Elden Ring Boss Guide: How to Beat Erdtree Avatar

While exploring The Lands Between in Elden Ring, you will find that each region of the map is home to multiple Minor Edrtrees. These can be a reliable location to find useful items, but a handful of them are home to the Erdtree Avatar boss. The first place you are likely to encounter an Erdtree Avatar is in Weeping Peninsula, located south of the starting area of Limgrave. 

Erdtree Avatar is a hulking mass of gnarled tree roots with no head, who wields a massive hammer staff. They hit extremely hard so this might not be the easiest fight early on, but by using the strategies in the Elden Ring boss guide below, you will find a much-need victory. Seriously, the drops are worth it. Here are all the locations where you can find the Avatars. 

• Erdtree Avatar: Minor Erdtree, Weeping Peninsula — Opaline Bubbletear, Crimsonburst Crystal Tear.
• Putrid Avatar: Minor Erdtree, Caelid — Greenburst Crystal Tear, Flame-Shrouding Cracked Tear. 
• Erdtree Avatar: Southwest Minor Erdtree, Liurnia of the Lakes — Cerulean Crystal Tear, Ruptured Crystal Tear.
• Erdtree Avatar: Northeast Minor Erdtree, Liurnia of the Lakes — Magic-Shrouding Tear, Lightning-Shrouding Tear, Holy-Shrouding Tear.

How to Beat the Erdtree Avatar in Elden Ring

Again, there are various encounters with the Erdtree Avatar boss. The location pictured above is for the one found in the Weeping Peninsula. 

There are multiple viable ways to take down the Erdtree Avatar each time. The boss has moves that punish both ranged and up-close combat, so variety is key. Above all, it is crucial, and this may sound redundant but trust us, to not get hit. This boss can easily take you down in two hits, even if you are properly leveled. 

Magic is a great ranged option for the fight. Try using Flame Sling if you are focusing on Faith or Glintstone Pebble if you have a Sorcery build. Both will deal solid damage at range. This is a field boss encounter, so you are allowed to use Torrent, which will help you keep your distance as well, although this will prevent you from using magic in your off-hand. If you don’t have magic, you should at least have a bow on hand. Fire arrows won’t hurt either. 

Of course, if you have a strong melee weapon, getting underneath the behemoth and hacking away at Erdtree Avatar’s legs is a tried and true Souls strategy that will work here. Just be careful. 

Erdtree Avatar Attacks and Strategies 

Here are all the Erdtree Avatar’s attacks and how to best avoid them. 

Edrtree Avatar Attack 1: Staff Slash

One of the boss’ most common moves is the Staff Slash. This can be avoided by dodging forward or keeping your distance. Of all the Erdtree Avatar’s attacks, this one has the shortest range. 

Erdtree Avatar Attack 2: Massive Staff

When the Erdtree Avatar leans back, you know that’s when they are about to do a massive overheard swing with their staff. Massive Staff has deceptive range and often, if you think you are safe, you may still get hit for lots of damage. A reliable way to avoid it is by dodging to the left or right, but the timing is admittedly tricky. You can also dodge forward with the right positioning, but we wouldn’t recommend it. 

Erdtree Avatar Attack 3: Body Slam 

When we mentioned earlier how Erdtree Avatar will counter whichever playstyle you choose, this attack is a prime example. When you are close, the boss will jump up in the air and slam their entire body down, doing massive amounts of AoE damage. If you are attacking up close, be on the lookout for Body Slam and make sure to sprint out of the radius lest you want to die. 

Erdtree Avatar Attack 4: Blinding Lights

The opposite of the Erdtree Avatar’s body slam, Blinding Lights blocks you from staying at a range at all times. Keep your distance enough and the boss will charge up and fire a series of shining projectiles that can easily get you stuck in a vicious combo. Our advice is to keep running, as dodging leaves you more vulnerable. The tell for this attack is quite generous as well, giving you plenty of time to call Torrent and ride away if you happen to be tackling the boss on foot. 

Erdtree Avatar Attack 5: Scarlet Rot

Another attack sees the Erdtree Avatar (specifically the one in Caelid) spew red mist inflicting Scarlet Rot buildup. The tell for this attack is red mist that puffs from the boss’ upper half. They’ll then jump into the air and slam on the ground, sending out plumes of the poison, which sticks to the ground. Use Preserving Boluses to reduce buildup and cure Scarlet Rot.

If you are still having trouble, don’t forget you can use consumables to add Fire damage to your melee weapon, which will give you an additional advantage. The Lone Wolf Ashes can be a useful spirit summon here as well, distracting the Erdtree Avatar so you can ride up behind him and get in plenty of hits. 

While these Erdtree Avatar bosses are optional, they drop crucial items. Each Erdtree Avatar drops two Tears, used to customize the effect of your Flask of Wondrous Physick, as well as a hearty amount of Runes. This extra flask only has one charge per rest, but lets you change its effect at a Site of Grace. 

If you want more advice on which spells to use and where to find them, check out our spells and incantations guide. As always in Elden Ring, don’t be shy asking for advice or simply leaving a tough boss for later. For more boss tips and tricks, head over to our Elden Ring guides hub.