In Elden Ring, FromSoftware's open-world action RPG, there are a number of powerful Dragon bosses that can be fought. When defeated, these dragons' hearts can be collected and used by the player to gain access to tremendous new powers. In this article, Elden Ring players will learn how to acquire and make good use of Dragon Hearts.
Getting a Dragon Heart
Dragon Hearts are a rare and precious commodity in Elden Ring, only obtained by defeating dragon bosses in combat. The earliest opportunity to acquire one of these hearts can be found in West Limgrave, at Agheel Lake. The dragon will make his appearance when the player travels towards the north side of the lake. (The best place to start is the Dragonburnt Ruins near the southern end of the lake.)
Agheel is a deadly opponent who can quickly relocate himself around the lake while bathing the ground in flames, so players should make use of Torrent to keep up with him and dodge his flames. When fighting him on the ground, dismounting and taking stabs at his feet is likely the safest method available, rolling away when he stomps and keeping up the pressure at all times. If he takes off, players should quickly mount Torrent and ride fast to avoid his fire breath and reach him as he lands.
Having slain Agheel, players will obtain their first Dragon Heart.
The Church of Dragon Communion
Speaking with the NPC "Bloody Finger Hunter Yura" south of the lake and northeast of the Seaside Ruins site of Grace (Beneath an Overpass formed by a ruined arch) will cause him to tell the player about the "Church of Dragon Communion," a ruined church found on an island just off the coast of West Limgrave.
What he doesn't tell players is that they will need to take a detour to reach it, as the water is too deep to cross and too vast a gap to jump.
Players should search the coastline near the island for a location named "Coastal Cave." Players will need to pass through this dungeon and head deeper down a tunnel after the boss fight to reach the island. Once there, players should make sure to activate the Site of Grace at the Church of Dragon Communion, so they don't need to traverse the cave every time they need to visit.
The Altar inside the Church will allow players to trade a Dragon Heart for one of three different Incantations. Dragon Communion Incantations require a certain amount of the Faith and Arcane Stats to use them.
Dragonfire allows players to conjure a dragon head that spews flames over a wide area, Dragonclaw conjures a Dragon's Claws to rend foes directly in front of the player, and Dragonmaw creates a Dragon Head to bite at opponents in front of them.
Players wishing to learn more powerful Dragon Communion Incantations will need to travel further afield, however, as there is a second location where Dragon Hearts can be spent.
Players should also use two Swordstone Keys at the Imp Fog Wall in the Stranded Graveyard to access the Fringefolk Hero's Grave, where the Dragon Communion Seal is found. This Seal, dropped by a powerful enemy within the Grave, increases the potency of Dragon Communion Incantations and allows all incantations to scale in power using both the Faith and Arcane Stats.
The Cathedral of Dragon Communion
To learn the most powerful Dragon Communion Incantations, players will need to travel into the region known as Caelid, east/northeast of Limgrave, which is beset by the Scarlet Rot. Following the Road Southeast into the region will eventually lead players to a large ruined church known as the "Cathedral of Dragon Communion." This location is guarded by Knights who use Dragon Communion Incantations, so players should sneak past them if they are not prepared for a dangerous fight.
Within the Cathedral, players can learn all the Dragon Communion Incantations available at the Church of Dragon Communion, along with many additional Incantations. Some Incantations require specific dragons to be defeated before they can be purchased.
- Dragonice: Allows the Player to Conjure a Dragon Head that breathes Ice over a wide area, similar to Dragonfire. (1 Dragon Heart)
- Glintstone Breath: Conjures a Dragon Head that breathes blue flames, dealing magic damage over a wide area. (1 Dragon Heart)
- Rotten Breath: Create a Dragon Head to spew toxic breath over a wide area. (1 Dragon Heart)
- Agheel's Flame: Rise into the air while creating a dragon head to breathe flames over a wide area. Can be used while jumping. Flying Dragon Agheel must be defeated to purchase this spell. (2 Dragon Hearts)
- Smarag's Glintstone Breath: Rise into the air while creating a dragon head to breathe blue flames and deal magic damage over a wide area. Can be used while Jumping. Glintstone Dragon Smarag must be defeated to purchase this spell. (2 Dragon Hearts)
- Ekzykes's Decay: Rise into the air while creating a dragon head to spew scarlet rot breath over a wide area. Can be used while jumping. Decaying Ekzykes must be defeated to purchase this spell. (2 Dragon Hearts)
- Borealis' Mist: Rise into the air while creating a dragon head to spew icy breath over a wide area. Can be used while jumping. Borealis, the Freezing Fog, must be defeated to purchase this spell. (2 Dragon Hearts)
- Greyoll's Roar: Create a dragon heart that unleashes a dreadful roar, reducing the attack and defense of foes in the area around the caster. Elder Dragon Greyoll must be defeated to purchase this spell. (3 Dragon Hearts)
Elden Ring is available for Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC, Playstation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
