Image: Before the Clash: Tarnished vs. Tree Sentinel
Published: February 13, 2026 at 4:36:18 PM UTC
High-resolution anime-style fan art from Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree depicting the Tarnished wielding a glowing blue sword as they confront the Tree Sentinel with a golden halberd in a luminous Hinterland meadow.
Available versions of this image
Image description
The image presents a dramatic, anime-style fan art scene inspired by Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, capturing the precise moment before combat begins between the Tarnished and the Tree Sentinel. The composition is wide and cinematic, drawing the viewer into a tense standoff set in a luminous Hinterland meadow. In the left foreground stands the Tarnished, shown partially from behind to emphasize a player-like perspective. The Tarnished wears the Black Knife armor, a dark and stealth-oriented set composed of layered black leather, fitted metal plates, and fine texturing along the arms, torso, and legs. A deep black hood obscures their head and face entirely, while a long, flowing cloak trails behind them, subtly lifted by the breeze. Their stance is cautious and ready, knees slightly bent and shoulders angled forward.
In the Tarnished’s right hand is a glowing blue sword, its blade radiating a cold, ethereal light. The sword is held low and angled forward, suggesting restraint and anticipation rather than aggression. The blue glow sharply contrasts with the otherwise warm, golden tones of the environment, making the weapon an immediate focal point. Small ember-like particles drift through the air around the Tarnished, adding a magical, charged atmosphere to the moment.
Opposite them, positioned to the right side of the frame and slightly farther back, is the Tree Sentinel boss mounted atop a massive, armored steed. The Tree Sentinel is clad in ornate golden armor, richly detailed with engraved patterns, heavy pauldrons, layered greaves, and a closed helm crowned with a flowing golden plume. The horse beneath it wears matching gilded barding, reinforcing the Sentinel’s imposing, regal presence. In its hands, the Tree Sentinel wields a large golden halberd inspired by the iconic in-game weapon, featuring a long shaft and an elaborate, crescent-shaped blade that gleams in the sunlight. The halberd is held diagonally across the Sentinel’s body, signaling readiness while maintaining the sense that combat has not yet begun.
The environment is a lush meadow filled with wildflowers in shades of white, yellow, and violet, interspersed with patches of tall grass and a faint dirt path that visually connects the two figures. Warm sunlight filters through dense green trees, casting soft shadows across the ground. In the background, ancient stone ruins peek through the foliage, and beyond them rises the radiant Erdtree, its massive golden branches glowing against a bright sky. The overall mood is one of anticipation and tension, capturing the calm before inevitable violence, where both combatants are fully aware of each other and poised for the first strike.
The image is related to: Elden Ring: Tree Sentinel (First) (Hinterland) Boss Fight (SOTE)

