Elden Ring - A failed usurper

[@ZullietheWitch]

Igon's unique one-legged model is technically treated as a type of Musculature in the character creation menu. Naturally he only uses it on the versions of him you meet out in the overworld, and his actual summon uses the standard Musculature instead.

[@jellyfish3987]

nice

[@echoinggarden6923]

I was hoping you would put those heads back to where they belong, 4 head dragon lord would be cool.

[@jeffcarroll1990shock]

Makes sense. I thought they used a special texture. on his leg armor to make It invisible.

[@horizonbumpy2828]

at 2:30 there's a small bit of audio corruption. could be annoying for headphone users

[@wealthybone2990]

So wait he actually had a missing leg? Then how did he grow up back for the fight lol?

[@Klirikay]

On a side note, in Jagged peak we can find an interesting crafting material - dragon’s calorbloom. It description says “single flower is said to blossom-only once-from the hearts of dead warriors who often partook of the Dragon Communion.” One can easily notice that Bayle’s arena is dotted with said flower marking those numerous dragon warriors who fought Bayle and failed.

[@eloryansuavo]

Yessss, and his arena is full of c0rpses

[@FFKonoko]

I just really enjoy the pointed "only blooms once" contrast with malenias 😂

[@kylestanley7843]

Funny to me that the flowers remain unscathed by each battle, considering the sheer amount of flame lightning Bayle spits up every second. Also, goodness, if each of those flowers represents a seasoned dragon communer, that really gives us some good perspective on how many dragons there used to be. This wasn't just hunting, it was genocide.

[@ItchiestBum]

@@kylestanley7843 This really puts it into perspective for me, though there still seems to be a boat load of drakes everywhere so they must reproduce fast compared to the ancients.

[@elias.t]

@@kylestanley7843 Considering the flowers sprout through blood magic fueled by the stolen force of dragons, I'd not be surprised if they were fireproof.

[@yvaskhmir]

I mean, Igon was basically destined to become one of the most famous NPCs, because he easily stands out as the loudest thus far. I can't remember any NPC being this expressive and screaming this much.

[@theenderdestruction2362]

Everyone else talks in a low calm voice some even whispery hell even the bosses arnt that loud with their attacks most of the time, then comes fucking igon and bayle both being so fucking loud that they could wake the damn dead from their graves like 20 miles away from em

[@masato495]

Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa

[@nachalnik5738]

​@@masato495MY NAAAAAAAME

[@drossbossofsauce5649]

​@@nachalnik5738IS GYOBU MASATAKA ONIWAAA

[@davidhong1934]

​@@drossbossofsauce5649 AS I BREATHE

[@static4802]

Another interesting thing to note is there are supposedly hundreds to thousands of Dragon's Calorbloom in his arena which suggests that, through millenia, legions of Drake Warriors have attempted to hunt down the Dread, only to become prey themselves. Bayle smashed through every single warrior sent to hunt him, that is until he encounters Igon and our Tarnished.

[@mocha5742]

Likely because the hatred, pain, and rage that fuelled Bayle was only matched by Igon

[@metalmonster9536]

Actually, it is until he encounters Igon and our Tarnished for like 999 times

[@QuiloWisp]

They all tried to 1v1 honour duel Bayle. It didn't work. Igon decided it was time to resort to JOLLY CO-OPERATION.

[@loadingnewads]

A reason why he didn’t recover from the initial fight with the dragon lord, the latter froze himself in time and the former had to fight for life. But as an unrelated question, where was Bayle before he jumped into the Arena?

[@theenderdestruction2362]

@@QuiloWisp solair can be heard crying tears of joy at this

[@InquisitorBot]

seeing him standing on one fully extended leg makes him look funny seeing as how short his body seems to be, unless he just has gamer posture

[@ThomTheBear]

Bayle the Fried chicken

[@smallkidneyjoe4046]

he's got a tiny little head

[@kumulonvevo6738]

im convinced his posture got fucked by his injuries. now i just wanna fight a prime bayle

[@ok-sg6df]

​@@kumulonvevo6738we asked for a prime boss and it didn't go so well...

[@tubasil8786]

Yeah he looks super stumpy, they must have shrunk him down to make him look better when he’s on the ground.

[@Calvagh-07]

bayle had basically no wingspan and one leg, still kicked our asses

[@Broomer52]

ever heard the story about the One-Legged Man in the Ass Kicking contest?

[@tomlemao7462]

so bayle is basically the dark knight from monty python but effective

[@marhawkman303]

@@tomlemao7462 Well just think... how --- terrifyingly powerful was Placidusax when he was in his prime? as the player we DON'T get to see that either.

[@bobertastic6541]

@@marhawkman303 He was the Elden Lord before Elden lord was even a title, so he was basically one rung below the greater will at the height of his power. Probably comparable to Radagon pre 'impalement by the light of allah'

[@saynmuhendis6743]

In his prime he could be a better defender but now he can't even guard washed up Gordon Haywards

[@alfalldoot6715]

One thing I noticed is how Bayle's death animation has him attempt to call upon his lightning once more only to be finished off by it. Considering his crimes against dragonkind, it's a fitting end for him to be killed by the weapon he co-opted against them.

[@ethanawaao1291]

I finished him off with a critical hit so I never got to see this.

[@Mene0]

I never noticed his death animation. Looked it up and it's sick, thanks for pointing it out

[@bradleyhandsonjoehallschro5419]

I don't think he was killed by it. Rather he was attempting to use it but died before that. It's to show that he'll never stop fighting and his rage will never die. His heart makes mention of how eventually the raging fire of it will consume whoever ate his heart.

[@deadmanplays2684]

@@bradleyhandsonjoehallschro5419Yeah that‘s more likely and more badass.

[@GoldLight73]

Honestly it amazes me that no FROMSoft boss has done this until now. At least, I can’t immediately think of one tries to give the player on last “fuck you” attack once the battle ends.

[@rkmugen]

Ahab: *"CURSE YOU, WHALE!!!!"* *"WITH A HAAAAAAIL OF HARPOOOONS!!!!!"*

[@andrewzhan5207]

wild pm fan spotted

[@salvatoreindelicato9368]

Igon:dauther? Ishmael:dad?

[@plinfan6541]

@@andrewzhan5207 Once again, the fault lies with you, Ishmael

[@yourlocalasleeponioperativ4095]

My compass was swallowed by the sea

[@markomega8719]

If the whale was Wayle the Dread, I wonder who Placidusax is in Moby Dick.

[@bisectbrain]

i had no idea he had the heads on his back. HOW IS HE STILL MORE METAL THAN I THOUGHT??

[@Nightmare_52]

and their teeth are still into his skin to this day, seems they were either ripped off while placidusax was biting him in the duel or his heads was trying to stop bayle from fleeing but got torn off in the process, in any case both dragons are metal as all hell

[@tonysladky8925]

I'm disappointed both my characters currently in the DLC have beaten Bayle. Every time I fought him, I noticed more and more details of just how messed up Bayle was after his fight with Placidusax (and perhaps Igon and countless other failed challengers, human and drake alike before you and Igon fight him together), and now I don't get more rematches to spot more of these details until I get other characters to the top of Jagged Peak 😢

[@Xenos369]

Bayle is wild. He took on an Elden Lord and lived to tell the tale for ages. He saw multiple civilizations rise and crumble to dust (including our own). He survived despite the divine edict set by Placidusax to exterminate Bayle and his kin over eons. It took a God Slaying tarnished to finally put him down, and he still dies defiant. Even if you consume his heart, he will take over your soul. Bayle is a menace, even death isnt enough to quell his rage.

[@theredknight9314]

He also slept with Greyoll

[@themaniae4803]

His boss arena is a giant garden of red flowers from dead Drake-Hunters who managed to reach his nest on the top. All this not in his prime.

[@Russo_Von_Carnificia]

​@@theredknight9314 Bayle the 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴

[@s0LLagal]

​@@theredknight9314 IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME, NOT HIM

[@theredknight9314]

@@s0LLagal LMAO

[@Deoix9877]

is also interesting that all DLC dragons have sustained physical injuries to one degree or another. Kalameet had his left wing pierced by gough's arrow, sinh was pierced through the chest with yorgh's spear, midir's wings were tattered due to the darkness consuming his body and now bayle being by far the most damaged one

[@somersaultinggiraffe1901]

The next DLC dragon will just be a walking dragon head, nothing more

[@marhawkman303]

@@somersaultinggiraffe1901 Well.... has Elden Ring done a draco-lich yet? Fully dead dragon animated by magic... and still has the full rage of a living dragon? Neverwinter Online has one and it's basically a dragon skeleton walking around with a few scraps of zombified flesh sticking to the bones.... and PITA necromancer themed magic and a breath weapon made of death gas.

[@somersaultinggiraffe1901]

@@marhawkman303 yeah there are ghostflame dragons in the DLC. Basically dragons with rotten flesh, infested with maggots and their skin peeling off showing their bones.

[@marhawkman303]

@@somersaultinggiraffe1901 hmm.. boss version of that? :D

[@somersaultinggiraffe1901]

@@marhawkman303 they're just field bosses

[@dragonslayer3552]

1:16 oh my god it just hit me... The thunder wings he conjures in phase 2 to allow him to fly again, they are in incantation version of placidusax wings, and he uses the remains of placidusax's cut heads as a catalyst to cast them thats such an insane detail

[@nightscout9979]

Bayle's lightning wings actually have a unique appearance compared to every other dragons' wings (even Bayle's own physical ones), but it's still an awesome idea. I did a comparison of wings the other day, and Bayle's lightning wings ultimately look similar to drake wings with the spikes on the bottom, but the spikes on the top are unique due to how they curl and where they point.

[@dragonslayer3552]

@@nightscout9979 oh well they aren't placidusax's then, but still they are made by lightning which is probably similar technique to how we can use different ancient dragon incantations and using placi's decayed heads as a catalyst is still a valid theory

[@bw4708]

I had never noticed how he used his tail to ambulate! I love when these videos let me actually get a look at the stuff I’ve been panic rolling away from,

[@joshualing5667]

There is a type of monkey that uses it's tail as a fifth limb at least when hanging or swinging from trees, so not surprise tbh

[@andreaslois3074]

A few noteworthy points: - Bayle uses flame lightning, which parallels the ice lighting of the dragonkin. - His wings are produced by lightning and resemble those of Placidusax, potentially meaning that Bayle is casting a spell similar to Placidusax's ruin onto his back.

[@megaman161]

Or straight-up channeling Placidusax's power through the severed heads. I kind of theorized a similar sort of thing with the Jagged Peak Drakes. That, like a Dragon Communion warrior gaining power by feasting on dragons, the drakes can use red lightning after devouring ancient dragons. It only makes sense that the drakes would fight back after being hunted by their brethren.

[@AndreiPredoiu]

@@megaman161 that could also give an explanation as to why flame lightning and not just lightning. Maybe they ate the hearts of ancient dragons and because they don't have hands to wield it they have to use their mouths

[@thecommentguy9380]

Ancient dragons are known to create weapon out of lightning, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Bayle, with all of his spite and hatred, could create a pair of wings using lightning. Given how he could channel lightning into himself, you could say he still has ties to ancient dragons as only they or those they have blessed could channel lightning into their body

[@fundays.385]

That would make sense for the head's other than a display of power. One specific attack does resemble Placidusax's ruin, along with the opening attack at the start of phase 2.

[@derek96720]

Dragonkin use ice lightning because they aren't true dragons

[@randombot6203]

I like to think that the Bayle-Placi fight was what turned Farum Azula into crumbling Farum Azula

[@lambda760]

Cool detail is that you can see some dragons circling around Farum Azula, however, these are drakes, not ancient dragons. The idea is that Bayle's drakes have put Farum Azula under a very long siege, causing it to very slowly crumble.

[@Dinoman972]

I mean, the meteor mentioned in the Ruins Greatsword description probably didn't help.

[@MitridatedCarbon]

Yeah my theory is that placi escaped the jagged peak using his storm control abilities and dragged the entirety of farum azula with him in the sky.

[@blade-icewood]

@@MitridatedCarbon Placi was never in the Realm of Shadow, Bayle somehow took off and ended up there.

[@HavokGeometryDash]

​​@@blade-icewoodkeep in mind the realm of shadow only disappeared during Marika's reign, and the Bayle/Placi fight happened way before that.

[@Twelvebeans]

Bless you Bayle! I hereby vow! You will fondly recall this day! Behold, a true friend of dragons! And I, Igon! Your joy made manifest! Lonely of heart you might be, sweet dragon but i will banish with love your frigid fears! With a hail of hugs! With every last drop of my being!

[@sanityismadness]

Igon's wholesome brother Nogi

[@ricardojanate]

I don't know why, but when you say it like that it feels... sexual 😳

[@littlesneets8026]

Wholesome 🫂

[@Rose-85]

Evil Igon be like

[@Sinhsseax]

@@sanityismadness No, that's what Igon says, if Bayle sneezes. He's a polite man at heart after all.

[@cluster4583]

0:46 i love what you did with this shot, it's so sick and clever depicting bayle retreating off from the fight he made with placidusax. not just canonically but cinematically too with bayle fleeing and in the background placi's in the middle of the arena circle with its majestic wings spread out and with the remaining two heads risen up after the battle.

[@Mene0]

Igon's VA did a stellar job. Also really cool to see Bayle in detail. Can't really see during the fight

[@nebulous9280]

I loved reading about the interview he did after the meme blew up, where the VA was confused about why he was voicing the character's triumph in one line but then was given a line voicing Igon's regret at failure. He had just forgotten it was a video game and the fight could go either way lol. His name is Richard Lintern and he must be protected at all costs.

[@Dovoline3]

I genuinely hope he at least gets nominated for a Game Award. Especially this year, I really can't think of any better voice performance. The man brings a fire that would quell even the most zealous preacher, and hypes both you and himself up like a twist appearance in a WWE fight. And the fact that you can hear him just break down once you win and he knows his ordeal is finally done is just perfect. Most games don't have the kind of voice acting quality in their leads that Igon had in less than 20 lines.

[@Stormmblade]

Everyone always talks about Igon's voice actor, but never about Bayle's voice actor

[@SpecShadow]

I love how vast majority of NPCs in Souls games have calm, sleepy voices and then you have Igon

[@Dovoline3]

@@SpecShadow It's really only DS 1 and 2 where everyone is eepy. DS3 had Siegward, Bloodborne had Mikolash, and Sekiro had Gyobu.

[@GODZILLAmonsoon]

Man. I didn't realise just _how_ bad Bayle got fucked up. He's a triple amputee thanks to his "fucked around, found out" situation with Placidusax and he still wants all the smoke. Also, when stood up, he calls to mind the Dragon Asses of Lost Izalith. In any other series I'd not even consider it, but... maybe...?

[@theenderdestruction2362]

He also took like 3 heads from the dragon lord, which in of itself sends the message placidusax was trying to stop him from fleeing and failed and those heads still bite him to this day

[@Lizard____]

​@theenderdestruction2362 That's some great imagery. Bayle being so desperate to escape that he doesn't even try to throw Placi off, but instead flies away so violently that he rips off some of the heads

[@yodoleheehoo90]

Yeah i noticed that too! Also his arena reminded me of Lost Izalith with all the molten rock, red atmosphere, and isolated location. Another thing I want to add is not only the Dragon Asses but also the Titanite Demons, they crawl on one leg and tough to kill despite their slowness and creepy to boot!

[@uncoomf3279]

Maybe what

[@The_loathsome_Dung_Eater1]

Dragon asses 😂

[@powerforcex6190]

3:33 I mean, they can borrow the Monster Hunter's Rocket Powered Jet Fueled Nuclear Hypersonic Bomb gigadragon who divebombs you from the planet's orbit, splitting the entire globe in half then putting it back with a sneeze.

[@Petgirl_sophie]

Valstrax my beloved

[@FFKonoko]

Bring the b52 bomber first, valatrax is cooler but the terror as that tune kicks in mid hunt...

[@greenhydra10]

@@FFKonoko You do realize that means they are required by Guild mandate to also have the pickle?

[@sekira4516]

I'm sorry but as a non Monster Hunter fan, *The What?*

[@enderdefender7406]

CUUURSE YOU VALSTRAX

[@Juria1987]

Igon is just the biggest chad, and honestly a key reason people love him is just how had the VA for him went. Amazing work on that guy's part.

[@EmilyJennings]

'wounds that don't heal no matter how much time has passed' seems like a rather central theme to the dlc. cool to see it here

[@skjoldrodinson408]

Bayle was genuinely one of my favorite fights of the DLC. Visually, the transition into his second phase was so incredible to watch unfold, and the music was awesome.

[@Gamer3427]

Agreed. Easily my favorite of the DLC bosses because the fight itself felt truly epic, with Igon on making it more so obviously. Midra, (the frenzy flame boss), was my second favorite because of how visually impressive his fight was, particularly during the second phase.

[@labibahasan8302]

@@Gamer3427 Exactly, Bayle and Midra stand out for me as the most fun boss fights in the DLC. The Bayle fight makes me wish they made a dragon hunter type game with the souls-like combat system, it would definitely be very cool to see a game focused on a separate universe of different legendary dragons that have unique movesets, lore and dungeons like placi and bayle have.

[@EllaKarhu]

​@@labibahasan8302Bayle feels a lot like a Monster Hunter fight. You want legendary dragons with unique movesets, that series has got you covered. Not exactly souls-like combat, but it's not too far off.

[@labibahasan8302]

@@EllaKarhu A monster hunter type game with simple but challenging souls-like combat and an open world with regions and intricate dungeons such as jagged peak and crumbling farum azula would be incredible.

[@nowhereman6019]

"Oh, lonely death on lonely life! Oh, now I feel my topmost greatness lies in my topmost grief. Ho, ho! from all your furthest bounds, pour ye now in, ye bold billows of my whole foregone life, and top this one piled comber of my death! Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering drake; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear!"

[@Pabzooloo]

Cheers, I'll drink to that.

[@SCDifference]

(you missed the last whale)

[@dannywatson4253]

It really is impressive the amount they matched up Igon's lines to Ahab's.

[@moonlightning8269]

Coincidentally reading Moby Dick right before SotE came out was very nice. I have to say, despite being a fromsoft character, Igon actually has a much more optimistic ending than Ahab lol.

[@Mistheart101]

It still amazes me that Igon's voice actor hadn't even done voice roles before this. That man put his everything into his performance, and I hope he gets paid to do more work of this caliber.

[@brianschraner]

Audio crack at 2:32

[@fossyl1205]

i thought my headphones were breaking lmao

[@joenoodle6914]

unsubbing

[@kevinbeteta1737]

I looked at this at like 2:28 lol

[@AG30]

Literally just heard it and was like did my headphones do that

[@Gamer3427]

Igon is the absolute best. Particularly since he hypes **you** up during the fight despite how hard he fought just to get back there to kill Bayle. Also, seeing how powerful both Bayle and Placidusax are despite being so heavily injured, can you imagine how strong they had to have been during their prime?

[@dylaxiusmccoy]

I've always loved that many of the bosses in these games are past their prime, nearly dead beings who still absolutely kick your ass, leaving you to imagine just how powerful they must have been in their prime, and Bayle might just be my favorite example in the whole souls franchise. Dude is practically a walking corpse, ripped to shreds by a god he nearly killed, and yet he's absolutely ruthless to his last breath. If the tarnished hadn't shown up, you know he would have spent another millennia slaughtering anyone who dared to challenge him.

[@Sewersyrup]

“He piled upon the Bayles dark hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from Marika down; and then, as if his chest had been a Greatbow, he burst his hot heart's shell upon it.”

[@valeriob36]

Something I would like to add, Igon and Bayle might share even more traits beside their missing legs. And I'm not referring to their similarly ambitious personalities, as described by the priestess of dragon communion. During one of his "pain-monologues", Igon describes not just his leg but his arms too "lying in ruin". If we now take him handing us his furled finger as him actually carrying around a severed finger of his, then it seems quite plausable that his hands are "not in great shape" inside his gloves, this would coincide with Bayle's shredded arms/wings (and makes me wonder if he could've still used his bow). The second, more speculative similarity is based on Bayle's theme. Igon has these moments where he turns from his usual bombastic, vengeful persona into this broken, fear- and regretful one. I think the somber sections in Bayle's ost might be meant to imply a similar state of mind, where he too regrets what he did. Though whether that would be because of his wounds having ended his ambitions, the persecution of the drakes following his attack or something else, would be impossible to say.

[@theenderdestruction2362]

@valeriob36 The funny thing is i have a comeplelty false theory that's more to make me smile, but here it is, igon is all of bayles' doubts, insecurities, and ither qualitys he threw out given form, igon is quiet litteraly bayle in another form but with a different set of memoires as well, this is why i think bayle hates bayle just as much as igon hates bayle but at the same time doesnt want igon to die, perhaps placidusax never learned of this but if he did i would imagine he pretty upset to learn the cause which in this stupid theory is that bayle felt like a failed dragon, he had a heart and so was by all means not a true dragon like them and these feelings constantly welled up inside him and so one day he casted them aside which in return left only the monster we now see, bayle in this light can be considered incomplete, igon his other half is the only thing really capable of killing him and when bayle dies so does igon as both need each other

[@joshualing5667]

​So, they're both similar to batman and joker, huh?

[@historicflame972]

Given there's some implication Bayle is chowing down on his own kids, I don't think his regret is anything to do with morals

[@darkwhispersstories47]

One of them ended up taking an at least 2k years old nap while the other had to flee to 'Marika Rejects' land so I will say Placy took the W In the end even with two heads down

[@dragonlordplacidusax9413]

That is indeed the accurate interpretation of history.

[@greenhydra10]

I mean, he has plenty of heads to spare, and "Elden Lord of Ancient Dragons" speaks for itself regarding Placidusax's prime. I mean, the only thing really keeping Bayle alive is sheer force of will and anger.

[@theenderdestruction2362]

I consider both a failure, neither succeded in killing the other, one had to take a nap in a storm beyond time as everything went to shit around him, and the other had to flee to live, neither won and in the end both probably by die by the same tarnished anyways

[@themaniae4803]

Oh, more than 2k years. Kanji about how old is Placidusax and Dragon Age is like our Stone Age so... maybe 1.000.000? Or something like 50.000, yet is still a lot Older than Marika. Martin talked about 6000 years, but is not sure if is about all Elden Ring or just Marika part.

[@willmael7914]

They both retreated to unknown places after the fight. One had to fuck off beyond time, the other to a forgotten land. I think it was a stalemate.

[@hollow_blades]

I've thought since release that Igon was essentially a fantasy version of Captain Ahab. Cool to know that actually was the inspiration for him.

[@alchemy5750]

I love the parallel of Placidusax' almost angelic-looking white and gold coloration with wing shapes resembling feathers, while his opponent Bayle is literally a demon dragon.

[@Legendary231]

The way you pose the character models for your still shots is extremely impressive. The shot at 0:27 is incredible.

[@CakeAddict]

I always like these video's because you point stuff out in the model and animation work that I missed because I was too busy rolling around in the dirt.

[@hoomanlel5149]

Its over Bayle , I depicted the drake warrior and myself as the chad while you as the soyjak.

[@fefino1411]

Having played through all of Elden Ring's main game, as well as the dlc, I've never had a "Wow!" moment comparable to the first time I saw Placidusax's golden fire breath turn into dual lazer beams. That has stuck with me as one of the coolest things in fromsoftware history.

[@sorteinfame]

Another physical similarity between Ahab and Igon is the scar on the left part of the face: in the book Ahab is described as having a huge white mark the goes from head to the leg like a lighning strike

[@Jm-ki4su]

he uses his own bones as weapons, just like those armless zombies who attack with their forearm bones in Dead Island

[@brenstroyer5834]

What I love about Igon is that he’s out there doing his own thing. Every other NPC is wrapped up in the drama of being Miqnotized. Meanwhile Igon is out there, probably not even knowing who Miquella is, just beefing with a dragon

[@echoesman3439]

Man has beef with a drake probably older than Miquella's extended family (save for Marika herself and Radagon) so no wonder he doesn't care

[@jaxdakid5598]

beautifully presented video, loved the shot of igon with his bow primed and ready with Bayle’s dreadful red gaze meeting ours, the true drake warrior.

[@KaijuRhino]

i'm surprised at how little I've seen Bayle and Igon mentioned as a reference to A Song of Ice and Fire, where a dragon named Balerion the Dread was ridden by King Aegon

[@cowhale2488]

Man, Elden Ring has the coolest dragons. Like how modern dragons got the name "drake", finally the wyvern-calling can end. The phrase "drake" was in the base game too; the drake knight warrior armor set refers to someone who is said to be a communion hunter

[@TheRealJohnux]

Tallboy Bayle isn't Real, he can't hurt you. Tallboy Bayle:

[@Alluminum-z6n]

Throught the DLC everything from characters to item descriptions told me what a badass Bayle was. And when I finally saw him, I thought: "You are smaller than I expected"

[@nickperri6571]

I remember our reactions to first seeing the ancient dragons revealed in the trailer when it caught a red lightning bolt to use in combat, it was EPIC. I can’t imagine what they may do in the future

[@Hayden_Hassan]

I never even noticed that two of Placidusax’s heads were attached to Bayle’s hide until now. Amazing detail; really adding to the spectacle of Bayle’s character!!

[@Touma134]

I love how fromsoft makes these super powerful beings that you fight at their weakest but is still a spectacle and a half making you contemplate how much of an awe inspiring monster these enemies once were. It justify your character beating them without ruining the majesty. First time I really was that was the demon prince and prince Lorian. Both are tough fights showing their abilities but they're complete shells of their former selves still ready and able to kick your ass.

[@realQuestion]

if dragon scales are "outside time" to some degree, I suppose it follows that the drake's wounds don't heal normally over time either...

[@ethanwashington6789]

Yeah, with the frozen-in-time placi scales probably being what allows us to kill gods (with our +25 wep now being frozen at a time when dd was still active, going by the scales' shape), i'd imagine any damage placidusax himself did is also going to be very permanent

[@WunjoYT]

"The more dragons they make, the more creative they'll need to get". Nothing has beaten Gaping dragon yet.

[@rougesacre]

I guess they also reference G. R. R Martin's Balerion the Black Dread and his first rider, Aegon I the Conqueror.

[@kvngslatt_]

makes sense considering he worked on elden ring too. even Bayle and Balerion’s heads look somewhat similar too

[@sydposting]

Not to mention with the two Placi heads on Bayle's back, he's like a twisted version of the Targaryen three-headed dragon.

[@DBfan106]

I will never get tired of videos from you about Fromsoft dragons.

[@mackswellgg]

It’s so amazing to me that Bayle ends up having 2 pairs of wings, more similar to an ancient dragon than a flying one.

[@MettanAtem]

Personally, I think the best weapon to fight Bayle with is the Pickaxe. Not just for the pierce damage and high stagger value, but also for the mental image of such a terrifying foe being brought down with something not even designed for killing.

[@dignelberrt]

The musical transition to Bayle's second phase gives me goosebumps

[@Pizzifrizzo]

Given how it's stated that the Ancient Dragons view their cousins as "lesser" and "devolved", I wonder if there was something more than mere power lust behind Bayle's attempt on Placidusax. Maybe his get was already treated as second class citizens and he wanted to even the score and prove that the drakes are as capable as their ancestors.

[@Jerry-iw9sn]

There is a small problem with this theory, Jagged peak is literally infested with drake corpses and it's heavily implied that Bale canibalized his own kin.

[@Pizzifrizzo]

@@Jerry-iw9sn What is implying that Bayle cannibalised his own kin? The dragon corpses on the Jagged Peak only drop Sharp Gravel Stone, which is made when an ancient dragon feasts on a modern one, while Bayle's arena is only covered in Calorbloom, from the Dragon Communion warriors Bayle has slain. Given Senessax's presence, I'd had assumed that Bayle and his closest kin took refuge on the Jagged Peak, but the ancient dragons pursued them until they failed to kill off Bayle and left, with the exception of Senessax.

[@Your_Resident_Redleg]

2:30 Praise the Noise! But Right!

[@ASquared544]

The thing about Bayle’s heart is that it’s covered with horns, similar to Omen, Hornsent, and generally those chosen by the crucible. Bayle is said to be the progenitor of all drakes, so there has to be some distinguishing event that made him a Drake instead of an ancient dragon. I believe he was born with aspects of the crucible, and was the first (possibly the only) dragon to ever do that. The wings he summons certainly resemble an aspect of the crucible, and the horns are a dead giveaway.

[@bardicdragon]

CURSED BAYLE HOLY GRAIL

[@Noizzed]

There's nothing convincing me now that Farum Azula was on the jagged peak. It ties perfectly with not only the map but the lore.

[@ok-sg6df]

0:45 as a d1 bayle glazer i have to mention that bayle only fled AFTER the fight ended

[@rion7720]

Never felt so proud in a game, than when being referred to as a true drake warrior by Igon, facing together against Bayle

[@axllow3914]

He'll forever be Dragon Communion Ahab in my mind from now on

[@ddangho914]

I saw a pretty interesting theory from the Korean Elden Ring community that claims judging by his distinctively red eyes, Bayle might have been an Ancient Dragon influenced, or even created by the Formless Mother, and the clash between Placidusax was a proxy war between the Formless Mother and the Ancient Golden Order. I personally really like this theory because it kinda gave me a general concept of how the Elden Ring Universe might function. Dragon Communion is basically using the Dragon's power by devouring their hearts, and since Flying Dragons are kin to Bayle, an agent to the Formless Mother, Dragon Communion incantations' main attribute is Arcane, just like Blood incantations. This would also explain why Placidusax's Ruin, despite being similar to a Dragon Communion incantation, doesn't require Aracne; basically Placidusax is aligned with the Greater Will and has no ties with the Formless Mother.

[@TheYeetedMeat]

That's awesome.

[@pponca8953]

I am blanking on names really hard right now so bear with me. The bloody finger who wears the drakeknight set uses a bleed twinblade very similar to rivers of blood thematically, that would also coincide with that theory.

[@Pillowcasethegreat]

@@pponca8953 yeh, Eleonora became simultaniously mad from eating dragon hearts and also mad from the formless mother's influence which turns her twinblade into what we see now.

[@metalmonster9536]

Cool theory but that seems to have gone too far. Mohg, someone who's the most associated with FM, retains his golden eye instead of red. Also there's no such word that red eye symbolizes an influence of FM(unlike many texts about golden iris). As ambiguous From is, they give some clues in descriptions about these kinds of things, st least in modern games. Plus Bayle never uses anything like blood flame. Lastly, if you connect Dragon Communion with FM by stat requirements, we can say that Gurranq is an agent of the Rot because his incantations use faith like Rot incantations do. I can't imagine how my fellow Korean Tarnished even came up with the idea.

[@noahrombough2802]

@@metalmonster9536 the players eyes, and the eyes of the bloody-finger NPC's, are red after Varre infects your finger if you finish his quest. Mohg's eye being gold could be courtesy of Miquella compelling loyalty from Mohg to facilitate stealing his body after we kill him. Blood-flame may be something specific to Mohg, as bloody AoW's do not produce flames yet are aligned with and used by bloody-fingers, while only the incants create blood-flame. Stats would be circumstantial evidence. Case in point, beast incants require str, and Golden Order Fundamentalists require int, in addition to fth, indicating something other than pure trust in a specific Outer God

[@Likhos1]

I was happily surprised by Bayle, I almost expected to see a repackaged Midir

[@benmorrow1701]

Wow! I was so glued in and mesmerized by the Bayle fight and it didn’t even register that he was missing a leg. There’s so much awesome detail it blows my mind!

[@Αστερίων13]

Bayle is the Seath the Scaleless of this game: a dragon born different from all the others who attacked his kin full of rage and envy, however this time the rebel was defeated. I love the parallels between the dragons in elden ring and in dark souls, the fact that they both have stone scales but an opposite relation to the power of lightning is also cool

[@Sammaroth]

thanks for drum brake in right ear on 2:31 :p

[@sq_z]

that tingled my brain

[@figo3554]

Bayle shouldn't have fucked around, cause he absolutely found out.

[@Gabrol]

2:37 SPLIT YOUR LUNGS WITH BLOOD AND THUNDER WHEN YOU SEE THE WHITE WHALE

[@kevinthedot]

An interesting theory about Bayle is that he's somehow blessed by the Crucible. Perhaps he even was born to bring an end to Placidusax' age as Elden Lord, same way we bring an end to Marika's age. He's adorned with many more twisted horns than other dragons and drakes, his heart even described having "horn-like gravelstones", and the wings he sprouts during his second phase are magical wing constructs very similar to the Crucible Incantations.

[@realQuestion]

so drakes would be dragon equivalents of Omens?

[@MrFallenone]

His horns do look a lot like Moghs

[@joseaugustodasilvagoncal-su5fu]

@@realQuestion not really, because they hunt and aren't "cursed" 9as subjective as it is in FS games). They are closer to Omen Hunters

[@decodemodern]

Bayle has one of the best video game boss character designs. So much storytelling is done just by looking at him and seeing him move / fight.

[@KamilMalach]

Awaiting the Ulysses sidequest

[@tortue_]

2:31 CUURRSEE YOUUU ZULLIEE, I THOUGHT MY HEADPHONES WERE GONNA EXPLODE OR SOMETHING. My soul left my body, i bid farewell to my right ear in an instant. It's like that static electricity incident all over again for me, traumatic.

[@rahulgomes6488]

i still think that there is no other dragon in history that could match the pure AURA of BAYLE THE DREAD

[@somersaultinggiraffe1901]

Ancalagon the Black clears.

[@kamantariq2513]

Pladasudisazz is also mucj bigger than we thought. If we return all his heads back and have them flair up like DS1 hydras, and strech out his wings(that are visually similar to Bayles), our Lord of Dragons is huge. Imagine his gold laser with even more heads.

[@thedarkgenious7967]

you know I'm almost positive that Bayle's summoned wings are a form of Dragon Communion, too. It's shown by the Sharp Gravel Stones that Bayle's descendants are cannibalistic, feeding on their own dead and the dead ancient dragons, and we know that communion spells can involve more than just a dragon's head for their respective breathes from Dragon Talon. I'm pretty sure Bayle ate some of his descendants (I'd imagine he'd need a bunch, since the stronger communion spells need multiple hearts) and/or some of the ancient dragons he killed so that he could, but for a moment, regain some of what he lost to Placidusax. Also while I find Bayle's stature while standing kind of hilarious, it's not as silly if you take into account just how big his wings would actually be when they weren't shredded ruins.

[@jonakchakrabarti8051]

This was really interesting amd insightful. As your videos often are. Thank you.

[@ombreur]

Maybe Bayle is that injured also because his heart is the saint Grail for all dragon communion people. Like we can think Florissax is sending everyone to kill him.

[@WanderingKrow]

Bless you, Zullie! I hereby vow! You will revel in this day! Behold, a true witch subscriber! And I, WanderingKrow! Your supporter made flesh! Solid of lore you might be, lovely witch... But I will riddle with pats your amazing head! With a hail of hands! With every last drop of my being!

[@sonjaquan5775]

I aspire to be nicknamed Dragon Communion Ahab

[@vonpotatostein]

This questline was one of the greatest highlights of the DLC for sure!! The actor that did Igon's voice is freaking a m a z i n g!

[@theredknight9314]

Its crazy to think greyoll and Bayle had a “fling” and then Bayle left her after losing to placidusax Atleast according to the dragon lady at the dragon alter, he is “the father of all modern drakes”

[@scotcheggable]

I love the moving picture effect where the models are still but still subject to wind.

[@erdtroll7010]

THE FAULT LIES WITH YOU, BAYLE

[@kevinfortsch]

Dragon comunion Ahab. And he has a patch over his eye....snake!? SNNAAAAAAAAKKKKEEE! I mean, BAAAYYYLLLEEEE!!!

[@agentdash8999]

It's funny to see people wanting to fight a prime Bayle because we wouldn't stand a fucking chance, prime Bayle would be the kind of battle that would destroy the land you're fighting on, he's ancient, crippled and doesn't have much power left nowadays but imagining him at full power is insane, let alone the thought of fighting him.

[@nightscout9979]

Yeah. Heck, for that matter, we still didn't even fight prime Radahn, just a much healthier Radahn who Miquella tried to keep weak enough to control.

[@MrFallenone]

@@nightscout9979 Cause we all know Radahn was unrizzable.

[@Tyrell-d6o]

Bayle and especially the environments in the leadup to him are to me the most memorable parts of this DLC. Pure cinema.

[@ScarletSho]

WITH A HAIL OF HARPOONS!

[@CuriousLumenwood]

In possibly the dumbest leap in logic I’ve ever had while playing a FromSoft game, I encountered Igon and thought “oh this guy’s suffering and also insane. I’ll put him out of his misery I guess” and killed him.

[@Drakuma35]

CURSE YOU BAYLE

[@thequilldrop]

your captions are always so eloquent, its like im watching an official lore video by Bandai… keep up the great work❤

[@eeeee-bs5ii]

I noticed how some item descriptions (I think its some of the gravel-stone and dragon-flesh related items in the jagged peak) hint at older or aged drakes hunting their kin, and baby drakes in dragonbarrow have short horns, don't breathe fire and don't drop dragon hearts, maybe drakes grow the large horn in adulthood so that they can hunt each other for gravel stone, becoming stronger and extending their lifespans, becoming "aged", possibly allowing them to become as large as greyoll, who drops 5 dragon hearts, which could be a final stage where they produce a massive litter to restart the cycle (probably just tinfoil hat monkey brain thoughts but its fun)

[@majorasnightmare1322]

the 5 dragon hearts you get from greyoll are actually from the younger drakes in front of her protecting her, who die at the same time. its why the runes from killing her come in two batches, one 50k from greyoll and a 20Kish one from the other dragons

[@eeeee-bs5ii]

@@majorasnightmare1322 no because the hearts don't drop until greyoll dies

[@DaFookas]

I had no idea that Placidusax's heads were attached to Bayle. Amazing find and great work!

[@lm7677]

Obligatory “CURSE YOU BAYLE” comment thread Edit: You’re all very bad at coordinating with each other, but you’re having fun so it doesn’t matter ☺️

[@Johnny-ms4ir]

I HEREBY VOW

[@worldlinezero4783]

CURSE YOU BAYLE

[@iamthereddemon20]

YOU WILL RUE THIS DAY

[@That1J1]

"EAAAAGGHHHHHHHHH!"

[@lochshield11]

@@Johnny-ms4ir YOU WILL RUE THIS DAY

[@huntersm00n]

The thing I love about these videos are the comparisons that I over skip, some I can hit spot on, but the "Moby Dick" I wouldn't have thought. It makes the stories and fights even better.

[@sciencey2858]

Limbus Company, Moby Dick, and Elden Ring be like:

[@darkuscarlet]

THE FAULT LIES WITH YOU, TARNISHED!

[@smort123]

_"Curse you Placidusax! My wings! My legs! Each lies a bloody ruin!"_ - Bayle leaving Placidusax's arena, or something.

[@RazloTPD]

Thank you for pointing out the direct comparison that is Cpt Ahab and Moby Dick with Igon and Bayle (It even sounds like Whale) I love Igon to bits, but his whole schtick is basically just the story of Moby Dick inserted into Elden Ring. I love that about it personally, and I don't see the credit given anywhere near often enough. Even some of Igon's voice lines are directly from Cpt Ahab.

[@exyj]

Bayle's name is (in all likelihood) also a reference to George R. R. Martin's books. There's a dragon called "Balerion, the Black Dread" in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. "Bayle, the Dread" is basically an abridged version of that.

[@LocksAndChains]

Bayle’s conjured wings and hellish attacks give me a good idea what he was like at his prime. But his state of bodily ruin make me wonder what kind of divine monster Placidusax was at full power.