One way is through regular road battles if the player has a light level of less than 30. It can be encountered in various ways, and can certainly ruin a run for players who aren't prepared for it. The Shambler is incredibly dangerous due to its unpredictability. Combat Items that target the Tap Root also count as a hit, so it's important to ensure the party is fully stocked up on them before beginning the battle.

AoE attacks are especially useful in this fight - they will count as a hit on the Tap Root, even if they don't do any damage. Players should aim for the Tap Root - hitting it will remove two stacks of the root, and players should actively avoid allowing the root to build up in the first place. The boss will also cause bleed, so players should make sure they're equipped with Bleed Heals and Bleed Resist Trinkets.

They will then be freed, and return to one stack of root. If the whole party is immobilized, the boss will unleash a powerful attack, hitting the whole team. Once it hits three stacks, players will be unable to move or use any abilities, and will only be able to take stress. The boss will summon roots in three consecutive phases, that will slow the party members down. The Dreaming General can be a really steep learning curve for newer players and often takes some figuring out.

Darkest dungeons bosses