Elden Ring has no shortage of punishing bosses, and the Nightreign expansion pushes FromSoftware’s infamous difficulty curve to new heights. Among the most dreaded encounters is Everdark Libra, also known as the Equilibrious Beast. This goat-headed monstrosity combines raw power, relentless aggression, and maddening tricks to push players to their limits.
If you’ve stumbled upon Libra and are struggling, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many Tarnished have been flattened by his madness-inducing powers and his terrifying ability to summon player clones. But with the right preparation and strategy, this seemingly impossible fight becomes manageable.
This in-depth guide will cover:
- Lore and background of Everdark Libra
- His abilities, attacks, and arena mechanics
- Weaknesses and elemental vulnerabilities
- Best strategies for melee, ranged, and hybrid builds
- Spirit Ash and multiplayer tips
- A step-by-step game plan to defeat him
By the end, you’ll have everything you need to emerge victorious against one of Nightreign’s toughest bosses.
Who is Everdark Libra? (Lore & Background)
In the lore of Elden Ring: Nightreign, Everdark Libra is referred to as the Equilibrious Beast. His form resembles a massive goat-headed knight, with chains wrapped around his body and runes glowing across his horns.
Scholars of the Lands Between describe him as a guardian of balance, a twisted creature tasked with ensuring that “madness and order remain in harmony.” Unfortunately, his concept of balance is warped. Instead of enforcing peace, he tests adventurers with nightmarish duels that replicate their own strengths against them.
What makes Libra unique compared to other bosses is not just his lore, but his design philosophy. He isn’t merely about brute force—he embodies chaos through mechanics such as clones, madness buildup, and shifting arenas. In many ways, he is a spiritual successor to Dark Souls’ Mirror Knight and Elden Ring’s own Godskin Duo, but with far more complexity.
Everdark Libra Boss Arena
The fight takes place in the Obsidian Crucible, a circular arena bathed in shifting twilight. The floor occasionally glows with arcane runes, signaling arena modifiers that will alter the fight.
Possible modifiers include:
- Dividing Walls – Black stone barriers rise, splitting the arena in half or into quadrants. This restricts mobility and makes clone fights trickier.
- Madness Eye – A massive glowing eye hovers over you, causing Madness buildup if you stand still. This forces you to keep moving.
- Rune Pulses – Periodic shockwaves that inflict chip damage if not dodged at the right time.
Learning how to handle these environmental hazards is just as important as learning Libra’s attack patterns.
Everdark Libra’s Moveset & Abilities
Here’s a breakdown of Libra’s most common attacks:
1. Madness Burst (AOE)
- Libra stomps the ground, releasing a golden-black shockwave that builds Madness.
- Dodge toward him to avoid the outer wave.
2. Horn Charge
- Lowers his horns and charges in a straight line.
- Leaves a trail of Madness flames behind him.
- Best counter: roll diagonally to the side at the last second.
3. Doppelganger Summon
- Creates 1–3 clones of the player, each equipped with your current weapon and abilities.
- They are weaker than you but can overwhelm if ignored.
4. Balance Strike
- A massive two-handed slam that causes the arena floor to glow.
- A delayed shockwave follows, punishing greedy players.
5. Claw Flurry
- A flurry of claw swipes followed by an upward strike.
- Fast and punishing—requires precise dodging.
6. Madness Gaze
- Libra channels energy through his horns, firing a beam that induces Madness buildup.
- Hide behind arena walls if they’re active.
Weaknesses of Everdark Libra
Fortunately, Libra has exploitable weaknesses:
- Elemental Weaknesses: Strongly weak to Holy and Fire damage.
- Status Resistances: High resistance to Bleed and Frost, making bleed builds less effective.
- Clone Vulnerability: Clones are fragile compared to the real boss—kill them quickly.
This means Faith builds and Pyromancy builds are in the best position to exploit his weaknesses.
Preparation Before the Fight
Before stepping into the Obsidian Crucible, make sure you’re well-prepared:
Essential Items
- Clarifying Boluses – Cure Madness buildup.
- Stonesword Keys – Unlock shortcuts nearby in case of repeated attempts.
- Holy/Fire Grease – Temporarily coat weapons with Libra’s weaknesses.
Recommended Talismans
- Clarifying Horn Charm – Boosts Focus resistance (helps resist Madness).
- Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman – Reduces incoming physical damage.
- Godfrey Icon – Boosts charged spell and skill damage.
Spirit Ash Recommendations
- Mimic Tear – Lets you double up against clones and keep the pressure on.
- Black Knife Tiche – Extremely useful for consistent chip damage and dodging.
- Latenna the Albinauric – Safe ranged damage while you handle clones.
Strategy Guide: How to Defeat Everdark Libra
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to approach the fight.
Phase 1: Establish Control
- As soon as the fight starts, observe the arena modifier. If it’s an open floor, you have more mobility; if walls appear, reposition strategically.
- Libra often opens with Horn Charge—roll sideways and punish with 1–2 hits.
Phase 2: Handle the Clones
- When clones appear, focus them immediately.
- Use Spirit Ashes to distract them while you single one out.
- Don’t waste strong skills on clones—they die quickly to basic attacks.
Phase 3: Punish Elemental Weakness
- If you’re a Faith build, cast Wrath of Gold or Lightning Spear when Libra recovers from an attack.
- If you’re a Fire build, spam Flame of Frenzy or coat your weapon with Fire Grease.
- Melee builds should look for openings after Libra’s Balance Strike and punish with Holy/Fire-enhanced weapons.
Phase 4: Survive Madness Mechanics
- Keep Clarifying Boluses ready when the Madness Eye hovers overhead.
- Roll through Madness Bursts instead of running away.
- Never let your Madness meter fill completely—it can insta-kill even with high health.
Phase 5: Final Push
At 25% HP, Libra becomes hyper-aggressive:
- He summons clones more frequently.
- Arena modifiers cycle faster.
- His Madness Gaze beam becomes wider.
This is where Spirit Ashes are crucial—let them handle distractions while you focus on burst damage. A fully buffed Holy or Fire weapon skill can finish him before things spiral out of control.
Build-Specific Tips
For Melee Players
- Stick to fast weapons like katanas, curved swords, or rapiers.
- Use Fire/Holy Grease to exploit his weakness.
- Avoid heavy colossal weapons—they’re too slow for his rapid combos.
For Faith Builds
- Use Wrath of Gold when clones are summoned to wipe them quickly.
- Flame of Frenzy does both fire damage and Madness (ironically punishes him hard).
- Stack Focus resistance to tank through his Madness abilities.
For Sorcery Builds
- Libra has moderate resistance to Magic, so avoid pure sorcery spam.
- Use utility spells like Carian Phalanx to interrupt clones.
- Supplement with Spirit Ashes for damage output.
Multiplayer Co-Op Strategy
- One player should kite the boss while another clears clones.
- Fire and Faith builds complement melee fighters extremely well.
- Voice chat coordination makes handling arena modifiers much easier.
Rewards for Beating Everdark Libra
Defeating Libra grants you:
- Remembrance of the Equilibrious Beast – Can be exchanged for either:
- Horn of Balance (a colossal weapon scaling with Faith).
- Madness Roar (a sorcery that summons a cone of Madness flames).
- Obsidian Crucible Key – Unlocks progression into the Nightreign depths.
- A hefty Rune drop.
Final Thoughts
Everdark Libra is a true test of patience and adaptability. His ability to weaponize your own build against you through clones makes him one of the most creative bosses in Elden Ring: Nightreign. While the fight may feel overwhelming at first, remember:
- Stay calm and focus on clones.
- Exploit Holy and Fire weaknesses.
- Manage Madness buildup with items and talismans.
- Use Spirit Ashes or co-op partners to balance the chaos.
With persistence and the right approach, you’ll emerge victorious and claim your place deeper into the Nightreign expansion.
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