Dragonkin Soldier (Lake of Rot)

Location and access

Eastern lake basin

Lake of Rot

Starting Site of Grace: Lake of Rot Shoreside

Before you go

Reach Lake of Rot through the Ainsel River underground route.
Bring a way to remove Scarlet Rot and enough healing for the crossing.

Give Ranni the Fingerslayer Blade from Nokron, then use the waygate at the top of Renna's Rise to reach Ainsel River Main. Renna's Rise is the northern tower in the Three Sisters area behind Caria Manor, separate from Ranni's own tower.
Activate Ainsel River Main grace and follow the water through the Claymen toward the hanging creature in Uhl Palace Ruins. Use the ruins on the left as cover from its stone volleys and continue beneath it into the river tunnel.
Pass the ants, including the flying ones. At the open cavern, follow the river to the right; the left branch returns toward the lower river merchant.
Go through the doorway on the right and down the steps to Nokstella, Eternal City grace. The ordinary Ainsel River Well in Liurnia does not reach this upper entrance.
Stay on Nokstella's lower river path instead of taking the stairs into the city. Follow the river to the lift at its far end and ride down to Nokstella Waterfall Basin grace.
Follow the tunnel past the Basilisks. Their clouds cause Death Blight, so move out of the clouds rather than trying to heal through a full buildup bar.
If you have spoken to Miniature Ranni and accepted her request, the Baleful Shadow appears in the open cavern ahead. Defeat it to continue that quest. Speaking to the doll is not required to reach the lake.
Continue beyond the cavern to the lift down to Lake of Rot Shoreside. Activate the grace and prepare healing plus Preserving Boluses or Flame, Cleanse Me before entering the lake.
From Lake of Rot Shoreside, look across the eastern part of the lake for the large Dragonkin Soldier resting in the rot. Cross between the small stone islands toward it, stopping on dry ground when needed.
Find the nearby floor switches and step on them to raise platforms around the soldier. These give you space to fight without standing in the rot throughout the encounter.
Defeat the Dragonkin Soldier to receive Dragonscale Blade. This is the Lake of Rot encounter, not the Dragonkin Soldier bosses in Siofra River or Ainsel River's lower section.

HP and damage negation

Values below are for solo play on the first playthrough. HP is maximum health. Temporary protection and other state changes are explained in the notes.

Solo, first playthrough

HP: 7,655

Damage type	Damage negation
Standard	10%
Strike	10%
Slash	0%
Pierce	10%
Magic	20%
Fire	20%
Lightning	40%
Holy	20%

Notes

Defeating it awards Dragonscale Blade. This is not the lower Ainsel encounter that awards Frozen Lightning Spear.
Use the nearby floor switches to raise fighting platforms before settling into the encounter.
Bring a rot cure and enough healing for the crossing. Curing the status while still standing in the lake only starts the buildup again.
The broad arm swings can push you off the dry platforms. Keep your next landing in view.
Ranni’s upper river route reaches this lake; the ordinary Ainsel River Well does not connect directly to the upper city.
The Baleful Shadow is tied to the miniature doll dialogue. That quest fight is separate from defeating this Dragonkin.