Streamer competition drama reveals strategic insights for Elden Ring’s toughest early-game challenges
The Tree Sentinel Challenge Setup
Popular content creator Valkyrae playfully accused fellow streamer Disguised Toast of employing questionable tactics during his specially organized Elden Ring tournament. The competition, designed to test participants’ skills against one of the game’s most notorious early obstacles, quickly became a source of entertainment and debate.
Disguised Toast’s Race to Kill Elden Ring Boss Invitational gathered prominent streamers for a unique challenge against the formidable Tree Sentinel, with unexpected controversy emerging over competitive boundaries.
FromSoftware deliberately positions the Tree Sentinel as an immediate skill check for newcomers to the Lands Between. This golden-armored cavalry unit patrols the pathway from the tutorial area, systematically dismantling unprepared Tarnished warriors within moments of encounter. His placement serves as the developers’ first lesson in assessing threats and choosing battles wisely.
Twitch personality Jeremy ‘Disguised Toast’ Wang assembled an impressive roster of streaming talent including Ludwig Ahgren, Sykkuno, kkatamina, and Valkyrae for a race to conquer this intimidating foe. The 100 Thieves co-owner quickly noticed what she perceived as rule-bending behavior from the tournament organizer himself.
The March 2022 competition imposed significant restrictions on participants, requiring everyone to utilize the Wretch starting class. This choice eliminated any statistical advantages, forcing contestants to rely purely on mechanical skill and game knowledge. Armed only with a basic club and minimal protection, the streamers faced the daunting knight patrolling Limgrave’s fields.
VOD Analysis Controversy Explained
Midway through the invitational, Valkyrae noticed Disguised Toast reviewing footage of previous attempts, sparking immediate accusations of unfair advantage. “NO! Toast is cheating! Going over VOD footage is kind of cheating. Because you’re watching the movement of the enemy. This is kind of practicing isn’t it?” she exclaimed humorously. When confronted, Wang defended his actions by noting this tactic wasn’t explicitly prohibited by the competition rules.
The situation escalated comically when Valkyrae declared, “Okay fine! I will also look up VODS as well.” Disguised Toast responded with tactical transparency, revealing “I was looking up your VOD actually of beating the Tree Sentinel, so now I know what not to do.” Their exchange delighted viewers and highlighted the gray area between preparation and exploitation in gaming competitions.
Despite emerging victorious after a tight race against Ludwig, Disguised Toast faced additional scrutiny from fellow competitor Sykkuno. “Wait, Toast won his own competition, doesn’t that seem a little rigged? I did see him watching a YouTube video on the boss” he noted through laughter, further fueling the good-natured controversy.
The entire situation remained lighthearted, with all participants recognizing the entertainment value of the controversy. While studying boss footage doesn’t technically violate most gaming competition guidelines, it raises interesting questions about preparation ethics in the Soulsborne community, where many players pride themselves on overcoming challenges through pure skill and repetition.
Strategic Insights from the Competition
The streamer competition revealed several advanced strategies for conquering Elden Ring’s early-game challenges efficiently. Observing their approaches provides valuable lessons for players struggling with similar obstacles.
Tree Sentinel Attack Pattern Recognition: The golden knight employs predictable but devastating combos. His three-hit sweeping attack can be avoided by rolling toward his shield side, while his charge attack requires precise timing for dodging. The key is recognizing his wind-up animations – the shoulder dip indicates an incoming shield bash, while raised halberd signals an overhead smash.
Wretch Class Advantages: While seemingly disadvantaged, the Wretch’s balanced stats allow for flexible build development. The starting club’s staggering capability makes it effective against heavily armored foes when targeting their openings. Its quick recovery time enables hit-and-run tactics perfect for mobile enemies like the Tree Sentinel.
Positioning and Environmental Usage: The competition area around the Church of Elleh provides strategic advantages. Using the terrain for cover against charges and positioning near slopes can disrupt the Sentinel’s movement patterns. Several streamers utilized the nearby ruins to create breathing room for healing and stamina recovery.
Stamina Management Techniques: Successful contestants demonstrated meticulous stamina conservation. They avoided greedy attack chains, maintaining enough stamina for emergency dodges. The optimal pattern emerged as: two attacks maximum per opening, immediate disengagement, and stamina regeneration during the boss’s recovery animations.
Advanced Elden Ring Combat Tactics
Beyond the specific Tree Sentinel encounter, the streamer competition highlighted universal Soulsborne combat principles that apply throughout Elden Ring.
Aggression Timing: The most successful competitors balanced defensive positioning with calculated aggression. They recognized that excessive passivity allows bosses to control the engagement rhythm, while reckless attacking depletes stamina at critical moments. The optimal approach involves creating pressure during boss recovery phases while maintaining defensive readiness.
Animation Reading Mastery: Advanced play requires understanding subtle enemy tells. Each boss movement contains telegraphing information – shoulder adjustments, weapon positioning, and stance changes all indicate upcoming attacks. Professional players develop this recognition through repeated exposure, whether through direct attempts or VOD study.
Equipment Optimization: Even with restricted starting gear, optimization opportunities exist. The club’s charged heavy attacks deal significant posture damage, creating critical hit opportunities. Learning to space these attacks properly while managing the long animation commitment separates skilled players from beginners.
Mental Approach: The streamers demonstrated the importance of maintaining composure during challenging encounters. Panic rolling, greedy healing attempts, and frustration-driven decisions consistently led to quick defeats. The successful participants maintained methodical approaches despite the competition pressure.
Considering the entire competition concluded within approximately sixty minutes, the participants demonstrated remarkable skill in adapting to Elden Ring’s challenging mechanics. Their entertainment value and strategic insights have sparked discussions about potential future competitions featuring different bosses or additional restrictions.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Valkyrae roasts Disguised Toast for having to “cheat” in Elden Ring competition Streamer competition drama reveals strategic insights for Elden Ring's toughest early-game challenges