Elden Ring is as diverse as can be, playing host to numerous bosses, enemies, spirits, NPCs, merchants, and so on. You’ll encounter these entities around the game world wherever you go.
This boss fight in particular against Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree might seem a bit familiar at first glance, and that’s because it is. Earlier on in the game, you will have most likely fought its spirit version. This non-spirit version will ultimately prove to be much more challenging, but with a proper strategy in place, you’ll make light work of this boss fight.
Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree Overview
Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree is one of the more normal, or human-looking bosses in Elden Ring. She’s dressed in full knight gear and armor and rides an armored horse. Loretta was once a royal Carian Knight but has since determined that the Haligtree was her kind’s best chance for eventual salvation.
Weaknesses: Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree is weak to lightning damage.
Elden Ring Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree’s Location: Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree can be encountered in Miquella’s Haligtree. Assuming you are in Miquella’s Haligtree, here’s how to get to the boss fight.
From the Haligtree Town Plaza site of grace, make your way over the buildings until you get to the fungi-infested barrier. Go left and descend down to the building in front of you, then enter it and take a left turn. Avoid any enemies that come your way, as they’re not worth fighting.
Cross the wooden bridge and beware of the enemy projectiles, then cross the second bridge on the left, leading to a mist-blocked entrance, with a statue on either side. Traversing the mist will take you to the boss fight.
And there you have it, that’s how you get to Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree.
Can you skip Loretta Knight of the Haligtree?
While Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree is technically an optional boss, defeating her is a requirement to gain access to the Legacy Dungeon: Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree.
Pre-fight Preparation
Be wary of Loretta’s constant streams of projectiles
Before you traverse the mist and go face to face with Loretta, you’re going to need to check some boxes. Below are some tips that will aid you in your fight with Loretta.
What level should I fight Loretta Knight of the Haligtree?
At a minimum, you should reach at least level 100 before embarking on your fight with Loretta. Ideally, however, a minimum of level 120 will make this boss fight infinitely easier for you.
Summon tanky spirit ashes
Spirit ashes can distract Loretta and tank her hits, allowing you to ambush the boss and strike from behind. They can be of invaluable help to ranged players, especially.
Tanky spirit ashes will be able to provide the most help for the longest amount of time. Our pick for this boss fight is Lhutel the Headless, which can be obtained after defeating Cemetery Shade at the Tombsward Catacombs.
Equip items and incantations that negate magic damage
Once Loretta enters her second phase, she’ll start unleashing torrents of magic imbued projectiles that deal significantly more damage than their already powerful first phase counterparts.
Negate the effect of the second phase attacks by equipping incantation, such as Barrier of Gold and Magic Fortification, or talismans, such as Spelldrake Talisman.
Use Incantations that deal lightning damage
You can capitalize on Loretta’s weakness to lightning damage by using lightning incantations, such as the Lightning Spear, which creates a lightning projectile and shoots it forwards.
Lightning Spear can be purchased from Brother Corhyn or Miriel, Pastor of Vows in exchange for the Dragon Cult Prayerbook.
Equip a good shield
This boss fight is as good a chance to use a powerful shield that can deflect projectiles back at the sender, as Loretta will constantly cast her spells at you.
Our pick for this boss fight is the Erdtree Greatshield, which can be obtained after defeating the duo Tree Sentinels in Leyndell Western Gate. Feel free to refer to our guide on the Tree Sentinel if you wish to beat it.
Alternatively, you could imbue your shield with the Carian Retaliation Ash of War, which serves a similar purpose to the Erdtree Greatshield. You can purchase this Ash of War from Pidia, Carian Servant at Caria Manor for 3,000 runes.
Fight Strategy
If you’re to have any hopes of defeating Loretta, you need to deploy a concise plan of action to take down the powerful boss.
Follow the tips below and take down Loretta with grace and poise.
Be extra diligent whenever in melee reach of the boss
While Loretta’s melee attacks are not inherently dangerous on their own, the rate at which they’re executed makes them a force to be reckoned with. Should you be in melee reach of the boss, she’ll unleash a number of swipes and slashes, combined with casts from close range.
Never leave your back turned to Loretta and be ready to dodge or block any incoming attacks at all times.
Be wary of the boss’ horse attacks
If you constantly attack Loretta from behind, her horse will react by performing a powerful donkey kick that can shave off a large portion of your health bar in one hit, as well as push you away.
Make sure you stick to one or two hits to Loretta’s rear-end, then fall back immediately.
Be ready to resort to your shield
Due to Loretta’s near-constant streams of long and short-range attacks, dodges and rolls will simply not suffice. Dodge away from one attack and you’ll somehow find yourself in the line of another.
Don’t be shy about blocking, even if it means you won’t be able to attack afterward. Of course, if you’re using the Erdtree Greatshield or the Carian Retaliation Ash of War, this will be a non-issue.
Move away from the glintstone blades and roll into the giant arrow
Evading Loretta’s glintstone blades is as simple as reacting to the audio queues. The blades will make two distinct sounds; the first when they’re manifested by Loretta and the second once they’re launched. Ignore the first sound and keep an eye on the blades, then as soon as you hear the second sound, dodge to the side. You might have to dodge twice, depending on how many projectiles Loretta is shooting at once.
Despite how terrifying Loretta’s giant magic arrow attack seems, it is arguably the easiest to evade. The arrow itself is painfully slow and predictable, allowing you to wait until the last second before you roll away. Even in the second phase, the only difference is the number of arrows multiplying by four and the potential damage they incur.
Don’t panic when the boss enters her second phase
Loretta’s second phase will spell the start of her manic spamming of attacks. She’ll throw everything in her locker at you, kitchen sink included. Don’t let it get in your head, and maintain your composure.
Stick to the same plan and evade her second phase attacks in the same way you evaded the first phase ones.
Don’t stray too far, even if you’re a ranged player
Maintaining a significantly long distance from the boss will force her into using her jumping and slamming attacks, which are unpredictable and rarely create striking opportunities for you.
Your best bet would be to either stay in mid-range for the entirety of the fight or dip in and out of Loretta’s melee range.
Capitalize on the size of the arena
The considerable size of the arena will allow you to freely move around and react to Loretta’s movement with relative ease of mind so that you won’t find yourself cornered.
Capitalize on this aspect of the boss fight by maintaining constant movement.
Rewards
Once you defeat Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree in Miquella’s Haligtree, you’ll receive the following rewards:
- 2,00,000 Runes
- Loretta’s Mastery: A sorcery spell that fires four great arrows from a magic greatbow at once.
- Loretta’s War Sickle: A powerful halberd, ideal for players with high Intelligence builds.
- Access to the Haligtree Promenade Site of Grace
Owing to the strategies and tips in this guide, you should now be as ready as can be to dive into Loretta’s lair and assert your dominance over the boss. It might be easier said than done but, should you deploy the previously mentioned strategies, we’re certain that you’ll breeze straight past Loretta with minimal struggles.
