10 Worst Status Effects in Soulsborne Games

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Have you ever found yourself strolling through a marsh and then all of a sudden noticed a disturbing hissing noise? It’s likely that you’re immersed in a Soulsborne game, and unfortunately, it seems you’ve been exposed to poison – yes, even with those boots on.

In every Soulsborne game I play, Status Effects are an essential part of the experience, and I love leveraging them for my benefit. But let me tell you, nothing’s more frustrating than when they’re turned against me – it’s like getting a double dose of aggravation!

It’s not enjoyable when you meet your end due to a non-primary attack from the boss, or when you’re on the verge of reaching a bonfire and fall victim to the poison coursing through your corrupted bloodstream, sending you back to the beginning of Blighttown.

Take note of these particularly frustrating and irritating status effects often found in Soulsborne games, as you might encounter them during your next adventure. I have no doubt you’ll be returning to these games soon.

10. Poison

Don’t Trust The Green Goop

I’ve learned the hard way that dealing with poison isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It seems to linger for ages and you never know where it might pop up next.

Fortunately, though its effects might last for some time, the harm it causes is relatively light. By the moment you’re affected, you ought to have some means to recuperate yourself.

If you’ve experienced any game within the Soulsborne series, such as Blighttown, Farron Keep, or even the Valley of Despair.

Over time, navigating through this unpleasant sludge could become as familiar as walking on solid ground; there’s a chance you might even grow fond of it someday… Perhaps.

In any case, wherever you go, bring some moss clumps and remember, don’t roll in the mud.

9. Bleed

I Have A Plaster For That

While exploring an unfamiliar location, all of a sudden, the notorious red bar begins to rise ominously. It seems something has caused you injury, yet the source remains unknown. However, it’s clear that whatever struck you, it was a heavy blow to your vitality, and you continue to bleed. The culprit, I’m afraid, could be none other than maggots.

Bloodshed is prevalent in various situations, ranging from grotesque monster leeches to aggressive fly predators and humanoid enemies wielding deadly blades.

Accumulation of blood can happen quite rapidly, adding to the existing harm you’re experiencing, making it especially frustrating.

or

Blood accumulation can occur swiftly, exacerbating the injury you’re already enduring, making it particularly irritating.

or

Blood can pile up quickly, compounding the hurt you’re currently suffering, which makes it quite aggravating.

If you’ve engaged in Player versus Player combat within Dark Souls III, you may have come across the pesky Carthus Curved Sword wielders who often dominate the Irithyll Fight Clubs. Since it seems challenging to defeat them, perhaps it’s time to learn their techniques and strategies instead.

8. Egghead

Something On Your Mind?

Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt like an enormous stress-inducing (figuratively) burden was perched on top of your head? If not, perhaps it’s worth trying out. It could potentially lower your blood pressure, according to Einygi.

Don’t worry, though it takes half of your life energy and prevents you from wearing a helmet, it does offer an exciting, new kicking animation! Is that more to your liking?

Well, simply chow down on an egg vermifuge, and you’ll be right as rain before you know it.

Next time you see a parasite-ridden crawler, perhaps it’s wise to give it some space.

7. Frostbite

I Can’t Feel My Toes…

I find myself constantly contending with frostbite in the Soulsborne series, as it seems to be a recurring theme across these games. The chilly locales like Irithyll and the mountainous regions are just some of the many areas I’ve had to brave, bundled up against the biting cold.

In addition, bosses love to spew ice all over the place and freeze you in your tracks.

As a gamer, I can tell you that Frostbite significantly chips away at my health points and slows down my stamina recovery rate. Moreover, it makes me an easier target for enemies, so I need to be extra careful out there. In short, it’s a multi-faceted challenge that keeps things interesting!

Supervisors often find this system useful, so stay alert and make sure you have some cold-resistant gear on hand, including perhaps a jacket.

6. Petrification/Terror/Deathblight

Death by Status Bar

Anything that gradually depletes your energy reserves might be frustrating, but something that instantly takes your life away is certainly more disheartening – it’s a much worse scenario.

These three statuses you see are essentially doing the same function: when the progress bar begins to fill, it’s best to either seek cover or prepare for evasive maneuvers, as a fully filled bar means the game is concluded – and not in your favor.

In many Souls series games, this phenomenon is quite common, and it can be quite frustrating as it often leads to your character’s demise. It’s hard for me to comprehend why they didn’t come up with a more creative alternative to simply “killing” the player.

Maybe instead of petrification slowing down movement, it could hinder it, or fear could weaken both attack and defense capabilities. A straightforward demise appears less captivating when compared to the intriguing alternatives of other status effects.

5. Madness

May Chaos Take The World

Instead of merely finding many status effects irritating due to the harm they inflict, madness stands out as particularly problematic because it triggers a massive stun when the status gauge reaches its limit. Players familiar with battling Midra in the Elden Ring expansion can certainly relate to this experience.

Even though the pause might last just a few seconds, in games such as these, those seconds seem endless while you watch your character recover and rejoin the battle.

Furthermore, it tends to fill up quickly. If you’ve made your way to the chaotic tower close to the Grand Lift of Dectus up the hill, you’ve undoubtedly noticed this for yourself.

Things become more challenging when you experience it firsthand. Madness isn’t as appealing as it may seem, so maintain your sanity, Tarnished. Be cautious around those piercing yellow eyes.

4. Enfeeble

There Goes My Back Again

Isn’t it disheartening to discover that you’re growing older, and your body isn’t functioning as it used to? Certainly, there are many things that could be considered more distressing, but I find it unnecessary for a game to underline my approaching mortality.

Weakness is an unfortunate status condition that exclusively appears in certain scenarios. It significantly drains your health, makes movement difficult, prevents swimming, and turns your attacks into mere taps, almost like swatting at opponents with a soggy spaghetti stick.

In an unfortunate situation with no recovery possible, your best course of action is to endure, seek revenge if possible, or retreat and go home.

3. Toxic

If You Thought Poison Was Bad…

Here, you find poison’s more potent sibling. It’s in this realm that trouble truly intensifies. As our illustration demonstrates, this can be quite the headache when it comes to handling something harmful or toxic.

Primarily caused by the quick-striking creatures with blowpipes in the town of Blight, it leaves you frantically using your flasks while stumbling about aimlessly due to its effects.

The quick-striking blowpipe users from Blighttown are mostly responsible for this condition, causing you to anxiously drink from your flask and wander around lost.

As a devoted enthusiast, I must share an intriguing detail: This particular challenge isn’t your typical antidote hunt. You’ll either have to track down a blooming moss cluster, a rare find, or resort to using a divine blessing, a resource that’s not abundant.

Regardless of whether you find a cure, chances are the affliction will return. So, hurry up and make a dash for the safety of the bonfire to avoid succumbing to the illness.

2. Frenzy

The Eyes… They Stare Into My Soul

70% of your maximum health is dealt as damage to you! This alone should speak volumes, but let me clarify: while it may seem that an immediate lethal blow would be worse, the frenzy effect is primarily infuriating instead.

Frenzy doesn’t necessarily require a direct hit, and it can escalate even from the initial damage taken. I’m sure many of us recall rushing up that hill while trying to evade the sight of the Brain of Mensis.

It’s wise to have some tranquilizers on standby, or you might face a difficult situation. Despite its fitting connection to the lore of Bloodborne, it’s not something I’d entirely dislike either. If I were fighting against the monstrous Old Gods, I’d probably go insane as well.

It’s intriguing to note that the greater your tendency towards frenzy, the more captivating it becomes. However, this can be frustrating, yet thematically it aligns well, as gaining a deeper understanding of the world may lead you to grasp reality more acutely, thereby causing madness at a faster pace.

1. Curse

My HP! Where Did It Go?

Is there any doubt that the top position should be something else? After all, who can forget the curse from Dark Souls 1, a memory etched deeply into our core Soulsborne experiences. The curse, indeed, is quite ruthless, persisting even beyond death.

Imagine finding yourself in an unfamiliar situation: you’re a novice to the gameplay of the Souls series, and you’ve accidentally ventured into an extensive system of underground sewers. You’re fending off large rats and navigating narrow passages when all of a sudden, you slip and plummet through a drain.

Instantaneously, I’m surrounded by grotesque beasts with oversized, glowing orbs for eyes, belching noxious gas in my direction. I manage to eliminate them, but the tension is palpable – a blind panic sets in, and I realize too late that I’ve been afflicted with a terrible curse.

One day, I found myself far from home, with half my vitality depleted, and clueless about how to restore it. Indeed, at first, I assumed it was an error or glitch.

Absolutely! If you’re well-versed in this game world, you’d remember to stock up on a couple of Purging Stones from the Undead Female Merchant – not something readily apparent at first glance. On the upside, you can finally take down those pesky ghosts in New Londo. That’s definitely a plus!

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2025-03-27 18:11