If you’ve just reached the Tankard Warden in GRIME II, this is where the game quietly checks whether you’ve actually learned its systems. It’s not just a damage sponge — it’s fast, hits wide, and punishes panic pretty hard.
The good news? There’s a very consistent and surprisingly simple way to beat it using the Bladeroot Sword. Once you understand the rhythm, this fight goes from frustrating to controlled.
GRIME II Tankard Warden Boss Guide (Bladeroot Sword Tips)
Before even stepping into the arena, getting your setup right makes a massive difference.
A solid early setup looks like:
- Around Level 18
- Health: ~10 points (this gives you breathing room)
- Strength: ~3
- Dexterity: ~5 (enough to use Bladeroot Sword)
- Extra dexterity from gear like Grunt Garb
The real focus here isn’t raw damage — it’s survivability and consistency.
- High health = more mistakes allowed
- Dexterity = unlocks your weapon
- Dodge-focused traits = smoother combat flow
If you’ve been struggling, chances are your build is too aggressive and not forgiving enough.
Bladeroot Sword
This weapon is the core of the strategy.
You can get it from:
- A vendor in the upper-left area of Kong
Then upgrade it to +3 for best results early on.
What Makes It Special
The Bladeroot Sword builds a combustion gauge:
- As you hit the boss, the gauge fills
- When full, it explodes for massive damage
Against a boss with a big health pool like Tankard Warden, this effect triggers multiple times — which is why this fight becomes much easier with it.
Phase 1: Learning the Positioning
The most important rule in this fight:
Stay behind the boss. Always.
Here’s why:
- Most attacks are wide front swings
- Damage is lower if you’re behind
- Some attacks completely miss you
How to Play It
- Dodge through attacks, not away
- Immediately move behind after every dodge
- Stay grounded — jumping is risky here
Even if you get clipped, it’s usually less punishing from behind.
Core Strategy
Once you’re behind the boss, the fight becomes a simple loop:
- Dodge behind
- Hit 2–3 times
- Dodge again
- Repeat
While doing this:
- You’re building the combustion gauge
- You’re avoiding most damage
- You’re keeping control of the fight
Don’t get greedy — overcommitting is the fastest way to die here.
Use Force Dash
If you’ve invested in dodge traits (especially force-related ones), you’ll notice something important:
- Well-timed dodges restore force
- Higher force = more damage
So instead of just dodging to survive, you’re:
- Maintaining damage output
- Keeping your momentum
This is why the fight feels smoother once you get the timing down.
Watch for the Yellow Glow
After some damage, the boss starts showing a yellow glow at times.
This is your cue to:
- Use a grasp attack
- Stun the boss
Why This Matters
- Free damage window
- Safe moment to heal
- Helps reset your position
Honestly, this is one of the safest points in the entire fight — don’t ignore it.
What NOT to Do
A lot of players struggle because they:
- Try to parry → The timing is awkward here
- Use too many molds/items → Boss is too fast for most
- Fight from the front → You’ll get punished constantly
This fight rewards:
- Positioning
- Patience
- Consistency
Not flashy gameplay.
Mid Fight Change
At around 75% HP remaining, the boss:
- Attacks faster
- Becomes more aggressive
But here’s the trick:
It also becomes more open to grasp counters
So instead of panicking:
- Stick to the same strategy
- Look for yellow glow opportunities
The fight actually becomes easier once you adjust.
Final Phase
When the boss is low:
- Attacks feel more chaotic
- You’ll be tempted to rush
Don’t.
Just:
- Keep dodging behind
- Keep building combustion
- Take safe hits only
The Bladeroot explosions will finish the job — you don’t need to force it.