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Mastering Tricephalos requires exploiting its Holy weakness, precise dodging, and adapting to its powerful two-phase attack patterns.
The deadliest phase involves three splitting wolves; manage aggro, focus on Holy damage, and prepare for their re-merging.
Successful Nightreign expeditions demand mobility, strategic consumables, and learning attack tells to conquer this challenging beast.
Elden Ring: Nightreign unleashes a formidable challenge with the introduction of Tricephalos, the Beast of Night. This towering wolf wields a chained greatsword and unleashes fire, demanding precision, awareness, and strategic thinking from players.
To emerge victorious, it's crucial to master its patterns and exploit its weaknesses. By doing so, you'll be well on your way to conquering this beast and claiming triumph in the universe. Study its moves, adapt your strategy, and victory will be yours.
Tricephalos deals both Physical and Fire Damage attacks, so gear up for resistances. Generally, those would be your armors, talismans, and consumables that protect against these forces. Tricephalos is weak against Holy Damage, which means that your best bet is to use weapons with temporary or permanent Holy Infusions or Incantations based on Faith.
Holy damage delivers more direct hits and causes stagger, which enables an opportunity for critical hits. Increase your respective Holy Symbols and Merchants on your expeditions so they will counterattack from being staggered upon Tricephalos.
During the first-third phase, Tricephalos fights as one single, aggressive creature. It has somewhat slow yet telegraphed attacks, giving them time to either dodge carefully or hit back.
Tricephalos uses the enormous sword attached to a chain, swinging it in wide arcs, sometimes twice in rapid succession. It has an unexpectedly big range, which goes far beyond what you would expect.
Counter: Dodge the swings. Timing is very key; if you dodge too early, you will most likely get hit by the second one. If close to the monster, sometimes the latter swings will just go over your head, and you can get a couple of free hits.
If it gets close, Tricephalos attacks with lunges and bites. It can chain up to three bites.
Counter: Dodge sideways or backward. More often than not, you can get a couple of hits in after successfully dodging the bites.
With mouths glowing a faint purple, warning of the grab that will pin you down while the other heads gnaw, that is surely one of its dangerous attacks.
Counter: The moment you see the purple glow, dodge away and distance yourself as far as possible. It deals high damage and can outright kill you.
Tricephalos will rear back its heads before roaring in a wide cone of flame.
Counter: Strafing to the side is effective. If caught close, a well-timed dodge through the flames can also work.
Less frequent in Phase 1, but look out for Tricephalos jumping into the air before diving and plunging its sword, causing an AoE blast.
Counter: Run behind the beast or dodge through the explosion as it lands.
Strategy: Maintain medium-to-close range. Prioritize dodging attacks and then getting in 1-2 hits on its sides or rear. Do not get greedy. If playing co-op, one tankier player can draw aggro, allowing others to attack from behind or range. Consistently apply Holy damage to build up stagger.
Also Read: Why Elden Ring’s Nightreign Doesn’t Have a Co-op? Know the REAL Reason
Once Tricephalos reaches approximately 75% HP, it will roar, turn into three fiery balls, and split into three separate, smaller wolf entities. This is the deadliest shift of the fight, and where many runs fall apart.
Only one of these wolves will retain the chained sword, making it the most dangerous. All three wolves share the same health bar, meaning damage to any one of them contributes to Tricephalos's overall HP.
The wolves will primarily target individual players if playing in a party. Solo players will need to constantly manage all three.
All three wolves, and the merged Tricephalos when it recombines, will now frequently use fire-based attacks.
The main wolf (with the sword) may roar, causing all three wolves' eyes to glow red. This signifies increased aggression but also a higher chance of staggering them.
After remerging, Tricephalos will incorporate these new fiery attacks into its moveset. The "Wave of Fire" sees it slam its blazing sword into the ground, sending a fiery wave forward.
Counter: For Explosive Plunge, run behind or dodge through. For Wave of Fire, dodge forward through the wave to avoid it.
Strategy: In co-op, each player should aggro a distinct wolf to prevent being overwhelmed. Solo, employ hit-and-run tactics, focusing on one wolf at a time. Capitalize on red-eyed wolves for staggers. After about 45 seconds, they'll re-emerge, so prepare for renewed aggression and keep exploiting that Holy weakness.
Level Up: Aim for at least level 9-12 before attempting Tricephalos, especially if playing solo.
Consumables: Stock up on health flasks, FP flasks, and any items that boost Holy damage or fire resistance (e.g., Fireproof Dried Liver).
Stay Mobile: Tricephalos is fast and aggressive. Don't stand still. Constant movement and precise dodging are your best defense.
Don't Get Greedy: After dodging an attack, land a couple of hits, and be ready to dodge again. Over-committing will often lead to heavy punishment.
Spirit Summons: If playing solo, consider using Spirit Summons to draw aggro and provide some breathing room, especially during the split phase.
Learn the Tells: Pay close attention to Tricephalos's wind-up animations for each attack. Recognizing these tells will give you precious milliseconds to react.
Defeating Tricephalos in Elden Ring Nightreign is a significant milestone that unlocks further expeditions and progression. By understanding its patterns, exploiting its Holy vulnerability, and adapting your strategy to its devastating split phase, you will emerge victorious, proving yourself a true Nightfarer.
Tricephalos demands mastery of its patterns and Holy vulnerability. Adapting to its devastating split phase, whether solo or co-op, is key. Triumphing proves your skill, unlocking further Nightreign expeditions.
Also Read: Elden Ring Nightreign: Latest DLC Class Brings New Power and Terror
