How to Beat the Staircase Boss: Tree Topping Walkthrough

A walkthrough for Tree Topping in Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (Dark Moon) for the Nintendo Switch. Read on for a detailed guide for Tree Topping, including how to get 3 stars, and how to beat the Staircase Boss.

Tree Topping How to Get 3-Stars

These numbers are values we got based on our runs. If you got 3-Stars with better scores, take pride in it and share a picture in our Missions Record Boards!

Tree Topping Objectives

Tree Topping Walkthrough

1. Find the Dark Moon piece in the Tree House

Confront the Source of the Powerful Energy

Eerie Staircase

Once you arrive at the Hollow Tree, Luigi will use the repaired Secret Key to get to the Eerie Staircase. This room is difficult climb if you don't pay attention. There are three paths to take, but only one set of stairs is the correct one, the other two will take you back to the beginning.

The trick to this room is that you want to look for the staircase with no flame. The higher you are, the more difficult it is to differentiate the flames for each torch. Make sure to keep looking up and to memorize as many flights as you can.

You will eventually make it to the top and there will be a a gold vine ball dangling from the wall. Pull on it to break the wall and follow the ramp up. You can vacuum the plant along the way for a few coins. At the end, there is a red rope with a gold bead on it, pull on it and you will be taken into the Tree House

Tree House

Head up the ladder and you are now on the Tree House. There will be another flight of stairs there, so walk up to it and it's actually the Boss. Defeat the Giant Staircase and capture the Harsh Possessor to obtain a fragment of the Dark Moon and complete the mission.

How to Beat the Staircase Boss

How to Beat the Staircase Boss General Tips
Keep Your Distance Avoid the Plunge Attack by following its Shadow Pull on Its Tassel Tongue Don't Touch the Fire Fully charge your A-Pulls Don't get Stunned in its Line of Sight.

Phase 1

Keep your Distance from the Staircase

As if the first set of stairs didn't test your patience enough, you need to wait for the right time for this one too. You can't deal damage to the stairs, so keep your distance and wait for the moment to strike.

Wait for Its Plunge Attack

After trying to take a nibble of you for three times, it will jump high and perform a Plunge Attack. Make sure to not get caught under it by following its shadow. When it dives onto the ground, it will fall apart revealing it's weakpoint.

Grab the Rope Tongue

After doing its Plunge Attack and falling apart, pull on the rope that appears from it. This will reveal the Harsh Possessor and you can vacuum it up after it gets flung out from the staircase.

Remember its Orientation Before it Jumps

Make sure to take note of where it is facing before it jumps. It won't rotate midair so its rope tongue will always appear behind it. You can walk around its shadow before it falls so you can be prepared to pull.

Capture the First Layer of the Harsh Possessor

Unlike the Grouchy Possessor, the Harsh Possessor will be immediately vulnerable after you pull on the Staircase's Tongue. Flash it with the Strobulb, then start pulling on it with the Poltergust. You'll have to fully charge your A-Pull to catch the first layer of the Harsh Possessor. When the Harsh Possessor takes control of the Staircase again, keep your distance again and the second phase of the boss fight starts.

Phase 2

Don't Touch The Fire

In this phase, it will start breathing out fire that will stay on the ground for a bit. Make sure to not touch the flames until it is fully gone.

It Does the Same Thing as Before

The boss will do the same thing as it did in the previous phase. It will try to bite three times so make sure to keep count so you know when it will jump up.

Capture the Second Layer of the Harsh Possessor

After it gets flung out again, flash it with the Strobulb and latch onto it with the Poltergust while fully charging your A-Pull capture another layer. When the Harsh Possessor takes control of the staircase again, the final phase of the boss fight starts.

Phase 3

It Will Now Scream At You

The final phase of the boss fight plays out the same as the earlier phases. This time it has a scream that can topple Luigi to the ground, making him vulnerable to attacks. Just make sure you immediately get up and don't find yourself stunned in its direct line of sight.

It Doesn't Have That Much Move Variety

The boss will do the same thing as it did in the first phase. It will try to bite three times so make sure to keep count so you know when it will jump up.

Capture the Harsh Possessor

Much like the earlier phases, pull on the rope tongue and it will fly out. Flash it with the Strobulb when it is vulnerable, then latch onto it with the Poltergust while fully charging your A-Pull. Once the ghost is captured, a fragment of the Dark Moon will drop. Get the Dark Moon Fragment to end the mission.

Luigi's Mansion 2: Dark Moon Related Guides

All Bosses and How to Beat

All Bosses