The optional bosses of Elden Ring offer players the opportunity to test their skills and resolve, all while earning rewards should they succeed. Although these glorified foes are not required to progress the game, they offer an appropriate challenge. In truth, many of the optional bosses in Elden Ring rival the game's main bosses in terms of difficulty, such as the Ulcerated Tree Spirit.
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit is a malformed and corrupted entity similar to the Erdtrees found throughout the Lands Between. Those who have the unfortunate opportunity of facing this optional boss will quickly learn of the danger it presents. With erratic movements and powerful attacks, the Ulcerated Tree Spirit proves to be a foe that matches — and possibly beats — the loathsome Godrick the Grafted in strength. An optional boss of such difficulty is terrifying, but with some help, defeating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit becomes a less strenuous endeavor.
Where To Find The Ulcerated Tree Spirit
There are two Ulcerated Tree Spirits that players can encounter in Elden Ring. Each appears in a different location and boasts notable differences, chiefly in power.
The earliest Ulcerated Tree Spirit players face resides in the Fringefolk Hero's Grave in Limgrave. To reach this dungeon, players will need to explore the Stranded Graveyard. Within, they will find an Imp Statue that requires two Stonesword Keys to unlock. Upon doing so, players will have access to the Fringefolk Hero's Grave and the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's lair. This variant is weaker than the other, but that is not to say that it fails to present a challenge. This Ulcerated Tree Spirit will pose a more arduous threat to players than Godrick the Grafted.
The latest Ulcerated Tree Spirit that players face appears in the Giant's Mountaintop Catacombs in Mountaintops of the Giants. Reaching this area requires a trek through the heights of this region, accessible only through a particular path. By following the narrow passage south of Stargazer's Ruins, players can reach the upper areas of this region, such as the Giant's Mountaintop Catacombs. Within this area, players can find the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's lair. This variant is much stronger than the first, boasting better statistics overall. In truth, this Ulcerated Tree Spirit proves to be more challenging than the non-optional bosses encountered by this point.
Ulcerated Tree Spirit's Moveset, Phases, And Weaknesses
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The Ulcerated Tree Spirit's greatest strength is its nearly unpredictable and devastating moveset. The movements and attack patterns of this optional boss are immensely sporadic. There seems to be little indication of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's next move, leaving many players unable to evade its attacks by rolling out of the way. In addition, players must face this towering foe in a comparatively small room, resulting in numerous other challenges. There are some opportunities for players to take advantage of, so long as they are careful and quick.
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit has two phases: its first phase, which utilizes brute strength, and the second phase, which predominantly uses widespread holy-based attacks. The Ulcerated Tree Spirit reaches its next stage when 3/5 of its health bar is remaining, unleashing a flurry of holy fire in the process. During this phase, it utilizes a new attack alongside its original moveset. In addition, the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's attacks become wreathed in holy fire, making previously grievous moves all the more devastating.
Ulcerated Tree Spirit Moveset - Phase One
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Attack |
Description |
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Claw Swipe |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit performs a close swipe attack with its claws, typically followed by another Claw Swipe, a Tail Swipe, or a Two-Handed Pound. This attack deals significant damage and usually occurs when players are close. |
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Two-Handed Pound |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit raises its clenched fists together before pounding the ground. This attack deals significant damage and usually occurs when players are close, following a Claw Swipe attack. |
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Tail Swipe |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit curls its tail before sweeping the surrounding area with it. This attack deals significant damage and usually occurs when players are close, following a Claw Swipe attack. |
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Stomp |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit raises its hand before stomping the ground several times in succession. This attack deals moderate damage and usually occurs when players are close. |
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Head Slam |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit lurches its head back slightly and quickly slams it into the ground. This attack deals significant damage and usually occurs when players are close, with little warning or sign. |
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Head Swipe |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit raises its head and swipes using its upper body. This attack deals significant damage and usually occurs when players are close, but its considerable wind-up time makes it easy to avoid. |
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Slithering Lunge |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit slithers forward before lunging, damaging anything within its vicinity, typically followed by a Roar and Bite. This attack deals moderate damage and usually occurs when players are distant, covering a wide area and leaving little chance for evasion. |
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Roar And Bite |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit roars — but not always — and hovers in the air before lunging, its maw wide open. If this attack hits, players will be caught in the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's mouth as it scorches them with holy fire before spitting them out at the end. This attack deals lethal damage, often killing players, and may occur at any moment, although typically after a Lunging Slither attack. |
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Fire Breath |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit raises its head before unleashing a breath of far-reaching holy fire. This attack deals moderate damage and usually occurs when players are distant, but its inability to hit nearby targets makes it easy to avoid. |
Ulcerated Tree Spirit Moveset - Phase Two
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Attack |
Description |
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Explosion |
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit hunches over, holy fire emanating from its body and spaces sprawled throughout the surrounding area. Within moments, the holy fire violently erupts, scorching everything nearby. This attack deals significant damage and always occurs when entering the second stage but may occur any moment afterward. As it covers an expansive area, this attack is challenging to avoid. |
Ulcerated Tree Spirit Weaknesses
The Ulcerated Tree Spirit bears a crippling weakness to Fire damage. As such, players must utilize Fire damage against this optional boss whenever possible. They can do this by using weapon skills, spells, and items capable of inflicting Fire damage. The easiest method for doing Fire damage is using Fire Grease or Fire Pots, items that are simple to craft. Using Fire against the Ulcerated Tree Spirit will deal more damage and, as a result, make the battle somewhat easier.
Strategies For Beating The Ulcerated Tree Spirit
There are some basic strategies for combating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit. As with most boss battles in Elden Ring, players will benefit from having other Tarnished fight alongside them. Summoning additional players to help them defeat the Ulcerated Tree Spirit is a viable strategy, as it deviates the boss's attention. Those seeking a helping hand need only use a Furlcalling Finger Remedy and willing friends or helpful strangers.
Aside from that, players should bolster their resistance to Holy damage and find a means of inflicting Fire damage. The Ulcerated Tree Spirit's second phase relies heavily upon inflicting Holy damage, making protection against it pivotal for victory. As mentioned before, this optional boss is susceptible to Fire damage. Players must capitalize on this weakness by discovering an effective way to inflict Fire damage, as items will only get them so far. Doing so will improve a player's defensive and offensive capabilities against the Ulcerated Tree Spirit.
Spellcasting/Ranged
Those that use magic, such as Sorceries and Incantations, or ranged weapons may have difficulty fighting the Ulcerated Tree Spirit. While they may benefit from Fire-based spells or ammunition, gaining distance from the boss is challenging. Many of the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's attacks can reach from afar or effortlessly close a gap. As such, magic and ranged weapon users should not rely on distance.
Instead, players should remain close and force the Ulcerated Tree Spirit to attack. By baiting this optional boss into attacking, players can take advantage of its slow-moving melee moves. As the Ulcerated Tree Spirit winds up an attack, players can fall back, allowing them to use their magic or ranged weapons effectively. Doing so will require practice, but in time, it will mitigate the challenges of battling the Ulcerated Tree Spirit.
Melee
Melee-oriented characters will have the most ease in defeating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit. As with many large and slow bosses, players can take advantage of its size to avoid attacks and inflict damage. By remaining near the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's flanks, players can avoid a majority of devastating attacks, including the Fire Breath and Head Slam move. They are still susceptible to some attacks, however.
During the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's first phase, players should utilize Fire damage to break its posture. In doing so, a glowing mark will appear on its body, and attacking it with a melee weapon will inflict catastrophic damage. Thus, bringing the Ulcerated Tree Spirit's health bar down significantly with a single attack. However, players should be wary, as it will enter its second stage following this injury.
Rewards
Defeating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit in Fringefolk Hero's Grave will reward players with 15,000 Runes, a Golden Seed, and Banished Knight Oleg's Ashes. These drops prove to be exceptionally beneficial during the earlier stages of Elden Ring and, as such, are worth the arduous effort. In particular, the Runes will allow players to level up and improve their stats, helping them progress.
Defeating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit in Giant's Mountaintop Catacombs will reward players with 48,000 Runes, a Golden Seed, and a Glovewart Picker's Ball Bearing [2]. In addition, there will be a chest in its lair containing a Deathroot. These drops will help players bolster their strength in the later stages of Elden Ring, making this undertaking well worth the time and energy.
Elden Ring is now available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S.