Erdtree Burial Watchdog (Impaler’s Catacombs)

This Watchdog shares its arena with Imps. The lower passage beneath the rising floor leads to the lever; riding that floor all the way up sends you into the spikes.

Location and access

Impaler’s Catacombs

Impaler's Catacombs boss

Starting Site of Grace: Impaler's Catacombs

Cross the Bridge of Sacrifice into the Weeping Peninsula and follow the main road south to Castle Morne Rampart. Use the spiritspring beside this area to jump onto the eastern high ground.
Ride north past Oridys's Rise and Beside the Crater-Pocked Glade. Keep along the eastern cliff past the glowing craters and large gravestone to the doors of Impaler's Catacombs.
Activate the grace, descend past the locked boss door and take the passage on its left. At the fork, turn right into the room with a flat rising floor.
Step onto that floor, then immediately retreat into the entrance passage. Let the platform rise to the spikes without you on it.
Drop into the opening beneath the raised platform. Follow the watery corridor past the repeatedly rising corpses to the ladder at its end; avoid being held in their grabs.
Climb the ladder and pull the lever beside the statue. Follow the upper passage to the window and drop through it to return toward the opened boss door.
Defeat the Erdtree Burial Watchdog and the accompanying Imps. This encounter awards Demi-Human Ashes; Noble Sorcerer Ashes come from Stormfoot Catacombs instead.

HP and damage negation

Values below are for solo play on the first playthrough. HP is maximum health. Temporary protection and other state changes are explained in the notes.

Erdtree Burial Watchdog (Impaler’s Catacombs)

Solo, first playthrough

HP: 1,347

Damage type	Damage negation
Standard	35%
Strike	10%
Slash	35%
Pierce	35%
Magic	40%
Fire	40%
Lightning	40%
Holy	40%

Notes

Defeating the Watchdog awards Demi-Human Ashes. The arena’s Imps are separate enemies, not extra Watchdog phases.
Clear or distract the Imps before settling into a close fight with the Watchdog. Their quick attacks can catch you while you are waiting for its much slower slam.
Crystal Darts can make these constructs malfunction after enough hits. A malfunction allows them to target each other, but does not stop them from attacking you.
A summon can draw some of the enemies away. Keep checking whether an Imp has broken off toward you before starting a long attack.
Its rigid movements include pauses followed by sudden attacks. Wait for the sword or body to move rather than rolling just because it rises into the air.
The hovering slam can be repeated. Keep your stamina for the next landing and answer only once the sequence has finished.
Move out of the line of a breath attack instead of retreating straight through the flames. The open side of the room gives you more room to circle behind it.
A Strike weapon is a useful choice against its stone body. Plan to win through direct damage rather than relying on a bleed-focused setup.

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