Guide to defeating all bosses in Dark Souls 2

Taking out the first 8 bosses of Dark Souls 2 was only just the beginning. Read the following boss list for guides and tips on how to defeat them. Watch out, the hardest are yet to come.

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9. Deafeating the Executioners Chariot
The next Dark Souls 2 boss is quite a sight! With a chariot led by a two-headed horse and a battleground filled with skeletons, the Executioners Chariot stages a fearsome fight. The skeletons in your Undead Purgatory setting aren’t just for decoration, upon entering the arena you should destroy the two nearest you and then hide away to avoid the chariot’s carriage. The way to continue is similar, approach the next set of skeletons, defeat them and avoid the carriage. On your way you must kill the mages because they resurrect the fallen skeletons. No mages means an end for the skeletons. Once you have defeated all the skeletons there will be a switch you have to activate on the left side, be aware of the carriage though, it still keeps passing you. The switch lowers a gate which leads you to fighting the horse. This boss battle is severe, your shields won’t help you very much and your character will get tired quickly. Your best chance of getting through this is to be agile and dodge attacks when you can. Lookout for the breath attack as it leaves the horse vulnerable for your attacks. Both the skeletons and the two-headed horse are weak against fire, use this to your advantage in tackling this boss.

10. Deafeating the Skeleton Lord
Similar to the Ruin Sentinels, you’ll fight three foes in this boss battle. When starting this encounter you’ll see the three lords sat on thrones, they have to stand before moving which gives you a short amount of time to get a head start on the fight. You enemies will then chase you around the arena in the Huntsmans Copse until you destroy one of them; the mage often stands still so it’s easy for you to strike. Once a lord dies a group of skeletons is summoned, which you should defeat before trying to take down another lord until finally they, and their skeletons, are all destroyed.

11. Deafeating the Covetous Demon
Your next boss encounter is found atop Harvest Valley against what looks like a giant slug. As its appearance, the Covetous Demon is slow and can be easily dodged. Be aware than this boss performs a fatal roll if you stand near its body and can hit you with its tail too. The Covetous Demon has a long recovery time, the perfect chance for you to land numerous attacks. If you want even more time to lower the Covetous Demon’s health, smash the pots around the arena and you might find an undead which will distract the Covetous Demon, allowing you to attack to your heart’s content.

12. Deafeating the Baneful Queen Mytha
Give yourself the upper hand by heading to the Central Earthen Peak bonfire before approaching Baneful Queen Mytha. By walking along a small ledge you’ll be given the chance to burn down the windmill nearby, do it and you clear the poison pools in the area – including the one in the arena! When it comes to challenging this boss, fire is extremely effective. You’ll need to use that knowledge to overcome her majesty, if you are hit with one of her attacks you’ll want a quick way to get even. The Benaful Queen Mytha has powerful moves, including one in which she leans back and then leans forward to catch you and inflict lots of damage. To avoid this you need to keep moving. But that’s not all, this Dark Souls 2 boss also casts magic which will hurt. She will move away from you to do this, so keep on top of her to avoid the magic but be prepared for more melee attacks.

13. Deafeating the Smelter Demon
In the Iron Keep you’ll encounter the Smelter Demon, who will set his blade alight once you knock his health to about halfway. Sounds scary right? It doesn’t need to, this boss needs to charge his fire in your battle, which proves as a good chance to attack. The Smelter Demon is also vulnerable after his leaping attack; however he does perform the AoE blast in this time. Using magic will aid your way to victory in this fight.

14. Deafeating the Old Iron King
Near the end of the Iron Keep you’ll find the Old Iron King. To defeat this boss you need to provoke his attacks, which consist of three moves, the Old Iron King swings his arm, slams it on you and either points a beam of energy at your or sweeps it across the area. Once you’ve triggered this, run around the corner near the entrance of the arena, here you’ll be out of harm’s way. Finally, when the Old Iron King takes a break from attacking, go and strike his resting arm on the floor. The boss is resistant to fire, so avoid attacking him with it if you want to succeed quickly.

15. Deafeating the Scorpioness Najka
Your next boss strikes with melee attacks in addition to magic and is found towards the end of the Shaded Woods. Scorpioness Najka tends to use melee attacks when you keep close and uses magic if there is distance between you, so it is recommended that you remain close and follow if she starts to back away. If you do trigger a spell don’t dodge too soon as it will adjust its aim and hit you. When engaging in melee combat, keep an eye on this boss as she goes underground and attacks you from below. To counteract this, stand on a stone slab and land hits when she arises. Another good chance to attack Scorpioness Najka is when she attacks with her tail as she gets pinned to the spot.

16. Deafeating the Royal Rat
Authority Upon entering the Royal Ray Authority’s area you’ll be safe, but soon four rats attack you and you ought to kill them quickly because their poison will become fatal. After these rats are dealt with, head over to the big cheese, Royal Rat Authority. He will attack you with his claws, one at a time, when this happens roll under him and attack his legs. The Royal Rat Authority’s other attack is something to be very weary of because it is difficult to avoid, namely his charge attack. For a better chance of withstanding this manoeuvre, equip yourself with a strong shield. As a last attempt this Dark Souls 2 boss spews poisons when his health is around 15%, avoid it and continue your attacks to win.

17. Deafeating Freja
As a spider this boss is weak to fire, but performs strong melee attacks along with an unwanted energy beam. You will soon discover the energy beam as you start the battle by dealing with the many smaller spiders. Although a pain, it is better to get rid of them early and quickly so you can concentrate on the bigger one. When you come to attack Freja she will open her mouth and attempt to grab you, be aware and dodge this. She will also try and squish you when you’re near her feet, which could be often seeing as she has 8. The only places you can attack Freja are her two heads, which you can fortunately lock on to for good aim. Lastly, keep mobile by avoiding the spider webs around the room and the ones she spits at you too.

18. Deafeating the Royal Rat Vanguard
The Royal Rat Vanguard is less of a boss and more of a gang. The most challenging part of this boss battle are the respawning rats. You will have to kill rats once you enter the arena, after those quickly take out the Royal Rat. Any delay will allow time for rats to spawn and they keep doing so.

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