How do I kill Renalla?

[Snobby Hobo]

I tried playing a spellblade character to mix things up, and this boss is a NIGHTMARE for me so far. I didn't expect that to be the case for a boss I beat first try in my first playthrough. I am currently level 38, which should be appropriate - 45 in INT, 17 in DEX with a +10 staff and sword.

The first phase takes forever, because I just her Renalla for about 90-110 damage per hit (lol), and this is using my rapier as my spells deal even more pitiful damage. It takes me 5-6 cycles of killing the three sock-ladies to just get past phase 1, and then to proceed to deal 0 damage in phase 2. The first time I tried the boss I died to her summons (because my usual strategy of just going completely ham takes FOREVER with this build and since I have no vigor I cannot trade with her). After this I died as many as FOUR times to Renalla hitting me through geometry. Nothing in phase 1 is in any way dangerous to me except the spell Renalla herself casts, this hits me straight through all the bookshelves and instant-kills me with just 2 projectiles (it shoots like 8 I think).

And prior to each attempt you have to walk the piece of ♥♥♥♥-walk-of-shame, including a slow elevator (thanks for the A+ game design Myazaki, love you) back to the boss room. Just to get 1 shot through terrain 4 times in a row.

I'm done, I need help here. What would be the best way to go about this with my build?

[Backstabba]

She is near immune to magic damage(A major issue with a lot of bosses across all elements) so try to do physical damage.

Also use a nonlight weapon like a broad sword or club for phase 1 as it takes a broad sword a single hit to break the shield scholar's channel. Ps you can hear where the channeler is as they sing.

Also level vigor as you'd need 40 vigor by the time you reach the next major area or else normal enemies can one shot you(Another major issue with the game).

[MULTIPASS]

She is highly resistant to magic damage, so in phase 1 use your melee weapon infused with just plain physical damage, or even better use something that inflicts bleed. If you have it, rock sling works great against her in phase 2, I wouldn't try doing it with your magic damage dealing spells.

Also, it sounds like you have no vigor.

[Snobby Hobo]

Originally posted by MULTIPASS:

She is highly resistant to magic damage, so in phase 1 use your melee weapon infused with just plain physical damage, or even better use something that inflicts bleed. If you have it, rock sling works great against her in phase 2, I wouldn't try doing it with your magic damage dealing spells.

Also, it sounds like you have no vigor.

I literally admitted I have no vigor.

[MULTIPASS]

Yeah, I just sort of skimmed your post.

[yuzhonglu]

Level up somewhere else and put points in vigor.

[Snobby Hobo]

Originally posted by Backstabba:

She is near immune to magic damage(A major issue with a lot of bosses across all elements) so try to do physical damage.

Also use a nonlight weapon like a broad sword or club for phase 1 as it takes a broad sword a single hit to break the shield scholar's channel. Ps you can hear where the channeler is as they sing.

Also level vigor as you'd need 40 vigor by the time you reach the next major area or else normal enemies can one shot you(Another major issue with the game).

I mostly rely on Bubble tear and keeping my distance. Right about everything 1 shots me at the moment, but that hasn't been an issue in any of the previous bosses I killed. I just keep my distance and shadowstep+rapier (even though the Misbegotten + Crucible knight took me like 15 attempts too)

[tmg]

Look up rock sling, makes the boss a joke for mages.

[Backstabba]

Originally posted by Incredibly average:

Originally posted by Backstabba:

She is near immune to magic damage(A major issue with a lot of bosses across all elements) so try to do physical damage.

Also use a nonlight weapon like a broad sword or club for phase 1 as it takes a broad sword a single hit to break the shield scholar's channel. Ps you can hear where the channeler is as they sing.

Also level vigor as you'd need 40 vigor by the time you reach the next major area or else normal enemies can one shot you(Another major issue with the game).

I mostly rely on Bubble tear and keeping my distance. Right about everything 1 shots me at the moment, but that hasn't been an issue in any of the previous bosses I killed. I just keep my distance and shadowstep+rapier (even though the Misbegotten + Crucible knight took me like 15 attempts too)

She has mainly multi hit moves so bubble tear doesn't do much against most of her attacks.

Also when I said near immune to magic damage I meant it as she has takes 80% less magic damage.

So you might want to have a stat increasing crystal tear instead to increase your physical damage.

[Snobby Hobo]

Originally posted by Backstabba:

Originally posted by Incredibly average:

I mostly rely on Bubble tear and keeping my distance. Right about everything 1 shots me at the moment, but that hasn't been an issue in any of the previous bosses I killed. I just keep my distance and shadowstep+rapier (even though the Misbegotten + Crucible knight took me like 15 attempts too)

She has mainly multi hit moves so bubble tear doesn't do much against most of her attacks.

Also when I said near immune to magic damage I meant it as she has takes 80% less magic damage.

So you might want to have a stat increasing crystal tear instead to increase your physical damage.

True. Bit fortunately her projectile based attacks don't actually 1 hit me, even at base Vigor (8 I think). It's just the attack that goes through the maps terrain that just seems to hit me (if she casts it at all, I've found no logic to it yet).

I'm going to look at Rock-sling tmg mentioned and the crystal tear you recommended.

[MULTIPASS]

Rock sling is tough to use in phase 1, since your lock-on will be so screwed up by all the small mobs around her (this was my experience).

Seriously, your low reinforcement level weapons/staves are not benefiting much from all that INT. Raise your vigor, or don't what do I know.

[Alby]

Just summon Tiche and then take a nap until boss fight is over

[Backstabba]

Originally posted by Alby:

Just summon Tiche and then take a nap until boss fight is over

...Bruh they can't even get Tiche until Rennala is defeated.

[Alby]

Oh jesus, I keep confusing the Evergaol in Altus Plateau with the one in the Moonlight Altar. Good catch, Backstabba.

Sorry OP, gonna have to level that vigor

[Sono]

If you're so invested in INT, you can try spells that deal physical damage to make up for it. Go get Rock Sling it deals physical damage. Get the Meteorite staff while you're at it for a bigger punch, both are near eachother in the swamp in Caelid, just horse to it. You can bully her with this spell she gets knocked down a lot.

[Lenox]

The Academy of Raya Lucaria is listed as a level 50-60 zone. Whether you agree with that or not, level 38 seems low.

I had similar issues as you on my Astrologer. Rennala negates 80% of magic damage.

I ended up using a Blood Rapier +8 (two-handed) with the Ash of War: Bloody Slash. That was the first and last time I did that.

https://youtu.be/70AAXgV9mYs

Here's my attempt. If you enjoy pain, I recommend my method. If you don't, the Rock Sling method is better. But I had never heard of Rock Sling at that time.