Torment Stag boss

New to boss fights? Read Boss mechanics hub (Smite, stagger, party scaling) first — then return here for Torment Stag telegraphs.

Quick Answer

• Back-to-back fights: defeat Lady Deora, then Torment Stag immediately — no break between encounters.
• Statue puzzle: four stag statues before the arena — use Spectral Sight on murals, or set East / West / West / South.
• Unlocks: Garren Rood pact + Royal Tines; Enclaves (Factions) after follow-up fable An Invitation... — see Factions.
• Tips: stagger opens damage windows; mid range avoids Antler Impale and Charging Thrust.
• Gear: Wulder + Tethren or Gwylen + Oscelda are common picks.

Torment Stag boss — overview

Torment Stag is the first major boss in Soulframe, encountered at the end of The Torment Stag fable. It is the corrupted form of Garren Rood, an Omen Beast with the appearance of a giant elk with a spear impaled through its back. The fight begins immediately after defeating Lady Deora — there is no break between the two encounters.

Completing this fight unlocks the Garren Rood Pact. Enclaves (Factions) unlock after you finish the follow-up Fable An Invitation... — see Factions guide.

• Recommended weapons: Wulder (Courage, often paired with Tethren) or Gwylen (Spirit / ranged)
• Recommended skills: Phantom Flock + Bestone (Oscelda) or Phantom Flock + Elderbloom for sustain
• The Stag is susceptible to stagger — capitalise on this to create damage windows

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How to reach the boss

After The Last Pensive quest, The Torment Stag quest opens automatically. Follow your Sparrow through Midrath into the Undercity of Dermak. Inside, Orlick narrates the dungeon's history. Look for rope traps on the ceiling — use ranged or thrown attacks to drop them on enemies rather than engaging directly.

Before the boss room, you will find a puzzle with four stag statues and a locked door.

Statue puzzle (two ways to solve):

1. Use Spectral Sight and read which way each painted deer on the murals faces, then rotate the matching statue.
2. Or set each statue directly (community-confirmed layout):
   • Top left → East
   • Top right → West
   • Bottom left → West
   • Bottom right → South

When all four match, the door opens to Lady Deora and the Stag.

Dungeon tips (The Torment Stag Fable): In Dermak Undercity, throw weapons or shoot ceiling rope traps to drop them on patrols. You cannot leave mid-run without relogging — clear Avakot's well route in one session if possible.

Boss attacks

Charging Thrust — the Stag charges at you with its antlers. Common at mid range. Move sideways to avoid rather than rolling backward.

Antler Impale — at close range, the Stag drives its antlers into the ground. It telegraphs this when it rises onto its hind legs. Back away immediately when it rears up.

Raging Stomp — stomps its hooves to create shockwaves that knock you back. Unblockable. Create distance when it raises its hooves.

Projectile Barrage — at range, the Stag swings its head to launch a series of glowing projectiles in rapid succession. Keep moving and dodge or jump to avoid them. This is the most common attack at long range.

Strategy

• Stay at mid range to bait Charging Thrust and punish the recovery, while having time to dodge the Projectile Barrage
• Do not stand directly in front — Antler Impale and Charging Thrust both hit the area directly ahead
• Stagger is your best tool — abilities like Bestone and Phantom Flock stagger the Stag; use them to open damage windows safely
• Use Elderbloom for sustain — if running Oscelda, plant Elderbloom before the fight and reposition enemies near it
• Gwylen users — stay at distance, dodge the projectiles, and cast at safe range; this is the most forgiving approach for new players

After the fight

Defeating Torment Stag triggers a cutscene. Pull the spear from Garren Rood to free him from corruption. After the reunion with Lady Deora, interact with Garren Rood to receive the Garren Rood Pact Fragment, The Royal Tines, and additional rewards. You can then craft the Garren Rood Pact at Tuvalkane once you have Bond Level 3.

For Spirit polearms on the Garren line, many players run Rook first, then upgrade toward Gathannan — see Gathannan vs Rook before you commit materials.