Facing the Erdtree Burial Watchdog in Elden Ring is a daunting challenge that tests both your combat skills and strategic thinking. This eerie, feline-like statue, found lurking in the shadowy depths of the Stormfoot Catacombs, is not just another boss to defeat—it’s a masterclass in patience and timing. With its unpredictable attacks and devastating fire breath, players must learn to dodge, weave, and strike at the right moments to emerge victorious. Whether you’re a seasoned warrior or a newcomer to the Lands Between, this guide will equip you with essential strategies to conquer one of Elden Ring’s most unsettling foes. Prepare for battle!
The Erdtree Burial Watchdog is a statue with a sword resembling a cat. The boss can be found in Limgrave, specifically in the Stormfoot Catacombs. This is an optional boss that isn’t required to beat the game. To reach it, however, you first need to get to the other side of the catacombs to pull the lever that opens the door leading to the boss.
Locations
The Erdtree Burial Watchdog can be encountered in several locations throughout Elden Ring, specifically within various catacombs. Players will find this miniboss in the following areas:
- Stormfoot Catacombs in Limgrave
- Impaler’s Catacombs on the Weeping Peninsula
- Cliffbottom Catacombs in Liurnia of the Lakes
- Wyndham Catacombs in Mt. Gelmir
- Minor Erdtree Catacombs in Caelid
Each location presents its own challenges, often requiring players to navigate through lesser enemies and solve environmental puzzles to access the boss room. The difficulty and strategies for defeating the Watchdog may vary slightly depending on the specific catacomb, making exploration and preparation key components of the encounter.
Burial Tree Watchdog in Limgrave:
The first time you will meet Burial Tree Watchdog in Limgrave, more specifically in the Stormfoot Catacombs.
Burial Tree Watchdog on the Weeping Peninsula:
The second version of the boss is located on the Weeping Peninsula, more specifically in the Impaler’s Catacombs.
Burial Tree Watchdog in Liurnia of the Lakes:
The third version of the boss is located in Liurnia of the Lakes, more specifically in the Cliffbottom Catacombs.
Burial Tree Watchdog in Caelid:
The fourth version of the boss is in Caelid, more specifically in the the Minor Erdtree Catacombs.
The Burial Tree Watchdog on Mt. Gelmir:
The fifth and final version of this boss is on Mt. Gelmir, more precisely in the Wyndham Catacombs.
Reward for defeating
Defeating the Erdtree Burial Watchdog in Elden Ring offers significant rewards that enhance your gameplay experience. Upon successfully vanquishing this optional boss, players can earn 1,300 Runes from the Stormfoot Catacombs encounter, with higher rewards available in subsequent battles against the Watchdog in different locations—up to 12,000 Runes in the Wyndham Catacombs. Additionally, players will receive unique item drops such as the Ash of War: Glintstone Arch, which can be utilized to enhance weapons and spells. These rewards not only contribute to character progression but also provide valuable resources for tackling other challenges throughout the game.
For defeating the first version of the boss located in the Limgrave you will receive Noble Sorcerer Ashes and 1300 Runes.
For defeating the boss version of the Weeping Peninsula, you will receive Demi-Human Ashes and 2400 Runes.
For defeating the boss version of Liurnia of the Lakes, will reward you with Kaiden Sellsword Ashes and 3200 Runes.
For defeating the fourth version of the boss, which is located in Caelid, and more specifically in the Minor Erdtree Catacombs, you will receive Mad Pumpkin Head Ashesand 7400 Runes.
For defeating the last version of the boss, located on Mt. Gelmir, you will receive Glovewort Picker’s Bell Bearing [1] and 12,000 Runes.
General tips
To successfully defeat the Erdtree Burial Watchdog in Elden Ring, consider these general tips. Preparation is key: ensure your character is at an appropriate level and equipped with effective gear. Learn the boss’s attack patterns; the Watchdog uses powerful melee strikes and a fiery breath attack, so mastering dodging techniques is crucial. Utilize the environment: pillars can be used to block its attacks, allowing you to strike from behind when it’s distracted. Patience is essential; instead of rushing for damage, focus on taking calculated hits during openings. Finally, consider using buffs like the Flamedrake Talisman to mitigate fire damage, enhancing your survivability during the fight.
- Patience pays off in this fight. The boss can jump by attacking with its sword and creating an AoE attack. The problem is that it can perform this attack up to six times in a row. Because of this, it’s not a good time to attack it. There is a good chance that you won’t hit the enemy and you will get hit yourself.
- It’s worth sneaking up on it from behind, especially since you can easily avoid its attacks by dodging behind it. However, watch out for its horizontal attack. It signals it by hitting the ground with its sword, then spinning around, dragging its sword across the floor.
- Make sure to avoid being too close when it uses its fire breath attack. You might still get hit even if you think you’re a safe distance away.
- Flamedrake Talisman may help a little in the fight. To get it, you need to defeatthe Beastman of Farum Azula. You will find him in the Coastal Cave, in the Limgrave region.
Mage build – how to fight?
To effectively fight the Burial Tree Watchdog as a mage in Elden Ring, it’s crucial to leverage your ranged capabilities while maintaining distance from its powerful melee attacks. Utilize spells like Glintstone Pebble for consistent damage output, and consider employing area-of-effect spells such as Meteorite of Astel to deal with its aggressive behavior. Positioning is key; stay mobile to avoid its sweeping attacks while casting spells from a safe distance. Incorporating a shield can also enhance your defense during close encounters, allowing you to block incoming strikes while preparing your next spell. Remember, patience and timing are essential, so focus on dodging its attacks and retaliating when openings arise.
There is quite a bit of ground between you and the boss, but as soon as the Erdtree Burial Watchdog takes damage, it starts jumping and attacking with its sword several times in a row. This makes ranged combat a bit difficult. It’s best to resort to magic when the boss is far away, or if you’ve just avoided its attack while it was near to you.
Start running forward when the boss is very close to you and is in the air. Thanks to this, the boss will have to turn around, which will take it a little longer than if you were right in front of it.
If you are standing farther away from the boss, it can also breathe fire. When you see this type of attack, it’s a good idea to move away or keep running to the side until the attack is finished. The boss spins very quickly during this attack, so you don’t have time to counterattack.
While standing in front of it, the boss will often attack you with linear attacks. It’s best to dodge to the side and start retaliating.
Keep in mind that, when landing, the resulting explosion might still deal significant damage to you, even if you avoided the sword attack.
You can also summon ghosts to fight the boss. However, it is not recommended to summon ghosts with more than two units. The boss uses mainly area of effect attacks, so he can very quickly deal with ghosts whose real strength lies in numbers. However, if you do not have the ashes that can summon the Soldier of Godrick or Medusa , it is still worth using the help of, for example, wolves. Even if they don’t last long, they should be a good distraction.
Melee build – how to fight?
To effectively engage the Burial Tree Watchdog in Elden Ring using a melee build, focus on a strategy that maximizes your damage output while maintaining mobility. Equip weapons that excel in both speed and stagger potential, such as the Claymore or Giant-Crusher, which can deal significant damage with charged attacks. Utilize talismans like the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia to boost damage on consecutive hits and the Shard of Alexander for enhanced weapon skill performance. Timing is crucial; dodge its powerful attacks and strike during openings to avoid damage. Consider using buffs like Golden Vow to increase your overall attack power and survivability, allowing you to outlast the Watchdog while dealing consistent melee damage.
The Erdtree Burial Watchdog is quite a tough opponent, so if you don’t have a larger weapon, the fight may take a while. Rushing may turn out to be your worst enemy, so don’t attack for too long and often. We recommend dodging after performing a maximum of two or three attacks – or one for larger weapons.
The enemy’s most dangerous attack is the one in where he flies up. It is relatively easy to avoid – all you need to do is dodge when the enemy is about to hit the ground. After a successful dodge, you will have an opportunity to attack. However, quickly move away, because the Watchdog likes to choose an attack depending on your position.
This can be a sweeping sword attack, or if you are directly behind him, he can use the tail to attack with a strong fire strike. He can also straighten up and then slam the ground. Good dodges in any direction will help you stay safe. You can also move far away from him. However, the boss can then attack from above.
You should also watch out for his fire breathe – the boss will follow you. He does it very quickly, so don’t try to attack him. If you have the Flamedrake Talisman, it will slightly increase your fire defense and thus your chance of survival.
What are the best strategies to dodge the Burial Tree Watchdog’s attacks
To successfully dodge the Erdtree Burial Watchdog’s attacks in Elden Ring, players should adopt a strategic approach that emphasizes timing and positioning. Here are the best strategies to avoid its most dangerous moves:
Key Strategies for Dodging Attacks
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Understanding Attack Patterns:
- The Watchdog has predictable attack patterns, including a series of sword slams and fire breath attacks. Familiarizing yourself with these will help you anticipate and react accordingly.
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Dodge Timing:
- For the sword slam attack, roll away just as the Watchdog lifts its sword. This attack can occur multiple times in succession, so be prepared to dodge again if necessary.
- When it performs a fire breath attack, either back away to a safe distance or roll to the side to avoid being caught in the flames. Staying close can also be advantageous, as you can dodge its fire while remaining within striking distance.
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Utilizing Shield Defense:
- If you have a shield, use it to block most of the Watchdog’s regular attacks, especially when it lunges forward or swings its sword. This allows you to conserve health while looking for openings to counterattack.
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Exploiting Vulnerable Moments:
- After certain attacks, such as when it spins around with its sword or stands on its hind legs, there are brief windows where you can safely heal or attack. Use these moments wisely.
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Avoiding Area of Effect Attacks:
- Be cautious of the Watchdog’s AoE attacks, particularly when it jumps and slams down. Rolling away just before it lands will help you avoid damage and create an opportunity for a counterattack.
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Positioning:
- Try to stay behind the Watchdog when possible; this can help you avoid many of its frontal attacks and give you a safer angle to strike back. However, be mindful of its tail slam and fire breath, which can still reach you from behind.
By mastering these strategies, players can effectively dodge the Erdtree Burial Watchdog’s attacks and increase their chances of victory in this challenging encounter.
What are the best weapons to use against the Burial Tree Watchdog
When facing the Erdtree Burial Watchdog in Elden Ring, selecting the right weapons can significantly enhance your chances of victory. Here are the best weapon options to consider:
Best Weapons Against the Erdtree Burial Watchdog
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Grafted Blade Greatsword
- This heavy weapon deals substantial damage and has a strong stagger effect, making it effective for interrupting the Watchdog’s attacks. Its unique skill can also provide additional benefits during combat.
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Bloodhound’s Fang
- Known for its excellent physical damage and bleed potential, this weapon is particularly useful due to its special skill, Bloodhound’s Finesse, which allows for quick evasive maneuvers while striking.
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Greatswords and Colossal Weapons
- Any upgraded greatsword or colossal weapon (preferably at least +5) can be effective due to their high damage output. These weapons allow for powerful strikes that can chip away at the Watchdog’s health during openings.
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Magic Weapons (for Ranged Builds)
- If you prefer a ranged approach, using magic weapons or spells like Glintstone Stars and Beast Claw can be advantageous. Staying at a distance while casting spells allows you to avoid many of the Watchdog’s melee attacks.
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Bows and Crossbows
- Ranged players can utilize bows or crossbows to maintain distance from the boss while dealing damage. This strategy minimizes risk, allowing you to focus on dodging its powerful attacks.
Additional Tips
- Upgrade Your Weapons: Ensure your chosen weapon is upgraded to maximize damage output.
- Spirit Ash Summons: Consider summoning tanky Spirit Ashes like Mad Pumpkin Head or Kaiden Sellsword Ashes to distract the Watchdog, allowing you to land hits more safely.
- Avoid Bleed and Poison Effects: The Erdtree Burial Watchdog is immune to bleed and poison damage, so focus on raw physical damage instead.
By equipping one of these weapons and employing effective strategies, players can tackle the Erdtree Burial Watchdog with greater confidence and success.
