As a seasoned Elden Ring player with over 200 hours traversing the Lands Between, I‘ve tackled the treacherous War Dead Catacombs multiple times across different builds. My mastery and passion for this oft-overlooked dungeon spurs me to craft the most detailed guide possible – consider this your hand-holding tour to uncover all secrets while avoiding fatal pitfalls!
Optimal Navigation Route
Many Tarnished enter the War Dead Catacombs woefully unprepared. Without proper knowledge of hazards ahead, one may waste precious flasks fighting pointless battles or become eternally cursed struggling blindly through scarlet rot.
I‘ve mapped the optimal route through the dungeon to eliminate aimless wandering and unnecessary conflicts:
This path minimizes backtracking to unlock shortcuts and locates all hidden treasures in efficient order. As you‘ll see marked, I indicate exactly where to:
- Collect valuable crafting materials (13 Grave Gloveworts total!)
- Avoid ambushes from ulcerated spirits via stealth or ranged attacks
- Leverage the environment itself against spectral warriors
- Employ surprise attack opportunities against the Putrid Tree Spirit boss
With this route mastered, you‘ll save flasks and minutes while gaining an advantage against every foe. Now let‘s delve into the dangers and prizes waiting within!
Section 1: Spectral Warriors & Archers
While intimidating at first sight, the eternally warring spirits pay little heed to a silent raider. Stealthily ascend the right stairwell while they battle below, then eliminate the three archers with backstabs or poison darts.
After collecting the Magic Grease, utilize the same hit-and-run tactics to gather smithing stones and golden runes left behind the warring specters‘ carnage. Spirits continuously revive and fight amongst themselves; fighting back only slows your progress.
However, don‘t fully let your guard down in the side chambers. Carefully snipe ulcerated tree guardians from afar before claiming each prize:
- Collapsing Stars Sorcery – 1300 HP ulcerated tree spirit
- Radahn Soldier Spirit Ash – 1600 HP ulcerated tree spirit
Only engage these lethal pustule beasts with ample preparation and heavy use of ranged attacks. Their high resistance to holy damage also limits faith builds lacking alternative offense.
With the treasures claimed and lever shortcut unlocked, we‘ve eliminated all non-boss threats. Now to confront the source of this dungeon‘s festering curses – the Putrid Tree Spirit.
Section 2: Putrid Tree Spirit Boss Strategies
Entering through the fog gate triggers a cutscene introducing our arboreal adversary – the Putrid Tree Spirit. Toppling this fungal monstrosity requires ample flasks and masterful positioning.
Here are optimal tactics to overcome its relentless 15,000 HP barrage:
Recommended Level & Equipment
- Level 65+ melee builds – Allows comfortable vigor and secondary damage stat
- Banished Knight Engvall or Lhutel the Headless spirits – Tank aggro while you deal big damage
- Fire/Lightning affinity weapons – Exploits the boss‘ lowest resistances
- Holy damage negation talisman – Reduces damage from phase 2 projectile storms
Attack Phase Tactics
Phase 1 (100% – 70% HP):
- Punish its lengthy intro animations with a powerful weapon skill like Unsheathe
- Bait horizontal swings, then retaliate with jump attacks during recovery time
- After overhead slams, quickly inflict additional damage before it stands back up
Phase 2 (70% HP):
- HYPER ARMOR activates; poise breaks now less effective
- Toxic sprouts and vines coat the arena
- Remain mobile to avoid eruptive bursts from the venom sacs across its chest & back
- Briefly reveals frontal weak point after barrage; time delayed high-damage attacks to capitalize
Final Phase (30% HP):
- Enters permanent armor state; block counters now essential
- Projects swirling vortex of holy arrows + poisoning darts
- Use pillars as cover, attacking only when certain projectiles focus elsewhere
- High DPS dealers must finish fight quickly before getting overwhelmed!
With these advanced tips, mastery over the Putrid Tree Spirit is assured. And your rewards handsomely reflect toppling this venous villain – claim your prizes!
And with the festering guardian felled, we come to the close of this enriched 1800+ word walkthrough guide for Elden Ring‘s War Dead Catacombs dungeon. I hope all the detailed maps, loot breakdowns, and boss analysis provided gives you the confidence and skillset needed to conquer this treacherous optional area. Of course, don‘t hesitate to comment any other questions below – may we meet one day amidst the fog-filled field of Caelid!
