Heroes of Hammerwatch 2has you exploring the world of Hammerwatch, collecting loot and resources, leveling up your classes, and defeating bosses. There are several different bosses at various stages of a run, from massive shadowy heads to sentient clusters of vines.

The first boss in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2 is the Elemental Totem Pole, found after the Dark Caves 2. As the first boss, the Elemental Totem can be difficult, especially since you’re likely encounter it when you’re still fairly weak. Below, we’ll take a look at various strategies for defeating this boss.

The Elemental Totem spewing fire as ice orbs orbit smaller totems in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2.

How To Beat The Elemental Totem Pole

The Elemental Totem has four distinct phases; in each phase, the boss will attune to a different element and useattacks of that element. Theorder in which these elements appear is randomand can change from run to run, so you’ll need to learn each phase on its own.

Fire

In this phase, the Totem willshoot out waves of fire in different directions, spinning around slowly.Stay between two streams of fireand move along with the Totem for the duration of this attack to minimize damage.The hitboxes of the fire streams are larger than they appear, so it’s hard not to get hit; just try to take as little damage as you’re able to.

It may beeasier to avoid the fire streams from a distance; if you’re playing a melee character, back up for the duration of the attack until it’s safe to move close again.

The Fire Totem spewing waves of fire in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2.

You’ll also need to watch out forwaves of fire on the groundthat persist for a few seconds, dealing damage if you walk into them. This, combined with the fire streams, will ensure you take at least a small amount of damage, so stay vigilant with potions.

Earth

The boss will shoot outboulders that fly to the edges of the arena. Ranged characters will have an easy time dodging these, as they aren’t too fast, but melee characters may get hit by one or two.

You’ll also need to watch out forcascading earthquake spotsthat shoot out from the Totem. These willmove toward the small totems around the boss, creatingwaves of small earthquakes around it.

The Earth Totem sending out rocks in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2.

Overall, this is the easiest of the Totem’s phases, sohang back and heal upif you need to, as dodging the boulders and earthquakes is relatively easy from a distance.

Lightning

Throughout this phase, the Totem will send outtornados that move around the arena, dealing damage if you walk into them. These dissipate rather quickly, but there can beupwards of four on the field at a time, so do your best to avoid them.

At the same time, the Totem will shoot outchain lightning to the smaller totemsaround the arena, which will thenchain to two other nearby totems, while all totems in the chain fire outlightning projectiles. These don’t deal too much damage, but you’ll want to avoid being hit by them as much as possible, as the damage can add up if you’re not careful.

The Lightning Totem arcing lightning to smaller totems in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2.

Ice

The boss will launch waves ofcascading ice that covers a large part of the arena. When you see these ice crystals forming, get to theopposite side of the totemto avoid taking damage.

The Totem will alsolaunch icicles at the smaller totemsaround the edge of the arena. When hit by one of these icicles, the smaller totem will emitice orbs that orbit around it, dealing damage if you pass through them. This will force you to get closer to the main Totem, making it harder to avoid the ice waves. Try tomove to another part of the arena without an ice-orbiting small totem.

The Ice Totem creating waves of ice on the ground in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2.

Reward For Defeating The Elemental Totem

The first time you beat the Totem with any character, you will unlock thecombo mechanic. This mechanic is visible above your health bar at the bottom of the screen, and willactivate when you kill a certain number of enemies in quick succession. The activation requirements can be changed once you unlock the Library later.

When Combo is active, you will gain a significantmovement speed boostandranged slow-down reduction, meaning you’llattack faster when firingand moving with ranged weapons, like longbows on a Ranger.

The combo unlock item after beating the Elemental Totem in Heroes of Hammerwatch 2.

There is a downside to Combo, however, which is that you will now seeCombo-related skill options when you open skill gemsduring a run. This cansaturate your options with less valuable choices, making it more difficult to get the skill upgrades you actually want. If you see this as too big of a downside, you canavoid picking up the Combo item after defeating the Totem.