In Romestead, various mythical beasts try to hinder your progress to rebuild Rome. The first moving wall you must defeat to pave the way forward is the Guardian of Minerva. Besting it is your first major test. So, let this guide help you prepare to tackle the mighty bird!

Romestead Guardian of Minerva Boss Guide

It’s possible to “see” the Guardian of Minerva in Romestead before triggering The Giant Owl quest. In particular, an on-screen message often appears at the beginning of the game, saying, “You feel a presence in the skies above.” Moments later, a large, bird-like shadow flies through the ground, indicating that it’s patrolling the area. Players can follow the direction of the shadow to reach the boss’s location in the Plains biome. Alternatively, search for a statue in the Plains biome that requires you to place a Campfire in front of it. Once found, craft the workstation using 2x Coal and 3x Wood Stick. If successful, the precise location of the Guardian of Minerva appears on the map.

How to Defeat the Guardian of Minerva in Romestead

Travel to the location of the Guardian of Minerva to find three giant eggs in a nest. Destroy the eggs using your equipped weapon to trigger the boss fight. However, ensure you’re properly prepared before you end the lives of the boss’s unborn offspring. After all, Romestead’s first boss is typically the game’s first major gear check. So, your current equipment should be up to par at this point. The Leather armor set should suffice for your defensive gear when fighting this massive owl. Additionally, it’s important to know that the Guardian of Minerva fight is generally a single-phase encounter, unlike other bosses in Romestead. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that it changes its attack patterns and becomes more aggressive at 50% health. With that, begin the fight by destroying the eggs. Move out of the way immediately, as the Guardian of Minerva crashes down at your position. At this point, pay attention to the following attacks:

• Beak Bite: The Guardian of Minerva stays grounded and bites the closest player with its beak.
• Charge Attack: The Guardian of Minerva rushes towards a distant player.
• Claw Attack: The Guardian of Minerva flies low to the ground and then bares its claws to a distant player.

Survive the initial onslaught, and the giant bird’s eyes begin to glow when the boss’s health reaches about 50%. It’ll then fly high into the clouds, causing a lightning storm. The Guardian of Minerva returns momentarily, marking the start of a more aggressive encounter. At this point, its attacks become empowered by wind and lightning, which are the following:

• Empowered Beak Bite: The Guardian of Minerva stays grounded and bites the closest player with its beak. Then, a three-pillar shockwave appears in the direction of the player.
• Empowered Claw Attack: The Guardian of Minerva flies low to the ground and then bares its claws at a distant player. Then, two lightning strikes trail behind the boss.
• Wing Attack: The Guardian of Minerva flaps its massive wings to generate damaging winds in front.
• Call Lightning: The Guardian of Minerva’s eyes glow. Then, lightning strikes down at a random nearby player.

Remember, patience and mobility are the keys to winning this fight. Don’t attempt to rush the boss, as it’ll inevitably lead to an early grave. Thankfully, all of the boss’s attacks have unique tells. So, consider the first few moments to study its movements while evading them appropriately. It’s possible to chip the boss’s health while you’re evading its attacks by preparing the field before initiating the fight. In particular, craft multiple Coal Traps (use 2x Stone at the Workbench) and place them in different places across the arena. That way, these structures can inflict some damage to the Guardian of Minerva’s health while you’re moving around the field. Optimize this Coal Trap strategy by having additional players in the Romestead server. Take advantage of the extra inventory space to hold extra quantities of this hazard. Tip: Fight the Guardian of Minerva at the crack of dawn. Zombies and other nighttime terrors can make this boss fight more challenging than intended if it drags toward the night.

Guardian of Minerva Boss Loot

Defeating the Guardian of Minerva rewards players with the Guardian’s Eye, an essential item needed to complete The Giant Owl quest. Additionally, opening the chest that appears after the boss’s defeat rewards the victors with the following items:

• Coal
• Copper bar
• Denarius
• Feathered Armor
• Feathered Boots
• Feathered Hood
• Guardians Feather
• Guardians Talon
• Poisoned Arrow
• Quadrans

Additionally, offering the Guardian’s Eye at the Altar unlocks the following constructions:

• Altar (Level 2)
• Blacksmith
• Carpenter's Workshop
• Empty House (Level 2)
• Material Storage