Quick Links
Ancient dragons are nothing new toElden Ring, but Senessax from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is everything we hated about them, combined with the same water mechanics we used against Rellana and the Golden Hippopotamus. If you thought lightning was your friend, think again.
And lightning is only the start of your problems. Although the lightning is buffed and more difficult to dodge than ever, there is one other enemy in the Senessax fight that will leave you howling in frustration: the camera. Rather than bash your head into your keyboard, cursing the camera, let us hand you the strategy that will make this fight far, far easier.
How To Prepare For Ancient Dragon Senessax
This ancient dragonlies at the halfway point in the Jagged Peak. Rather than venturing right toward the Altar of Grand Communion, turn left.
This fight isup the mountainfrom theJagged Peak Drake boss fight.
You can find Senessax lying in a pool of water, seemingly inert for now but standing once you step into the water.
If you have ever facedAncient Dragon Lansseaxin the Altus Plateau, then you know everything you need to know about this fight with a few caveats:
The second important note about this fight, however - after Senessax’s increased damage - is that the lock on, much like the Lansseax fight, is just as annoying.
You will not be able to lock-on to any of Senessax’s feet.Only their head and their body. With as often as Senessax jumps into the air, this can mean frustratingly whacky camera malfunctions and attacks you can’t see coming.
For this fight,we recommend the following preparations:
The Boltdrake Talisman is very handy here.The +2 version in the base game is in Farum Azulabeyond the Dragon Temple Rooftop, the Ancient Dragon guard, the Dragon Tower Shield talisman chest, and an area guarded by a Crucible Knight and beastmen.
If you’re willing to sidetrack ahead, which may be for the best, you can findthe new +3 version in Shadow Keep near the Storehouse Site of Grace.
Ancient Dragon Senessax Attacks And Combos
As you might imagine, Senessax has several lightning-based attacks (wow!), but its lightning attacks are second only to its physical attacks. This meanseach attack is usually a two-hit comboin itself.
However, Senessax also hasattacks that can appear outside the camera’s rangeandattacks that deal no damage.
Learning how to avoid her attacks and which attacks are safest to be hit by will be a huge part of your survival. Therefore,refer to the chart below.
Suggested Counter
Call Lightning
The opening attack of Senessax. It calls down sporadic lightning in the arena in two back-to-back waves. When the lightning strikes the surface of the water, it disperses in a small area.
Avoid any red pools of energy on the ground showing where lightning will strike. Roll dodge through any strikes or waves that get too close.
Breath Attack (Forward)
Senessax braces itself on its back feet but doesn’t stand on them entirely as it begins to breathe fire ahead. The fire starts forward but gradually moves in a wave in the area around Senessax, tapering off near the base of the tail.
Sprint behind Senessax to its tail. Attack the tail during the duration of the flames or make preparations as needed.
Breath Attack (Air)
Senessax flies into the air and hovers on one point (lower than the Air Drop attack). With fire in its mouth, it begins to breathe a cone of fire on the ground ahead while slowly moving backward with it.
Chase after the image of Senessax’s tail, sprinting forward and rolling if the fire gets too close.
Lightning Claws
Senessax raises their left claw up and coats it in lightning. It then strikes the ground, causing a wave of lightning if standing in water that reaches to the back feet. Then, it is followed up by a second, similar attack with the right claw. Often combos into Lightning Spears.
Roll forward through the claw (if in front of Senessax) and backward through the pulse.
Lightning Spear
Senessax stands on their back feet and gathers a lightning spear in its left hand. After a delay, they slam their spears into the ground, causing a pulse in the water.
Sprint to the area behind Senessax. If possible, aim for standing on an island.
Double Lightning Claws
Senessax rises on their back feet and coats both hands in electricity. It then quickly slams down, creating a large shockwave followed by a lightning pulse.
Sprint under Senessax, rolling forward through the initial slam attack and back through the electric pulse.
Wind Wings
Sensessax begins flapping its wings. It does this three times in back-to-back succession and then, after a brief delay, a fourth time.
Roll through the three attacks, pause, then roll through the fourth.
Air Drop
Senessax launches itself into the air and hovers before charging down at the player, crashing into the ground.
Unlock and raise the camera to watch Senessax. Roll forward as Senessax prepares to crash into you.
Double Lightning Spear
This attack only happens when Senessax is reduced to around half health. They will hold lightning spears in their hands, charging for a long duration, and then strike the ground with both at the same time. This releases a large wave of lightning that covers a significant area. Senessax then quickly takes a few steps forward and repeats for a second strike.
Sprint away, preferably to an island outside of the water. Roll dodge through the waves as they strike the ground.
Spin
Senessax curls in on itself, tenses, and then releases a spinning tail swipe attack.
As Senessax tenses, watch its tail and then roll through the tail swipe.
55,000~
Head (+60 percent damage)
Special Notes
Lightning damage in this arena when standing in water deals increased damage.
For the beginning of this fight,we summon Latennaon the big rock on the right just before you touch the water. This location gives her the ability to fire without worrying about Senessax tracking her down most of the fight.
After,use theGolden Lightning Fortificationor yourLightningproof Pickled Liverto up your lightning damage reduction before the match.If you have a Great Rune, this might be the time to use it.
We recommend riding on Torrent just for the time to cross the distance between you and Senessax. Dismount as you reach them.
From here, the goal is tokeep up consistent damageto prevent Senessax from taking interest in Latennawhile also playing smart with your dodges.
Keep an eye on your resistancesnear your health bar to ensure you canreplenish your lightning reductionwhen it runs out.
While you should be using anti-dragon weapons ideally, we didn’t have a good build on this character for it.
Instead, as an alternative method, we juggled a cold-infused Grave Scythe for Frostbite with a fire-infused Milady to both clear the Frostbite (restarting the meter) and take advantage of the dragon’s piercing damage weakness.
Most of this fight will likely be done on the water. This is risky due to the lightning, soyou can choose to attempt to lure Senessax onto landon the far end of the arena.
There are a few reasons not to do this, however, and gamble the lightning damage instead:
Therefore, the openness and pace of dodging were vastly preferred, leaving us tofocus instead on combat and mitigating damagewith strategy.
There is also an option to lure Senessax up the hill. Then, you’re able to jump up into the area above, follow the ledge back, and perform a plunging jump attack on Senessax from here.
This is risky as it can easily end up killing you from the fall damage.
As you fight Senessax, you’ll want to look out for openings to capitalize on. For Senessax, the best ones include:
Your points of damage will generally be at Senessax’s tail and back legs. Although the head takes more damage, the camera functionality with Senessax’s size and movement will make targeting it a nightmare for melee characters (though more doable for mages).
You also risk putting yourself at risk of Senessax’s attacks as only one of Senessax’s attacks can reach behind them.
Most of theirlightning attacks won’t provide the best openings.You’ll focus more on dodging than attacking with them.
Remember that when dodging her lightning attacks and pulses,the best rule of thumb is:
The second rule of thumb for Senessax?
Generally speaking, don’t lock-on.
Capitalizing on their openings and steering clear of lightning will be your road to success.
Ancient Dragon Senessax Rewards
Should you manage to defeat Senessax, you’ll be rewarded withboth versions of the best upgrading materials:
All that awaits now is the summit of the Jagged Peak and Bayle the Dread.
If you haven’t already, you should use the reward from this fight to fully upgrade theDragon-Hunter’s Great Katanafor the Bayle the Dread fight.
