One of the most dangerous dragons you’ll encounter in Elden Ring: Shadow of Erdtree is undoubtedly the Ancient Dragon Sennesax. Its large health pool and powerful lightning abilities can easily kill you.

However, with patience and proper preparation, you can add this boss to your list of accomplishments. This guide will detail the intricacies of the fight against Ancient Dragon Sennesax.

Ancient Dragon Sennesax Location

You can find this colossal dragon deep in the Jagged Peak caves. Start your journey from the Pillar Path Waypoint. Listen carefully to the eerie and piercing cries echoing through the mountains.

These sounds will guide you through a path around the rocks and dangerous terrain until you reach Dragon’s Pit. Enter this dungeon and proceed to its end, where you will finally reach the cave with Ancient Dragon Sennesax.

Preparing for the Battle with Ancient Dragon Sennesax

The battle with Ancient Dragon Sennesax requires meticulous preparation, as it is the toughest dragon boss you’ll ever encounter in souls-like games. If you have previously fought Ancient Dragon Lansseax in the Altus Plateau, you will be somewhat familiar with fighting this dragon, as they share many techniques. However, there are a few critical differences that can be challenging even for skilled players.

The area with Ancient Dragon Sennesax is filled with water, amplifying the boss’s lightning attack damage. Therefore, your primary focus should be on reducing the impact of lightning. You will need the Boltdrake Talisman to reduce lightning damage.

In this cave, you can summon Torrent, which will increase your mobility and help you dodge or jump over most of the dragon’s attacks. Remember that if you get hit, you can be knocked off Torrent, or he can be killed, requiring you to use flasks.

Ancient Dragon Sennesax has a very large health pool, making this a prolonged fight even with strong equipment. If your gear is weak, consider upgrading your weapons before facing this boss.

Avoid using autofocus during the battle with Ancient Dragon Sennesax, as targeting focuses only on the dragon’s legs, head, and body, which is not advantageous since most of your attacks will be aimed at the dragon’s hind legs. Additionally, autofocus can cause issues with an uncooperative camera, hindering your fight.

Do not neglect to use spirit summons during the fight, such as Latenna the Albinauric’s ashes for support and to distract the boss from a distance, giving you the opportunity to get under the dragon and land some hits.

Recommended Gear

Take appropriate gear for this fight. Talismans that reduce incoming damage are crucial since the boss is quite powerful. It’s better to have greater survivability than to try and kill the dragon quickly only to die in a few hits.

Equip Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman and Boltdrake Talisman +2, found in Farum Azula, or the +3 variation in Shadow Keep.

If your build allows, use specialized dragon-hunting weapons such as the Dragon-Hunter's Great Katana and consumables like Dragon Communion Harpoons and Grease.

You can also use weapons or effects that cause frostbite or apply these effects to your weapon, and use Hefty Freezing Pots against Ancient Dragon Sennesax.

Do not use lightning damage effects and magic, as the boss is immune to this element. Instead, use spells like Golden Lightning Fortification and consumables like Lightningproof Pickled Liver to increase your resistance to lightning.

Ancient Dragon Sennesax’s Attacks and Moves

Most of Ancient Dragon Sennesax's attacks are very critical, which is why this boss can kill you very quickly. By understanding the boss's attack set, you'll be prepared for them, which means you'll be able to dodge them more easily. However, you will have to get used to certain patterns and learn how to react quickly to a specific type of attack and take a favorable position.

• Lightning Call: Sennesax initially calls down two waves of lightning. Avoid the red pools indicating the lightning strikes. If unavoidable, roll at the moment of impact for invincibility frames.

• Forward Fire Attack: Sennesax breathes fire in front. Quickly move behind the dragon’s legs to avoid and then attack.

• Aerial Fire Attack: Hovering, Sennesax breathes fire while moving backward. Run towards its tail and sprint when the fire gets close. Torrent is the best option here.

• Lightning Claws: Sennesax charges its claws with lightning, striking the ground and creating waves of electricity.

• Lightning Spear: Standing on its hind legs, Sennesax charges lightning in its left paw and slams the ground, creating a shockwave. Run to the island where Sennesax was lying to avoid significant damage.

• Double Lightning Claws: Sennesax charges both claws with electricity, striking the ground and creating a large shockwave.

• Wind Wings: Sennesax flaps its wings, creating wind gusts in three successive attacks, followed by a fourth strike. Roll through each gust, pausing before the last to avoid being hit.

• Aerial Slam: Sennesax leaps into the air, attempting to crush the hero. Watch its movements and roll forward to avoid the slam.

• Double Lightning Spear: At half health, Sennesax charges and strikes the ground with both spears, creating a large lightning wave. Run to a safe zone, rolling through the shockwaves.

• Spin Attack: Sennesax spins, using its tail to attack. Roll under the tail to avoid being hit.

Fighting Strategy

At the beginning of the fight, Ancient Dragon Sennesax awakens with a red lightning aura and immediately takes to the sky to unleash its fire breath. Dodge this attack as it can be lethal.

Your main goal is to hit the dragon’s legs, the most accessible and safest target. Watch out for ground slams and wing swipes, which are powerful but easily avoided, especially on Torrent. Even when the dragon takes to the air, run under it to avoid most AoE attacks.

After dodging an attack, return to striking the dragon’s legs. Use a hit-and-run strategy on Torrent for safety.

One notable attack is the lightning strike. The dragon raises its paws, summons lightning, and slams the ground, creating an AoE attack. At 50% health, this move will have a second delayed strike. Dodge it by jumping twice on Torrent or using your character’s jump.

Another critical attack is the wing flap, where Sennesax flaps its wings, creating a powerful wind gust. Roll back to avoid the AoE attack and maintain your balance.

Victory Strategies

Winning against Ancient Dragon Sennesax requires patience and precise timing. Rushing can lead to quick death due to the high damage from its attacks. Regularly switch between defense and offense, prioritizing dodges before attacks. Patience is key – wait for the right moments to strike and avoid being greedy to prevent being caught off guard.

Sennesax’s weak point is its head, but aiming for it is risky due to unpredictable movements. Instead, focus on its legs, which are easier and safer to hit. Keep the camera free for better spatial awareness and avoid using autofocus.

On Torrent, approach Ancient Dragon Sennesax and attack it. Retreat to avoid its counterattacks and repeat the process. This method, though slow, minimizes risks. Watch for tail strikes when the boss turns, and always jump to avoid ground lightning attacks.

Sometimes Sennesax will take to the air to breathe fire or try to crush you. Both attacks are directed straight ahead – position yourself under the dragon to increase survival chances.

Battle Tips

Ancient Dragon Sennesax’s attacks cover large areas, and the enclosed arena adds to the difficulty, so plan your moves carefully. Focus on the dragon’s legs instead of its head to avoid its unpredictable movements. Fighting on Torrent provides mobility, but it also makes you an easier target.

Avoid autofocusing on the dragon to maintain better control and orientation. Stay away from the arena walls to have space for dodging. The safest tactic is to attack the dragon’s body, then retreat to avoid counterattacks. When the dragon flies, run underneath it to stay safe from its forward-directed fire breath and other attacks.

Rewards for Defeating Ancient Dragon Sennesax

Upon defeating Ancient Dragon Sennesax, you will receive 200,000 runes, an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone, and a Somber Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. This victory also opens the path to completing the final stage of Igon's questline and the battle against Bayle the Dread.