The easiest way to light the first flame
although the originaldark soulsproved to be a huge success since its release in 2011, but still undiscovered by many FromSoft fans who entered the publisher's dark world last yearold ring.
So if you're looking for a helping hand in the original Soulslike, don't fret as we're here to help you shed that dark, heavy burden by guiding you through all the inevitable boss encounters.
the demon of the asylum
Like the Vanguard Demon ofDemon's souls, Asylum Demon exists as a living meat grinder for beginners. He can intimidate players with his size and high damage output, but his speed impresses no one. What looks like a mighty opponent to first timers will feel like butter on a hot knife to any player with little or no boss fight experience.
Unfortunately, the game doesn't give players many opportunities to train first, so they'll have to make do with what they have. Too bad what they have is a broken gun. When the match starts, players must run to the left side of the arena and enter a small door that will lead them to a usable real weapon.
Stay away from him when he does his vertical launch, dodge when he lands, then get behind him and smash his back. Done.
bell gargoyles
Most games task players with big missions, like rescuing a princess or disabling a nuke-capable robot. Initially,dark soulsIt works for players to ring two bells, no more, no less. Bell gargoyles serve as guardians of the cathedral bell.
Upon entering the arena, players shouldn't be too happy to realize that the supposed gargoyles are actually just a gargoyle. Once the first Gargoyle has taken enough damage, your friend will appear to help. Newcomers should try to separate the two enemies, as one's magical attacks complement the other's more physical moveset.
Bonus tip: hit them on the tail to get a weapon. this is the basedark soulslogic, so from there, think about hitting the tail of every single enemy you come across. Most will drop their weapons. We promise we won't trick our readers into being cruel to these monsters just for fun.
Chaos Witch Queelag
Queelag is what you get when you try to make a centaur, but it doesn't have all the horse parts and instead has the spider parts.
It is the first boss who pushes thingsveryland. Queelag rules from close range through his fiery sword swing, but can also impale the player from afar. Also emit area of effect lava throughout the arena. Queelag requires patience, precision and a lack of greed.
Iron giant
Iron Golem gives players a nice break after Queellag.
Despite its gigantic stature, the Golem moves very slowly, and players can simply position it so that a few taps on the leg are enough to send it plummeting to its death.
Players should bask in this glory because tougher times are coming soon.
Ornstein & Smough
Let's not mince words here - Ornstein & Smough will give most players a major headache. No one is kidding when they say this is the toughest fight in history.almasGame.
Both members of the duo would be an interesting challenge, but the challenge for the two combined might be too much for many. We recommend that players use the arena's various pillars as a physical shield against both enemies. As with any boss that consists of multiple enemies, keeping them separated will help a lot.
When players kill one of them, the other will become superpowered. For convenience, we recommend that players take care of Ornstein (the lion head with the spear) first, as even in his Smough super form he won't cause too much trouble.
Big Wolf Sif
Next to the grave of the great knight Artoria, players will find Siff, his seemingly fearsome wolf. The only reason Siff doesn't laugh at a man's need for opposable thumbs is because he'd drop the massive sword he's holding in his mouth.
Players should try to overwhelm Sif, as they should with most giant four-legged bosses in the series. This will allow players to avoid most of his devastating blows. Sif telegraphs her attacks, so anyone with decent reflexes should do well.
Sif can give players nightmares, not because she can instantly cut a person's health from 100 to zero, but because nobody wants to kill dogs. Also, did we mention that instead of transforming into a stronger form when her health drops, Sif just starts limping and making players sadder?
Making this a mandatory boss is one of Miyazaki's darkest moves.
pin wheel
Pinwheel pretty much represents the contradiction. He's a boss in the Catacombs, one of the hardest areas in the game, but if players don't visit him before they're already strong enough to handle the area, he won't face more than a normal enemy.
bed of chaos
Deep within Lost Izalit resides the Bed of Chaos. It either ends up being one of the easiest experiences or one of the most painful for players. There is no middle ground.
This tricky boss requires players to hit both sides first and then hit the little creature that lives inside it. The first two parts won't be much of a challenge, but the last one will changedark soulsin a platform genre, a genre that doesn't quite match the game mechanics.
Players must take a leap to avoid the Bed of Chaos' arms and land safely on the platform that will take them to the boss's heart.
din gresherre
There is no escaping Nito, the final boss of the catacomb area. Okay, that might be true, but we've made him look a lot scarier than he is. Nito can hit from anywhere in the boss arena via his dark magic, but it won't be much of a challenge up close. He has a massive sword and can literally raise the dead, but his movement is limited and he isn't very fast.
Ignore the skeletons and go after Nito - We realize this can be confusing as Nito isalsonothing but a bunch of skeletons, but you'll see what I mean when you face him.
Seath, or Scaled
Deep within the duke's archive lies Seath The Scaleless, the smartest of dragons - whatever that means.
Don't worry too much about the first encounter with Seath, as the game sets players up for failure. After forcing players to look at a rare and outdated "You died" screen;dark soulswoke us up in a jail cell. Players will have to find a way out and enter the Sith's lair, a far greater challenge than killing the Sith itself.
Seath is not much of a challenge. Players can see it from the front, but will have to go around it and cut off its tail.and thenhit him on the back. Unfair? Yes, but he started.
Gwyn, Lord of Ashes
Gwyn is the final boss. That's what you're all looking for and... it's not that hard.
His huge flaming sword can scare him, but the problem with Gwyn is that experienced players can easily handle his attacks.
Look, we'd be remiss if we suggested newbies try it, but listen - you're no longer a newbie at this point. It's time to resist their attacks and show them who's boss.
About the author
Thiago Manuel
Tiago is a freelancer who used to write about video games, cults and video game cults. Now he writes for Destructoid in an attempt to be on the winning side when the robot uprising arrives.
More stories from Tiago Manuel
FAQs
How many mandatory bosses are there in DS1? ›
Dark Souls features a total of 13 main bosses, each one boasting its own set of moves and abilities.
Which bosses are required to beat Dark Souls? ›| Boss | Loot | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Slayer Ornstein & Executioner Smough | Soul of Smough (Smough) Soul of Ornstein (Ornstein) Leo Ring (Ornstein) | Yes |
| Four Kings | Bequeathed Lord Soul Shard | Yes |
| Gaping Dragon | Blighttown Key Dragon King Greataxe (tail cut) | No |
| Gravelord Nito | Lord's Soul | Yes |
Defeating the Four Kings is necessary to the plot, and is also needed for those players wishing to join the Darkwraith covenant as they must defeat the Four Kings before obtaining the Lordvessel from Anor Londo and talking to Kingseeker Frampt.
Is SIF an optional boss? ›Great Grey Wolf Sif is a mandatory boss in Dark Souls, found as you explore Darkroot Garden, and is required before you attempt to face The Four Kings.
What bosses can you skip in Dark Souls? ›Capra Demon, Gaping Dragon, and Blighttown
You can skip all three of these at once if you want. Or you can beat Capra and skip the rest, or beat Capra and Gaping Dragon and just skip Blighttown.
The Dark Sun Gwyndolin is one of the Bosses found in Dark Souls. This optoinal Boss can be found in Anodr Londo. To gain entrance you either need the dark moon seance ring from the catacombs or you can kill Gwyneverre. If you kill Gwynevere you can just warp straight to the dark moon tomb to challenge Gwyndolin.
Are there optional bosses in Dark Souls? ›While Dark Souls' main bosses have deep connections to the origin of the world and have directly impacted the environments players are walking through, most of the game's optional bosses are viewed more as side characters. That being said, the lore of the optional bosses is still just as compelling.
Is the Hydra a boss in ds1? ›This Boss is found in Darkroot Basin. This can be a very difficult fight for range combat. Unless you get in close (bows do more damage at close range anyway) and dodge his head attacks. There is a body in the water with loot, at this area the Hydra will attack repeatedly with all his heads.
Is Moonlight Butterfly optional? ›Moonlight Butterfly is one of many optional bosses in Dark Souls, found as you explore Darkroot Garden.
What is the highest level in ds1? ›The highest level possible, when all eight stats are at 99, depends on the starting class and lies around level 710. * Max level is 713 when starting as a Sorcerer, as they have the lowest resistance. Then 711 as Knight or Thief, 709 as Wanderer or Pyromancer, or 710 for any other starting class.
Is centipede demon optional? ›
The Centipede Demon boss is one of the optional bosses in Dark Souls.
Is Melina boss fight optional? ›This is an optional boss, as players do not need to defeat it in order to advance in Elden Ring. ...Heed my words.
Is Zacian a Sif reference? ›Legacy. Game journalists, as well as Bandai Namco, the publisher of Dark Souls, have commented that Zacian, the legendary Pokémon of Pokémon Sword and Shield, may have been directly inspired by Sif, due to its similar appearance and method of wielding a sword in its mouth.
Is The Red wolf an optional boss? ›Red Wolf of Radagon is a mandatory boss in the story of Elden Ring. Located in the Raya Lucaria area of Elden Ring, the Red Wolf of Radagon is a potentially tough fight, depending on what build you're using, and whether you're summoning in any AI or player allies.
Who is the most evil Dark Souls boss? ›Pontiff Sulyvahn is by far the most wicked out of all the Dark Souls series tyrants as his actions alone have turned Irithyll of the Boreal Valley into a frigid wasteland of mutants, slaves, and victims. He forced his knights to become monsters and enslaved too many innocents.
Which souls game is hardest? ›- 8 Salt and Sanctuary.
- 7 Demon's Souls.
- 6 Dark Souls 3.
- 5 The Surge.
- 4 Hollow Knight.
- 3 Dark Souls.
- 2 Bloodborne.
- 1 Dark Souls 2: Scholar Of The First Sin.
There are two possible ending for Dark Souls: "To Link the Fire" and "The Dark Lord". These are popularly referred to as "the Fire ending" and "the Dark ending".
Which bosses give Lord Souls? ›| Boss Name | Location | Drops |
|---|---|---|
| Gravelord Nito | Tomb of the Giants | Humanity, Lord Soul |
| Seath the Scaleless | Crystal Cave | Humanity, Bequeathed Lord Soul Shard, Moonlight Greatsword |
| The Four Kings | New Londo Ruins | 4 Humanity, Bequeathed Lord Soul Shard |
| Ceaseless Discharge | Demon Ruins | Humanity, Homeward Bone, Gold-Hemmed Black Armor Set |
- 5 Moonlight Butterfly - Dark Souls. ...
- 4 Covetous Demon - Dark Souls 2. ...
- 3 Witch of Hemwick - Bloodborne. ...
- 2 Ancient Wyvern - Dark Souls 3. ...
- 1 Soldier of Godrick - Elden Ring.
The Bosses Ornstein and Smough are main Bosses found in Dark Souls. The two can be found in Anor Londo. The vicious duo of Ornstein and Smough can prove a challenge for many people.
Who is the girl boss in Dark Souls 1? ›
Crossbreed Priscilla is an optional boss found in the Painted World of Ariamis and a character in Dark Souls. She is initially non-hostile and will ask the player to leave the world without fighting. She is voiced by Clare Corbett, who also voiced the Undead Female Merchant and Gwynevere, Princess of Sunlight.
Who is the guy in the barrel Dark Souls 1? ›After taking care of the first butcher, go up the stairs after the area that is swamped with water. Trapped inside a barrel, Laurentius is located in a room to the left. Roll into the barrels to safely release him. After you rescued him, he'll sit on the ground near the entrance to Frampt.
What souls game is the shortest? ›Dark Souls 3 features the shortest average playtime out of all the games in the series.
Who is the hardest boss in all souls game? ›- 1 Dragon Slayer Ornstein & Executioner Smough - Dark Souls.
- 2 Malenia, Blade Of Miquella - Elden Ring. ...
- 3 Guardian Ape And Brown Ape - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. ...
- 4 Maliketh, The Black Blade - Elden Ring. ...
- 5 Orphan Of Kos - Bloodborne. ...
- 6 Yatsu-No-Kami - Nioh 2. ...
For that matter, the entire Dark Souls series is bandied as some of the hardest games ever, but Bloodborne is often seen as particularly challenging thanks to its fast-paced combat. That said, it's not as if Bloodborne is the be-all and end-all of difficult video games.
Is the old demon king an optional boss? ›Burning in the pits of the smouldering lake, the corpses of demons surround him. After being brought down to a certain health threshold, he will be empowered with a stronger flaming aura, giving him access to harder-hitting attacks. This boss is optional and not required to complete the game.
Is godrick an optional boss? ›First Mandatory Bosses: Margit And Godrick.
What is the optional final boss? ›A superboss is an optional boss that is very powerful, even more so than the game's final boss, and generally gives either large amounts of experience, rare items, or both. In the Final Fantasy series, they are usually found deep at the end of optional dungeons, or discovered after a series of sidequests.
How long is Dark Souls 1? ›When focusing on the main objectives, Dark Souls is about 42 Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 105 Hours to obtain 100% completion.
What boss is in New Londo? ›The Four Kings is the boss fight after exploring New Londo Ruins in Dark Souls.
Who is the 5th Dark Souls 3 boss? ›
5 Lothric, Younger Prince.
Is Gwyn the last boss ds1? ›Gwyn, The Lord of Cinder, is the final boss of Dark Souls. He is the father of Gwynevere (the woman who gives you the Lord Vessel) and Gwyndolin (the optional boss in Anor Londo). This final boss is located at the Kiln of the First Flame.
Is the ancient dragon a boss? ›The Ancient Dragon is an optional boss in Dark Souls 2. He is found at the top of the Dragon Shrine.
What boss is the nameless king? ›The Nameless King is a secret boss found very late into the journey of Dark Souls 3. He resides in the legendary Archdragon Peak, and it seems he has befriended the hot-headed lizards there. The Nameless King is a formidable foe; he even fights with one of the legendary armaments of the Dark Souls timeline.
Should I skip Lady Butterfly? ›Lady Butterfly Location in Sekiro
And, because she's in an optional area, she's also an optional boss. So you should know that you can totally skip her if you so choose. But it's well worth defeating her.
Sekiro is the only Soulsborne game that does not feature a functioning version of the Moonlight Greatsword. Since this game is set in a significantly different area and does not give players the ability to change primary weapons, it would have been difficult to include this sword in Sekiro.
Can you Parry Capra Demon? ›The Capra Demon's one handed attacks can be parried, but the only effect of a successful parry is the attack ignores you.
What is the hardest achievement in ds1? ›The Knight's Honor achievement in the original Dark Souls is easily the most time-consuming and challenging achievement to unlock in the entire game.
Is ds1 or 2 harder? ›Dark Souls II is definitely harder if that's what you're looking for; playing the first game will give you some perspective/preparation and ease the transition into the ultimately more challenging game.
Is The Gaping Dragon optional? ›Facing the Gaping Dragon is optional, as it is possible to enter Blighttown through the Valley of Dragons by using the Master Key instead.
Can you skip Taurus demon? ›
You can also skip him without the master key. If you go straight from firelink into new Londo ruins and drain the water, then the gates open and you can exit through the valley of drakes up into darkroot.
Can I skip blighttown? ›The Blighttown Skip is a sequence break in Dark Souls that allows the player to skip the area Blighttown entirely by going out of bounds in New Londo Ruins and dropping down from above into the tunnel of Quelaag's Domain by abusing the darksouls:Fall Control Quitout mechanic.
How many mandatory bosses are in demon souls? ›In total there are 21 bonafide bosses in Demon's Souls, with six of those being optional baddies that you can elect to scrap with…or not. The list of Demon's Souls bosses is as follows: Adjudicator – located just before the Shrine of Storms. He drops one Swollen Demon's Soul and 11700 Souls.
How many bosses are there in Dark Souls without DLC? ›In total there are 19 bosses in the whole game, with 6 of them being optional.
Who is the dog boss in ds1? ›Sif, the Great Grey Wolf is a character and boss in the 2011 action role-playing game Dark Souls.
Who is the hardest boss in Souls like games? ›- 1 Dragon Slayer Ornstein & Executioner Smough - Dark Souls.
- 2 Malenia, Blade Of Miquella - Elden Ring. ...
- 3 Guardian Ape And Brown Ape - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. ...
- 4 Maliketh, the Black Blade - Elden Ring. ...
- 5 Orphan Of Kos - Bloodborne. ...
- 6 Yatsu-No-Kami - Nioh 2. ...
Tower Knight is the second boss of the Boletarian Palace Archstone, found in The Lord's Path area. He is an incredibly tall warrior who wields a massive shield and magic spear. He is also guarded by a small crew of archers that will shoot at you as you attempt to battle.
Is Flamelurker optional? ›Optional but makes the fight alot easier are the Regenerator's Ring (since you be taking mostly tick damage, this helps keep your health up) and a magic weapon. Best to use a weapon already permanently enchanted but if you want to micro manage, you can temporarily imbue a metal weapon if you like.
Is Eldest Souls only bosses? ›Bosses are the main opponents of Eldest souls. Each (Barring the first and last) will reward the player with a skill point and a shard to progress. There are currently 9 required bosses and 3 optional bosses in the game.
Is Crystal Sage optional? ›Crystal Sage Overview
Crystal Sage is located in the Road of Sacrifices. The boss fight is not optional, and you will have to defeat it in order to get any ending in the game.
Who is the first boss in Dark Souls 1? ›
Asylum Demon is the first boss encounter of Dark Souls, found within the Undead Asylum.