightning-charged bite attack (L2 → quick cone hitbox)
+15% Dragon Cult lightning damage
+20% poise
A unique lightning-charged bite attack (L2 → quick cone hitbox)
Take:
+10% fire damage
+5% scarlet rot buildup received
+10% fire damage
+5% scarlet rot buildup received
Design Intent:
Mirrors Lysandra’s Ascendant phase
Offers a strong buff with a meaningful drawback
Perfect synergy with Lightning builds (as her fight teaches)
Mirrors Lysandra’s Ascendant phase
Offers a strong buff with a meaningful drawback
Perfect synergy with Lightning builds (as her fight teaches)
Option 3: Use the Remembrance Duplication
At a Wandering Mausoleum, players may duplicate her Remembrance.
This mirrors all other Elden Ring bosses.
This mirrors all other Elden Ring bosses.
BONUS: Ambient Lore Hook (with DLC NPC)
If the player has progressed the Dragon Communion Priestess’s questline:
The Priestess reacts:
“So the consort is gone at last… She who devoured hearts until her own beat no longer for herself. Tarnished, take heed. Communion is a hunger that remembers every morsel.”
“So the consort is gone at last… She who devoured hearts until her own beat no longer for herself. Tarnished, take heed. Communion is a hunger that remembers every morsel.”
This mirrors how NPCs comment on other Remembrance-bearers (Rykard, Mohg, Radahn).
10. Summary
This encounter demonstrates my ability to:
1. Build lore-faithful content within a highly established IP.
2. Design encounters rooted in clear telegraphing and combat readability.
3. Align mechanics with narrative fantasy and systemic consequences.
4. Consider multiple player archetypes when shaping encounter balance.
5. Deliver design documentation that bridges animation, VFX, audio, and UI teams.
6. Create boss fights that feel punishing, fair, thematic, and “FromSoftware-authentic.”
2. Design encounters rooted in clear telegraphing and combat readability.
3. Align mechanics with narrative fantasy and systemic consequences.
4. Consider multiple player archetypes when shaping encounter balance.
5. Deliver design documentation that bridges animation, VFX, audio, and UI teams.
6. Create boss fights that feel punishing, fair, thematic, and “FromSoftware-authentic.”