Elden Ring Lore - Beware The Watchdogs

Where did the Erdtree Burial Watchdogs come from? That's the big question we try to tackle in this Elden Lore. Join us as we examine their weapons, allies, and magic.
Credit for the amazing music goes to Myuu: / myuuji
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Check out the Elden Ring art being created by Pat Gee who works on our Thumbnails! These prints make amazing gifts for Elden Ring fans.
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[@RedLithic]

I think the main reason they're cat-like is how dogs and cats were hard to distinguish in heraldry and statues for a while in Europe.

[@Grimsly3736]

This makes so much sense, there’s definitely more of a European (Uk areas) vibe to ER then DS ever had like a lot more actual design cues taken from art and such then just weapons and armors like previous souls games

[@AegisKHAOS]

The lesser watch kittens in the snowfield dungeons kill me more often than the boss versions.

[@square-table-gaming]

Definitely larger health pools and frostbite suuuucks

[@Huy-G-Le]

These thing are ways more horrifying than any of the Construct created by the Elder Scroll Dwarves. I really didn't expect to see a haunted rusted giant demon cat toy to start attacking like old clockwork mechanize. The sense of knowing something isn't right with that statues kick in before the thing animate, and it add to the horror, plus in a tombs. Where the Dwarven centurions is...very obviously something that will attack.

[@theenderdestruction2362]

The dwarven centurion is ment to not really scare you in the uncanny way and more of a "you've gotten too deep and now you gotta face this big bastard" its ment to be a sorta last line of defense sorta thing not a "oh god what is that" type of thing

[@everythingexplained3226]

not just golems and watchdogs, but also the imps are affected by the crystal darts

[@thatcactusboi]

YESSSSSS these guys creeped me out SO MUCH at first but they ended up being some of my favorites BECAUSE of their creepiness. their weird movements. their magic (how do they even doooo thaaattt) this fulfills my itch to know more about these freaky bois i'm so happy rn

[@sirmaggot2020]

I’m so glad you took my suggestion thank you. If you don’t mind me making another suggestion maybe you could take a look at those gross piles of meat and bones that can be found outside murk water catacombs or in mohgwyn palace

[@kyotie13]

^

[@BlueMagicONISUPERNOVA]

Yeah those things are wild and definitely need some digging. Im even more interested in the colossal piles you can find in mohgwyn palace and writheblood ruins in leyndell. The look of those things are absurd!

[@wayward5219]

They are also found near coastlines, definitely breaks the " bloody" theme

[@NeovenatorGuy]

I always wanted to see a lore video of Dogs, both the dinosaur dogs and the "normal dogs". The fact you can see their exposed ribcages, completely white eyes and hyper aggressive behavior and everything makes me very curious. Are they undead or hollow like the wandering nobles?

[@umukzusgelos4834]

ah yes, the never flinching, constantly homing, secondary hitbox employing, magic spamming, three headed dreadkitten...

[@cavemancult1999]

I swear I absolutely love the obscure tech of elden ring, from the chariots in catacombs, to the flamethrower tanks and the flamethrower operators, to the iron virgins and the Ghiza's wheel to even these weird cat robot things. Like in a world of magic and demi-gods with human armies it's very interesting to see familiar yet alien sort of technology in the lands between

[@LeiCal69]

The sudden strong attacks really caught me off guard, as you can face them pretty early on, it immediately inform the player that your old dodge rhythm won't work here, time to learn it all over again.

[@mauvepikmin2006]

Something to note about the crystal darts, their descriptions mention that they were once used by a golem crafter long ago, meaning it is likely the imps, watchdogs, and golems are all related in creation, whether by craft, or creator, as all three are sent haywire by the darts

[@alexandermorgan5958]

I always loved fighting these things. Their attack patterns have a great flow once you learn the timing.

[@colossaltitan3546]

When they stand up on their hind legs and start walking before doing the downward sword slam, you can completely avoid that attack altogether by locking on and strafing. It's so satisfying to pull off.

[@arbitrary2868]

Heyyy, Myuu's "A Deep Voice" is one of my favorites! Very good choice and a classic. I always described how these things move as "stop-motionesque." It's like they're being puppeteered (which makes sense since they are glintstone constructs.) Their hands down the one enemy that really gives me the creeps. A buddy of mine died freaking out the first time he saw one. Some footage of it during the network test sadly spoiled me the surprise.

[@brianquint6126]

The way they move is unsettling.

[@ShupperDupper]

This is my favorite Catacomb boss fight, and was my very first in Elden Ring! From the getgo I followed the coast to this, my first dungeon, and loved every second of the game I had been waiting YEARS for… til this boss beat me 10 ways to Sunday! Tbf, I hadn’t unlocked leveling yet and was being stubborn. These things still give me trouble til I get a good mallet.

[@ethanwintersseveredhand]

Man bgm you pick for your videos are phenomenal

[@theadmbmb]

!! I LOVE the music for this series! I watch these videos multiple times a day just to listen. Of course the content is great as always, but something about the music just sets the perfect mood for LORE!

[@remp1040]

The watchdogs staff is such an underrated weapon for newbies...

[@Reverandfatdave]

Holy cow, 20k subs already! Gratz guys, you're one of my favorite Elden Ring lore channels. Your narration and story telling are top notch.

[@square-table-gaming]

Thank you! We love doing this. I'm personally hoping the deadspace remake goes ham on the details so we could maybe make some videos based around the ishimura

[@makenaiyomi1083]

Nice Video! Personally I have way more trouble with the Imps. No matter how strong I get, they're still annoying.

[@skybluebrad2781]

I love lore about the watchdogs and OH MY GOD that thumbnail is amazing!!✍✍🔥🔥🔥

[@ferretwithagun9886]

I’m just glad someone finally said they are cats. I swear the devs were high and thought it’d be a good joke to pull on all of us.

[@frankiefromky]

Can't wait for the next one, STG's Elden Lore videos truly Slap!! Also, the background music for this one really fit the tone and theme... that little piano riff actually gave me goosebumps!! Outstanding content fellow tarnished!!

[@rishg134]

no caps, for real for real, my fellow zoomer

[@boobsaibot2374]

Agreed, I had to look up the music (I was listening on the 12 hour compilation) because it was so haunting. Great stuff!

[@crazymonkey459]

I accidentally clicked the notification to the video but don't regret it

[@square-table-gaming]

Happy to hear!

[@doctorc.1442]

I don't think ashes found in catacombs to be the personal effects (or beloved servants) of those buried within. There are hundred of people buried there, why just one, single ash? Instead, the most obvious answer is that these are the ashes of the spirit entrapped *inside* the Watchdog. Some form of lower life creature, such as a pumpkinhead, demi-humans, and criminals - something that posseses the instincts and bloodlust to fuel the drive of a construct to fight and kill anyone who gets close enough, but not "noble" enough to deserve a more humane burial. They're souls forever entrapped inside a statue, bound to fight aimlessly to protect something they don't even understand. That's why you find their ashes when you defeat them - Because you *need* to defeat them to get the ashes, it's not like they're lying on the ground like something they actually *protect* . IT's *them* you're harvesting. And it makes sense that you can harvest them and re-use them as spirits bound to your will, just like they were bound to the will of those who forced their essences into the Watchdog statues.

[@craigauclair4026]

Probably my favorite miniboss in Elden Ring, honestly.

[@Playswithsquirrels311]

Thanks to my fear of weeping angels in Dr Who and these guys I have a fear of statues that’s not going away any time soon

[@idknemore525]

Terrifying? Every initial reaction to these things that I've seen has been "KITTY!!!!!!!"

[@a.rfansler7637]

Bravo... this was a chilling documentary

[@CrunchyFluids]

I always thought the Watchdogs looked funny and janky lol.

[@KingIvanGil]

They are not cats they are clearly the deadliest dog of all: Chihuahua

[@joshuadefriese1907]

Just found your content the other day, and I’ve been hardcore binging Elden Lore! You guys do great work! Any chance you’d be interested in looking at the wraith callers and revenants?

[@square-table-gaming]

We get a lot of requests for the revenants but there's literally no info out there. I'd say check out Zulies video where she takes a closer look at the model. We can totally look into the wraith callers and maybe see if there's some kind of collective glue between all of the revenants

[@MrMatewo222]

F*ing good lore video man. Thanks

[@monroerobbins7551]

They kinda feel like the Elden Ring equivalent to Redeads, lol

[@chrisp4587]

The fact the watch cats aren't at their prime just scares me more

[@HighOverlordSnarffieBeagle]

that multi-slam gets me so often, I hate those things

[@andywalex]

Third playthrough and the Burial Watchcat is by far my most hated enemy.

[@woffydoggy686]

The crown in their necks are a very strange detail for me...

[@dustysdisciple]

Could you make an Elden Ring Lore playlist with your videos in them?

[@square-table-gaming]

We have one! It's called Elden Lore

[@reptiliansquidz3255]

Loved the video, all of them are so well made. Excited for the loathsome dung eater!!!

[@TiberiusRex182]

Great video as usual, zack!

[@anthonydavix]

So... let me get this straight. Some robbers... successfully take the jewel "eyes" from the watchdogs' swords... without having to take the swords or defeating the watchdogs first? Could be a cool new lore for the DLC or Fanfiction there.

[@aaz1010]

Mightve used a similar crystal dart trick. If they did not have the ability to kill the watchdog within the allotted time then they just took whatever was easiest to snatch off of them

[@halfknight2310]

I hate the still robotic way they move and jump around. It’s so unnerving. Golems (if I recall correctly) move at least somewhat natural. A little off but they are still smooth. But the dogs don’t. They slowly leap into the air and robotically walk towards us.

[@FoxBatinaHat]

Small correction. The Catacombs are built at the foot of the Greattree. Not the Erdtree. According to item [Root resin]; The roots of the Greattree were once linked to those of the Erdtree, or so they say, and it is for this reason catacombs are built around Greattree roots. Erdtree burial is a spiritual/faith ceremony related to being place into these catacombs. But it doesnt mean necessarilly that they are buried at the roots of the Erdtree itself - litterally. Just like transmografication of whine into blood during religious ceremony. I take the burial ceremony to be conceptual.

[@connorsmith1005]

What on earth are you on about? These enemies are cartoonish and a push over. Its animations always crack me up 😂

[@Mistercodmobilefan8378]

Like the lore of the burial watchdogs! Although they're not that scary, they're pretty hard to kill and can you do the lore of the feral imp or the vulgar militia men? I would love it if you cover one of these or these two😁

[@chocomilk3428]

Just wanted to say Iv been using your videos to sleep, love the lore and I hope you get the recognition for your efforts

[@square-table-gaming]

Thank you! Spread the word haha

[@eldenring_area]

Thx for your amazing work...

[@_WannabeComedian]

What if the reason they drop certain ashes is because those ashes power the Watchdogs. Think of it as something like the dead children in FNAF, only now the Soul has a new vessel to continue serving a master. I new form with brutal strength and endless stamina hindered only by rust and jerks with age

[@square-table-gaming]

We did consider this idea! But none of the lesser watchdogs drop ashes

[@MultiLoofer]

What about those creepy ghost-riders in Limgrave that attack you with bell-summons?

[@thomaslardinois6383]

As an ooga booga player, the one thing scarier than their appearance was their freaky high stamina/poise. I can count on one hand the number of times I've managed to stagger these things.

[@marcelfedorovici166]

Another interesting one. I ll drink to this one

[@Issengan]

Honestly, i always thought they looked goofy intead of horrific, ESPECIALLY with that walk cycle

[@topcat59]

Great spooky vid bro.😺

[@Zoog2020]

Loving the creepy pasta music lol

[@square-table-gaming]

Spoopy season deserves spoopy music

[@acebeta5291]

Bruh I always felt bad for killing these guys specifically, to the point I wasn't even scared of them too much. All I could think to myself was, "God they are just doing their jobs and I'm fucking it all up like this..." Like they were meant to do this and while being terrifying, they just chill not harming anyone unless they specifically come to ransack the catacombs. Your literally a home invader with a blade or staff and they are just trying to ensure that the countless sorry souls stuck in the hellish world can at least pass into a new life in one way or another.

[@blameekatoneikosipente482]

I got the prophet class as a starter. The watchdog wasn't so hard. Just some fire and it was done. (the first one at least)

[@dislikebutton6269]

_MAAAAAH!!!!!_ Dere's a weird fuckin' cat ova here!!

[@sergiomessias3691]

Kick ass soundtrack!

[@themadgamer1217]

First fight against these guys: *frustrated, terrific gamer sounds* Like, twelfth fight against them: *pss pss pss* Here, kitty kitty! D’awwww who’s a good kitty! 🤣

[@vorador2127]

These look like Vorador from Legacy of Kain!!

[@shadowhunter1429]

Imagine if one of these things were a spirit summon

[@ALLMINDmercenarysupportsystem]

The Watchdog's sword says that the pupil was stolen, but could the pupil have possibly been a piece of glintstone similar to the glintstone circle in the middle of the head of the staff?

[@square-table-gaming]

That's absolutely possible, though I'd think a regular piece of glintstone wouldn't be lucrative enough to risk your life against a watchdog.

[@ALLMINDmercenarysupportsystem]

@@square-table-gaming Maybe the grave robbers weren't there for the glintstone specifically, but tried to take it anyways? Could the bodies buried in the catacombs have valuables on them? Nothing else in the catacombs seem like something worth stealing.

[@Yaboii2006]

There is a theory that the golems are from faram azula which may lead to glinstone being used way way before in far lands

[@herbievalerius5740]

The watchdogs are nowhere near as scary as grafted scions, if scary at all. Grafted scions always gave me a good jumpscare when I encountered each one during my first play, and I never particularly enjoy fighting them even when I know where they hide.

[@aboveaveragecat44]

4:13 what if the watchman’s eye is the beast eye that gurranq gives us?

[@Yaboii2006]

May i suggest you do a video about the ancestral spirit(the dear boss) (sry english is my first language)

[@professionalrandommale]

Nice video. Very entertaining and fun to watch.

[@square-table-gaming]

Appreciate that!

[@ThePhysicalReaction]

i thought these guys were fun. They reminded me of old school ps2 enemies. I wouldn't be surprised if older gamers had an easier time with them than younger ones.

[@sirmaggot2020]

Just finished the video and it was great thank you again. Also can you tell me what those meat things are called

[@square-table-gaming]

Meat things?

[@eadyzrx322]

Perhaps they're on about the red slimes in caelid?

[@sirmaggot2020]

@@square-table-gaming they attack by jutting out broken bones. they can be found outside murkwater catacombs, castle morne, and you can also find a really big one around the ruin with the sanguine noble boss witch might imply a connection to mohg sense they can also be found in mohgwyn palace. there is also poison variant that can be found inside that cave in mount gelmer with the 2 kindred of rot boss fight. There is also another variant in a catacombs in calid that appears to be made out of kindred of rot, it’s a lighter color and has parts of them in it. I hope this helps you too find what I am talking about

[@The_true_pogchamp]

thank you

[@nickerslarge3776]

I’ve been trying to get their great sword for 2 weeks now.

[@square-table-gaming]

If you're not already, item drop scarab and silver pickled foot

[@itatreeneetee]

The ones at mt of giants catacombs are impossible!

[@momoraven8577]

Love your channel

[@square-table-gaming]

Thank you!

[@momoraven8577]

@@square-table-gaming by the way can you please make a vidro about hoe radagon and marika are one being. I just cant understand. Marika has sons and radagon has sons as well. What, how?

[@kizaruthegreat]

these guys and the lion misbegotten are the 2 most infuriating bosses of elden ring. cause they not difficult but you still die to them way to much. it's hard to explain really. i have so much trouble with them even tho i know they are easy

[@sinenomine3449]

guys, you are the best elden ring content creators on KZbin, I Have no idea how you only got this little coverage, thank you for the hard work, you're awesome.

[@square-table-gaming]

I wouldn't say we're anywhere near the best but we seriously appreciate that. As long as people dig our content we're happy 😁

[@sinenomine3449]

@@square-table-gaming You're extremely humble and I like it a lot, I'm the same way myself, but your deep dives into specific characters and enemies are simply groundbreaking, keep it up and before long you're gonna be the next vaati, I assure you, I wish I had folks like to you have a beer with in real life.

[@poypoygerminal6778]

I saw the watchdog in the grocery store

[@jamB2007]

Fun fact! This was my first boss battle in elden ring😂

[@emmanueltrejo4226]

This first boss made quit the game for week!!! I was so mad I couldn’t defeat them

[@danielrobinson7872]

People actually think these things are difficult? Their moves are super choreographed.

[@square-table-gaming]

Yeah lots of players have troubled with long wind up animations.

[@Chatisthisrealquestionmark]

there are no cats in elden ring but the cat ring in i don't remember where.

[@keedoopop4900]

I dont think i ever died to a watch dog tbh not tryna be a giga chad bc other bosses fucked me up. But i always thought they was easy

[@square-table-gaming]

Lots of us had trouble getting the timing down to dodge their attacks. They're persistent mo fos

[@AC-hj9tv]

It's-a me, Mario! I send-a tha manni! Grazie!

[@square-table-gaming]

?

[@johnmorris1009]

They're really not that difficult! I like their design and movement though - very creepy. I dislike them, simply for the fact that they command the imps, which are one of the most annoying enemies in the game.

[@friendlygamers1743]

Ayeee New video :D

[@patrickhiggins28469]

Video good.

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

Hey I love Elden ring and all but when y’all gonna play some more metal gear? ❗️

[@square-table-gaming]

I think the plan is to get back to streaming metal gear in November

[@wayner396]

Hate that they're watch dogs even though they're obviously cats

[@shoresy6943]

The music just reminds me of a creepypasta chanel. 😂 A KZbinr who reads creepypasta is using it also.

[@square-table-gaming]

It is! It's Myuu's music. Thought it fit well for spooky season.

[@nickerslarge3776]

No longer in there prime??? For there predictable move set they still give me a problem and hit hard as fuck

[@chables74]

Algormancy!

[@StoneToadSteveAustin]

Always wondered about who these guys were. They’re pretty damn interesting IMO

[@otimo144]

The watchdogs where hard?! Thier attacks are so telegraphed!

[@square-table-gaming]

Lots of players had trouble adjusting to the speed of their swings and the spread of their ground smashes when they were first found

[@kamoh4199]

Can you explore "the cemetery shade"? Among the multiple enemy face in game it is among the only fews boss to not appear anywhere else in the world

[@square-table-gaming]

So it actually appears as a boss in 3 different catacombs and as a regular enemy in a heroes grave, can't remember which one off the top of my head. Zulie explored them and they're basically a creature being controlled by an insect. Super gross and interesting!

[@kamoh4199]

@@square-table-gaming oh nice, do you have a link to the video? I thought they were some spooky, ghost enemy created just to scare the player like the revenant

[@square-table-gaming]

@@kamoh4199 got you covered. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioKxh2qFnZ6gock

[@kaso236]

@@square-table-gaming gives you mantis Blade tho

[@iworkedatsubway]

What is this music? It's awesome

[@square-table-gaming]

Check out Myuu. His music is regularly used for creepypasta channels.

[@murderycatdoll1380]

These watchdogs are the bame of my excistance....really horrible 🙄🤣

[@Eternal_Placidity]

Likely cat

[@michaelbarker6732]

honestly hate these guys so much. I know there are ways to counter them such as crystal darts but i just HATE how they move. Especially those jump attacks and the way their heads jiggle around before they breathe whatever element on u

[@greenthunder1000]

You are a master of word fluffing, college must’ve taught you well. Good video regardless.

[@square-table-gaming]

Thank you?

[@Beepers559]

I’m very curious about what the name of the music used is

[@square-table-gaming]

It's a track from Myu, you can find his music here! kzbin.info

[@Beepers559]

Thank you!

[@Pikachu-qr4yb]

What song by Myuu is this ?

[@square-table-gaming]

"A Deep Voice"

[@HMMRSTN1]

Side note, I think they're made of wood rather than stone.

[@square-table-gaming]

Their bodies seem to have stone texturing, what makes you say wood?

[@HMMRSTN1]

@@square-table-gaming The texture looks more wood in my eyes, but not preaching this as a gospel, I go and take a closer look.

[@HMMRSTN1]

@@square-table-gaming That was a quick check. Many sources state that they're made of stone and actually their resistances confirm also this, so I was in error. My bias may be that the name has "Erdtree" on them and the material looks kinda porous, like a dried wood rather than stone but hey, that's probably just me. (It's also funny how everything wooden has a weakness for fire when wood is actually pretty resistant for it naturally.) Want to end this in a positive note: Great, atmospheric video with clear narration. Also thanks for the feedback, you got a subscription. 😊

[@square-table-gaming]

@@HMMRSTN1 thank you! I don't think you're off base about the porous look. The watchdogs staff description mentions they're no longer in their prime and the stone they're made of is incredibly old. That could be the result of years in the dank catacombs.

[@Xandros999]

@@square-table-gaming Their shrunken appearance always seemed mummified to me. Maybe they were originally mummies and have been around so long they turned to stone. I kind of doubt they can be matched to any living creature though.