Elden Ring is full of dank dungeons and dusty catacombs, but the Minor Erdtree Catacombs also happens to have a bit of a Scarlet Rot infestation. Navigating this dungeon can be tricky, dodging Imps, skeletal slimes, and staving off the ever-deadly Scarlet Rot.
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But, searching out every corner of the catacombs is worth it in order to acquire some great upgrade materials, the Imp Head (Wolf) helm and the Mad Pumpkin Head Ashes. Follow this guide to ensure you get everything you can out of this dangerous delve.
How To Reach Minor Erdtree Catacombs
Starting from the Smoldering Church in the northwest corner of Caelid. Head to the road just to the southeast. Once there, face northeast, away from the road, and you’ll see the Minor Erdtree not too far away. Head down the slope toward the Erdtree and be wary of the enemies lurking along the various roots and stones jutting out along the path.
You’ll eventually ride beneath a massive root growth, beyond which you’ll encounter a field boss, Putrid Avatar. This a variation on the Erdtree Avatars you’ll often encounter at the foot of Minor Erdtrees, but this one has been corrupted by Scarlet Rot.
You can battle this boss here, or if you’re feeling impatient, ride around the right side of the Erdtree, past the broken pots and stones. You’ll find the entrance to the Minor Erdtree Catacombs along the right cliff face, recessed slightly. Open the door, head inside, and rest at the site of grace.
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Navigating The Catacombs
You’ll encounter plenty of sneaky Imps throughout this minor dungeon, so always keep your head on a swivel. Case in point, when you first head down the stairs, an Imp is clinging to the ceiling, ready to drop on you with a vicious attack.
Head around the corner and take the elevator down into the depths of the catacombs. Once you reach the bottom, you have a few paths to take. To start, head down the western path, down the stairs, and defeat the Imp waiting for you at the corner junction.
The next room has a couple of Imps patrolling, so be careful. Loot the Grave Violet growing just before entering the room. Defeat the Imps, and on the opposite side of the room before leaving, make sure to loot the Grave Glovewort [3] growing from the dirt by a torch in the wall.
The next room to the south contains a switch at the far end, but don’t be too hasty; there are two Imps in this room. The first is just to your right when you enter, ready to attack. The second one is hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room, likely just out of sight. Be ready.
Once you pull the lever, opening the door to the boss room, head back to the elevator room and head down the eastern corridor. Loot the Grave Glovewort [4] before proceeding down the hallway.
The hallway dumps out into a Scarlet Rot quagmire, full of skeletal slimes that drop from the ceiling, plus some pot-throwing Imps on the upper level, so it's best to make quick work of this room. Run through and collect the Aeonian Butterfly, Grave Glovewort [3], Grave Violet, and Grave Glovewort [5]. Once you’ve collected these four items, head back to the elevator room.
Step on the elevator switch to send it back up. You’ll notice a room beneath the elevator. Drop down beneath the elevator, but be ready to battle a waiting Imp.
Head down the passage until you reach the Scarlet Rot pooling in the next hallway. Several skeletal slimes will slowly shamble after you here, so you’ll need to dispatch them – or simply run past them. The boss room is at the far end of this Scarlet Rot passage, but halfway into this room, turn right and head up the thin staircase. Make sure to grab the Ghost Glovewort [4] just by the entrance.
In the next room, you’ll spot several crabs just minding their own business. Slay the crabs and loot the Grave Glovewort [4] and Golden Rune [4] at the end of the room. On the east side of the room, you’ll find a ladder. Climb up to the next room.
Imp Head (Wolf) Helm
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You’ll now be facing a long hallway with an item at the far end. Defeat the two Imps in this room before proceeding. One Imp is hiding to your left, and the other is beside the archway ahead.
Halfway down the hall, pick up the Grave Glovewort [3]. An Imp will drop from the ceiling at the far end of the hall and rush you. Take it out. Loot the corpse on top of the stone coffin to acquire the Imp Head (Wolf) helm.
Continue through the southern passage. You’re now on the upper balcony above the first Scarlet Rot room. Watch out for any of the Imps lurking up here. They might have dropped down earlier, but if not, they’ll be waiting for you. Run around the balcony, looting two Sacramental Buds and one Grave Glovewort [5].
Drop down and head through the south passage back to the elevator room. Best to rest up before the boss fight.
To reach the boss room, drop beneath the elevator into the room below and run west through the Scarlet Rot hallway. Follow the hallway around the corner, and you’ll come face to face with the now-open boss room door.
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Boss Fight: Erdtree Burial Watchdog Duo
You’ve probably faced one or both of these bosses previously, but this will likely be the first time you battle both at once. You might want to bring along a friend to help split up this deadly duo, or if not, consider bringing along your strongest Spirit Ash to draw the attention of one boss while you dispatch the other.
These bosses can be fairly aggressive, sometimes chaining devastating moves into more devastating moves, trading back and forth, and offering you very little time to breathe. Having a Spirit Ash to pull some heat off of you during this fight can be invaluable – even if it’s just for a few extra moments to drink a Crimson or Cerulean Flask.
The staff-wielding Erdtree Burial Watchdog should be taken out first since its use of tracking magic can add some layered complications to an already intense fight.
Fighting the Erdtree Burial Watchdogs is all about patience. You can’t wade in and wail on them. Their attacks can be devastating. Instead, focus on darting in, getting a couple of strikes in before retreating. Always be watching their attacks, ready to dodge or run when appropriate. Dodge into their attacks when you’re able – this helps to avoid the follow-through on some of their attacks.
Sorcery Of The Crozier
This move is specific to the staff-wielding Burial Watchdog. The boss will raise its staff into the air and summon a number of blue magical motes in a circle around its body. When it raises its staff higher, the motes will shoot up and out, seeking you out. You can block many of these with the pillars around the room, or you could time your dodge to avoid most of them, but it can be pretty difficult to avoid all of them. Running to the side can be very effective, but due to the size of the room and the aggression of the sword-wielding Burial Watchdog, this might be risky.
Levitating Slam
This move is employed by both the Staff and Sword-wielding Burial Watchdogs. The Burial Watchdog will levitate up into the air, propelling itself toward you, and slam down with a heavy impact. You can attempt to block, but the attack is likely to stagger you, leaving you vulnerable to the other Burial Watchdog. Instead, your best bet is to either time your dodge just right to avoid the impact – or sprint directly toward them. Their momentum will carry them past you, hopefully far enough out of range to avoid any damage.
Fire Breath
Both Burial Watchdogs can and likely will employ this move. They spit three streams of fire – one from each head – and slowly move toward you. Put some distance between you and the enemy. They will move toward you, but they won’t move very far, so some distance might offer you a great reprieve to drink a much-needed Crimson Flask – or the chance to land some blows on the other Burial Watchdog.
Walking Slam
Again, both Burial Watchdog bosses employ this move. Despite the move’s unnatural movement, it’s perhaps one of the easier moves to dodge. They stand up on their hind legs and walk toward you. You can sprint away, but due to the size of the room, it’s probably better to face this one head-on. At the last moment, they will raise their sword/staff a fraction higher – this is your queue to dodge. They will quickly slam their weapon down on the ground. If you dodge this right, their recovery after the move provides you with the opportunity to get a few attacks in.
Once you’ve defeated both Erdtree Burial Watchdogs, you will receive the Mad Pumpkin Head Ashes, a great Spirit Ash summons for future battles in the Lands Between.
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