Image: Rear View Clash: Tarnished vs Ralva

This anime-style fan art captures a tense and cinematic moment from Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, featuring the Tarnished in Black Knife armor facing off against Ralva the Great Red Bear in the hauntingly beautiful region of Scadu Altus. The composition is rotated to show the Tarnished from a rear three-quarter view, emphasizing his stance and the looming threat ahead.

The Tarnished stands in the foreground with his back partially turned to the viewer, his silhouette framed by the golden mist of the forest. His Black Knife armor is rendered in dark, jagged plates with subtle spectral highlights, and his tattered cloak billows dramatically behind him, catching the ambient light. The armor’s texture combines matte steel and shadowy cloth, with a leather belt cinched at the waist. In his left hand, he holds a glowing dagger that emits a radiant golden light, casting reflections on the nearby water and illuminating the folds of his cloak. His right hand grips the hilt of a sheathed sword, angled downward and trailing behind him.

Ralva the Great Red Bear dominates the midground, his massive form bristling with fiery red-orange fur. The bear’s snarl reveals jagged teeth and a dark, wet snout, while his eyes—small and black—burn with primal fury. His muscular limbs are planted in a shallow pool, sending splashes outward as he lunges toward the Tarnished. The fur is intricately detailed, with individual strands catching the light and adding volume to his hulking frame.

The setting of Scadu Altus is portrayed as a dense, enchanted forest with towering trees whose branches reach skyward. The trunks are dark and slender, and the foliage is a mix of deep greens and muted yellows. Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting dappled shadows and golden beams across the scene. In the distance, ancient ruins peek through the mist, their stonework cracked and overgrown with moss and vines. Magical particles drift through the air, enhancing the surreal and mystical atmosphere.

The composition is balanced and dynamic, with the Tarnished on the left and Ralva on the right, their lines of motion converging at the center. The glowing dagger and the bear’s aggressive posture create a visual tension that draws the viewer into the moment. The color palette blends warm golden tones with cooler greens and deep blacks, creating contrast and depth. Painterly brushstrokes and precise linework add texture to the armor, fur, and forest elements.

This fan art merges anime aesthetics with fantasy realism, delivering a powerful visual narrative that highlights the courage of the Tarnished and the ferocity of Ralva. It’s a tribute to the epic confrontations and atmospheric storytelling that define Elden Ring’s universe.

The image is related to: Elden Ring: Ralva the Great Red Bear (Scadu Altus) Boss Fight (SOTE)