Bosses Listed Chronologically: [BCHRONO]
Asylum Demon [ADEMON]
Taurus Demon [TDEMON]
Gargoyles [GGOYLE]
Capra Demon [CDEMON]
Gaping Dragon [GDRAG]
Quelaag [QLAAG]
Ceaseless Discharge [CLESS]
Pinwheel [PWHEEL]
Iron Golem [IGOLEM]
Smough - First Form [SMO1]
Smough - Second Form [SMO2]
Ornstein - First Form [ORN1]
Ornstein - Second Form [ORN2]
Seath the Scaleless [SLESS]
Demon Firesage [DFIRE]
Fire Centipede [FCENT]
Gravelord Nito [GLORD]
Four Kings [FKINGS]
Kalameet [KMEET]
Manus, Father of the Abyss [MNUS]
Gwyn, Lord of Cinder [GWYNCIND]
Appendix 1:
Bosses Listed Alphabetically: [BALPHA]
Asylum Demon [ADEMON]
Capra Demon [CDEMON]
Ceaseless Discharge [CLESS]
Demon Firesage [DFIRE]
Fire Centipede [FCENT]
Four Kings [FKINGS]
Gaping Dragon [GDRAG]
Gargoyles [GGOYLE]
Gravelord Nito [GLORD]
Gwyn, Lord of Cinder [GWYNCIND]
Iron Golem [IGOLEM]
Kalameet [KMEET]
Manus, Father of the Abyss [MNUS]
Ornstein - First Form [ORN1]
Ornstein - Second Form [ORN2]
Pinwheel [PWHEEL]
Quelaag [QLAAG]
Seath the Scaleless [SLESS]
Smough - First Form [SMO1]
Smough - Second Form [SMO2]
Taurus Demon [TDEMON]
A collection of data pertaining to damage inflicted while using various
elementals. Normal, Lightning, Fire, Magic, Divine, and Occult damage types
are reviewed in an attempt to uncover boss weaknesses and/or resistances.
Though the scope of data collected is small, conclusions may be drawn
from relevant information. While the community is largely aware of many of
the conclusions being researched, this guide gives an opportunity to prove
what we have suspected/known.
<> Physical Damage will almost always out damage "Split Damage"
When both weapons have similar Attack Ratings.
Thus, a weapon with 200 Physical Attack Rating will usually
outperform a weapon with 100 Physical Attack Rating and 100
(Elemental) Attack Rating.
<> Divine Weapons never inflict more damage than their Magical
counterpart when the Divine Damage Bonus Stat is 110. Further
quantitative evidence may show an increase of damage when the Divine
Damage Bonus Stat increases.
<> The only recorded boss with a weakness to Occult weapons is Gwyn, Lord
of Cinder.
Artorias, the Hellkite Dragon, and Sif were not tested using these
methods. Since Occult damage is meant to be effective against
"gods", I assume the omited bosses are not vulnerable to Occult.
<> Enemy Damage Reduction as it relates to Weapon Attack Rating and
supposed Enemy Defense Ratings seems to function as a Non-Linear
Relationship.
Example: When using a Normal +15 Claymore against Gravelord Nito
(total Attack Rating = 443), each R1 attack dealt 232 damage. Nito's
defenses mitigated 211 points of damage, or 48% of the damage.
When using a Normal Longsword +10 (total Attack Rating = 266), each
R1 attack dealt 75 damage. Nito's defenses mitigated 191 points of
damage, or 72% of the damage.
In this case, 177 additional Attack Rating granted an additional 157
points of damage.
<> Even when Lightning weapons out-performed Physical weapons (due to a
much higher total Attack Rating), Physical weapons always had a
superior % of damage dealt.
This means that no boss has a WEAKNESS to lightning. If you have
a Physical weapon with the same damage type (blunt, slash, pierce),
and similar Attack Rating to a Lightning Weapon, the Normal weapon
will ALWAYS outperform the Lightning Weapon.
<> No Boss has a WEAKNESS to fire, but several bosses have strong
RESISTANCE to fire, namely the obvious bosses (Quelaag, Ceaseless
Discharge, and the Fire Centipede). See above point made for
Physical vs. Lightning weapons except replace the word "Lightning"
with "Fire".
<> Xbox 360 Standard issue of the game with the most current patch as of
October 2013 (Version 1.09).
<> Damage recorded against bosses in New Game +.
Bosses in New Game are expected to have reduced Resistances, but I
have not proved it with data. Bosses in further New Game +
difficulties may have more Resistances.
*: The Divine and Occult Longswords both have 110 "Divine Bonus" and "Occult
Bonus", respectively.
(parenthetical % of total damage is rounded to nearest whole number %)
<> Each boss was struck multiple times with the R1 attack at full stamina.
Damage was only recorded when it could be replicated with repeated
attacks. Damage was not recorded when bonus damage was inflicted due
to bosses being in their "vulnerable" state, which occurs just after
they attack, or at the beginning of their dodge animation.
<> Enemy Bosses omitted due to my negligence:
Artorias (DLC)
Bed of Chaos
Hellkite Dragon
Sif
<> New Game+ Data may not be pertinent to New Game players.
<> Data reflects a very small amount of information and would be better
supported by additional figures.
(Blunt and Piercing weapons info, more variance in the Total Attack
Rating of weapons used by including lower and higher Attack Ratings.)
<> Weapons should have the same total Attack Rating for a more accurate
impression of % Damage. The percentages are slightly skewed towards
weapons with higher Attack Ratings.
Recommended Gear
===================
Whatever you can get your hands on! This boss will likely be faced using
your 'class starting gear'.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Occasionally the demon will fly a short distance, then slam back down on
the ground. When you see it lifting into the air, 2-hand your weapon and
prepare to attack it once it returns to the ground. Try to rush into any
part of the body not covered by its hammer because there are extra attack
frames once the enemy lands.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any Shield with 100% Physical Block (Heater Shield from Undead Merchant,
or Hollow Knight Shield from Undead Soldiers).
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Use the ladder on the structure adjacent to the Fog Wall entrance to
perform plunging attacks for heavy damage. Lure the boss to the opposite
end of the walkway, then return to climb the ladder and deliver additional
plunging attacks.
Watch out for
=================
All of the Taurus Demon's attacks have heavy knockback. Be aware of the
breaks in the wall where many unsuspecting players have been knocked to
their death.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with 100% Phsyical Block as well as high Fire Resistance;
Black Knight Shield
Dragon Crest Shield
Tower Kite Shield
Caduceous Kite Shield
Heater Shield
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Each swing leaves the Gargoyels wide open for an attack, but when they
are employing their fire attacks, they are stationary for an extended
length of time. Use this opportunity to flank and employ a 2-handed grip
on your weapon.
Watch out for
=================
The ledges, and the wide range of their attack. Try to stay in the
middle of the roof when you are positioning.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with 100% Physical Block and high Stability;
Black Knight Shield
Baldur Shield
Caduceous Kite Shield
Tower Shield
The Baldur Armor Set has high Physical Defense (found on Baldur Knights),
while the Thief Set has decent Bleed Resistance and is light (found in
one of the rooms containing undead thieves, before the Capra Demon).
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Climb the stairs and roll across to the archway to position yourself for
a plunging attack. Be careful as the boss and dogs can still attack you
from this position. Usually the boss will swing at you once, then fall
below you, but the dogs can leap over to your spot and attack you
indefinitely.
Watch out for
=================
The beginning of the battle places you in a tough spot. Try to run/roll
to the left and up the stairs.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with 100% Physical Block and high Stability;
Black Knight Shield
Baldur Shield
Caduceous Kite Shield
Tower Shield
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Severing the tail allows you to position yourself at the dragon's hind
quarters (back legs) with relative safety.
If you are playing Co-op, your partner can stay out of the fog and fire
arrows, from the overlooking balconies, down upon the Dragon with no risk of
injury.
Watch out for
=================
When the Dragon opens its mouth, it will perform a devastating ground
slam/bite attack which counts as several attacks and is difficult to block.
When the Dragon starts convulsing/shaking, it is preparing to use his
barf-corrosion attack which heavily damages the durability of your
equipment. When you see the shaking, run far away.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with 100% Phsyical Block as well as high Fire Resistance;
Black Knight Shield
Dragon Crest Shield
Tower Kite Shield
Caduceous Kite Shield
Heater Shield
The Pyromancy Armor Set (Tattered Cloth Set), found in the Blightown
swamps has great Fire Resistance.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Quelaag has long animations for all of her Pyromancy spells, use 2-hands
on your weapon to attack her once you are clear of the spell. Try to
stay at the back part of her body, but not completely behind her because
you will not be able to see when she is preparing her AOE spell.
Multiple arrows/bolts to her body can stagger her.
Watch out for
=================
Whenever Quelaag bends forward at the waist, she is preparing her AOE
attack. The AOE attack is considered Fire, so it can be blocked, but you
will still receive damage.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with 100% Phsyical Block as well as high Fire Resistance;
Black Knight Shield
Dragon Crest Shield
Tower Kite Shield
Caduceous Kite Shield
Heater Shield
The Pyromancy Armor Set (Tattered Cloth Set), found in the Blightown
swamps has great Fire Resistance.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Ceaseless Discharge has very long recovery times from his swings, but
his biggest weakness is revealed if you can run all the way back to the
fog gate. Once you reach the fog gate, he will swing his arm to hit you,
but fall short if you are adjacent to the fog gate. Use a fast-swinging
weapon to hit him about 6 times and he will lose his grip and fall to his
death.
Watch out for
=================
His attacks do massive damage and are difficult to block on account of
having so much guard/poise break. Your best bet is to dodge laterally
when he swings. If he swings his left arm, roll to your left (away from
the arm), and if he swings his right arm, roll to your right.
You should only have to dodge his attack once before you can run all the
way to the fog gate to exploit his weakness.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with high Magic Resistance:
Crest Shield (Northern Undead Asylum)
Caduceous Roung Shield (In the Graveyard by Firelink Shrine)
Red and White Round Shield (Drops from the Skeletons in the Catacomb)
Dingy Set (from the Firelink Shrine Firekeeper's Corpse)
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Pinwheel suffers from lengthy casting times and slow movement. Any time
it stops moving you can usually get in several 2-handed attacks.
Watch out for
=================
Its slow-charging, large magic-ball attack, it can stun.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with 100% Physical Block and high Stability;
Black Knight Shield
Baldur Shield
Caduceous Kite Shield
Tower Shield
Any Armor set with High Physical Defense;
Baldur Set
Catarina Set
Iron Golem Set
Elite Knight Set
Vulnerable Periods
======================
The Iron Golem has very choreographed attacks, so you know when a hit
is coming. If you can deal a lot of damage to him in a short period of
time, he will lose his balance and fall over, exposing him to further
attacks. Try to position yourself in the middle of the area to avoid
being knocked off of the edge.
Watch out for
=================
The ledges surrounding the battle area are easy to fall from, and the
Iron Golem has several attacks that can be instant kills if you are
positioned wrong. Stay away from the edges of the area to avoid 1-hit
kills from his axe swings and grab.
Smough - First Form 139 181 157 112 107 97
(52%) (48%) (43%) (34%) (33%) (31%)
[SMO1]
Smough - Second Form 139 98 157 112 107 97
(52%) (26%) (43%) (34%) (33%) (31%)
[SMO2]
Recommended Gear
====================
Any Shield with High Stability, Physical Block, and Lightning Resist;
Silver Knight Shield (Silver Knight drop)
Eagle Shield (Found in Blightown)
Black Knight Shield
Any Armor set with Lightning Resist;
Silver Knight Armor Set
Dingy Set
The Silver Knight Spear can allow you to stay far enough away from the
bosses to enable easy dodges.
If you have killed all of the Titanite Demons thus far, you should have
enough Demon Titanite to fully upgrade Quelaag's Furysword to +5. This
weapon is quick swinging, and both bosses lack a strong Fire Resistance.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
First Form:
Smough has big attacks that deal tremendous amounts of damage. Even
blocking will have severe consequences as most hits will drain the majority
of your stamina. He is most vulnerable when he does his "butt slam"
attack, just be sure not go get too close to his hammer when he lands, as
there are residual attacks.
Second Form:
Smough 2.0 is arguably harder than Ornstein 2.0 because his attacks
hit very hard and cover a wide range. His "butt slam 2.0" can one-shot
lesser players. Your best bet is dodging his attacks by rolling "into"
his weapon. This means roll against the direction he is swinging, and
not "with" his swing.
Watch out for
=================
His "butt slam" attacks. Most of his attack can hit you if you are
hiding behind a pillar, so when you are using the pillars as an obstacle
between yourself and the boss, step away from the pillar slightly.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any Shield with High Stability, Physical Block, and Lightning Resist;
Silver Knight Shield (Silver Knight drop)
Eagle Shield (Found in Blightown)
Black Knight Shield
Any Armor set with Lightning Resist;
Silver Knight Armor Set
Dingy Set
The Silver Knight Spear can allow you to stay far enough away from the
bosses to enable easy dodges.
If you have killed all of the Titanite Demons thus far, you should have
enough Demon Titanite to fully upgrade Quelaag's Furysword to +5. This
weapon is quick swinging, and both bosses lack a strong Fire Resistance.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
First Form:
Ornstein has a variety of attacks and quick recovery times when compared
against Smough, try to position yourself at his right side to allow the
most time to avoid his spear attacks.
Second Form:
Stand between Ornstein's legs to avoid most of his attacks. Be prepared
to roll several times should he leap high into the air. During his second
form, it takes much longer for him to recover from attacks.
Watch out for
=================
His dashing impale attack, and his charged-up-lightning impale. Both
attacks can be easily dodged with a lateral roll (sideways). When standing
between his legs (Ornstein Form 2), he will occasionally perform a small
jump backwards while swinging his spear.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with high Magic Resistance:
Crest Shield (Northern Undead Asylum)
Caduceous Roung Shield (In the Graveyard by Firelink Shrine)
Red and White Round Shield (Drops from the Skeletons in the Catacomb)
Any armor set with Curse Resistance and Magic Resistance;
Paladin Set
Dingy
Antiquated Set
Try to avoid Magic/Divine/Occult Weapons, as Seath has high Resistance
to Magic attacks.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
If you have enough Magic and Curse Resistance, you can almost ignore
the paltry damage inflicted by Seathe's breath attacks.
Watch out for
=================
His magic does have the ability to curse. I usually wear a fully upgraded
Antiquated Skirt for the Curse Resistance. This frees other equipment
slots for Magic or Physical defense.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with high Magic Resistance, Stability and 100% Physical Block:
Crest Shield
Silver Knight Shield
(Heavy Shields if you are into that)
Any armor set with good Physical Defense and/or Magic Resistance.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Just like previous Demons, this enemy has several slow but powerful
attacks, and a short-lived hover followed by a ground slam.
Watch out for
=================
The Demon Firesage's AOE attack is considered Magic, not Fire.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with 100% Phsyical Block and High Stability;
Black Knight Shield
Dragon Crest Shield
Tower Kite Shield
Caduceous Kite Shield
Heater Shield
Any gear with Fire Resistance as well as Physical Defense;
Black Iron Set
Tattered Cloth Set
Gold-Hemmed Black Set
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Any time Centipede leaps into the air, roll away from the immediate
area, then return as he lands for a few free attacks. This is a boss
which can be easier to hit "unlocked" (not locking on), aim for his
legs or the glowing orb in his chest/stomach.
Watch out for
=================
Fight the Centipede in the area where there is a corpse containing 2
Green Titanite Shards. There is enough room here to maneuver without
having to worry about accidentally walking in the lava.
If you can sever on of its tails, it will drop the Orange Charred Ring,
which heavily reduces damages sustained while walking over the lava.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with high Magic Resistance, Stability and 100% Physical Block:
Crest Shield
Silver Knight Shield
(Heavy Shields if you are into that)
Any armor set with good Physical Defense and/or Magic Resistance.
Nito has more resistance to Lightning and Magic, than Fire. Try to use
a powerful Normal or Fire Weapon.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Nito has several attacks that are slow to wind up and are easy to dodge.
When he hunches over, you can attack him several times before he unleashes
his wave of magic.
Watch out for
=================
Listen for the screaming sound. When this happens, he is about to use
his Gravelord Sword Attack. The attack occurs right after the screaming
stops.
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with high Magic Resistance:
Crest Shield (Northern Undead Asylum)
The Dark Hand (equipped in the off hand)
Caduceous Roung Shield (In the Graveyard by Firelink Shrine)
Red and White Round Shield (Drops from the Skeletons in the Catacomb)
Any Armor Set with High Magic Resistance;
Dingy Set
Sorcerer Set
Black Sorcerer Set
Vulnerable Periods
======================
As the Four Kings are constantly on the offensive, there are few times
where you can attack unrestrained without worrying about reprisal. I
find it easiest to avoid their attacks when standing as close to their
swords as possible (the king's right side).
Watch out for
=================
The Four Kings attack primarily with Magic Damage. Even their sword
swings are considered Magic attacks (or at least the majority of the
damage is Magic).
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with high Magic Resistance, Stability and 100% Physical Block:
Crest Shield
Silver Knight Shield
(Heavy Shields if you are into that)
Any Armor Set with high Magic Resist and Physical Defense.
Try to mix and match your armor to have the best of both.
Since Kalameet has the Highest Defenses of any boss, use whatever your
strongest weapon is.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
When Kalameet is breathing fire, or preparing to cast his Amplify Damage
spell, he is vulnerable to attack. This is the best time to sever his tail
if you are cooperating with others.
Watch out for
=================
Pretty much all of his attacks are vicious. Try to Release the block
button for the small amount of time between his tail-bite double attack so
you have enought stamina to not be staggered by the second hit.
Recommended Gear
====================
Your best combination of: Physical Defense, Magic Defense, and Stability.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
While his attacks do take him a lengthy time to recover from, you want to
save enough stamina to be able to block his attacks without penalty.
Manus is a fight of patience.
Watch out for
=================
His multi-hit attack that ends with a leaping-palm strike, once he starts
it, he always finishes it. Also, he has several Dark Magic spells which
can be devastating if multiple sprites hit you.
Gwyn, Lord of Cinder 70 57 76 57 55 56
(26%) (15%) (21%) (17%) (17%) (18%)
[GWYNCIND]
Recommended Gear
====================
Any shield with 100% Phsyical Block as well as high Fire Resistance;
Black Knight Shield
Dragon Crest Shield
Tower Kite Shield
Caduceous Kite Shield
Heater Shield
Any Armor Set with Fire Resistance and Physical Defense;
Black Iron Set
Black Knight Set
Tattered Cloth Set
Gold-Hemmed Black Set
Gwyn appears to be vulnerable to Fire and Occult Damage types.
Vulnerable Periods
======================
Gwyn's most vulnerable period is when he attempts a grab attack. Since
you can see this coming, it is easy to dodge, or even back-pedal to avoid.
Many players prefer to defeat Gwyn with Parry-Riposte attacks (try to
parry the second attack in his set).
Watch out for
=================
His extended reach and quick attacks. Gwyn can be slightly unpredictable
as to how many times he swings in his combos. Sometimes he swings twice,
sometimes thrice, sometimes 4 times. He can close any gap, so try to place
stalagmites between yourself and him when you want to recover health with
your Estus Flask.
[DONTCUR]
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