Facing the Tree Sentinel in Elden Ring is a rite of passage for many players, marking one of the first major challenges in the game. This towering knight, clad in formidable armor and mounted on a massive steed, guards the path between The First Step and the Church of Elleh, making him an unavoidable obstacle for those eager to explore the Lands Between. With a diverse range of powerful attacks and swift movements, defeating the Tree Sentinel requires not just skill but also strategy. In this guide, we’ll unravel effective tactics to conquer this intimidating foe, ensuring you emerge victorious and claim the coveted Golden Halberd as your prize.
After completing the tutorial, you will find yourself in a new location known as Limgrave. From there, while heading to the first Site of Grace and meeting the NPCs, you will notice a knight patrolling the area, clad in golden armor and on horseback. This is the Tree Sentinel. Once you approach him, he will attack you immediately, and the usual boss health bar will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Locations
The Tree Sentinel, a formidable boss in Elden Ring, can be found in two primary locations: West Limgrave, specifically between The First Step and the Church of Elleh, and at the outer wall of Leyndell, Royal Capital. As one of the first major challenges players encounter, it is advisable to approach this battle with caution. The Tree Sentinel patrols these areas, making it essential for players to strategize their engagement carefully, ideally after leveling up and acquiring better gear. Engaging this boss early on can lead to a tough fight, so many players opt to explore the surrounding regions first to gather resources and improve their combat skills before attempting to defeat this challenging foe.
Tree Sentinel in Limgrave:
You will meet the Tree Sentinel for the first time in Limgrave, near the first place of grace, The First Step.
Tree Sentinel Duo:
The second version of the boss is located between the Altus Plateau and Leyndell Royal Capital. Tree Sentinel Duo are located at the western gate leading to Leyndell.
Reward for defeating
Defeating the Tree Sentinel in Elden Ring yields significant rewards that enhance your gameplay experience. Upon vanquishing this formidable foe, players receive 3,200 Runes, which can be crucial for leveling up and improving attributes. Additionally, the Tree Sentinel drops the Golden Halberd, a powerful weapon that is highly sought after for its effectiveness in combat. Players also obtain the Erdtree Great Shield and a Hero’s Rune, further enriching their arsenal and providing valuable resources for future challenges.
For defeating the boss version in Limgrave, you will receive his weapon, the Golden Halberd, and 3200 Runes.
However, for defeating the duo in Leyndell, you will receive Erdtree Geatshield, the Hero’s Rune , and 20,000 Runes.
General tips
To effectively tackle the Tree Sentinel in Elden Ring, consider these general tips to enhance your chances of victory. Preparation is key: before engaging, ensure you have leveled up sufficiently and equipped a strong weapon, ideally at least +2. Utilize Torrent, your spectral steed, to maintain mobility and evade the Sentinel’s powerful attacks. Fighting on horseback allows for hit-and-run tactics, where you can strike quickly and retreat to avoid damage. Summoning Spirit Ashes can also provide crucial distractions, allowing you to chip away at the boss’s health while it focuses on your allies. Lastly, be mindful of your stamina and watch for the Sentinel’s telltale signs before its more dangerous attacks, such as the jump or shield bash, to effectively dodge and counterattack.
- It’s not recommended to attack him if you’re a new player who just recently started playing the game. There is a huge difference in difficulty between the tutorial boss and him.
- The Tree Sentinel has multiple attacks that have different timings. This can prove to be very confusing not only for newcomers, but also for experienced players. If you are unfamiliar with them, it’s better to block his attacks as long as you have a good shield that can withstand the boss’s damage.
- Horseback combat feels much easier compared to melee combat, especially when you equip a bow or offensive spells. This will allow you to easily avoid his attacks while dealing damage to him.
- By performing jump attacks, you can deal a lot of damage to him and even break his poise, giving you time to land a few more hits.
- During the second phase, watch out when he jumps into the air, as he will then land on the ground and attack with his shield. This attack deals a lot of damage, it can even kill you in one hit. Also, it’s an AoE attack that can deal damage over a large area. When you notice him jumping, move away from him as quickly as possible or, if that’s not an option, perform a dodgeroll. There is a chance that it will save you.
- Don’t use quick spells one after another. The boss uses a shield that deflects magic attacks in your direction.
Mage build – how to fight?
To effectively combat the Tree Sentinel in Elden Ring as a mage, focus on maintaining distance while utilizing your spells strategically. Key strategies include:
- Mobility: Use Torrent, your spectral steed, to enhance your mobility and avoid the Tree Sentinel’s powerful melee attacks. This allows you to reposition quickly and evade its dangerous strikes.
- Spell Timing: Take advantage of the Tree Sentinel’s telegraphed attacks to cast spells safely. Aim for moments when it’s recovering from an attack to unleash your magic, ensuring you’re not caught off guard by its counterattacks, such as the Golden Retaliation.
- Summon Allies: Consider summoning Spirit Ashes like the Skeletal Militiamen to distract the Tree Sentinel. This diversion allows you to cast spells without drawing its full attention, making it easier to whittle down its health while remaining out of harm’s way.
By combining these tactics, you can effectively chip away at the Tree Sentinel’s health while minimizing your risk of taking damage in this challenging encounter.
First, you should think about what spell to use against the boss. It is definitely worth giving up the spells that fly towards the enemy immediately after use. The main reason is that the boss, seeing that you are starting to cast your spell, will cover himself with the shield that deflects magic attacks back at you.
It’s also a good idea to allocate as many bottles of Cerulean Tears as possible so that you can frequently replenish your mana. Leave yourself as few bottles of Crimson Tears as possible, because in the initial stage of the game, the Tree Sentinel will be able to reduce your health bar to zero with most attacks, so it’s not worth having more than one HP recovery bottle.
A much better idea will be to use spells that last a bit longer, such as the starting spell of the Prisoner class – Magic Glintblade. This will cause the boss to start protecting himself with the shield at the time of casting, not when the projectile actually materializes and attacks.
A great solution will be to fight the Tree Sentinel as soon as you get access to Torrent. Fighting on a mount as a mage will make the fight much easier. Mainly because the boss also moves on horseback and is very fast. With Torrent, you can escape just as quickly while casting spells.
Before the fight, you should also summon wolves. You will gain access to this summon when you meet the Snow Witch at night in Limgrave, Church of Elleh. Wolves can withstand even the Tree Sentinel’s more powerful attacks, and are also perfect for distracting the boss, allowing you to cast spells from a safe distance. What’s more, they make the boss reluctant to use the shield that deflects spells.
Remember to equip your staff while on horseback – you will be able to fight with your right-hand weapon (Triangle L1 for switching weapons while mounted).
Melee build – how to fight?
To effectively engage the Tree Sentinel in Elden Ring with a melee build, focus on maintaining mobility and utilizing your shield wisely. Start by summoning your spectral steed, Torrent, which allows for hit-and-run tactics that can help you avoid the Sentinel’s powerful attacks. Stay close to the boss’s right side to dodge most of its swings while delivering thrusting attacks with weapons like spears or rapiers. Use a shield with 100% physical negation to block incoming damage and keep an eye on your stamina; it’s crucial for both blocking and attacking. Timing your strikes after the Sentinel’s attacks will give you opportunities to deal damage while minimizing risk. Summoning spirit ashes, like the Lone Wolf Ashes, can also provide valuable distractions, making the fight more manageable as you whittle down its health.
The Tree Sentinel attacks have a varying pace, so you may have some trouble dodging them. The opponent combines different attacks together, so his combos may be unexpected. Therefore, try to block most of his moves with a shield.
You can summon spirits to help you in combat. Wolves will be a very good choice for this fight because they will distract the enemy. If you retreat far enough, the Tree Sentinel will focus mainly on attacking the wolves. You can then sneak up on him from behind and hit him quickly once or twice. Then move away to avoid the boss’s counterattack.
In this fight, strong jump attacks will also work well, as they allow you to quickly break the opponent’s stance. You can safely use them when the boss is occupied with wolves. A few such attacks will quickly allow you to make a critical hit and deal a lot of damage to the boss.
In the second phase of the fight, the Tree Sentinel will leap into the air and forcefully hit the ground. You have to be especially careful in close combat. The striking distance is larger than suggested by the animation and the attack effect, so make sure you’re far away from the enemy. If this attack hits you, it can kill you instantly and end the fight. Even if you think you’re far enough, you can still roll backwards when the Tree Sentinel performs the jump attack.
What are the best strategies for fighting Tree Sentinel on foot
Fighting the Tree Sentinel on foot can be a daunting challenge, especially for players who encounter this formidable boss early in Elden Ring. Here are some effective strategies to increase your chances of victory:
Preparation and Timing
- Level Up: Before engaging the Tree Sentinel, it’s advisable to level up to at least Level 20-30 and upgrade your weapons to +1 or +2. This preparation will enhance your survivability and damage output significantly.
- Choose the Right Time: The Tree Sentinel is best faced after you’ve gained some experience and gear. Attempting this fight too early can lead to a swift defeat.
Combat Strategies
- Stay Mobile: Keeping on the move is crucial. The Tree Sentinel’s attacks can be devastating, so dodging is often more effective than blocking. Use quick rolls to evade his halberd swings and shield slams, especially after he finishes an attack.
- Attack After His Moves: Wait for the Tree Sentinel to complete his attack animations before striking. This allows you to get in a few hits while minimizing your risk of being countered.
- Utilize Thrusting Weapons: If you’re using melee weapons, consider those with thrusting attacks, such as spears or rapiers. Position yourself close to the Tree Sentinel’s side to avoid many of his sweeping attacks, allowing you to poke at him safely.
Defensive Techniques
- Use a Shield: Equip a shield with 100% physical damage negation, like the Heater Shield. This will help absorb damage when you need to block instead of dodge.
- Learn His Attack Patterns: Familiarize yourself with the Tree Sentinel’s moveset. His charge and leap attacks are particularly dangerous but can be parried or dodged effectively if you learn their timings.
Summoning Help
- Spirit Summons: If you’re struggling, consider using Spirit Ashes like the Lone Wolf Ashes during the fight. They can distract the Tree Sentinel, giving you openings to attack safely.
Conclusion
Defeating the Tree Sentinel on foot requires patience, skill, and careful strategy. By preparing adequately, maintaining mobility, and understanding his attack patterns, you can emerge victorious and claim your rewards, including the coveted Golden Halberd.
What are the best tactics to avoid the Tree Sentinel’s jump attack
To effectively avoid the Tree Sentinel’s jump attack in Elden Ring, consider the following tactics:
Maintain Distance
- Keep Your Distance: When you see the Tree Sentinel begin to jump, immediately back away. This attack has a wide area of effect and can deal significant damage, so creating space is crucial to avoid being hit.
Observe Attack Patterns
- Watch for Cues: The Tree Sentinel raises his shield and rears his horse before executing the jump attack. Recognizing these cues will give you a brief moment to react and move away from the impact zone.
Timing Your Dodges
- Roll at the Right Moment: If you’re unable to create enough distance, rolling away just as he jumps can help you evade the attack. However, be aware that the effective range of this attack can be larger than it appears, so err on the side of caution.
Positioning
- Stay to the Side: Position yourself near the Tree Sentinel’s side rather than directly in front. This reduces the likelihood of being caught by his jump attack and allows you to counterattack more safely after he finishes his combos.
Use Spirit Summons
- Distract with Summons: Summoning spirits, such as wolves, can divert the Tree Sentinel’s attention. This gives you more opportunities to keep your distance and avoid his jump attacks while your summons engage him.
By employing these strategies, you can effectively mitigate the threat posed by the Tree Sentinel’s jump attack, allowing for a more manageable fight.
