Catching the Ancestral Pliosaur in Fisch is one of the toughest and most rewarding challenges in the Tidefall update. This ultra-rare fish only appears during a special server event, and you need perfect conditions plus the right gear to have a shot at reeling it in. If you’ve been stuck wondering how to even start, here’s a straightforward guide to get you fishing in the right spot with the best setup.
First things first, the Ancestral Pliosaur spawns only during the Pliosaur Hunt event at Tidefall Castle in the Tidefall region. To have any chance, you need:
- To be at the Tidefall Castle location inside Tidefall.
- Use Shark Head bait, which is the Pliosaur’s favorite.
- Trigger the event with Sundial Totems to cycle to daytime (event triggers only at day start, ~0.25% chance), then force foggy winter nightduring the event with Smokescreen and Sundial Totems to upgrade to the Ancestral variant.
- Equip high-end rods like the Blade of Glorp, Seraphic, or Wind Elemental (Tidemourner also viable) with enchantments that counter the huge progress slowdown.
- Use Aurora Totem to boost luck during the event.
You need to be in the right place at the right time
Tidefall Castle (special pool inside the castle in Tidefall) is the only spawn spot. To get there, first unlock Tidefall by traveling to coordinates (3224, 130, 847) and use Water Bubble or Tidebreaker to enter. Then head to (3149, -1052, 1297) to find the entrance leading into the Tidefall Castle.
But just being there isn’t enough. The Pliosaur only appears during a server-wide event called the Pliosaur Hunt. When this event triggers, a special fishing pool appears inside the castle. You’ll see a notification on your screen telling you the hunt has started. The event triggers randomly at the start of each in-game day (~0.25% chance) during daytime only. Spam Sundial Totems in the castle to rapidly cycle days and trigger it faster. The event ends immediately if any player catches a Pliosaur (normal or Ancestral).
How to increase your chances for the Ancestral variant
The Ancestral Pliosaur is way rarer than the normal one. It requires perfect weather, time, and season conditions during the active event:
- Shark Head bait for the best catch rate.
- Foggy weather (Smokescreen Totem), nighttime (Sundial Totem), and winter season: these upgrade a normal Pliosaur catch to the ultra-rare Ancestral variant.
Spamming these totems while camping the castle is the best way to cycle through the conditions quickly. Some players prefer solo servers to avoid competition and increase their chances.
Gear up properly or prepare for a long fight
The Ancestral Pliosaur fights hard. It moves erratically and has a bite mechanic (~10% chance per fight) that removes a chunk of your progress bar and causes heavy progress loss, similar to the Scylla fight. It also applies a -90% progress speed debuff.
You’ll want:
- High-end rods like Blade of Glorp, Seraphic, or Wind Elemental (Tidemourner is highly recommended for progression) with high luck and resilience.
- Enchantments such as Swift, Steady, Immortal, and Blessed Song to counter the -90% progress speed debuff.
- Stamina Potions to keep your stamina up during the long fight.
- Fish Radar to quickly find the special pool when the event starts.
- Aurora Totem to boost luck during the event.
What to expect during the fight
When you hook the Ancestral Pliosaur, you’ll notice its erratic swimming and occasional bite attacks. These bites make you lose progress and control, so patience is key. Keep your stamina topped up and focus on steady reeling. The fight can be long, but the reward is worth it.
Why catch the Ancestral Pliosaur?
Besides the bragging rights, catching this fish helps you complete the Obelisk puzzles and unlocks important progression paths in Tidefall, including some of the best endgame rods.
Related fishing guides
If you’re interested in exploring more of Fisch’s rare catches, check out guides on how to catch Dripstone in Tidefall using Magnet Bait and Destiny Rod, or learn the best strategies for catching the elusive Shortnose Chimaera in the Collapsed Ruins with the right bait and conditions. For those looking to master fishing in the Crowned and Collapsed Ruins, this comprehensive guide on catching every fish in those areas is invaluable. Additionally, if you want to try your luck with other rare creatures, the Plesiosaur guide offers tips on unlocking Tidefall Castle and catching this rare fish.
Final thoughts
Catching the Ancestral Pliosaur in Fisch is a test of patience, preparation, and timing. Make sure you’re in Tidefall Castle during the Pliosaur Hunt event, use Shark Head bait, set the weather and time with totems during the event, and bring your best gear with the right enchantments. It’s a grind, but once you land this legendary fish, you’ll unlock some of the coolest content in the game.
