Dark Souls 3: The 7 Slowest Bosses You Can Outsmart

Summary

  • Some slow Dark Souls 3 bosses are easier to defeat due to their speed and predictability.
  • Slower bosses like Iudex Gundyr and Vordt can be outsmarted for an easier victory.
  • Use specific strategies like exploiting weaknesses or using faster weapons to overcome tougher bosses.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that Dark Souls 3 is designed to be tough, but it maintains an intricate balance between formidable bosses and those that offer a slightly more manageable challenge. Regardless of their difficulty level, these bosses are never merciful towards the players’ current abilities. However, factors such as speed, resistance, or vulnerability to status effects like Frostbite can drastically alter the gameplay experience.

In Dark Souls 3, several of the slower-moving bosses don’t deal as much damage, which results in a more balanced fight. On the other hand, some of the slower bosses pack quite a punch to compensate for their lack of speed. Here are a few examples of the sluggish bosses you might encounter in Dark Souls 3.

7. Iudex Gundyr

An Early Challenge That Helps Newcomers Learn The Ropes

HP 1,037
Drops Coiled Sword, 3,000 Souls
Location Cemetery of Ash

Initially, when players meet Iudex Gundyr in the Ash Cemetery, he might appear formidable. However, as time passes and players progress, they gain a new outlook that reveals he’s merely a soft target—particularly when compared to his more hostile counterpart, Champion Gundyr.

In the game Dark Souls 3, Gundyr has a slow attack pattern and deals less damage compared to other early-game enemies. This makes him relatively weaker in the initial hours of play. However, since he’s weak to fire, players having trouble defeating him could benefit from exploiting this weakness. Yet, it’s important to note that without using cheats, you can only infuse your weapon with fire if you have access to Andre the Blacksmith at Firelink Shrine during a New Game (NG) playthrough. This means you cannot use fire against Iudex Gundyr in his initial appearance without special circumstances.

6. Vordt Of The Boreal Valley

Aside From His Occasional Charge Attacks, He’s Quite Slow

HP 1,328
Drops Soul of Boreal Valley Vordt, 3,000 Souls
Location High Wall of Lothric

In the game Dark Souls 3, Vordt of the Boreal Valley stands out as an unusual boss, for he becomes relatively easy to conquer if players learn the technique of staying near his legs and dodging his charging attacks. Even beginners unfamiliar with the series and unaware of strategies to simplify his defeat can typically avoid getting hit by him due to his slow pace.

At an early stage in the game, having a character with a fully developed build at the High Wall of Lothric can be quite advantageous. Employing a high-quality weapon from the start could significantly aid your progression.

5. Curse-Rotted Greatwood

Slow, Annoying, And Simply Frustrating Overall

HP 5,405
Drops Transposing Kiln, Soul of the Rotted Greatwood, 7,000 Souls
Location Undead Settlement

The Tainted Elder Tree is quite frustrating for several reasons. To begin with, it’s shielded by numerous adversaries that will assault the Player Character when they attempt to attack the boss. Nevertheless, damage can only be inflicted upon its pustules, which can prove tricky due to its constant movement. Even though it moves slowly and its attacks are relatively predictable, since it appears early in the game, some players might struggle to defeat it during their initial attempts.

Equipping agile weapons such as the Sellsword Twinblades can allow players to attack quicker, thereby boosting their likelihood of repeatedly striking those pustules.

4. Aldrich, Devourer Of Gods

His Great Rain Of Arrows Is Deadly And Extremely Hard To Dodge

HP 4,727
Drops Soul of Aldrich, Cinders of a Lord, 50,000 Souls
Location Anor Londo

In your quest, you’ll encounter one of the final characters known as Lord Aldrich, whom players must vanquish to reach the Kiln of the First Flame and obtain the Soul of Cinder. This enigmatic figure is safeguarded in the depths of Anor Londo, surrounded by numerous deacons, Black Knights, and formidable foes lurking in the shadows.

Aldrich may not be swiftly agile, but he possesses an unrelenting barrage of lethal arrows that can swiftly eliminate players if they fail to evade them skillfully. Given his sluggishness in dodging, wielding a Greatsword against him can prove highly effective in inflicting significant damage in a brief span.

3. High Lord Wolnir

A Gimmick Boss Fight That Is Quite Intimidating

HP 15,041
Drops Soul of High Lord Wolnir, 22,000 Souls
Location Catacoms of Carthus

Battling High Lord Wolnir within the Catacombs of Carthus might initially seem overwhelming, but it’s actually a psychological ploy employed by the game. Upon closer inspection, you’ll realize that High Lord Wolnir poses less harm to players than it appears. The true peril lurks in the poisonous environment of his boss arena. Despite his slow attacks, striking the bracelets on his wrists can be easily achieved due to his leisurely pace.

Opting for a beginner class such as the Mercenary, who is equipped with the Sellsword Twinblades, could prove advantageous since swift attacks are capable of swiftly shattering Wolnir’s bracers and defeating him more easily.

2. Yhorm The Giant

Figuring Out That A Special Weapon Is Required Can Take A While

HP 27,822
Drops Soul of Yhorm the Giant, Cinders of a Lord, 36,000 Souls
Location Profaned Capital

In Dark Souls 3, it can be debated that Yhorm the Giant, due to his immense size, is one of the biggest bosses you’ll encounter. What makes him even more significant is that, as a Lord of Cinder, he is essential for progression in the game – players must defeat him to move forward. Situated within the Profaned Capital, Yhorm reigns over a spacious throne room. Mastering the layout becomes crucial, as Yhorm’s long reach with his Great Machete can make it challenging to dodge and maneuver effectively.

As a gamer, I’ve found that while you can defeat Yhorm with standard weapons, it takes quite some time. The smart move is to use the “Storm Ruler” special weapon hidden in the throne room instead. Yhorm may be slow-moving and slow to attack, but when he swings, it packs a punch like a truck. If you’re tackling New Game Plus, you might want to check out some of the best mods for Dark Souls 3. One of the coolest is one that transforms Yhorm into Giant Dad, a legendary build from the original Dark Souls.

1. Deacons Of The Deep

More Of An Annoyance Than An Actual Challenge

HP 4,099 (total for every deacon)
Drops Soul of the Deacons of the Deep, Small Doll, Archdeacon Set, 13,000 Souls
Location Cathedral of the Deep

Last but not least, we have the ‘Deacons of the Deep’. Unlike a genuine challenge, they are more of a bother, as they lack significant damage, move at a leisurely pace like an old snail, and tend to persistently chase players around the room they inhabit.

Employing one of the most effective strength-based weapons in the game becomes quite manageable when coupled with a moderately strong character setup. This allows for a significant impact with just a single hit, potentially eliminating numerous foes, thus revealing the Archdeacon.

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2025-02-19 12:35