Where to Find the Giants Mountaintop Catacombs
The entrance hides in the Mountaintops of the Giants, southeast of the Church of Repose. From the nearby Site of Grace, look for a narrow path that bends downward along the cliffside. It’s easy to miss – the door blends into the rock wall. Once you spot two torch-wielding Fire Monks, you’re close. Past them, you’ll see a set of stairs leading into the dungeon.
What Makes This Dungeon Unique
Most catacombs follow a pattern: traps, skeletons, lever, boss. Giants’ Mountaintop Catacombs throws all of that at you – but with higher damage, faster enemies, and an environment that’s constantly trying to roast you alive. The fire traps here are intense; they light up entire corridors and reset faster than usual.
| Trap or Mechanic | Description | Best Way to Handle It |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Pillars | Blast fire upward every few seconds, instantly killing if you’re caught. | Wait for the flame to stop, then hit the pillar base with a ranged weapon to lower it temporarily. |
| Ambush Imps | Small enemies hiding in corners or above door frames. | Lock-on as you move and check ceilings before entering new rooms. |
| Explosive Golems | Statue-like foes that explode on death. | Keep distance and use ranged attacks; one wrong hit can wipe you. |
| Hidden Ledges | Drop-offs that lead to secret areas and loot. | Look for bloodstains or orange messages; they often mark hidden paths. |
Exploring Step-by-Step
- First corridor: Wait for the fire trap to trigger, then sprint to the alcove halfway through. Drop down the side path for hidden loot and a shortcut later.
- Second hall: Imps will attack from above. Keep your camera tilted up and use fast attacks to interrupt them.
- Lower section: Two explosive golems patrol near a chest. You can bait them into blowing each other up for a safe route forward.
- Lever room: Hidden behind a fake wall past the large staircase. Look for a slightly discolored section of stone and roll into it.
- Return to the entrance elevator: Once you pull the lever, the fog gate near the first fire corridor will open – that’s your boss arena.
Items and Loot Worth Picking Up
This catacomb offers some of the best spirit upgrade materials in the late game, especially if you’re pushing your Ghost summons. You’ll also find crafting ingredients and talismans that help in frost-heavy zones.
| Item | Use | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost Glovewort 8 | Upgrades unique Spirit Ashes to +8. | Found in a small side room guarded by imps near the second fire corridor. |
| Grave Glovewort 9 | Used for standard Spirit Ash upgrades. | At the bottom of a hidden drop past the exploding golems. |
| Golden Rune (12) | Gives a solid rune boost for endgame leveling. | Inside a locked chest in the upper section near the fire pillars. |
| Fireproof Dried Liver | Boosts fire resistance – basically mandatory for this dungeon. | Scattered through alcoves in the first hallway. |
| Blackflame Monk Amon (Ashes) | Powerful Spirit Summon that casts blackflame fireballs. | Boss reward after defeating the dungeon boss. |
The Boss: Ulcerated Tree Spirit
And then there’s the part that makes you question all your life choices. The Ulcerated Tree Spirit is huge, angry, and takes up most of the room. The fire damage here stacks fast, and the camera doesn’t help. But once you learn its flow, it’s manageable.
- Stay close. Odd advice, but true – being too far triggers huge fire attacks.
- Dodge under its head. Most swipes miss if you roll toward the base of the neck.
- Bring Spirit Ashes. Anything tanky (like Mimic Tear or Omenkiller Rollo) helps take the aggro.
- Equip fire-resistant gear. Fireproof talismans, Flamedrake Talisman +2, or Fireproof Dried Liver make a difference.
Why Giants’ Mountaintop Catacombs Feels So Brutal
Everything in this dungeon punishes rushing. It’s about pacing, not power. The fire traps reset faster than you expect, enemies ambush from above, and every “safe” hallway usually hides a fake floor. Once you slow down and treat it like a puzzle, it becomes fun – in a “FromSoftware kind of way.”
Tips Before Entering
- Use ranged weapons or spells to disable flame pillars from afar.
- Don’t hoard runes; you’ll die learning the routes anyway.
- Mark cleared corridors on your map – this place loops around easily.
- Summon spirits early to distract enemies while you trigger traps safely.
- Keep stamina high – panic-rolling drains it fast and gets you roasted.
Final Thoughts
Giants’ Mountaintop Catacombs looks like another small side dungeon, but it’s packed with surprises and strong loot. Once you beat it, you’ll have better Spirit upgrades, new crafting items, and a bit more respect for how sneaky FromSoftware’s level designers are. Take it slow, use your tools, and treat every hallway like it’s waiting to kill you – because it probably is.
