5 Best Multi-Boss Fights In The Dark Souls Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Lud and Zallen: Easy to read moves, not the best but fun and fair fight.
Demon in Pain & Demon from Below: Long range, pan camera manually, requires patience.
Lothric & Lorian: Lothric revives Lorian, epic melee & ranged combat, top tier fight.

As a seasoned Soulsborne player with countless hours spent dodging, parrying, and mastering the art of timing in these challenging games, I must say that each boss fight presents its own unique set of challenges and rewards. Amongst the many formidable opponents I’ve faced, four particularly stand out as the crème de la crème of Dark Souls bosses.

The Dark Souls series has built a reputation for its challenging gameplay that demands both perseverance and grit from gamers. Over time, devotees have cultivated a complex affection-antagonism towards numerous bosses within this world, as many of them are incredibly tough, yet fundamentally fair.

It’s unfortunate when multiple supervisors team up against employees, creating an unfair situation for them. In such instances, quick agility, durable protection, smart Estus Flask usage, powerful weapons, and rapid response times are essential for survival. Here are some of the most challenging multi-boss encounters in the Dark Souls series.

5 Lud And Zallen, The King’s Pets (Dark Souls 2)

They Have A Very Simple Moveset, But They’re Also Very Aggressive

Telegraphed attacks that are easy to read after a while
Fun fight that’s punishing, yet fair

Among the multi-boss fights in the Dark Souls series, the encounter with Lud and Zallen isn’t necessarily considered the finest. However, these feline opponents offer a formidable challenge and are enjoyable to battle against overall. To put it simply, Lud and Zallen make a significant contribution to the gameplay experience of Dark Souls 2, despite the negative opinions that the game has garnered from critics and long-time enthusiasts.

In simpler terms, Lud and Zallen aren’t particularly complex when it comes to their moveset, and their attacks are easy to predict once you understand their patterns. Additionally, Zallen doesn’t join the battle until Lud has taken significant damage, making this fight less difficult compared to others where players have to face multiple enemies with full health at once. Although this boss fight might not be the most thrilling or tough in the series, defeating them is quite enjoyable and could be considered one of the best moments in Dark Souls 2.

4 Demon In Pain And Demon From Below (Dark Souls 3)

A Relentless Duo, Lock On Is Not Recommended

Both demons have absurdly long range and can hit players from a considerable distance
It’s recommended to pan the camera manually in this boss fight rather than using the lock-on feature

After finishing the main game of Dark Souls 3, players might feel confident that they have the skills to conquer any challenge presented by the DLCs. However, many are swiftly reminded of their limitations when they venture into the Ringed City DLC and encounter the relentless assaults of the local enemies, each one packing a lethal punch.

After tumbling down a cliff, adventurers will make a lengthy descent into a round arena nestled within the Ringed City’s depths—therein lies the tormented Demon called ‘The Demon in Agony’, and another demon hailing from below. Though neither of these demons rank among the hardest bosses in the Ringed City, their attacks are tricky to avoid, particularly for those utilizing the lock-on function. Both demons possess an exceptionally long reach and are fiercely aggressive with their attacks, making it challenging to locate suitable moments for counterattacks. Despite demanding a high level of skill, perseverance will be key in overcoming this formidable duel. Provided players refrain from being overly ambitious, they’ll emerge victorious against both demons and confront the ultimate test: the ‘Demon Prince’.

3 Lothric And Lorian (Dark Souls 3)

The Twin Princes Are An Outstanding Way To Close Dark Souls 3

Lothric revives Lorian when players think they’ve won.
Players must take out Lothric, as killing Lorian repeatedly will not end this encounter

In many games, final bosses may not live up to their title, but the Twin Princes Lothric and Lorian from Dark Souls 3 certainly do. Although you might have explored Lothric Castle early in your journey, you’ll only encounter these formidable foes after defeating the Dancer of the Boreal Valley and clearing out the rest of the castle. Initially, they may not seem particularly intimidating; Lothric appears passive while Lorian attacks aggressively, but with a predictable pattern that can be mastered given enough practice.

The true test unfolds when players think they’ve defeated Lorian, as his health bar empties. However, Lothric will then resurrect his brother, mounting his body for movement. This means players must now contend with Lorian’s close-combat attacks and Lothric’s long-range magic spells, which can inflict significant damage in an instant. The intensity of this battle, coupled with the mix of melee and ranged assaults, makes it one of the most remarkable multi-boss fights within the game series.

In the boss battle, players need to understand that continuously targeting Lorian won’t end the fight because Lothric will repeatedly resurrect him. Instead, players should aim to deplete Lothric’s health or focus on killing Lorian and aggressively attacking Lothric while he is healing his brother.

2 Ornstein & Smough (Dark Souls)

The Ultimate Skill Check In The Original Dark Souls

Players should disable the lock-on feature to keep an eye on both bosses
Killing Ornstein first is easier, but players will lose access to his armor

In the initial Dark Souls , few encounters are as rigorous as the pair known as Ornstein & Smough. These two are stationed in Anor Londo and remain among the most formidable tests in gaming, even years later. Unfortunately for players, Ornstein and Smough are not optional adversaries; they must be conquered to advance through the narrative and ultimately finish the game. This thrilling yet punishing battle requires players to constantly monitor both opponents, as even a momentary lapse or diversion could spell doom.

Typically, taking down a single foe simplifies a battle, but not with Ornstein and Smough. On the contrary, if you defeat one of them, the remaining one grows significantly stronger and larger, increasing the difficulty level substantially. If you’re looking for an easier path, it’s recommended to eliminate Ornstein first to face giant Smough. While he’s still tough, his moves are less complex compared to those of giant Ornstein.

To summarize, players need to understand that they will acquire the armor of the foe they recently defeated. If a player wishes to obtain Ornstein’s armor, they must defeat Smough initially, as this path presents the more challenging option.

1 Sister Friede And Father Ariandel (Dark Souls 3)

A Challenging, Yet Welcome Change Of Pace During A Long Fight

Father Ariandel is very large, which gives him a considerable attack range
The multi-boss fight culminates with a third phase with an absurdly aggressive version of Sister Friede

In conclusion, let’s not forget about Sister Friede and Father Ariandel, who are encountered towards the end of the Dark Souls 3 expansion, Ashes of Ariandel. These two characters offer a formidable challenge for players. To engage them, you’ll first need to conquer Sister Friede, draining her Health entirely. Upon her defeat, Father Ariandel enters the fray, employing his golden bowl to emit flames and fill the arena with inferno. Overcoming these two adversaries is no easy task, as Father Ariandel towers over you, while Sister Friede moves swiftly, creating a lethal duo.

In this multi-boss encounter, combatants must be vigilant against Father Ariandel’s forceful attacks and Friede’s frosty spells that may lead to Frostbite. One aspect that sets this fight apart is the deception it offers; players might think they’ve emerged victorious upon defeating the duo, but are caught off guard by a third phase where Blackflame Friede takes over. Unlike her previous form, Blackflame Friede in this stage becomes incredibly aggressive and has the power to eliminate opponents in an instant.

2024-10-09 08:05