The Curse Rotted Greatwood is not a necessary boss to progress but should be defeated to unlock one of the most important features in Dark Souls 3. How to defeat the boss? What he is weak to? What strategies can you use to beat it? All will be answered in this ultimate guide to beating The Curse Rotted Greatwood in Dark Souls 3.
The Curse Rotted Greatwood is fought alongside other undead mob enemies in the arena. The boss is damaged primarily through the egg sacs at certain points on its body. Contrary to other bosses’ transformations and phases, the whole arena shifts when the boss’s health drop to a certain level.
This detailed guide is going to look at some of the best ways of defeating The Curse Rotted Greatwood boss in Dark Souls 3.
Is The Curse Rotted Greatwood Optional?
Although the Cursed Rotted Greatwood is an optional boss, one should seek it out and defeat it to unlock the Transposing Kiln. This item is a requirement for unlocking the Soul Transposition mechanic.
Strategies for Defeating The Curse Rotted Greatwood
Here are some strategies for defeating The Curse Rotted Greatwood you can use depending on the build you opted for in Dark Souls 3:
Melee Strategy
The egg sacs on the left hand and left leg are the first thing you should rush toward and destroy when the fight begins. Immediately, the boss will initiate the animation for a kicking attack. Utilize this window and move quickly to the groin area and execute a heavy attack.
The boss will try to hit you with its arm next, so get ready to dodge or block it. Repeat this step over and over again till the floor is broken, and you are in the pit.
The pit phase is where you have to be more vigilant. The other sacs that need to be destroyed are located on the lower back and right elbow. The good thing about this phase is that you will be completely safe if you are just outside its range. Take this opportunity and circle around the boss.
Having a ranged weapon like a bow will work wonders during this fight. The manual reticle aiming of bows will allow you to target the hard-to-reach sacs.
However, if you are only using melee weapons then exploiting the boss’s fall attack is the best way to deal damage. As soon as he falls down, scurry towards it and strike with all your might, just be quick and get out. The out-of-reach sacs will be accessible when it is plopped on the ground.
When you are done destroying the groin and lower back sacs, the next focal point is the white arm coming out of its gut. The other sacs will be harder to reach for melee users.
The arm is a bit dangerous and its grab attack is quite deadly so be aware of that at all times. Staying locked off is the right move at this point. Furthermore, the previously mentioned fall attack will allow you to punish the white arm as well.
The boss has a huge recovery time after each attack, so use this window for landing a few hits of your own.
Coating your weapons with Fire or Lightning using Pine Resin will deal greater damage. Whenever you are presented with an opening, try to coat the weapon quickly for utmost damage.
Magic/Sorcery Strategy
Sorcerer builds will have a field day with this boss if they get their hands on the Pestilent Mist spell. In a nutshell, get close to the boss, fire off the mist, and run away. Keep it up until it is dead. Clearly, this method can be considered a cheese as it can totally eliminate the floor breaching phase of the boss.
You need to be close to the boss for it to break the floor, and if you use the spell right and get out of dodge in time, the boss will never break the floor. The floor will only be broken when the boss will die.
On the other hand, if you want to earn your victory and not rely on cheesing the boss, you can utilize the White Dragon Breath spell to decimate the sacs. Lock on to the boss from the right side. As soon as the sacs are placed between you and the lock on target, fire the spell, and it will surely hit them.
The way the spell functions and hits the target, phase 2 of the fight will be considerably more manageable. When the white arm is done swiping three times, you lock on straight to the boss and cast the spell. If you time it right, you will be able to hit both the hand and the sacs.
If you are proficient enough at casting spells and landing on the bullseye without the need to lock on, then Souls Arrows can be utilized as bows to deal damage to those pesky elevated sacs.
Pyromancy Strategy
The boss is highly susceptible to Fire damage, giving Pyromancers an edge in this fight compared to other builds. Lob as many fire spells at the boss’s groin sacs as you can after the fight starts. As a result, Phase 2 will be right around the corner if your aim is true.
Moreover, if you are quick on your feet while moving into Phase 2, you can easily take out the sacs on the left hand. Later on, shift your attention to the remaining sacs on the hands, feet, and back. Once those are dealt with, and the boss’s health is at a critical point, use this time to finish him off by attacking the white arm.
The only things you need to be on your toes for are the sweeping and belly-flop attacks. Keep this up and you will be done in no time.
What is The Curse Rotted Greatwood Weak To?
The Curse Rotted Greatwood is weak to the following damage types:
- Slash
- Thrust
- Fire
- Pestilent Mist
What is The Curse Rotted Greatwood Resistant / Immune to?
The Curse Rotted Greatwood is resistant and immune to the following damage types:
Resistant to:
- Nothing
Immune to:
- Poison
- Toxic
- Bleed
- Frost
Can You Parry The Curse Rotted Greatwood?
You cannot parry the Curse Rotted Greatwood boss.
Can You Cheese The Curse Rotted Greatwood?
The cheesing only comes into play when you reach Phase 2. Before that, use the strategies we have mentioned above. Although it is a time-consuming tactic, it will give you the opportunity to relax.
In the second phase, if you stay out of reach, the boss has the habit of performing a stand and belly flop attack. As soon as it does that, move in, strike the white arm a couple of times, and get out. Do not get greedy, or you will be at the receiving end of a devastating counterattack.
Every now and then, especially after several belly flops, the boss executes a rolling attack that has to be evaded at all costs. This attack won’t give you any chance to attack the boss hence should be ignored.
Keep the pressure on when the boss flops to the ground and back off. Rinse and repeat and viola you now have plenty of firewood for your fireplace at home. Any build can carry out this cheesing technique without much effort.
The Curse Rotted Greatwood is an optional boss but shouldn’t be ignored. The egg sac gimmick of this boss does make this fight rather annoying, but with the strategies we have provided, the fight will be a breeze for many.