TheWar-Dead Catacombsis an optional and relatively hidden dungeon inElden Ring. It is only accessible after defeatingStarscouge Radahnas it is located in the northern section of his boss arena. Inside are respawning spectral knight enemies that fight each other which is highly reminiscent of theAbyss WatchersinDark Souls 3.
This fits quite well with the madness that also consumed Radahn.Head northfrom theStarscourge Radahn site of graceall the way across the expansive battlefield and ruins until just before the cliff-face meets the shoreline. Head to the right until you find a door, go inside, and touch the site of grace to begin the dungeon.
Dungeon Walkthrough
After touching the site of grace, follow the path down the stairs. In the next room, you will find twoGrave Glovewort [6]around the room, along with a group of spectral enemies locked in battle. They respawn after death and are usually focused on each other, so slip past them or fight them to thin them out. The archway straight past them leads to the boss door – but it requires a lever to open.
Below the first room with the fighting enemies, you will find a large room flooded with Scarlet Rot and more battling enemies. Down here, you’ll find some optional items and crafting materials. On the west end of the wide-open area, in the middle, there’s a chest with theCollapsing Starsgravity spell inside. Additionally in this room, you can find aGolden Rune [6]and aSilver-Pickled Fowl Foot. You will also find a side room in the northeast corner with aGhost Glovewort [4]and some imp enemies.
To get to the lever that opens the boss door, start back at the entrance to the first main room. From there, head past the fighting enemies and up the second staircase on the right. After going up the stairs, go into the passageway on the left while dodging the knight with a bow. In the next room, you will find anotherGrave Glovewort [6]. Continue watching out for the archer knights while progressing as well as other enemies that become visible only when in close proximity. Follow the path until you see a room at the end of the hall with a sitting knight. There is an enemy on the immediate right waiting to ambush you. Once arriving at this room, jump out the window onto the platform below. (In the room with the sitting knight, you’re able to find several Grave Violet and anotherGrave Glovewort [6].)
After jumping through the window, head up the stairs to the south. There will be imps pretending to be statues and a knight sitting in some scarlet rot. The Knight is guarding theRadahn Solider Ashes.
Grab the ashes and then jump through the room’s western window – you’ll find an archer on the other side, along with the finalGrave Glovewort [6]and the boss door lever. After pulling the lever, you drop down into that first main room and proceed to the boss fight straight ahead to the west.
Boss Fight
The boss of this area is aPutrid Tree Spirit. This boss utilizes several attacks that inflictScarlet Rot, and when its health bar reaches about 50%, all of its attacks inflict some Scarlet Rot. Make sure you bring along somePreserving Bolusesto alleviate the condition. If you find you’re struggling against this boss, attempt to use more jumping attacks. Jumping attacks inflict great stance damage, and the Putrid Tree Spirit has a smaller than usual stance bar. Once broken, it’ll afford you some breathing room, allowing you to drink a Crimson Flask, eat a Preserving Bolus, or get a critical attack against the Boss.
Upon defeat, the Putrid Tree Spirit drops theRedmane Knight Oghaspirit ashes and aGolden Seedwhen defeated.
