In the unforgiving realm of Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree, one formidable foe stands tall: Ancient Dragon Senessax. Located in the treacherous Jagged Peak, this behemoth unleashes devastating lightning attacks and fiery wrath, testing even the most seasoned Tarnished. But with the right strategy and a dash of cunning, you can conquer this ancient beast and claim its valuable treasures. Dive into our comprehensive guide to learn how to tame the fury of Senessax and emerge victorious.
Ancient Dragon Senessax is one of the bosses inShadow of the Erdtree. You will face him on your way up the Jagged Peak – he guards the mountaintop where Bayle the Dread awaits. The boss is optional – you don’t have to defeat it to continue the DLC. On this page of the guide, we described how to fight the boss and what rewards you will receive for defeating him.
Rewards for defeating
Defeating Ancient Dragon Senessax in the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, yields significant rewards. Upon victory, players receive 200,000 Runes, which can be used to enhance their character’s abilities and equipment. Additionally, Senessax drops two valuable smithing stones: the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone and the Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. These materials are crucial for upgrading high-tier weapons, making them essential for progressing through the DLC and facing subsequent challenges, such as the fight against Bayle the Dread.
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For defeating the boss, you will receive 200,000 runes, Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, and Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone.
Senessax in a nutshell
Ancient Dragon Senessax is a formidable optional boss in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC of Elden Ring, located in the Jagged Peak area. This ancient dragon is known for its relentless ferocity and mastery of powerful lightning attacks, making it a challenging opponent. Senessax’s fight involves dodging lightning AOE attacks and fire breath, with strategies including targeting its legs or using Scarlet Rot to whittle down its massive health pool. Defeating Senessax rewards players with valuable items like the Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone and Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, essential for crafting high-tier gear.
- The boss’s weak point is the head, but it is better to attack the body – the boss rarely lowers his head and you have almost no safe opportunities to attack it.
- Be patient – the boss’s attacks deal huge damage and often knock you off your horse. If you fall off Torrent, you may die from another attack before you can get up.
- Don’t lock the camera on the boss – the camera always locks on Senessax’s head, which is difficult to hit. This will also make it difficult for you to orient yourself in the area and attack the boss’s body.
- You can avoid all the boss’s attacks by jumping on Torrent or riding away from the boss.
- The safest tactic is to ride up next to the boss, attack several times while galloping past him, then move away and turn back when Senessax also turns around – watch out for the tail attack.
- Don’t get close to the walls – the arena is small and you won’t have room to avoid attacks near the walls.
- Always jump when the boss hits the ground with lightning, even if you are far away – electricity has a surprisingly long range.
- When the boss rises into the sky, move under him – he will either breathe fire in front of him or charge forward and hit the ground.
How to defeat Senessax?
To defeat Ancient Dragon Senessax in the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, employ a strategic approach. Senessax is a formidable foe with powerful lightning and fire attacks, making it crucial to have lightning resistance. One effective method is to use the Ekzykes’s Decay incantation to inflict Scarlet Rot, which gradually drains the dragon’s health. Alternatively, use Torrent to evade attacks while striking at Senessax’s legs or tail. For melee builds, a hit-and-run strategy is advisable, while mage builds can utilize spells like Shard Spiral. Additionally, using the Dragon Hunter’s Great Katana or a bleed build can significantly enhance your chances of success.
Prepare for a frustrating fight – Senessax has a lot of health, deals high damage, his attacks cover a large area, and the arena is very small. The boss’s weak point is the head, but don’t waste time attacking it – the dragon rarely lowers its head, and due to its constant, unpredictable movements, hitting the head is very difficult. Therefore, it is better to attack the body – the dragon takes less damage, but it is much easier and safer to hit this body part.
As with most dragons, Senessax is best fought on Torrent. However, you must be very careful – his attacks often knock you off Torrent. If you fall off your horse close to the boss, you may die from another attack before you can get up. However, all of the boss’s attacks can be avoided on horseback – either by riding away from him or by jumping over the electricity left on the ground by his attacks. When Senessax hits the ground with lightning, always jump – the range of electricity is much greater than you might expect.
Don’t try to lock the camera on the boss – it will get stuck on the dragon’s head, which will make it difficult for you to orient yourself in the area and attack the boss’s body. Having free control over the camera should ultimately make the fight easier for you. Also, stay away from the arena walls, because you won’t have room to dodge attacks there.
The most effective and safest tactic will be to gallop towards the boss and run next to or under him, attacking the body several times along the way and then moving away to avoid his attacks. When the boss turns around, charge towards him again and repeat the process. The fight will be long, but this method should be quite safe. Watch out for the tail blow when the boss turns around – stay away from the dragon or jump over the tail.
What are the best strategies to avoid Senessax’s lightning attacks
To effectively avoid Ancient Dragon Senessax’s lightning attacks in Elden Ring, consider the following strategies:
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Ride Torrent: Using your mount, Torrent, allows you to quickly move around the arena and avoid lightning strikes. You can outrun or jump over lightning attacks, making it easier to stay safe.
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Watch for Red Pools: Senessax often signals where lightning will strike by creating red pools on the ground. Keep an eye out for these and roll dodge through any waves that get too close.
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Use Lightning Resistance Items: Equip talismans like the Boltdrake Talisman +3 and consume items such as Lightningproof Dried Livers to reduce the damage from lightning attacks.
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Maintain Distance: Keep a safe distance from Senessax, especially during his wide-area lightning attacks. Use ranged attacks or magic to keep him at bay.
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Dodge Lightning Claws and Pulses: When Senessax uses his lightning claws, roll forward through the initial attack and backward through the subsequent pulse.
What are the best ways to use Latenna in this fight
Using Latenna in the fight against Ancient Dragon Senessax can be beneficial due to her ranged support capabilities. Here are some strategies to effectively utilize Latenna:
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Maintain Distance: Ensure Latenna is positioned at a safe distance from Senessax. This allows her to attack without taking damage, as Senessax’s attacks are primarily melee-focused.
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Preferred Target Range: Keep Latenna outside Senessax’s preferred target range. This means positioning her far enough that Senessax will focus on you instead, allowing Latenna to attack freely without taking aggro2.
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Aggro Management: Initially, draw Senessax’s aggro to lure him away from Latenna. Once he is focused on you, Latenna can continue attacking without interruption2.
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Positioning: Place Latenna in a spot where she has a clear line of sight to Senessax’s back or sides. This maximizes her damage output and minimizes the risk of her taking damage if Senessax turns towards her1.
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Support Role: Use Latenna as a support unit to chip away at Senessax’s health while you focus on dodging his attacks and managing aggro. Her magic damage can be significant over time.
