Elden Ring: Impaler’s Catacombs full walkthrough

When you start a playthrough in Elden Ring, walk south from The First Step to find Impaler's Catacombs. It's an optional dungeon containing a treasure that could aid you on your way to the end of your trip. This walkthrough will show you how to complete Impaler's Catacombs and provide you some pointers on how to defeat the boss it houses.

Step 1: Follow the path forward

The main route through the dungeon is well-marked. Keep an eye out for the little gargoyle that will jump up from the path's edge and stab you in the back as you reach the first room. As you approach the archway, another one is set to fall on you from further down the route. Use magic to take it out early, or lure it in for a fair fight. To begin, clear the room of gargoyles by following the path ahead of you. There's nothing interesting here, but killing the enemy is preferable to leaving them at your back.

Step 2: Head below

You can only choose one alternative path, which leads to a platform with spikes above it. If you stand on this platform for too long, it will rise up and smash you against the spikes. If you wish to try your luck, you can pick up a flower. Otherwise, toss it around by stepping on and off the platform. Then dive beneath it. It's down here that you'll find the way forward.

The sewer is accessible from the area beneath the platform. To contend with, there are continually respawning opponents who will crawl up from the ground and attack you. You can farm Runes for a long time here, but the best course of action is to dash through to the right and up the ladder.

Enemies will continue to spawn, and if you are caught in a grab attack, it can be fatal. You'll be safe if you climb the ladder. The boss door at the beginning of the dungeon can then be opened by pulling the switch. This path merges with the main one you used when you first entered the dungeon, so exit to find the boss door and prepare for a tough encounter.

Step 3: Assassinate Erdtree's Burial Watchdog.

The Erdtree Burial Watchdog is the dungeon's boss, and you can find him in many different dungeons. It is, however, accompanied by four gargoyles, which are perhaps more difficult. It's better to remain a safe distance from the monster and focus on the gargoyles first. They can quickly slice you up and kill you, so getting them out of the way will make it easier to cope with the boss.

With ranged attacks, the boss is easily defeated. It's also quite stationary, so you can easily avoid its assaults and launch a few of your own before it reacts. After you've defeated the monster, you'll receive the Demi-Human Ashes, a powerful ally for future encounters.