Minecrawler Nest Walkthrough Guide: Queen Boss Fight (PS5)

If you’re working through The Minecrawler Nest questline, this is the stretch where the game shifts from “deal with a few monsters” to “clear an entire nest alone,” then survive the Minecrawler Queen’s two-phase boss fight. Along the way you’ll collect ichor materials, recruit backup Templars, secure Ian’s permission (with a major detour), blow open a collapsed tunnel, and finally return to Cor Kalom with the eggs and the Queen’s pheromone gland.

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The source content is a quest walkthrough covering in-game objectives, locations, combat mechanics, and item rewards. It does not include any information about real-world release dates, platforms (PC/PS/Xbox/Switch), editions, or availability windows, so there’s nothing to track from a release/platform standpoint here.

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Complete The Minecrawler Nest Quest

The quest begins with a request to secure more ichor by locating the Minecrawlers’ nest in the Old Mine. For tips on fighting them, you can speak with Cor Angar at the Swamp Camp.

When you talk to Cor Kalom, you can ask whether he has anything that will help you see inside the mines. He hands you 5 Light scrolls and notes that the Templars operating in the mines should also be able to assist while you’re there.

If you mention that this job sounds like it’s going to be a bloody affair, Cor Kalom also provides 5 Extract of Healing potions.

In-game objective – “I should talk to Cor Angar.”

Speak to Cor Angar

To locate Cor Angar, follow the signs of two crossed swords in the Swamp Camp.

This route leads you toward the Templar training grounds, which are elevated off the ground.

After speaking to Cor Angar, he says he’ll help you—if you can defeat his newest Templar recruit, Gor Na Dun. His concern is simple: he wants proof you won’t become a liability in the mines.

In-game objective – “I gotta defeat Gor Na Dun.”

Challenge Gor Na Dun to a Fight

Before starting, make sure you’re at full health and ready to use your best weapon. You can also set a save point right here. To begin the duel with Gor Na Dun, speak to Cor Angar and tell him: “All right. Tell Gor Na Dun I’m ready to fight him.“

If you leave the platform or drop down, you lose the fight. The good news is that it’s fairly forgiving if you fail—you mainly lose health, you won’t be looted, and you can try again whenever you want. Alternatively, you can reload a recent save to restore your health to what it was before the encounter.

Templars are likely a new enemy type at this stage, so expect the fight to teach you how they attack.

New Enemy – Swamp Camp Templar

Swamp Camp Templars are tougher than typical human NPCs. They use two-handed swords that hit hard, and they can absorb a fair amount of punishment without being staggered.

When you find an opening, don’t overcommit. Limiting yourself to one or two swings is safer, since these Templars can power through your combo attempts. Attacking too many times can get you punished.

Keep an eye out for the thrust attack. It starts slowly and reaches far. When you notice it forming, don’t dodge immediately; instead, wait slightly so you can judge the timing as it arrives. When you do dodge, moving sideways helps you keep out of the blade’s path.

For regular attacks, their two-handed sword is large and can tag you even from a distance. That means you’ll need to dodge at the correct moment—there’s a good chance you won’t be outside the effective range for every swing.

After defeating Gor Na Dun, you can speak to him briefly if you want, then return to Cor Angar.

Cor Angar gives you the go-ahead to enter the mines and tells you to find Lester there. Lester has already gone in to support the Templars.

Cor Angar also teaches you a new skill: Extract Secretion. With it, you can loot Minecrawler Ichor from the bodies of Minecrawlers.

With everything in place, it’s time to head to the Old Mine.

Gear Up for Difficulty!

If the Black Goblin Cave drained your supplies, consider stocking up on healing items. You should also upgrade your armor at the faction armorer before stepping into the mines.

Find Lester in the Old Mine

If you need help reaching the Old Mine, you can use directions from the Old Camp to the Old Mine as part of the Test of Faith quest walkthrough page.

Once you arrive in the mines, descend the central mineshaft until you reach Ian’s hut (the same area where you obtained the supply list in Chapter 1). Continue downward.

When the path ends at the bottom and the area opens up around blue piles of ore, notice the Templars gathered around the fire to your left, then take a right.

The mine continues down a small ramp.

At the bottom, there’s a guard posted over an orc prisoner. Walk past the prisoner, follow the walkways upward, and you’ll find Lester talking to Asghan the Warder.

Lester believes the nest is behind a massive pile of rubble, but Asghan won’t allow clearing it until he has Ian’s permission.

Lester also needs you to gather some Templar backup so the group can clear the nest together once the rocks are removed.

Those earlier Templars you encountered are your next targets—go round them up.

Round Up Three Templars for Backup

In-game objective – “I need three templars to back me up.”

If you leave this lower chamber and head back out, you’ll soon return to the main room at the bottom of the mine. You’ll need to convince named Templars. Two should be gathered around the fire near the base of the ramp you passed earlier.

Gor Na Kosh is the easiest. Ask him to help, and once you talk through his hesitation, he’ll agree and move toward the nest entrance. You’ll receive 250 Experience Points after he commits.

Gor Na Vid is nearby but requires more convincing. He’s apparently running on “Sleeper’s fumes,” which means he won’t manage without something to settle him—specifically Swampweed roles.

If you have any Green Novice, Northern Dark or Dreamcall items, you can offer one to him to earn his agreement. This grants another 250 Experience Points.

Not in the Mood

If you speak with the unnamed Templar around the fire multiple times, you can catch a funny interaction that’s easy to miss if you don’t keep talking.

The third Templar can be found by climbing the nearby ramp back up through the mineshaft.

Walk past the first tunnel guarded by a Guard. At the second tunnel, you’ll find two Templars posted at the entrance—one of them is named Gor Na Bar.

Like Gor Na Vid, Gor Na Bar doesn’t fully trust you right away. He wants 4 Minecrawler Mandibles as proof that you’re serious.

Thankfully, he’s posted right outside a Minecrawler tunnel, so the mandibles are within reach. Be sure to save before walking in though, these are tough enemies.

Defeating Minecrawlers for Their Mandibles

If you fought Minecrawlers during Chapter 1, you already know they’re not easy. You also faced baby versions earlier in the Abandoned Mine.

New Enemy – Minecrawler

These Minecrawlers are far larger than the Nymph versions and deal heavy damage. You’ll want to be wearing improved faction armor to stand a real chance—otherwise, you’re likely to be killed in two strikes, since they can deliver punishment quickly.

Taking on a larger group is only recommended if you have ranged damage options, friendly NPCs nearby, or you’re significantly stronger than their level suggests.

Minecrawlers move quickly, which makes bow combat harder once they start closing the distance. Spells can work decently, but in this chapter the better approach is to dodge their main attacks, then land weapon combo hits—ideally using a +30 attack weapon you may have found in the Black Goblin Caves before this mission.

If you’re using a sword at trained or master skill levels, your downward strike can briefly knock Minecrawlers back and stun them. This move is essential for creating breathing room and letting friendly NPCs get hits in.

Many Minecrawler attacks land quickly, but one is slower than you might expect. If you dodge too early, it will still connect. When the Minecrawler lifts both front legs to pounce forward, dodge slightly later. Also dodge backward, since that move doesn’t have much range.

For swipe-style attacks, the timing is faster. Be ready to dodge earlier and more quickly to avoid being hit.

Minecrawlers can pause between strikes, meaning what looks like an opening sometimes leads right back into another attack. A safer rhythm is to wait until they’ve thrown multiple hits in a row before starting your combo. One or two swings usually won’t stun them—you generally need the full three-hit sequence to create space.

There are four Minecrawlers inside the next cave, and you can’t easily isolate one without waking the others. The suggested approach is to pull them back toward the cave entrance so the two Templars can assist. Be warned that the Templars can start trying to attack you if you keep your weapon raised after the Minecrawlers are defeated. This is still the simplest way to handle the group, but it carries risk.

Once you defeat the four Minecrawlers and extract their mandibles, talk to Gor Na Bar.

You’ll earn another 250 Experience Points, and the quest updates. After that, the remaining step is to speak to Ian and obtain permission to clear the collapsed tunnel.

Speak to Ian

In-game objective – “I need Ian’s permission.”

To find Ian, climb back up the central mineshaft until you reach his hut. If you’re climbing back from Lester and the Minecrawlers, it should be on your left.

Tell Ian you want to reopen the collapsed tunnel. He agrees reluctantly—

…but only if you help him fix his broken Ore Crusher. To do that, you’ll need a spare cog for the machine. This kicks off the Cog in the Wheel quest.

Complete the Cog in the Wheel quest

In-game objective for Cog in the Wheel – “I gotta find a cog.”

To find the spare cog, you must head into another side tunnel full of Minecrawlers. From Ian, descend again toward the mine floor. Pass the Templar-guarded tunnel, then move toward the second tunnel you reach while going down, which is guarded by a Guard.

This is where you need to be.

Make a fresh save, then enter the new cave. After descending a couple of ladders, you’ll find a group of three Minecrawlers.

Drop down the first ladder, then stay on the raised rock above the pit.

Since engaging Minecrawlers in numbers is extremely risky, the walkthrough suggests handling this group by drawing them together along the edge. Then you can use a Firebolt spell to hit the nearest cluster of two or more creatures with splash damage, allowing you to down one. If the second is only weakened rather than finished, use your bow to finish it off.

After that, you can drop down and handle the third Minecrawler with melee, or use mana-recovery herbs or potions to lean on more magic.

Once all three are defeated, explore the cavern. Near the pool of water, you’ll find broken wooden machinery. One of the nearby machines has a cog on the ground that you can pick up.

Search the adjacent side-cave for a valuable potion, then climb back out and return to Ian with the cog.

In-game objective for Cog in the Wheel – “I gotta take the cog to Ian.”

Go back to Ian, give him the cog, and complete the Cog in the Wheel quest. This awards 750 Experience Points and 25 Ore Nuggets.

However, Ian still doesn’t clear the tunnel for you. He explicitly refuses to grant permission to open it.

Return to Lester

In-game objective – “Lester will want to hear about it.”

Now you have to deliver the bad news. Lester has moved up and out toward the mine exit, standing in the middle of the path outside.

He doesn’t seem too shocked. He has another plan, and you should follow him.

Instead of taking the usual route, he veers right into the nearby forest.

Keep following Lester toward the distant waterfall. As you get closer, you’ll see a group of people in the distance.

Lester’s gathered with Diego from the Old Camp, Milten the Fire Mage, and Gorn the Mercenary from the New Camp.

The group decides to use a spell to detonate Ore Nuggets in the collapsed tunnel, clearing the mine that way. Gorn gives you an Explosive Barrel, while Milten provides an Explode scroll.

Diego is eager to help both with Ian and with getting the permission you need, too. It sounds like everyone here is working together for some larger escape plan from the colony—at least, that’s the implication—but for now, it’s back into the mine with Diego.

Travel with Diego and Talk to Ian

In-game objective – “I should follow Diego.”

After that unexpected meeting, head back toward the mine. Ian has apparently come up to the surface and is now in a small side area inside the mine entrance compound. Follow Diego to him and begin the conversation.

Diego tells Ian to fall in line, and Ian—grumpily—does so. You now have permission to clear the collapsed tunnel. If you need healing, this is a good moment to top off at one of the camps before going back inside and down to the bottom floor.

Open the Collapsed Tunnel

In-game objective – “Time to clear that tunnel.”

Go all the way down to the bottom, past the ore crusher (now functioning). You’ll find the three Templars waiting at the tunnel entrance.

Speak with Asghan, confirm you have Ian’s permission, and it’s time to blow the rubble apart. Quickly make a safety save, just in case.

Walk toward the rubble and look for a small ground icon you can interact with. This triggers a cutscene.

Your character places the explosives, uses the scroll to detonate them while standing too close, and the tunnel is opened—Minecrawlers are ready for you.

Fight Back the Minecrawlers

During the cutscene, two Minecrawlers appear in front of you. When the scene ends, they’re already facing you. Somehow, another three or four Minecrawlers have spawned behind you to keep Asghan and the Templars occupied.

It’s best to back up a bit unless you want to take the two Minecrawlers on yourself. If you create distance, they should get distracted by other fighters, letting you attack a single target or split their attention.

The main issue with distraction is that the Minecrawlers’ numbers still overwhelm your allies. It’s likely some guards will be knocked down, so you need to make your own hits count and reduce the enemies quickly before your friends fall.

After defeating the Minecrawlers, talk to Asghan to claim 1,500 Experience Points. You can also speak with the Templars. They now have a new duty: making sure no miners get hurt, so they keep covering the entrance while you enter the nest. That means you’re effectively on your own inside.

Save again, heal yourself, and then go find the nest.

Find the Minecrawler Nest

In-game objective – “I gotta go inside the tunnel… alone.”

As you push deeper into the tunnel, it becomes obvious there are many Minecrawlers to deal with. These enemies are smarter than the others and don’t follow you back out where your friends could help. You’ll have to clear the monsters on your own.

Friendly… for a Time

If you can lure your allies into the tunnel, you’ll likely draw more than just the Templars. The diggers join as well and may attack the Templars—or get hit by them. That starts a small conflict between Asghan and the diggers plus the Templars, so you may not want them running inside with you.

As you enter, light the torch on the wall using a torch from your hand.

In the first tunnel, you’ll spot three Minecrawlers immediately, plus another just around the corner that hears the fighting and joins in.

Ranged attacks are especially useful here. Firebolt spells or strong bow shots that deal 30+ damage work well.

You can pull enemies toward the entrance, and they’ll stop at the edge of how far they’re willing to chase. Use that pause to attack from range, or switch to melee when some of the further Minecrawlers retreat faster than others—giving you a chance to take them out one at a time.

If you defeat several Minecrawlers and get a quiet moment outside combat, try to save. There are so many enemies down here that you may need multiple attempts to clear the encounter.

Once you’ve cleared six Minecrawlers near the front entrance, you should be able to proceed safely deeper. There are mushrooms to collect and another torch on the wall you can light.

Move forward and watch as the tunnel walls become increasingly webbed. Be careful: two Minecrawlers are waiting around the corner to the right.

After they’re down, continue until the tunnel opens into a bigger room with three Minecrawlers inside.

You’ll find a small path to the right that can serve as a shortcut back to the earlier room for the way out. The main path continues to the left, deeper into the nest.

As you advance, you’ll pass discarded and opened egg sacks. The tunnel becomes more unpleasant with organic mess, and it’s time to make a save—a major fight is ahead.

Boss Fight – Minecrawler Queen

This is the first main-story boss encounter in the game. The queen is awake and defending her nest. She stays in place, but she has strong ranged options and uses sharp claws to fight.

Stay In Range

As soon as the fight begins and her health bar appears, you need to stay within her engagement range. Since she doesn’t move much, if you get too far away and the health bar disappears, she regains the health you removed and the fight effectively resets back to the start.

The most common threat is her ranged spit attack. It’s quick and deals a lot of damage, so you must dodge consistently. The key is to press dodge before she spits. If you dodge as the projectile leaves her mouth, you’ll still get hit. Dodging sideways rather than forward or backward also makes the timing more reliable.

The queen is not alone! When her ranged attack misses you and strikes the ground, Minecrawler Nypmhs have a chance to spawn in and harass you. They should be easier than when you first met them, but they still nip at your health and pull your attention away from the Queen. That makes the situation annoying, especially because there aren’t clear warning signs. It seems to occur more often when you fight her at range.

One practical way to track spawns is to listen. They make their own sounds, though those can be drowned out by the boss music and effects.

You can fight close to the Queen for her sharp claw attacks. If you go for melee distance, lock on to keep her head and claws visible. She won’t be stunned by your strikes, so you must dodge her attacks.

Claw swipes are different from spit and arrive quickly. If you’re stuck in an attack animation, you’ll get hit. When you see the wind-up, dodge as the swipe comes in to miss. While you’re close, she continues spitting, which is harder to dodge up close, so you’ll need to dodge earlier to account for the timing.

Close-range fighting is a trade: she’s deadly up close, but you may spend less time worrying about the Nymph spawns during that moment. Still, the Nymphs will likely return later, so one-on-one focus can be more manageable than splitting attention between targets.

Another approach described here is staying at medium distance—far enough to avoid her melee hits but still inside the boss area—then attacking with Firebolt magic. You replenish mana using herbs from your quick wheel. This tactic was the most consistent way to reach about halfway.

Once you reach roughly half health, a mid-fight animation triggers. Your character is knocked down, and you watch the Queen shed part of her carapace before retreating into a deeper nest behind her. Before following her, save the game again and heal as much as you can.

Minecrawler Queen – Second Phase

In the second boss arena, the Queen is fully mobile. The room isn’t large, so you won’t be able to create much distance. Because of that, the recommendation is to use melee combat in this phase.

Her main second-phase attack is a three-swipe combo. Since she’s on the ground, she can cover distance, and each swipe is nearly guaranteed to connect in the tight space. Dodge at the right times to avoid them. The first swipe is delayed, and then the following two swipes land in a rhythm matching the first.

Still watch for her ranged attack, which is less obvious in this phase. It can still spawn Minecrawler Nymphs and it fires quickly, so if you hang back even slightly, be ready to dodge instantly.

If you’re close enough, the Queen may rear up on her back feet, before stomping into the ground. Avoid it by dodging or walking backward. It isn’t extremely fast and has limited range, so it’s usually easy to slip out. Don’t block it, because blocking won’t work and you’ll get knocked over.

Because she attacks with her claws so frequently, use your block when possible. If you trained one-handed melee to trained or master levels, you can parry her strikes by guarding right as her hit is about to land. Especially at master rank (with riposte unlocked), this is one of the most dependable ways to open up a meaningful melee window and attack before she can retaliate.

If you mistime the parry and end up doing a standard block, she almost always follows with a ranged shot. If you see blood while you block, be ready to dodge to the side.

She doesn’t really get staggered by your attacks, so don’t go greedy. Taking single hits—or at most two swipes—is more realistic than landing a full three-hit combo.

A reliable pattern described here is to get close and land a swipe or two on her legs. When you’re right next to her, she rears up on her legs roughly 75% of the time. That move is easy to dodge by walking out of range, then stepping back in for another couple of swipes. Then she’s likely to ground pound again, letting you repeat the cycle—until she changes up and goes for the three-hit combo. At that point, you’ll need to block or dodge differently.

After a lot of fighting, the Queen goes down and rewards you with 2,000 Experience Points. Make sure to deal with any remaining Nymphs after the kill so they don’t ruin your victory.

When it’s finally quiet—aside from the room’s constant noise—make a new save, then loot the Queen’s body. You’ll find 4 Minecrawler Eggs and the Queen’s Pheromone Gland.

With those items in hand, return to Cor Kalom and deliver the eggs. That should help him produce more Dreamjuice. Time to leave the noisy mess behind.

Return to Cor Kalom

In-game objective – “I should bring Cor Kalom the minecrawler eggs.”

On your way out of the nest, additional Nymphs will spawn along your path. Heal up if you can and handle these creatures while you make your way back to the mine exit.

You can talk with the Templars and Asghan for some unique dialogue if you want, then exit the mine.

As you leave, one of the guards stops you and praises your Minecrawlers work. He suggests that if you keep performing like this, you could impress Thorus enough to become a Warder.

Now travel all the way back to the Swamp Camp and speak to Cor Kalom.

When you arrive at his lab, he’s talking with Y’Berion. Y’Berion starts speaking to you as you approach. Hand over the eggs, and Cor Kalom says he now has sufficient ichor to prepare the Great Awakening ritual by tonight.

This completes The Minecrawler Nest quest and grants 2,500 Experience Points. The subsequent quest, The Great Awakening, begins automatically.

The Minecrawler Nest Walkthrough: Locations, Templar Recruits & Queen Boss Fight

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