Okay, I’ll admit it, when I first ran into Maris, Fathom of Night in Elden Ring: Nightreign, I panicked. A floating squid god who pelts you with jellyfish and puts you to sleep? Sounds like a bad fever dream. But after dying (a lot) and doing some serious test runs, I figured out what makes this boss tick. And good news: with the right setup, Maris is more bark than bite. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to beat the Augur boss, also known as Maris, the flying sleep demon, from prep to execution. Whether you’re solo or in a chaotic group run, this guide has your back.
Augur Boss Weaknesses
Maris is one of the six bosses unlocked after you clear Tricephalos on Day 3 of the Augur Expedition. He’s a Nightlord, and defeating him rewards you with a Trace of Night (you need four to unlock the final expedition) and the Night of the Fathom Boss Relic. So yeah, he’s kind of a big deal.
He floats. He flies. He makes jellyfish explode. And worst of all, he inflicts sleep status constantly. It’s less of a brawl and more of a bullet-hell dance with a sleepy twist. But with some clever prep and a few tricks, you can make this flying nightmare wish it stayed in the sky.
Preparation Phase: Sleep-Proof Your Build
Step 1: Equip Sleep Resistance
First thing’s first, get Sleep Resistance. This isn’t optional. Maris will absolutely put you to sleep with both his jellyfish and ultimate attacks, and if you’re not protected, you’ll be out cold for 10–15 seconds while tentacles and explosions party on your corpse.
Use relics that grant resistance to Sleep or, if you’re lucky, find the “Resistance to All Ailments” stat. You’ll still get slightly drowsy, but you won’t end up face-planting into a jellyfish.
Step 2: Go Ranged (If You Can)
This boss is airborne for most of the fight, so melee-only builds are going to suffer. If you can, bring:
- Ironeye for constant ranged damage and that amazing dodge Ultimate.
- Recluse for long-range magic and support.
- Revenant for ghost summons that distract and tank.
You can beat him melee (I did it once, wouldn’t recommend), but it’s rough and risky. You’ll be waiting for windows when Maris floats low or goes into stagger.
Step 3: Aim for Level 12–15 Stats
Make sure you’re properly leveled. Stack up your:
- Health and Stamina
- Flask upgrades
- Sleep Resistance
Anything that helps you stay alive longer or lets you reposition quickly will give you a massive edge. And trust me, the Lightning Bolt incantation absolutely cooks Maris. It’s by far the most effective tool you can bring to this fight.
Phase 1: Tentacles, Jellies, and That Wave Attack
Maris loves to hover and spam attacks from above. Here’s what you need to look out for:
- Jellyfish Swarm: They zigzag and explode. Kill them when you can, they damage Maris slightly on death. Great opportunity for melee to contribute.
- Wave Blast: When water gathers around Maris, it’s about to fire a huge wave that bounces. Roll through it as it reaches you.
- Tentacle Forest: Static traps that strike when you’re close. Avoid them unless they block a revive or healing path. If you stagger Maris, they vanish, huge window of opportunity.
Phase 2: The Sleep Phase (This One’s Huge)
At some point/s, Maris lays flat and starts emitting a massive sleep aura. Most players panic here, but this is your time to shine if you came prepared.
- Stay in. Unload your DPS.
- Use your Ultimate to dodge the sleep tick if you didn’t bring resistance.
- You can often force a stagger here, which wipes out tentacles and gives you a big breather.
Phase 3: The Bubble Bomb
This is the big one. At around 50% HP, Maris will float into the sky and summon two massive teardrop bombs. If these hit the ground, you’re eating an explosion the size of a small country, and they will put you to sleep.
Solution:
- Target and break them mid-air. Fast.
- Use ranged attacks or skills like Ironeye’s Ultimate to shred them before they drop.
- Breaking them damages Maris and prevents the explosion.
This bubble drop will repeat during the rest of the fight, so be ready every time you see him float up.
Extra Tips and Other Damage Sources
- Kill tentacles and jellyfish when safe, three orbs will shoot toward the boss, dealing minor but cumulative damage.
- If a unique tentacle spawns, it’s worth taking down, seems to trigger a stronger orb effect.
- Ironeye’s Ultimate can be a game-changer when Maris is in sleep mode, knocks him out immediately.
- Use ghost summons to tank damage and buy healing windows. Revenant shines here.
Wrap-Up: Don’t Sleep on This Boss (Literally)
Maris, Fathom of Night, might look terrifying, and okay, he kind of is, but once you understand the mechanics, this fight becomes a test of patience, timing, and awareness more than anything else. Prep your relics, bring a bow (or a Recluse), and don’t let those floating bombs catch you off guard. And seriously, Sleep Resistance isn’t just a tip, it’s the difference between carrying your team and snoring on the floor.
Whether you’re going solo or rolling with a squad of randoms who forgot to equip relics (we’ve all been there), this guide should give you the edge to finally put this nightmare to rest. I’ve also broken down how to take down Gnoster, Wisdom of Night (Sentient Pest), another tricky Nightreign boss that’ll test your patience (and probably your reflexes). If you’re heading there next, don’t miss my full guide on that fight too, it’ll save you some serious headaches.
