With the recent updates to Elden Ring Nightreign, the game has successfully maintained its vibrant live-service model. The addition of new and improved boss encounters, such as the Everdark Sovereign Darkdrift Knight, has elevated the gaming experience for players.
Having triumphed over this formidable foe, players will now set their sights on the next challenge: the Sentient Pest. While some may find this Nightlord the simplest among its counterparts, the Everdark Sovereign variant introduces an intriguing twist that alters the dynamics of the battle.
If you count yourself among those who find the Sentient Pest to be more than a tad irritating, fear not! My comprehensive strategy guide for facing the Everdark Sovereign Sentient Pest in Elden Ring Nightreign will ensure you and your teammates conquer this challenge with ease.
Optimal Team Compositions
Given that players will confront not just one, but three adversaries in this encounter, it is essential to create a team composition capable of effectively targeting their weaknesses. Based on my extensive testing, the following characters are particularly well-suited for this boss fight:
- Ironeye: An ideal choice for this battle, Ironeye’s ranged attacks are especially effective against the moth creature, Gnoster. Players can equip bows with fire element affinities, and his evasive maneuver skill offers I-frames for dodging. Moreover, his ultimate ability can briefly stun bosses, providing invaluable support.
- Raider: This character excels in face-to-face combat with the Scorpion (Faurtis), leveraging their skill to absorb damage while dealing significant offense. With the right relic setup, Raider can inflict impressive damage; if fire weapons are unavailable, utilizing powerstancing can be a strategic alternative to break Faurtis’ stance.
For your third character, I recommend selecting one of the first two or any character that complements the team well. A balanced fighter like Wylder can reinforce our frontlines, working effectively alongside Ironeye in the backline.
Distinct Features of the Everdark Sovereign Sentient Pest
As with previous Everdark Sovereign Nightlords, the Sentient Pest encounter incorporates several significant modifications. The most notable change is the inclusion of a third boss.
To prepare adequately for this fight, here are some key differences you should consider:
- Both Gnoster and Faurtis will commence in a cooperative phase but possess a considerably lower health pool.
- Upon defeating them, ‘Animus, Ascendant Light’ will emerge, reviving the previous bosses to half of their health.
- Animus has the capability to resurrect and possess the bodies of the other bosses during the fight, sacrificing some of its own health in the process.
- Expect a variety of new AOE attacks, particularly from Animus, including light ray barrages.
Targeting weaknesses remains unchanged; weapons with fire affinities will yield the highest damage output. It’s advisable to prepare your starting armament with a fire affinity due to the random generation of weapon points in this encounter.
Moveset of the Everdark Sovereign Sentient Pest
Before delving into strategy, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the major attacks launched by the bosses, particularly during the Animus phase, which adds numerous new attack patterns.
Below is a summary of new moves from Faurtis, Gnoster, and Animus:
| Moveset | Boss | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Charging Pounce | Faurtis | Animus-possessed Faurtis charges directly at players, a typically telegraphed and avoidable attack. |
| Frontal Spiked Stomp | Faurtis | With an area-of-effect (AOE) shockwave generated from its stomp, Faurtis follows up with red fissure explosions that can be jumped over. |
| Side Spiked Stomp | Faurtis | This move releases an AOE shockwave, followed by explosions where players need to dodge both attacks. |
| Claw Slam | Faurtis | Faurtis will slam down with both claws; this predictable attack is easily dodged. |
| Frenzy Slams | Faurtis | The most damaging attack from Faurtis as it pounds the ground, creating areas of effect spikes; players should avoid the area quickly. |
| Claw Pound Explosion | Faurtis | After slamming the ground thrice, the third attack results in a shockwave explosion. |
| Beam Rain | Gnoster | Gnoster unleashes a series of red lasers while airborne; timing your evasion is crucial. |
| Grab Attack | Gnoster | This enhanced grab involves Gnoster moving side to side before closing in on players. |
| Orbital Beams From Hell | Animus | Animus can launch a relentless barrage of destructive beams that must be evaded. |
Strategies for Defeating Everdark Sovereign Sentient Pest
To effectively navigate this encounter, having a sound strategy is essential, especially to counter the fire weaknesses and orchestrate optimal team dynamics.
After you eliminate Faurtis and Gnoster, Animus will resurrect both bosses, each starting at half-health. Swiftly focus your damage on Faurtis, as taking it down first can shifting the momentum in your favor.
If Animus is defeated, it automatically takes Gnoster and Faurtis out as well, irrespective of their health levels. Hence, while Faurtis demands immediate attention, Gnoster’s ranged attacks will only complicate matters.
By concentrating on Faurtis, dedicated players can significantly hinder Animus’s ability to regain strength or initiate orbital beams.Utilize a ranged character like Ironeye to distract Gnoster while teammates engage Faurtis directly.
Effective aggro management permits the team to optimize their DPS output while minimizing damage taken from the chaos that ensues.
The strategy hinges on maintaining concentrated fire on Faurtis, while allowing a competent Ironeye (or equivalently skilled ranged character) to draw away Gnoster’s focus. This tactical maneuver will limit damage taken significantly and facilitate a smoother encounter.
Remember, damage inflicted on the possessed boss also impacts Animus, placing you in an optimal position for victory.With a focused approach on Faurtis, Animus will struggle to unleash its devastating AOE attacks.
Moreover, that laser barrage from Animus can be lethal without adequate health, making it wise to equip a Wending Grace or similar items to hedge against catastrophic setbacks.
By successfully overcoming the Everdark Sovereign Sentient Pest, players will be rewarded with x25 Sovereign Sigils upon their initial victory, alongside the coveted Dark Night of the Wise Relic, a great asset for Mage characters like Recluse.
