Elden Ring’s Rennala Boss Fight Says More About Ranni Than Her Mother

The fight against Rennala in Raya Lucaria is a turning point in Elden Ring, where the challenges are beginning to truly stack up and push into the mid-game. However, as bombastic as the fight against Rennala is, the lore behind what is actually happening says a lot more about fan-favorite Ranni the Witch than it does about the true state of her mother at this point in the story.

Considering the space that Rennala takes up in the lore of Elden Ring, as the mother of three demigods and the previous wife of Radagon, it is harrowing to see the state that she has been brought down to by the time the fighting starts. This is made especially prevalent when the second phase starts, and Ranni gives an idea of what Rennala might have been like in her prime before Radagon’s abandonment and the Shattering War.

Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon Has Lost Her Luster

Rennala’s First Phase Can’t Stand on Her Own Two Feet

At first glance, Rennala floating in the air, surrounded by students all singing her praises, has the look of a powerful sorceress enjoying the prime of her life as the headmaster of a renowned magic school. However, it quickly becomes apparent that this is not the case, as the player forces the students to drop the shield holding Rennala aloft, and she lacks the strength to stand on her own when dropped to the ground. This takes Elden Ring‘s initially intimidating encounter against Rennala, and drops it to a speed bump on the way to the real fight that starts in the second phase.

Rennala’s inability to stand on her own feet stays consistent throughout the player’s interactions with her, from the initial boss fight to utilizing Elden Ring‘s Rebirth system. At no point does the Queen of the Full Moon ever walk or even stand from the moment the player first enters the room, all the way until they make their final assault on Radagon and the Elden Beast. In fact, the only time that players actually see her take a stand is in the form of an illusion that showcases more about the power of Rennala’s daughter Ranni the Witch than it does about the headmaster of Raya Lucaria.

The Former Glory of Rennala’s Second Phase

While the first phase of the Rennala encounter might not be quite as impressive as the lore of the character, the second phase gives a better idea of what made the Queen of the Full Moon such a powerful force in the Lands Between’s distant past. This immediate power escalation is shown with Rennala’s very first attack, a super-strength casting of Elden Ring‘s strongest spell, Comet Azur. Her showcase of power doesn’t end with only one spell, though, as Rennala continues to earn her title as a master of sorcery with unique casts of the strongest glintstone spells.

Highest among Rennala’s showcase of strength is her ability to summon spirits to her aid, some of which are of similar strength to the spirit ashes available to players in Elden Ring. However, Rennala’s ability to call on a troll and a dragon elevate her connection to spirit ashes well past the abilities of any player. It’s an impressive showcase of how powerful the Queen was before being abandoned by Radagon and falling into despair.

Ranni Surpasses Rennala in Every Way

As impressive as Rennala at full power is, it can’t be ignored that the second phase version of her is little more than an illusion crafted by Ranni the Witch. So, between the lore of the characters, and the conveyance coming directly from the gameplay, this interaction builds up Ranni to completely outshine her mother, even when comparing both at their prime. Considering Ranni’s behind-the-scenes roles throughout Elden Ring, this elevation of the half-dead demigod’s power is more than fitting.