The ultimate guide to defeating Tree Sentinel in Elden Ring: Tips and strategies to win
Struggling to defeat the Tree Sentinel in *Elden Ring*? You’re not alone—this iconic boss has challenged countless Tarnished since their first steps into the Lands Between. But fear not! With this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn the best tips, strategies, and preparations to take down the Tree Sentinel, whether you’re a melee fighter, a shield user, or a magic wielder. Let’s dive in.
Why Fight the Tree Sentinel?
The Tree Sentinel guards the path from the very start of the game, but don’t mistake this for a sign that you must defeat it immediately. It’s a test of patience, preparation, and skill—key elements of Elden Ring. This boss drops valuable rewards, including the Golden Halberd, a weapon that scales well into the mid-game. But if you’re struggling, remember: you can always explore, level up, and come back stronger.
Fighting Tree Sentinel on Horseback
Horseback combat is one of the easiest ways to deal with the Tree Sentinel. Mounting Torrent gives you extra mobility, allowing you to evade its attacks while performing hit-and-run tactics. Here’s how to make horseback fighting work:
- Keep Moving: Constantly circle around the Tree Sentinel, and only attack after it finishes a combo. Stay out of range of its wide swings and leap attacks.
- Hit and Run: Land one or two hits and then retreat quickly. Don’t linger near the boss after attacking, as its follow-up strikes can punish greedy players.
- Use Torrent to Dodge: Torrent’s speed lets you escape combos and reposition easily. Jump to avoid ground-based attacks and use Torrent’s dash to create space when necessary.
Horseback combat not only offers safety but also helps you maintain control over the fight, making it a beginner-friendly strategy.
Essential Preparation for the Tree Sentinel Fight
Before you engage the Tree Sentinel, make sure you’re equipped with the right gear and items to maximize your chances of success. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Shields with 100% Physical Negation: Equip a shield like the Heater Shield to block the Tree Sentinel’s powerful attacks without taking damage. This is crucial for melee players.
- Stamina Management: Use the Green Turtle Talisman or consume Pickled Turtle Necks to keep your stamina high. Stamina is essential for blocking, dodging, and attacking during this prolonged fight.
- Level Up First: If the Tree Sentinel feels overwhelming early on, don’t hesitate to level up. Explore Limgrave, defeat smaller enemies, and find better gear before taking on this boss.
Preparation is key in Elden Ring. A well-equipped Tarnished is far more likely to succeed.
Melee Combat Strategies for Tree Sentinel
The In-and-Out Tactic
For melee players, patience is critical. Wait for the Tree Sentinel to finish its attack animations, then quickly close the distance to land one or two hits. Roll away immediately to avoid its follow-up strikes. Here are some key tips:
- Timing is Everything: The Tree Sentinel’s attacks can be unpredictable, especially during Phase 2. Learn its patterns and only attack when it’s safe.
- Use a Shield: A shield with high physical negation can save you from taking damage if you mistime a dodge. However, always watch your stamina bar to avoid getting guard-broken.
- Phase 2 Awareness: Once its health drops to 50%, the Tree Sentinel gains access to its devastating Shield Crush attack. Keep your stamina high so you can roll or run away when it starts winding up.
This strategy rewards patience and precision. Don’t rush—you’ll win by outlasting the boss.
Shield and Poke Strategy
For a more defensive approach, use a thrusting weapon like a Short Spear or a Rapier. This strategy focuses on keeping your shield raised while landing quick thrusting attacks:
- Positioning: Stand slightly to the Tree Sentinel’s right, near its hind leg. This spot often causes some of its attacks to miss entirely.
- Poke and Guard: Keep your shield up to block incoming attacks, then retaliate with light thrusting attacks during openings. Lower your shield only to recover stamina or close the distance.
- Summon Spirit Ashes: When its health drops below 25%, consider summoning the Lone Wolf Ashes or another spirit to distract the boss. This allows you to land more hits safely.
This method is ideal for players who prefer a slower, more methodical approach to combat.
Parrying the Tree Sentinel
If you’re confident in your timing, parrying is one of the most rewarding ways to defeat the Tree Sentinel. While challenging, many of its attacks can be parried, including its Charging Attack and Leap Attack. Here’s how to do it:
- Bait Specific Moves: Stand at a distance to provoke its Charging Attack or Leap Attack. These moves have the easiest parry timings.
- Punish with Heavy Attacks: After a successful parry, follow up with a charged heavy attack for massive damage.
- Phase 2 Dodging: Be ready to dodge its *Shield Crush* move during Phase 2, as it can’t be parried.
The parry strategy is high-risk but high-reward. Once mastered, it can make the fight significantly shorter.
Level 1 Wretch Strategy
Even at Level 1, defeating the Tree Sentinel is possible with careful strategy:
- Use Barbaric Roar: Buff yourself with the Barbaric Roar weapon skill, then perform jumping attacks for high damage.
- Fast Roll: Equip light gear for a fast roll, allowing you to evade attacks more easily.
- Precision and Patience: With limited health and gear, focus on evasion and only attack when it’s completely safe.
This strategy is challenging but proves that even the weakest Tarnished can overcome great odds.
Magic and Ranged Combat Strategies
Overcoming Golden Retaliation
The Tree Sentinel’s *Golden Retaliation* can reflect spells back at you, making magic users vulnerable. Here’s how to counter this:
- Watch its Movements: Don’t cast spells while it’s preparing *Golden Retaliation*. Wait for it to attack or recover before casting.
- Stick to Long-Range Spells: Use spells like Glintstone Pebble to keep your distance. If you’re using close-range spells like Carian Slicer, treat this fight like melee combat.
Horseback Magic Strategy
Fighting on horseback with magic is highly effective. Use Torrent to stay mobile and cast spells while keeping your distance. Just remember:
- Maintain Distance: Circle around the Tree Sentinel and avoid staying in front of it.
- Timing is Key: Cast spells during openings, and avoid casting when it’s preparing *Golden Retaliation*.
Magic builds can take down the Tree Sentinel with patience and proper timing.
Conclusion: Conquer the Tree Sentinel
The Tree Sentinel is a tough but fair challenge in Elden Ring, designed to teach players the importance of preparation, patience, and strategy. Whether you’re engaging on horseback, using a shield, or casting spells, the key to victory lies in learning its patterns and exploiting its weaknesses.
Don’t be discouraged if you struggle at first—explore, level up, and return stronger. With these strategies, you’ll conquer the Tree Sentinel and continue your journey through the Lands Between. Good luck, Tarnished!
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