If you thought the Ashlands were punishing enough, this lava-filled land in Valheim ends with the Fader boss fight. This skeletal dragon wrapped in emerald fire is one of the game’s most demanding battles. Preparation, mobility, and patience are the paths to victory against this bony dragon, and this guide is your first step to achieving that goal. So, keep reading!

How to Summon Fader in Valheim

While the Ashlands in Valheim are vast, focus your search efforts on finding a coliseum-like structure to find the summoning altar of Fader. Although it’s possible to find this location by chance, those who wish to forego spending hours wandering around the biome searching for this dilapidated establishment can, instead, find the land’s Vegvisir runestone in one of the Charred Fortresses. Interacting with it places a pin on your map, showing the boss’s exact location. Don’t head to Fader’s arena yet. Instead, search and infiltrate nine Charred Fortresses in the Ashlands to gather 9x Bell Fragment. Then, craft 3x Bell using the 9x Bell Fragment at the Black Forge. Bring the Bells to three appropriate pedestals in the coliseum. Next, interact with the altar at the center to summon Fader.

How to Defeat Fader

Fader is no pushover, and this Valheim boss fight is a test of preparation as much as combat skill. First, know that this undead, flaming dragon is immune to Fire and Spirit damage. He’s also resistant to piercing weapons. With that, bring your best weapons bearing the Slash and Blunt typing. Mistwalker, Nidhögg, and lightning-focused weapons are particularly useful for maintaining strong DPS throughout the fight. Also, don’t forget about defense, as Fader is a massive, burning skeletal truck on four legs. Flametal armor provides excellent protection against this boss’s attacks. Consume Fire Resistance Barley Wine for protection against his flames. Finally, bring plenty of healing meads and stamina-focused consumables to keep you alive when the arena becomes overwhelmed by flames. Unlike early-game bosses, Fader’s arsenal of attacks is quite extensive. Pay attention to the following moves, and counter or dodge accordingly:

• Fissure: Fader slams his paw to summon expanding rings of flames that erupt into deadly, unblockable spikes and burning pools.
• Bite: Fader lunges forward with a wide bite, dealing serious damage.
• Claw: Fader swipes his claws in a wide arc.
• Spin: Fader spins to deal heavy damage to surrounding players.
• Flamebreath: Fader periodically unleashes an unblockable line of fire that leaves lingering flames, inflicting Burning damage.
• Meteors: Fader calls down meteors that leave lingering green flames.
• Roar: Fader spits up to eight orbs that summon weakened Charred Warriors or Marksmen.
• Wall of Fire: Fader summons a wall of fire around the player that inflicts Burning damage.

Solo players must always be on their toes, as one strike from Fader can result in a quick death. In multiplayer Valheim servers, players can divide responsibilities by letting some adventurers manage the summoned Charred while others pressure Fader. Keeping the boss between you and his summoned minions can help turn his attacks into an advantage, making proper positioning a crucial part of this boss fight.

Fader Loot & Rewards

Defeating Fader presents the victors with two types of guaranteed drops: the Fader Relic and Fader Trophy. The latter lets you unlock Fader’s Forsaken power, which grants the following buffs for 300 seconds when activated:

• Increased Resistance to Fire
• +100% to Adrenaline
• -50% Reduced Stagger Meter Modifier

As for the Fader Relic, use it with 10x Stone at the Stonecutter to craft the Eternal Pyre. This workstation supplies the Ember, a resource used to make Ember Charges. In turn, use the Ember Charges to break Gammeltroll remains for their Petrified Tissues. Then, smelt the Petrified Tissue to transform it into Bloodgold, an important endgame crafting material. Additionally, defeating Fader allows the Bog Witch to sell Fiery Spice Powder for 200 coins. Use this ingredient with 3x Cooked Askvin Tail, 5x Vineberry Cluster, and 2x Scorching Medley to make the Ashlands Gourmet Bowl. Consuming it grants +75 Max Health, +75 Max Stamina, and +38 Max Eitr for 50 minutes.