Current Events > Just played the entire Dark Souls trilogy... time for some BOSS RANKINGS!

Topic List	Page List: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... 9
Blackstar110 03/07/21 2:41:16 PM #102:	42 - The Dukes Dear Freja (DS2) While I could do without the barrage of smaller spiders throughout the fight, Freja has several interesting components to her that allow me to look the other way. For one, I actually kind of enjoy the discovery that having a torch out will keep the other spiders away from you. Beyond that, while it's a bit annoying that you can only really damage her in her two heads, you can get her in a bit of a rhythm where you're swinging around to the other side just as you've baited the other head into attacking. She also gets some bonus cool points for how I've seen that she attacks you out in the cove on NG+. I didn't do a NG+, but I saw a video and thought that was neat. All told, a decent "spectacle boss." 41 - Velstadt, the Royal Aegis (DS2) Now I know there's an obvious lore reason for why Vendrick isn't in great shape, but how weak his boss fight is mechanically is only further highlighted by how much better of an encounter his bodyguard provides. Velstadt isn't exactly groundbreaking -- he's a big guy with a huge hammer that hits like a Mack truck -- but he takes lessons you've learned from similar Big Guy With Mace bosses as far back as the Asylum/Taurus Demons and ratchets up the tension a bit, while also weaving in some spells to account for. DS2's base game quite frankly did not have the strongest boss lineup for my money, and Velstadt is not so good that he SHOULD stand out as one of the best in the base game, but he does. 40 - Crossbreed Priscilla (DS1) While I can't say I find Priscilla's combat loop to be anything incredible, her invisibility gimmick where you figure out you can watch her footsteps is a fun nut to crack. Beyond her raw mechanics, though, her "memorability factor" is pretty sky-high. You make it through the hellish horrors of this rotting Painted World and expect some monstrosity to bar the exit, but no. It's a woman, a kind-looking woman with a dragon's tail, who simply asks you nicely to leave. It's one of the trilogy's best moments of prompting so many questions that you want answered, which is something the games excel at. 39 - Sanctuary Guardian (DS1 - Artorias of the Abyss) The Sanctuary Guardian may be the least impressive fight of the trilogy's first DLC, but it does a very solid job setting the tone. The Guardian is far more aggressive than most DS1 bosses and does not provide a ton of opportunity for you to heal or play defensively, a lesson you will need to learn quickly if you want any chance against Manus and Artorias. Besides, just look at him! He's a lion with gryphon wings and ram horns! And he shoots lightning out of his mouth! That's so fun! 38 - Executioners Chariot (DS2) Climbing all the way to the #38 spot, we arrive at the final true "gimmick fight" on the list, and the most effective one for my money. From the second you see that cutscene and feel the Chariot bearing down on you, you know you're in trouble. Ducking from alcove to alcove and making your way around, because you know there's gotta be SOMETHING, is a daring dash where you're never quite sure if you've got enough time to take care of that pesky necromancer or the skeletons hounding you. Once you do figure out the gate, watching the rider go crashing through to his death is majorly satisfying, until you remember you're left to fend with the giant two-headed demon horse from hell. Maybe I just have a soft spot for how this reminded me of the Goht battle from Majora's Mask, but I like this encounter a lot and it remains one of the most memorable segments in DS2. 37 - Curse-Rotted Greatwood (DS3) This is probably one of the least fun bosses in DS3 mechanically, but it makes up for it in spades with its sheer weirdness. It's freaky enough when the tree first wheels around on you, but once you fall through the floor and that giant hand shoots out of its belly to try to grab you and swat you around, you're probably already traumatized. Proof of how a really unique design can help mask some iffy combat mechanics with how awkward it can be to reach the egg sacs. 36 - Champion's Gravetender & Gravetender Greatwolf (DS3 - Ashes of Ariandel) The Gravetender is not very interesting, but the Greatwolf himself is very fun. If you've explored Ariandel fully, you've met this guy twice already, either taking a piece of his health away before scaring him off or fleeing for your life. But, yeah, everybody's gangsta until the wolf's eyes turn red and he starts breathing ice everywhere. The aggression of the wolf in his second phase combined with the novelty of having squared off with him throughout the DLC make this a pretty cool fight, especially once you recognize you're fighting in the ruins of Priscilla's tower. 35 - Dark Sun Gwyndolin (DS1) Gwyndolin making it this high on the list is due almost entirely to what he symbolizes, less than to his actual fight. The first time you shut the lights off on Anor Londo and realize this weirdo is pulling the strings, it changes everything you think you know about the state of the world and the lore. He's all that's left, and here you are, chasing him down this magically expanded infinite hallway while he fires moon magic at you. It's a fight that is simple once you figure out how to handle his three ways of attacking you, but it'll burn right into your brain. 34 - High Lord Wolnir (DS3 Spectacle boss! You could almost classify Wolnir as a gimmick, given how you have to shatter his bracers, but that feels less like a true gimmick and more like just having selective weak points. Dark Souls can be a freaky trilogy at times when it embraces its horror elements, and few jumpscares are better than taking a few steps forward in the darkness only to be greeted by Wolnir. Dodging his attacks is not a particularly crazy challenge, but he definitely is among those bosses you aren't going to have forgotten about if you go to replay several years later. 33 - Gaping Dragon (DS1) This boss fight has it all, as far as early/mid-game boss design is concerned. It's huge. It's freaky as hell. It's got attacks that catch you off guard, like being chomped to death by its... ribcage? The Gaping Dragon is a great example of how powerful monster design can be in the hands of these devs when you take the body horror they excel at and apply it to a mythical creature. The fight's not too hard but also not too easy -- he hits hard but moves fairly slowly, making him a well-placed first boss of this stature in the game. When you take down this behemoth for the first time, you'll definitely feel unstoppable... a sensation you will immediately forget upon entering Blighttown. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951448059] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>42 - The Dukes Dear Freja (DS2) While I could do without the barrage of smaller spiders throughout the fight, Freja has several interesting components to her that allow me to look the other way. For one, I actually kind of enjoy the discovery that having a torch out will keep the other spiders away from you. Beyond that, while it's a bit annoying that you can only really damage her in her two heads, you can get her in a bit of a rhythm where you're swinging around to the other side just as you've baited the other head into attacking. She also gets some bonus cool points for how I've seen that she attacks you out in the cove on NG+. I didn't do a NG+, but I saw a video and thought that was neat. All told, a decent "spectacle boss." 41 - Velstadt, the Royal Aegis (DS2) Now I know there's an obvious lore reason for why Vendrick isn't in great shape, but how weak his boss fight is mechanically is only further highlighted by how much better of an encounter his bodyguard provides. Velstadt isn't exactly groundbreaking -- he's a big guy with a huge hammer that hits like a Mack truck -- but he takes lessons you've learned from similar Big Guy With Mace bosses as far back as the Asylum/Taurus Demons and ratchets up the tension a bit, while also weaving in some spells to account for. DS2's base game quite frankly did not have the strongest boss lineup for my money, and Velstadt is not so good that he SHOULD stand out as one of the best in the base game, but he does. 40 - Crossbreed Priscilla (DS1) While I can't say I find Priscilla's combat loop to be anything incredible, her invisibility gimmick where you figure out you can watch her footsteps is a fun nut to crack. Beyond her raw mechanics, though, her "memorability factor" is pretty sky-high. You make it through the hellish horrors of this rotting Painted World and expect some monstrosity to bar the exit, but no. It's a woman, a kind-looking woman with a dragon's tail, who simply asks you nicely to leave. It's one of the trilogy's best moments of prompting so many questions that you want answered, which is something the games excel at. 39 - Sanctuary Guardian (DS1 - Artorias of the Abyss) The Sanctuary Guardian may be the least impressive fight of the trilogy's first DLC, but it does a very solid job setting the tone. The Guardian is far more aggressive than most DS1 bosses and does not provide a ton of opportunity for you to heal or play defensively, a lesson you will need to learn quickly if you want any chance against Manus and Artorias. Besides, just look at him! He's a lion with gryphon wings and ram horns! And he shoots lightning out of his mouth! That's so fun! 38 - Executioners Chariot (DS2) Climbing all the way to the #38 spot, we arrive at the final true "gimmick fight" on the list, and the most effective one for my money. From the second you see that cutscene and feel the Chariot bearing down on you, you know you're in trouble. Ducking from alcove to alcove and making your way around, because you know there's gotta be SOMETHING, is a daring dash where you're never quite sure if you've got enough time to take care of that pesky necromancer or the skeletons hounding you. Once you do figure out the gate, watching the rider go crashing through to his death is majorly satisfying, until you remember you're left to fend with the giant two-headed demon horse from hell. Maybe I just have a soft spot for how this reminded me of the Goht battle from Majora's Mask, but I like this encounter a lot and it remains one of the most memorable segments in DS2. 37 - Curse-Rotted Greatwood (DS3) This is probably one of the least fun bosses in DS3 mechanically, but it makes up for it in spades with its sheer weirdness. It's freaky enough when the tree first wheels around on you, but once you fall through the floor and that giant hand shoots out of its belly to try to grab you and swat you around, you're probably already traumatized. Proof of how a really unique design can help mask some iffy combat mechanics with how awkward it can be to reach the egg sacs. 36 - Champion's Gravetender & Gravetender Greatwolf (DS3 - Ashes of Ariandel) The Gravetender is not very interesting, but the Greatwolf himself is very fun. If you've explored Ariandel fully, you've met this guy twice already, either taking a piece of his health away before scaring him off or fleeing for your life. But, yeah, everybody's gangsta until the wolf's eyes turn red and he starts breathing ice everywhere. The aggression of the wolf in his second phase combined with the novelty of having squared off with him throughout the DLC make this a pretty cool fight, especially once you recognize you're fighting in the ruins of Priscilla's tower. 35 - Dark Sun Gwyndolin (DS1) Gwyndolin making it this high on the list is due almost entirely to what he symbolizes, less than to his actual fight. The first time you shut the lights off on Anor Londo and realize this weirdo is pulling the strings, it changes everything you think you know about the state of the world and the lore. He's all that's left, and here you are, chasing him down this magically expanded infinite hallway while he fires moon magic at you. It's a fight that is simple once you figure out how to handle his three ways of attacking you, but it'll burn right into your brain. 34 - High Lord Wolnir (DS3 Spectacle boss! You could almost classify Wolnir as a gimmick, given how you have to shatter his bracers, but that feels less like a true gimmick and more like just having selective weak points. Dark Souls can be a freaky trilogy at times when it embraces its horror elements, and few jumpscares are better than taking a few steps forward in the darkness only to be greeted by Wolnir. Dodging his attacks is not a particularly crazy challenge, but he definitely is among those bosses you aren't going to have forgotten about if you go to replay several years later. 33 - Gaping Dragon (DS1) This boss fight has it all, as far as early/mid-game boss design is concerned. It's huge. It's freaky as hell. It's got attacks that catch you off guard, like being chomped to death by its... ribcage? The Gaping Dragon is a great example of how powerful monster design can be in the hands of these devs when you take the body horror they excel at and apply it to a mythical creature. The fight's not too hard but also not too easy -- he hits hard but moves fairly slowly, making him a well-placed first boss of this stature in the game. When you take down this behemoth for the first time, you'll definitely feel unstoppable... a sensation you will immediately forget upon entering Blighttown. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/07/21 2:43:23 PM #103:	Fresh page again, so a recap of 92nd-33rd: Centipede Demon Royal Rat Vanguard Demon Firesage Prowling Magus & Congregation Pinwheel Belfry Gargoyles Twin Dragonriders The Gank Squad Royal Rat Authority Blue Smelter Demon Dragonrider Ruin Sentinels Covetous Demon Mytha, the Baneful Queen Scorpioness Najka Giant Lord Iron Golem The Bed of Chaos Lud & Zallen, the Kings Pets Skeleton Lords Old Dragonslayer Deacons of the Deep Halflight, Spear of the Church The Last Giant Moonlight Butterfly The Pursuer Flexile Sentry The Rotten Guardian Dragon Demon of Song Ancient Dragon Nashandra The Lost Sinner Bell Gargoyles Throne Defender & Throne Watcher Ancient Wyvern Looking Glass Knight Vendrick Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin Asylum Demon Stray Demon Capra Demon Taurus Demon Ceaseless Discharge Seath the Scaleless Nito Crystal Sage Old Iron King Yhorm the Giant Elana, the Squalid Queen The Dukes Dear Freja Velstadt, the Royal Aegis Crossbreed Priscilla Sanctuary Guardian Executioners Chariot Curse-Rotted Greatwood Gravetender Greatwolf Dark Sun Gwyndolin High Lord Wolnir Gaping Dragon Aaaaaaaaand the 32 remaining, in alphabetical order... Aava, the Kings Pet Abyss Watchers Aldrich, Devourer of Gods Black Dragon Kalameet Burnt Ivory King Champion Gundyr Chaos Witch Quelaag Dancer of the Boreal Valley Darkeater Midir Darklurker Demon Prince Dragonslayer Armor Four Kings Fume Knight Great Grey Wolf Sif Gwyn, Lord of Cinder Iudex Gundyr Knight Artorias Manus, Father of the Abyss Nameless King Oceiros, the Consumed King Old Demon King Ornstein & Smough Pontiff Sulyvahn Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon Sir Alonne Sister Friede Slave Knight Gael Smelter Demon Soul of Cinder Twin Princes Vordt of the Boreal Valley --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951448120] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Fresh page again, so a recap of 92nd-33rd: Centipede Demon Royal Rat Vanguard Demon Firesage Prowling Magus & Congregation Pinwheel Belfry Gargoyles Twin Dragonriders The Gank Squad Royal Rat Authority Blue Smelter Demon Dragonrider Ruin Sentinels Covetous Demon Mytha, the Baneful Queen Scorpioness Najka Giant Lord Iron Golem The Bed of Chaos Lud & Zallen, the Kings Pets Skeleton Lords Old Dragonslayer Deacons of the Deep Halflight, Spear of the Church The Last Giant Moonlight Butterfly The Pursuer Flexile Sentry The Rotten Guardian Dragon Demon of Song Ancient Dragon Nashandra The Lost Sinner Bell Gargoyles Throne Defender & Throne Watcher Ancient Wyvern Looking Glass Knight Vendrick Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin Asylum Demon Stray Demon Capra Demon Taurus Demon Ceaseless Discharge Seath the Scaleless Nito Crystal Sage Old Iron King Yhorm the Giant Elana, the Squalid Queen The Dukes Dear Freja Velstadt, the Royal Aegis Crossbreed Priscilla Sanctuary Guardian Executioners Chariot Curse-Rotted Greatwood Gravetender Greatwolf Dark Sun Gwyndolin High Lord Wolnir Gaping Dragon Aaaaaaaaand the 32 remaining, in alphabetical order... Aava, the Kings Pet Abyss Watchers Aldrich, Devourer of Gods Black Dragon Kalameet Burnt Ivory King Champion Gundyr Chaos Witch Quelaag Dancer of the Boreal Valley Darkeater Midir Darklurker Demon Prince Dragonslayer Armor Four Kings Fume Knight Great Grey Wolf Sif Gwyn, Lord of Cinder Iudex Gundyr Knight Artorias Manus, Father of the Abyss Nameless King Oceiros, the Consumed King Old Demon King Ornstein & Smough Pontiff Sulyvahn Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon Sir Alonne Sister Friede Slave Knight Gael Smelter Demon Soul of Cinder Twin Princes Vordt of the Boreal Valley </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/07/21 2:50:34 PM #104:	Oh, and per game since we're now through the bottom 60: DS1 + DLC: 18 listed, 8 remaining DS2 + DLC: 34 listed, 7 remaining DS3 + DLC: 8 listed, 17 remaining --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951448301] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Oh, and per game since we're now through the bottom 60: DS1 + DLC: 18 listed, 8 remaining DS2 + DLC: 34 listed, 7 remaining DS3 + DLC: 8 listed, 17 remaining </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Zodd3224 03/07/21 2:53:36 PM #105:	Have you played Demons Souls TC --- https://imgur.com/a/X14Jka4 <cite>Zodd3224 posted [p:951448381] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Have you played Demons Souls TC </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/07/21 3:04:07 PM #106:	Zodd3224 posted... Have you played Demons Souls TC Nope, only one I havent played. On the list after Bloodborne which I am also replaying --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951448709] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Zodd3224 posted... </cite> <quote>Have you played Demons Souls TC</quote>Nope, only one I havent played. On the list after Bloodborne which I am also replaying </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CapnMuffin 03/07/21 3:18:14 PM #107:	Friede and Abyss Watchers rank really high for me. Glad to see theyre still making the prime cut so far. <cite>CapnMuffin posted [p:951449153] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Friede and Abyss Watchers rank really high for me. Glad to see theyre still making the prime cut so far. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Zodd3224 03/07/21 3:30:52 PM #108:	Blackstar110 posted... Nope, only one I havent played. On the list after Bloodborne which I am also replaying Yeah after playing the remake it's funny to see how much stuff is actually a reference to DeS in Dark. --- https://imgur.com/a/X14Jka4 <cite>Zodd3224 posted [p:951449534] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Blackstar110 posted... </cite> <quote>Nope, only one I havent played. On the list after Bloodborne which I am also replaying</quote> Yeah after playing the remake it's funny to see how much stuff is actually a reference to DeS in Dark. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/07/21 5:07:29 PM #109:	Zodd3224 posted... Yeah after playing the remake it's funny to see how much stuff is actually a reference to DeS in Dark. Im looking forward to it a lot. Once I finished the trilogy, I was gonna hop straight to DeS, but a quick trip through Yharnam was calling my name. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951452725] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Zodd3224 posted... </cite> <quote>Yeah after playing the remake it's funny to see how much stuff is actually a reference to DeS in Dark.</quote>Im looking forward to it a lot. Once I finished the trilogy, I was gonna hop straight to DeS, but a quick trip through Yharnam was calling my name. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Neoconkers 03/07/21 5:25:54 PM #110:	Blackstar110 posted... She also gets some bonus cool points for how I've seen that she attacks you out in the cove on NG+. I didn't do a NG+, but I saw a video and thought that was neat. I feel like DSII was the only one to at least TRY to make NG+ different, rather than just "lol the enemies hit harder now" --- Girls = Time x Money. Time = Money. Girls = Money x Money = Money sq. Money = sqrt Evil: Girls = sqrt Evil sq. Girls = Evil <cite>Neoconkers posted [p:951453274] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Blackstar110 posted... </cite> <quote>She also gets some bonus cool points for how I've seen that she attacks you out in the cove on NG+. I didn't do a NG+, but I saw a video and thought that was neat.</quote>I feel like DSII was the only one to at least TRY to make NG+ different, rather than just "lol the enemies hit harder now" </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
UnholyMudcrab 03/07/21 5:31:22 PM #111:	I put my summon sign outside Velstadt a lot, and it always amused me when I parried his attacks and the guy who summoned me was visibly surprised that you could do that --- https://imgur.com/VeNBg https://imgur.com/gd5jC8q https://imgur.com/PKIy7 https://imgur.com/3p29JqP <cite>UnholyMudcrab posted [p:951453460] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>I put my summon sign outside Velstadt a lot, and it always amused me when I parried his attacks and the guy who summoned me was visibly surprised that you could do that </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DavidZ2844 03/07/21 5:33:52 PM #112:	The Sanctuary Guardian is actually based off the Manticore from Persian/Greek mythology, in case you didnt know. Im a huge ancient mythology guy so I geeked out when I saw that lol <cite>DavidZ2844 posted [p:951453537] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>The Sanctuary Guardian is actually based off the Manticore from Persian/Greek mythology, in case you didnt know. Im a huge ancient mythology guy so I geeked out when I saw that lol </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/07/21 6:37:38 PM #113:	Neoconkers posted... I feel like DSII was the only one to at least TRY to make NG+ different, rather than just "lol the enemies hit harder now" Which is tragic as hell considering DS2 is the worst of the three at most other aspects. Imagine if DS3 took their bosses and meaningfully spiced things up out in the world. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951455483] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Neoconkers posted... </cite> <quote>I feel like DSII was the only one to at least TRY to make NG+ different, rather than just "lol the enemies hit harder now"</quote>Which is tragic as hell considering DS2 is the worst of the three at most other aspects. Imagine if DS3 took their bosses and meaningfully spiced things up out in the world. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CapnMuffin 03/07/21 8:03:00 PM #114:	I got BoSs RaNkInGs!! <cite>CapnMuffin posted [p:951458238] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote> I got BoSs RaNkInGs!! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Neoconkers 03/07/21 8:08:48 PM #115:	Blackstar110 posted... Which is tragic as hell considering DS2 is the worst of the three at most other aspects. Imagine if DS3 took their bosses and meaningfully spiced things up out in the world. personally, I found DSIII weaker. Overreliance on "hey, remember this cool thing from the first game?", like three different toxic swamps (which is not fun gameplay to wait for a poison bar to go down), and the more fast-paced, bloodborne-esque combat didn't really fit the slower dark souls playstyle. I think it's the mispacing of the plot that gets to me, they have four lords or whatever that you need to go kill, but they only ever give two of them any plot. Like, all the plot they give you for the first 2/3rds of the game is about Aldritch, with almost nothing about the Abyss watchers or Yhorm. Still a fun game though. --- Girls = Time x Money. Time = Money. Girls = Money x Money = Money sq. Money = sqrt Evil: Girls = sqrt Evil sq. Girls = Evil <cite>Neoconkers posted [p:951458439] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Blackstar110 posted... </cite> <quote>Which is tragic as hell considering DS2 is the worst of the three at most other aspects. Imagine if DS3 took their bosses and meaningfully spiced things up out in the world.</quote>personally, I found DSIII weaker. Overreliance on "hey, remember this cool thing from the first game?", like three different toxic swamps (which is not fun gameplay to wait for a poison bar to go down), and the more fast-paced, bloodborne-esque combat didn't really fit the slower dark souls playstyle. I think it's the mispacing of the plot that gets to me, they have four lords or whatever that you need to go kill, but they only ever give two of them any plot. Like, all the plot they give you for the first 2/3rds of the game is about Aldritch, with almost nothing about the Abyss watchers or Yhorm. Still a fun game though. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
MorganTJ 03/07/21 8:25:28 PM #116:	It also helps that DS2 had the best multiplayer, in regards to build variation at least. It's definitely the weakest in the Souls series, but there were so many options for builds. I felt the open ended first half of the game let you get your build started right away if you knew where to go, sort of like in DeS. <cite>MorganTJ posted [p:951458987] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>It also helps that DS2 had the best multiplayer, in regards to build variation at least. It's definitely the weakest in the Souls series, but there were so many options for builds. I felt the open ended first half of the game let you get your build started right away if you knew where to go, sort of like in DeS. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DavidZ2844 03/07/21 9:11:02 PM #117:	DS2 holds a big spot for me, I loved the overall aesthetic and how fluid the animations+motion is in that game, compared to the jankiness of DS1. I get why it gets a lot of hate but I loved the game so much when it came out, and still do tbh. Just love how it looks and moves. DS1 still my favorite of the whole franchise though. <cite>DavidZ2844 posted [p:951460453] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>DS2 holds a big spot for me, I loved the overall aesthetic and how fluid the animations+motion is in that game, compared to the jankiness of DS1. I get why it gets a lot of hate but I loved the game so much when it came out, and still do tbh. Just love how it looks and moves. DS1 still my favorite of the whole franchise though. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KINDERFELD 03/07/21 10:01:58 PM #118:	TC I'm currently at that blue bitch in the Crown of the old Iron king. You're spot on about all the DS2 bosses I've encountered so far. This is my first time playing DS2 this far. Its my favorite of the series tbh. DS4 needs to be on this scale. --- BLACK LIVES MATTER <cite>KINDERFELD posted [p:951462188] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>TC I'm currently at that blue bitch in the Crown of the old Iron king. You're spot on about all the DS2 bosses I've encountered so far. This is my first time playing DS2 this far. Its my favorite of the series tbh. DS4 needs to be on this scale. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/08/21 9:14:11 AM #119:	KINDERFELD posted... TC I'm currently at that blue bitch in the Crown of the old Iron king. You're spot on about all the DS2 bosses I've encountered so far. This is my first time playing DS2 this far. Its my favorite of the series tbh. DS4 needs to be on this scale. Thats interesting that you think Im on point about the DS2 bosses, yet its your favorite. I feel like Ive not been very kind to it. I definitely still largely enjoyed my playthrough of DS2, but on the whole I found most of its bosses clearly inferior and the world really lacks the believable cohesion/design of DS1 and Bloodborne. The levels (outside of the DLC) are not as interesting with shortcuts and some of the zones are just plain ugly. It also has a crippling addiction to making things difficult by throwing 60 enemies at you. Sounds like I hated it, and I didnt. Still overall had fun. I just thought it definitely lived up to its rep as the black sheep. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951475080] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>KINDERFELD posted... </cite> <quote>TC I'm currently at that blue bitch in the Crown of the old Iron king. You're spot on about all the DS2 bosses I've encountered so far. This is my first time playing DS2 this far. Its my favorite of the series tbh. DS4 needs to be on this scale.</quote>Thats interesting that you think Im on point about the DS2 bosses, yet its your favorite. I feel like Ive not been very kind to it. I definitely still largely enjoyed my playthrough of DS2, but on the whole I found most of its bosses clearly inferior and the world really lacks the believable cohesion/design of DS1 and Bloodborne. The levels (outside of the DLC) are not as interesting with shortcuts and some of the zones are just plain ugly. It also has a crippling addiction to making things difficult by throwing 60 enemies at you. Sounds like I hated it, and I didnt. Still overall had fun. I just thought it definitely lived up to its rep as the black sheep. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
radical rhino 03/08/21 11:06:59 AM #120:	Reasons DS2 is my favorite: It had the 3 best DLCs until Ringed City came along. Its the longest Souls game. It has the most bosses, and while a lot of them are more like glorified mini-bosses, I still appreciate it. The first half of the game gives you a lot of freedom in what order you go through areas. You can die to a boss a few times, get frustrated, and switch to a different path completely until you level up some. I love the areas, and think they have some great variety. It feels like theyre more unique than the other 2 games. Pirate themed wharf. Majestic outdoor Heidis tower. Dragon Aerie. The creepy/mysterious Mansion. Radioactive Back Gulch. Torch-lit shanty-town Gutter. Shrine of Amana is beautiful and eerie. Drangleic Castle in the rain. Sandy crystal bug nest of Brightstone Cove. Jungle-themed ruins. --- .____ [____]===0 . . . . Ye olde beating stick. <cite>radical rhino posted [p:951478564] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Reasons DS2 is my favorite: It had the 3 best DLCs until Ringed City came along.Its the longest Souls game. It has the most bosses, and while a lot of them are more like glorified mini-bosses, I still appreciate it.The first half of the game gives you a lot of freedom in what order you go through areas. You can die to a boss a few times, get frustrated, and switch to a different path completely until you level up some.I love the areas, and think they have some great variety. It feels like theyre more unique than the other 2 games. Pirate themed wharf. Majestic outdoor Heidis tower. Dragon Aerie. The creepy/mysterious Mansion. Radioactive Back Gulch. Torch-lit shanty-town Gutter. Shrine of Amana is beautiful and eerie. Drangleic Castle in the rain. Sandy crystal bug nest of Brightstone Cove. Jungle-themed ruins.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Neoconkers 03/08/21 3:53:24 PM #121:	radical rhino posted... * The first half of the game gives you a lot of freedom in what order you go through areas. yeah I much prefer the start being open and narrowing to a finish rather than a set start and then opening near the end --- Girls = Time x Money. Time = Money. Girls = Money x Money = Money sq. Money = sqrt Evil: Girls = sqrt Evil sq. Girls = Evil <cite>Neoconkers posted [p:951488801] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>radical rhino posted... </cite> <quote>* The first half of the game gives you a lot of freedom in what order you go through areas. </quote>yeah I much prefer the start being open and narrowing to a finish rather than a set start and then opening near the end </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Northlane 03/08/21 4:28:56 PM #123:	Neoconkers posted... yeah I much prefer the start being open and narrowing to a finish rather than a set start and then opening near the end This is why I only played DkS3 once Way too linear --- "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life." <cite>Northlane posted [p:951490103] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Neoconkers posted... </cite> <quote>yeah I much prefer the start being open and narrowing to a finish rather than a set start and then opening near the end</quote>This is why I only played DkS3 once Way too linear </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/08/21 5:07:19 PM #124:	32 - Chaos Witch Quelaag (DS1) Amazing Chest Ahead! Quelaag makes quite an entrance, and memes/horny-jail aside, the contrast of the "beautiful maiden" upper body and "hideous hell-spider" lower body makes for one of the most visually striking boss designs in Souls. She is also mechanically the most complicated boss you've fought so far on your Souls journey, forcing you to dodge the wide swings of her blade while paying careful mind to the lava the spider half spews (not to mention the devastating AoE explosion, certain to teach you a lesson the hard way). The heartbreaking discovery of her dying sister behind her adds emotional complications to her as well. 31 - Iudex Gundyr (DS3) Dark Souls 3 wastes no time teaching you to expect the unexpected. Drawing the sword from Gundyr to wake him up is a really cool moment, and the fight itself is a fitting tutorial for dodging heavy blows... and then the writhing Pus of Man erupts from him, turning the battle on its head and likely sending even an experienced Souls player into a bit of a panic. This all makes for the best opening boss fight in the trilogy (granted, DS2 doesn't really have a "tutorial boss," so it's between Iudex and Asylum) and a fitting teaser for the horrors to come in Lothric. 30 - Smelter Demon (DS2) This boss's big brother, the Blue Smelter Demon, earned a bottom ten spot on the list for being derivative, having a DoT effect for the crime of simply standing near him, and featuring one of the worst runs back in the trilogy. Fortunately, the base Smelter Demon found in Iron Keep has no such problems. This boss's moveset is punishing if you aren't careful, but he provides a great mid-game challenge that might stonewall unfamiliar players for a bit as they learn his safe openings. Once he powers himself up mid-fight, you're in for an intense clash as you try to extinguish the Old Iron King's killer for good. 29 - Vordt of the Boreal Valley (DS3) If you compare and contrast the first "real" bosses at the end of each game's first area (Taurus Demon, Last Giant, and Vordt), this hunched over dog-like manbeast stands head and shoulders above the rest -- pun intended. While Vordt would have been a little too much as a tutorial boss, he provides a healthy amount of early-game challenge without really breaking your spirit. He introduces the Frostbite mechanic that you'll see plenty throughout your journey and most likely will serve as the one to teach any newcomers that you probably don't need to ALWAYS be locked on. Staying behind/under him and rolling past his attacks should make quick work of him, but he's still got a nice quick pace to his fight and is an almost perfectly tuned battle for this stage. Plus, he teases all the rest of the "fun times" associated with the Boreal Valley well in advance. 28 - Aava, the Kings Pet (DS2 - Crown of the Ivory King) Similarly to what I said about Blue Smelter vs. regular Smelter, the only reason Lud & Zallen found themselves so low on the list was because of an atrocious corpse run and being a repeat fight with an awkward mechanic. Even moreso than the Smelter Demon, though, Aava's base fight is just a total blast. If you're keeping score at home, there's only one non-dragon beast fight left on the list, so I hold Aava in quite high regard. This tiger will mess you up good and proper if you aren't paying attention to its moves and learning your openings, but once you're in the swing of it, the fight becomes a thrilling challenge to not mess up before you deplete Aava's huge health pool. Add in the fun twist of her being invisible if you don't heed the warnings to turn back before having the necessary item and you've got a winner. 27 - Old Demon King (DS3) This boss really put me through my paces back on my first ever playthrough back in the day. I didn't struggle quite as hard this time, but he's still got a pretty large moveset that will kill you in a big hurry if you aren't careful. I appreciate the addition of some (very) deadly pyromancy to this guy, preventing him from being just another big demon with a hammer and making you think on your feet. They did a great job in his design and his abilities of making him feel more "noble" than your typical demon. My favorite aspect of the fight, however, is when he lets out that last desperate burst of flame and then feebly struggles to stand back up as he awaits death. Only Dark Souls could non-verbally make you feel so guilty for the extinction of demons. 26 - Darklurker (DS2) Still keeping score at home? Then you'll notice that Darklurker here is the highest rated boss in all of Dark Souls 2!.. well, the base game, at least. I'd heard a lot about this fella and never fought him back in the day, since he is gated beyond a rather difficult covenant to figure out on your own. I will say that while I do think he is indeed the best fight in the base game, I was not so impressed that this is particularly high praise. Learning how to handle and dodge his spells was more fun than the rather routine sword dodging, and splitting in two halfway through the fight was a nice trick. This clearly was lifted and used to inspire the Pontiff Sulyvahn battle, which you'll notice has not yet been ranked. Credit where it's due, perhaps having beaten Sulyvahn years back at DS3 launch sucked a little impact away from Darklurker. All that said, if it sounds like I'm unimpressed it's only because I'd had Darklurker hyped up a bit. He's still a fun, challenging boss. The major problem that keeps him from going any higher is that his corpse run is absolute bullshit -- you have to spend an effigy every single time just for the privilege of attempting him? Not to mention getting past the invader-style enemies that you HAVE to kill? It's a total nightmare that drags him down considerably. 25 - Black Dragon Kalameet (DS1 - Artorias of the Abyss) Before Midir came for the title, we had the OG "enormous dragon that uses dark magic as well as fire that you have to weaken before you can fight him for real at the bottom of a valley," and his name was Kalameet. The gimmick of getting Gough to shoot him down is one of the more memorable sequences of my experience, and he puts up a hell of a fight. I love the red eye attack that places the double-digit ailment on you. Kalameet is intimidating as heck and slaying him truly makes you feel like one of the knights of legend. 24 - Dragonslayer Armor (DS3) Now THIS is how you incorporate an Ornstein reference without just literally having you fight Ornstein again like DS2. With clear visual cues, the player is obviously reminded of Ornstein, but you've got a whole new moveset to learn here. Dodging around his shield (which he can really ruin your day with) looking for openings is a genuine challenge, but you're not sure whether to be grateful or fearful when he swaps to the two-handed approach. The fight is made all the more challenging by those hideously disturbing pilgrim butterflies shooting... whatever the hell they're shooting at you, and the implication that they've animated this abandoned suit of armor raises a lot of questions that I'm still not certain I know the answers to. 23 - Oceiros, the Consumed King (DS3) Souls bosses aren't known for their chattiness, so Oceiros makes up for it by talking enough for all of them combined. This gibbering madman is a creepy homage to Seath, and his appearance and the invisible baby he is clutching will send you to YouTube for answers quicker than you can say "VaatiVidya." As a battle, Oceiros does a reverse Ludwig impression from Bloodborne, beginning as a man (of sorts) and then becoming a deranged beast. The whole thing makes for a great fight and an extremely memorable setpiece. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951491501] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>32 - Chaos Witch Quelaag (DS1) Amazing Chest Ahead! Quelaag makes quite an entrance, and memes/horny-jail aside, the contrast of the "beautiful maiden" upper body and "hideous hell-spider" lower body makes for one of the most visually striking boss designs in Souls. She is also mechanically the most complicated boss you've fought so far on your Souls journey, forcing you to dodge the wide swings of her blade while paying careful mind to the lava the spider half spews (not to mention the devastating AoE explosion, certain to teach you a lesson the hard way). The heartbreaking discovery of her dying sister behind her adds emotional complications to her as well. 31 - Iudex Gundyr (DS3) Dark Souls 3 wastes no time teaching you to expect the unexpected. Drawing the sword from Gundyr to wake him up is a really cool moment, and the fight itself is a fitting tutorial for dodging heavy blows... and then the writhing Pus of Man erupts from him, turning the battle on its head and likely sending even an experienced Souls player into a bit of a panic. This all makes for the best opening boss fight in the trilogy (granted, DS2 doesn't really have a "tutorial boss," so it's between Iudex and Asylum) and a fitting teaser for the horrors to come in Lothric. 30 - Smelter Demon (DS2) This boss's big brother, the Blue Smelter Demon, earned a bottom ten spot on the list for being derivative, having a DoT effect for the crime of simply standing near him, and featuring one of the worst runs back in the trilogy. Fortunately, the base Smelter Demon found in Iron Keep has no such problems. This boss's moveset is punishing if you aren't careful, but he provides a great mid-game challenge that might stonewall unfamiliar players for a bit as they learn his safe openings. Once he powers himself up mid-fight, you're in for an intense clash as you try to extinguish the Old Iron King's killer for good. 29 - Vordt of the Boreal Valley (DS3) If you compare and contrast the first "real" bosses at the end of each game's first area (Taurus Demon, Last Giant, and Vordt), this hunched over dog-like manbeast stands head and shoulders above the rest -- pun intended. While Vordt would have been a little too much as a tutorial boss, he provides a healthy amount of early-game challenge without really breaking your spirit. He introduces the Frostbite mechanic that you'll see plenty throughout your journey and most likely will serve as the one to teach any newcomers that you probably don't need to ALWAYS be locked on. Staying behind/under him and rolling past his attacks should make quick work of him, but he's still got a nice quick pace to his fight and is an almost perfectly tuned battle for this stage. Plus, he teases all the rest of the "fun times" associated with the Boreal Valley well in advance. 28 - Aava, the Kings Pet (DS2 - Crown of the Ivory King) Similarly to what I said about Blue Smelter vs. regular Smelter, the only reason Lud & Zallen found themselves so low on the list was because of an atrocious corpse run and being a repeat fight with an awkward mechanic. Even moreso than the Smelter Demon, though, Aava's base fight is just a total blast. If you're keeping score at home, there's only one non-dragon beast fight left on the list, so I hold Aava in quite high regard. This tiger will mess you up good and proper if you aren't paying attention to its moves and learning your openings, but once you're in the swing of it, the fight becomes a thrilling challenge to not mess up before you deplete Aava's huge health pool. Add in the fun twist of her being invisible if you don't heed the warnings to turn back before having the necessary item and you've got a winner. 27 - Old Demon King (DS3) This boss really put me through my paces back on my first ever playthrough back in the day. I didn't struggle quite as hard this time, but he's still got a pretty large moveset that will kill you in a big hurry if you aren't careful. I appreciate the addition of some (very) deadly pyromancy to this guy, preventing him from being just another big demon with a hammer and making you think on your feet. They did a great job in his design and his abilities of making him feel more "noble" than your typical demon. My favorite aspect of the fight, however, is when he lets out that last desperate burst of flame and then feebly struggles to stand back up as he awaits death. Only Dark Souls could non-verbally make you feel so guilty for the extinction of demons. 26 - Darklurker (DS2) Still keeping score at home? Then you'll notice that Darklurker here is the highest rated boss in all of Dark Souls 2!.. well, the base game, at least. I'd heard a lot about this fella and never fought him back in the day, since he is gated beyond a rather difficult covenant to figure out on your own. I will say that while I do think he is indeed the best fight in the base game, I was not so impressed that this is particularly high praise. Learning how to handle and dodge his spells was more fun than the rather routine sword dodging, and splitting in two halfway through the fight was a nice trick. This clearly was lifted and used to inspire the Pontiff Sulyvahn battle, which you'll notice has not yet been ranked. Credit where it's due, perhaps having beaten Sulyvahn years back at DS3 launch sucked a little impact away from Darklurker. All that said, if it sounds like I'm unimpressed it's only because I'd had Darklurker hyped up a bit. He's still a fun, challenging boss. The major problem that keeps him from going any higher is that his corpse run is absolute bullshit -- you have to spend an effigy every single time just for the privilege of attempting him? Not to mention getting past the invader-style enemies that you HAVE to kill? It's a total nightmare that drags him down considerably. 25 - Black Dragon Kalameet (DS1 - Artorias of the Abyss) Before Midir came for the title, we had the OG "enormous dragon that uses dark magic as well as fire that you have to weaken before you can fight him for real at the bottom of a valley," and his name was Kalameet. The gimmick of getting Gough to shoot him down is one of the more memorable sequences of my experience, and he puts up a hell of a fight. I love the red eye attack that places the double-digit ailment on you. Kalameet is intimidating as heck and slaying him truly makes you feel like one of the knights of legend. 24 - Dragonslayer Armor (DS3) Now THIS is how you incorporate an Ornstein reference without just literally having you fight Ornstein again like DS2. With clear visual cues, the player is obviously reminded of Ornstein, but you've got a whole new moveset to learn here. Dodging around his shield (which he can really ruin your day with) looking for openings is a genuine challenge, but you're not sure whether to be grateful or fearful when he swaps to the two-handed approach. The fight is made all the more challenging by those hideously disturbing pilgrim butterflies shooting... whatever the hell they're shooting at you, and the implication that they've animated this abandoned suit of armor raises a lot of questions that I'm still not certain I know the answers to. 23 - Oceiros, the Consumed King (DS3) Souls bosses aren't known for their chattiness, so Oceiros makes up for it by talking enough for all of them combined. This gibbering madman is a creepy homage to Seath, and his appearance and the invisible baby he is clutching will send you to YouTube for answers quicker than you can say "VaatiVidya." As a battle, Oceiros does a reverse Ludwig impression from Bloodborne, beginning as a man (of sorts) and then becoming a deranged beast. The whole thing makes for a great fight and an extremely memorable setpiece. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/08/21 5:08:59 PM #125:	Only 22 left, which means only one more group of ten before I begin the individual posts for the top 12! In alphabetical order: Abyss Watchers Aldrich, Devourer of Gods Burnt Ivory King Champion Gundyr Dancer of the Boreal Valley Darkeater Midir Demon Prince Four Kings Fume Knight Great Grey Wolf Sif Gwyn, Lord of Cinder Knight Artorias Manus, Father of the Abyss Nameless King Ornstein & Smough Pontiff Sulyvahn Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon Sir Alonne Sister Friede Slave Knight Gael Soul of Cinder Twin Princes Feel free to take your guesses at who will crack the top 12, if you like. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951491571] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Only 22 left, which means only one more group of ten before I begin the individual posts for the top 12! In alphabetical order: Abyss Watchers Aldrich, Devourer of Gods Burnt Ivory King Champion Gundyr Dancer of the Boreal Valley Darkeater Midir Demon Prince Four Kings Fume Knight Great Grey Wolf Sif Gwyn, Lord of Cinder Knight Artorias Manus, Father of the Abyss Nameless King Ornstein & Smough Pontiff Sulyvahn Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon Sir Alonne Sister Friede Slave Knight Gael Soul of Cinder Twin Princes Feel free to take your guesses at who will crack the top 12, if you like. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
radical rhino 03/08/21 5:23:18 PM #126:	Since youre taking into account presentation, I think Ivory King is in top 5. His entrance is metal as fuck. --- .____ [____]===0 . . . . Ye olde beating stick. <cite>radical rhino posted [p:951492118] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Since youre taking into account presentation, I think Ivory King is in top 5. His entrance is metal as fuck. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
UnholyMudcrab 03/08/21 6:02:04 PM #127:	I think I'll have to disagree about Red Smelter not having a bad run back. You're pretty much forced into fighting the Alonne knights since they're so fast they'll just catch you if you try to run past them. Also, he does gain a DoT effect a little bit into the fight. It's small enough you can offset it with a life gem, but it is there. --- https://imgur.com/VeNBg https://imgur.com/gd5jC8q https://imgur.com/PKIy7 https://imgur.com/3p29JqP <cite>UnholyMudcrab posted [p:951493444] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>I think I'll have to disagree about Red Smelter not having a bad run back. You're pretty much forced into fighting the Alonne knights since they're so fast they'll just catch you if you try to run past them. Also, he does gain a DoT effect a little bit into the fight. It's small enough you can offset it with a life gem, but it is there.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/08/21 6:20:31 PM #128:	UnholyMudcrab posted... I think I'll have to disagree about Red Smelter not having a bad run back. You're pretty much forced into fighting the Alonne knights since they're so fast they'll just catch you if you try to run past them. Also, he does gain a DoT effect a little bit into the fight. It's small enough you can offset it with a life gem, but it is there. Well, yeah, youre right. His run back kinda sucks. Its just as egregious as Blue. It doesnt stand out as ESPECIALLY bad. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951494078] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>UnholyMudcrab posted... </cite> <quote>I think I'll have to disagree about Red Smelter not having a bad run back. You're pretty much forced into fighting the Alonne knights since they're so fast they'll just catch you if you try to run past them. Also, he does gain a DoT effect a little bit into the fight. It's small enough you can offset it with a life gem, but it is there.</quote>Well, yeah, youre right. His run back kinda sucks. Its just as egregious as Blue. It doesnt stand out as ESPECIALLY bad. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
MorganTJ 03/08/21 6:39:17 PM #130:	The Red Smelter Demon run back is what made me give up on my dual claws build for 2. Turns out Bleed is terrible against armored foes. <cite>MorganTJ posted [p:951494789] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>The Red Smelter Demon run back is what made me give up on my dual claws build for 2. Turns out Bleed is terrible against armored foes. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CapnMuffin 03/08/21 7:16:35 PM #131:	At least the gauntlet of Allonne knights are easy to tackle. Just baiting an enemy and dealing with a rather predictable moveset. Getting back to any of the DLC optional bosses is a headache. And yeah Darklurker suuuucks. I gave up on that boss simply due to the price of reentry. I had him at a sliver of health so good enough for me. <cite>CapnMuffin posted [p:951496092] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>At least the gauntlet of Allonne knights are easy to tackle. Just baiting an enemy and dealing with a rather predictable moveset. Getting back to any of the DLC optional bosses is a headache. And yeah Darklurker suuuucks. I gave up on that boss simply due to the price of reentry. I had him at a sliver of health so good enough for me. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
TheGreatEscape 03/08/21 7:18:05 PM #132:	i'm big four kings hater and i'm surprised it's still in the running. it has some spectacle value for sure but it's a pretty bad fight imo. i'm mostly fine with everything else that's left though --- The user formerly known as RogerHuxley <cite>TheGreatEscape posted [p:951496144] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>i'm big four kings hater and i'm surprised it's still in the running. it has some spectacle value for sure but it's a pretty bad fight imo. i'm mostly fine with everything else that's left though </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/08/21 7:49:06 PM #133:	TheGreatEscape posted... i'm big four kings hater and i'm surprised it's still in the running. it has some spectacle value for sure but it's a pretty bad fight imo. i'm mostly fine with everything else that's left though Yeah, well, I've got news for you, it's #1 on the list!!!! okay no it isn't --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951497316] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>TheGreatEscape posted... </cite> <quote>i'm big four kings hater and i'm surprised it's still in the running. it has some spectacle value for sure but it's a pretty bad fight imo. i'm mostly fine with everything else that's left though</quote>Yeah, well, I've got news for you, it's #1 on the list!!!! okay no it isn't </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Zodd3224 03/08/21 8:22:25 PM #134:	UnholyMudcrab posted... I think I'll have to disagree about Red Smelter not having a bad run back. You're pretty much forced into fighting the Alonne knights since they're so fast they'll just catch you if you try to run past them. Also, he does gain a DoT effect a little bit into the fight. It's small enough you can offset it with a life gem, but it is there. Its the worst one in the base game --- https://imgur.com/a/X14Jka4 <cite>Zodd3224 posted [p:951498520] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>UnholyMudcrab posted... </cite> <quote>I think I'll have to disagree about Red Smelter not having a bad run back. You're pretty much forced into fighting the Alonne knights since they're so fast they'll just catch you if you try to run past them. Also, he does gain a DoT effect a little bit into the fight. It's small enough you can offset it with a life gem, but it is there.</quote> Its the worst one in the base game </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
radical rhino 03/08/21 8:27:58 PM #135:	I havent played SotFS, but I understand it changed a lot about Iron Keep enemy placement. Probably impacts how people feel about the boss run. --- .____ [____]===0 . . . . Ye olde beating stick. <cite>radical rhino posted [p:951498725] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>I havent played SotFS, but I understand it changed a lot about Iron Keep enemy placement. Probably impacts how people feel about the boss run. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Neoconkers 03/08/21 9:05:57 PM #136:	Blackstar110 posted... 30 - Smelter Demon (DS2) This boss's big brother, the Blue Smelter Demon, earned a bottom ten spot on the list for being derivative, having a DoT effect for the crime of simply standing near him, and featuring one of the worst runs back in the trilogy. Fortunately, the base Smelter Demon found in Iron Keep has no such problems. interesting reasonings, since the run back for Red is awful and it also has a draining effect when standing near him in phase 3. However, he is much better than the blue one because A) his elemental damage is obvious (why the fuck is the other big flaming demon MAGIC and not FIRE), and B) he's the original so learning the timings of his attacks is part of the challenge as opposed to UNlearning the patterns as you need to for the blue one. radical rhino posted... I havent played SotFS, but I understand it changed a lot about Iron Keep enemy placement. Probably impacts how people feel about the boss run. don't worry, it still kinda sucks. --- Girls = Time x Money. Time = Money. Girls = Money x Money = Money sq. Money = sqrt Evil: Girls = sqrt Evil sq. Girls = Evil <cite>Neoconkers posted [p:951500080] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Blackstar110 posted... </cite> <quote>30 - Smelter Demon (DS2) This boss's big brother, the Blue Smelter Demon, earned a bottom ten spot on the list for being derivative, having a DoT effect for the crime of simply standing near him, and featuring one of the worst runs back in the trilogy. Fortunately, the base Smelter Demon found in Iron Keep has no such problems.</quote>interesting reasonings, since the run back for Red is awful and it also has a draining effect when standing near him in phase 3. However, he is much better than the blue one because A) his elemental damage is obvious (why the fuck is the other big flaming demon MAGIC and not FIRE), and B) he's the original so learning the timings of his attacks is part of the challenge as opposed to UNlearning the patterns as you need to for the blue one. radical rhino posted... </cite> <quote>I havent played SotFS, but I understand it changed a lot about Iron Keep enemy placement. Probably impacts how people feel about the boss run.</quote>don't worry, it still kinda sucks. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/08/21 10:15:13 PM #137:	radical rhino posted... I havent played SotFS, but I understand it changed a lot about Iron Keep enemy placement. Probably impacts how people feel about the boss run. Ill say that its been long enough since I played base DS2 (launch) that playing Scholar now, I was excited to see the new and improved enemy placements. I was less than impressed. Theyre noticeably bad compared to 1 and 3. Also, the points Ive gotten on Smelter are well taken. I beat Red Smelter on my first attempt, so I was not really thinking so critically about his corpse run, nor did I notice his fire aura. Thats my bad, not the best job on my end. I shouldve thought about it considering how annoying I found the Iron Keep enemies. That said I do still kinda like him. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951502403] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>radical rhino posted... </cite> <quote>I havent played SotFS, but I understand it changed a lot about Iron Keep enemy placement. Probably impacts how people feel about the boss run.</quote>Ill say that its been long enough since I played base DS2 (launch) that playing Scholar now, I was excited to see the new and improved enemy placements. I was less than impressed. Theyre noticeably bad compared to 1 and 3. Also, the points Ive gotten on Smelter are well taken. I beat Red Smelter on my first attempt, so I was not really thinking so critically about his corpse run, nor did I notice his fire aura. Thats my bad, not the best job on my end. I shouldve thought about it considering how annoying I found the Iron Keep enemies. That said I do still kinda like him. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
UnholyMudcrab 03/08/21 10:16:12 PM #138:	Oh, don't get me wrong, Smelter is a great fight. I just don't like the Alonne knights --- https://imgur.com/VeNBg https://imgur.com/gd5jC8q https://imgur.com/PKIy7 https://imgur.com/3p29JqP <cite>UnholyMudcrab posted [p:951502435] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Oh, don't get me wrong, Smelter is a great fight. I just don't like the Alonne knights </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Middle hope 03/08/21 10:19:03 PM #139:	Champion Gundyr is a top tier for me. He really needed the old king Doran scream though --- https://imgur.com/iQep35u https://imgur.com/PmX8smn https://imgur.com/mwTy0iF https://imgur.com/FCER80e <cite>Middle hope posted [p:951502544] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Champion Gundyr is a top tier for me. He really needed the old king Doran scream though </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KINDERFELD 03/09/21 1:00:12 AM #140:	radical rhino posted... Reasons DS2 is my favorite: * It had the 3 best DLCs until Ringed City came along. * Its the longest Souls game. It has the most bosses, and while a lot of them are more like glorified mini-bosses, I still appreciate it. * The first half of the game gives you a lot of freedom in what order you go through areas. You can die to a boss a few times, get frustrated, and switch to a different path completely until you level up some. * I love the areas, and think they have some great variety. It feels like theyre more unique than the other 2 games. Pirate themed wharf. Majestic outdoor Heidis tower. Dragon Aerie. The creepy/mysterious Mansion. Radioactive Back Gulch. Torch-lit shanty-town Gutter. Shrine of Amana is beautiful and eerie. Drangleic Castle in the rain. Sandy crystal bug nest of Brightstone Cove. Jungle-themed ruins. Pretty much sums up why its my favorite of the series. --- BLACK LIVES MATTER <cite>KINDERFELD posted [p:951506715] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>radical rhino posted... </cite> <quote>Reasons DS2 is my favorite: * It had the 3 best DLCs until Ringed City came along. * Its the longest Souls game. It has the most bosses, and while a lot of them are more like glorified mini-bosses, I still appreciate it. * The first half of the game gives you a lot of freedom in what order you go through areas. You can die to a boss a few times, get frustrated, and switch to a different path completely until you level up some. * I love the areas, and think they have some great variety. It feels like theyre more unique than the other 2 games. Pirate themed wharf. Majestic outdoor Heidis tower. Dragon Aerie. The creepy/mysterious Mansion. Radioactive Back Gulch. Torch-lit shanty-town Gutter. Shrine of Amana is beautiful and eerie. Drangleic Castle in the rain. Sandy crystal bug nest of Brightstone Cove. Jungle-themed ruins.</quote> Pretty much sums up why its my favorite of the series. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Ermac 03/09/21 2:01:41 AM #141:	radical rhino posted... The first half of the game gives you a lot of freedom in what order you go through areas. You can die to a boss a few times, get frustrated, and switch to a different path completely until you level up some. This is actually my least favorite thing of ds2, next to the limited amount of human effigies and upgrade mats, which is something not enough people complain about imo im playing ds2 sotfs right now for the first playthrough, im almost done with the dlcs, but i had alot of trouble before reaching level 90 or so In ds1 you can start with the cleric then get Astoras Straight sword and your good until sens fortress. ds3 has similar things too, but 2 just sends you straight into hell with slow animations due to low adp and scarce upgrade materials. It encourages farming more than the others, but punishes you for farming --- We are many, you are but one <cite>Ermac posted [p:951507816] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>radical rhino posted... </cite> <quote>The first half of the game gives you a lot of freedom in what order you go through areas. You can die to a boss a few times, get frustrated, and switch to a different path completely until you level up some.</quote> This is actually my least favorite thing of ds2, next to the limited amount of human effigies and upgrade mats, which is something not enough people complain about imo im playing ds2 sotfs right now for the first playthrough, im almost done with the dlcs, but i had alot of trouble before reaching level 90 or so In ds1 you can start with the cleric then get Astoras Straight sword and your good until sens fortress. ds3 has similar things too, but 2 just sends you straight into hell with slow animations due to low adp and scarce upgrade materials. It encourages farming more than the others, but punishes you for farming </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KINDERFELD 03/09/21 2:08:16 AM #142:	Ermac posted... This is actually my least favorite thing of ds2, next to the limited amount of human effigies and upgrade mats, which is something not enough people complain about imo im playing ds2 sotfs right now for the first playthrough, im almost done with the dlcs, but i had alot of trouble before reaching level 90 or so In ds1 you can start with the cleric then get Astoras Straight sword and your good until sens fortress. ds3 has similar things too, but 2 just sends you straight into hell with slow animations due to low adp and scarce upgrade materials. It encourages farming more than the others, but punishes you for farming As you farm, you should become more familiarized with the stage and the enemy attack patterns etc, so you die less and need humab effigies less. I currently have 50 of them and never seem to have less than 47 at any time. Also, depending on what covenant you're in, you get them for killing invaders. I think you were rushing the game based on your skill level. --- BLACK LIVES MATTER <cite>KINDERFELD posted [p:951507915] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Ermac posted... </cite> <quote>This is actually my least favorite thing of ds2, next to the limited amount of human effigies and upgrade mats, which is something not enough people complain about imo im playing ds2 sotfs right now for the first playthrough, im almost done with the dlcs, but i had alot of trouble before reaching level 90 or so In ds1 you can start with the cleric then get Astoras Straight sword and your good until sens fortress. ds3 has similar things too, but 2 just sends you straight into hell with slow animations due to low adp and scarce upgrade materials. It encourages farming more than the others, but punishes you for farming</quote> As you farm, you should become more familiarized with the stage and the enemy attack patterns etc, so you die less and need humab effigies less. I currently have 50 of them and never seem to have less than 47 at any time. Also, depending on what covenant you're in, you get them for killing invaders. I think you were rushing the game based on your skill level. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
ultimate reaver 03/09/21 2:14:46 AM #143:	Iron keeps first boss run sucked in vanilla ds2 but they made it so bad in sotfs that half the people I speak to about these games actually grounded the enemies in that area until they stopped spawning whether intentionally or just from trying so many times. Its inexcusable, and nothing is as bad as it except for Iron Passage which is probably the worst area in any souls game period Its a perfect encapsulation of that games dog brained level design. Nothing interesting is going on with the terrain layout and the area itself is basically just two halls and a big open box.To put lipstick on the pig they distract you by copy pasting enemies like a kid playing the age of empires 2 map editor --- I pray god will curse the writer, as the writer has cursed the world with this beautiful, stupendous creation, terrible in its simplicity, irresistible in truth <cite>ultimate reaver posted [p:951508015] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Iron keeps first boss run sucked in vanilla ds2 but they made it so bad in sotfs that half the people I speak to about these games actually grounded the enemies in that area until they stopped spawning whether intentionally or just from trying so many times. Its inexcusable, and nothing is as bad as it except for Iron Passage which is probably the worst area in any souls game period Its a perfect encapsulation of that games dog brained level design. Nothing interesting is going on with the terrain layout and the area itself is basically just two halls and a big open box.To put lipstick on the pig they distract you by copy pasting enemies like a kid playing the age of empires 2 map editor </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Sackgurl 03/09/21 2:36:20 AM #144:	Blackstar110 posted... Great Grey Wolf Sif #1 obviously --- LittleBigPlanet is like merging dress-up with a real game. <cite>Sackgurl posted [p:951508349] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Blackstar110 posted... </cite> <quote>Great Grey Wolf Sif</quote>#1 obviously </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
DrizztLink 03/09/21 6:16:20 AM #145:	I'm the first to admit that I REALLY suck at Dark Souls, but even I thought Covetous Demon was a joke. He killed me once because for reasons I still haven't figured out, my dude just straight up stopped moving. Controller was still on, he just stood there and let the slugboy kill him. It took like thirty seconds. --- http://guidesmedia.ign.com/guides/9846/images/slowpoke.gif https://imgur.com/M8h2ATe https://imgur.com/6ezFwG1 <cite>DrizztLink posted [p:951510818] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>I'm the first to admit that I REALLY suck at Dark Souls, but even I thought Covetous Demon was a joke. He killed me once because for reasons I still haven't figured out, my dude just straight up stopped moving. Controller was still on, he just stood there and let the slugboy kill him. It took like thirty seconds. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
TheGreatEscape 03/09/21 8:18:41 AM #146:	DrizztLink posted... I'm the first to admit that I REALLY suck at Dark Souls, but even I thought Covetous Demon was a joke. He killed me once because for reasons I still haven't figured out, my dude just straight up stopped moving. Controller was still on, he just stood there and let the slugboy kill him. It took like thirty seconds. i'm bad at those games too and yeah this boss is definitely not particularly threatening i think he has one attack that deals a fuck ton of damage but you really have to let him get to you. + I really like how gross he looks though --- The user formerly known as RogerHuxley <cite>TheGreatEscape posted [p:951512618] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>DrizztLink posted... </cite> <quote>I'm the first to admit that I REALLY suck at Dark Souls, but even I thought Covetous Demon was a joke. He killed me once because for reasons I still haven't figured out, my dude just straight up stopped moving. Controller was still on, he just stood there and let the slugboy kill him. It took like thirty seconds.</quote> i'm bad at those games too and yeah this boss is definitely not particularly threatening i think he has one attack that deals a fuck ton of damage but you really have to let him get to you. + I really like how gross he looks though </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CapnMuffin 03/09/21 8:28:43 AM #147:	Neat detail but you can shoot the hanging jars to release a corpse which will cause it to be distracted to eat it. <cite>CapnMuffin posted [p:951512846] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Neat detail but you can shoot the hanging jars to release a corpse which will cause it to be distracted to eat it. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/09/21 10:07:51 AM #148:	CapnMuffin posted... Neat detail but you can shoot the hanging jars to release a corpse which will cause it to be distracted to eat it. Thats a lot of fun! Never knew that. ultimate reaver posted... Its a perfect encapsulation of that games dog brained level design. Nothing interesting is going on with the terrain layout and the area itself is basically just two halls and a big open box.To put lipstick on the pig they distract you by copy pasting enemies like a kid playing the age of empires 2 map editor Well said. DS2 has so many areas that are just an ugly box with arbitrarily placed enemy spam, just standing around and waiting for you to bait them one by one. Its one of the main problems in DS1s Demon Ruins, where the Tauruses and Capras are just standing there in video gamey formation, only made punishing by their quantity, but present throughout much of the game. Again, I liked playing through DS2 and the dlc in particular was way stronger, but I cant get my head around the people ITT saying it was their favorite. Of course thats how opinions work, all well and good. Theres just so many weird decisions and weaker designs in DS2. Id suspect it was made by a B-team while they worked on Bloodborne even if I didnt know that for a fact. But again, the tragedy lies in that DS2 also has really cool stuff. Some great setpieces and particularly post-Scholar truly fascinating lore/story. Its just for every cool thing you have an Ancient Dragon fight or a room with 3000 Pharros lockstones or a continuously decaying health bar dependent on a limited resource etc. I guess the way I put it to friends while I was playing it is every time you start really having fun, the game reminds you its Dark Souls 2. Doesnt mean its not fun on the whole, it just cant stop stepping on its own toes. Even in the excellent DLC they somehow put one horrible area in each. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951515146] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>CapnMuffin posted... </cite> <quote>Neat detail but you can shoot the hanging jars to release a corpse which will cause it to be distracted to eat it.</quote>Thats a lot of fun! Never knew that. ultimate reaver posted... </cite> <quote>Its a perfect encapsulation of that games dog brained level design. Nothing interesting is going on with the terrain layout and the area itself is basically just two halls and a big open box.To put lipstick on the pig they distract you by copy pasting enemies like a kid playing the age of empires 2 map editor</quote>Well said. DS2 has so many areas that are just an ugly box with arbitrarily placed enemy spam, just standing around and waiting for you to bait them one by one. Its one of the main problems in DS1s Demon Ruins, where the Tauruses and Capras are just standing there in video gamey formation, only made punishing by their quantity, but present throughout much of the game. Again, I liked playing through DS2 and the dlc in particular was way stronger, but I cant get my head around the people ITT saying it was their favorite. Of course thats how opinions work, all well and good. Theres just so many weird decisions and weaker designs in DS2. Id suspect it was made by a B-team while they worked on Bloodborne even if I didnt know that for a fact. But again, the tragedy lies in that DS2 also has really cool stuff. Some great setpieces and particularly post-Scholar truly fascinating lore/story. Its just for every cool thing you have an Ancient Dragon fight or a room with 3000 Pharros lockstones or a continuously decaying health bar dependent on a limited resource etc. I guess the way I put it to friends while I was playing it is every time you start really having fun, the game reminds you its Dark Souls 2. Doesnt mean its not fun on the whole, it just cant stop stepping on its own toes. Even in the excellent DLC they somehow put one horrible area in each. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KINDERFELD 03/09/21 2:44:51 PM #149:	I just got to Sanctum Nadir in SotfS. Its kinda lazy on the devs part in this area. Literally go from one boss to another like it's a boss rush mode. Very lazy development. --- BLACK LIVES MATTER <cite>KINDERFELD posted [p:951524685] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>I just got to Sanctum Nadir in SotfS. Its kinda lazy on the devs part in this area. Literally go from one boss to another like it's a boss rush mode. Very lazy development. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/09/21 3:02:31 PM #150:	Getting to work on the last batch of ten before our Top 12! --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951525352] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Getting to work on the last batch of ten before our Top 12! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/09/21 3:58:25 PM #151:	22 - Aldrich, Devourer of Gods (DS3) Though it is admittedly as fanservicey as fanservice gets, the surprise return trip to Anor Londo is one of my favorite parts of DS3 (I do wish it were longer). It elevates itself beyond being just fanservice by the way the lore ties in, with Pontiff Sulyvahn ruling with an iron fist at the foot of the old cathedral, his alliance with Saint Aldrich leading to the cannibal quite literally feasting on the power of the gods. Realizing Aldrich was in the middle of eating Gwyndolin when you enter the old Ornstein & Smough arena was equal parts cool and dark. To top it off, Aldrich's mechanics are pretty tight too with a wide variety of abilities to keep you on your toes whether you're up close or at range -- those arrows are brutal! A unique fight that is a fitting finale for the Irithyll/Anor Londo chapter of the game. 21 - Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon (DS2 - Crown of the Sunken King) As the final encounter in DS2's first DLC pack, Sinh checks a lot of boxes for a great Souls fight. Spectacle? Check, he's a big dragon, hard to mess that up too bad. Lore? Check, he was worshipped by the people of Shulva before being poisoned by Elana and accidentally unleashed by the greed of the Drakeblood Knights, leading to the ruin of the city. Combat? Check, given a strong balance of aerial maneuvering, a breath over his shoulder if you're hugging his side, and a breath straight down if you're staying under him, not to mention the poisonous aspects of many attacks. I don't see Sinh discussed much, but I believe he's the second best dragon fight in the trilogy by a fairly comfortable margin. 20 - Demon Prince (DS3 - The Ringed City) While Sinh claims second place for dragon fights, the Demon Prince claims the top spot as daddy of all demon bosses. The opening portion against the Demon in Pain and the Demon from Below is challenging enough, prioritizing which one is enflamed and keeping the other at range. Of course, once you defeat them, you are treated to a reunion of the soul they were sharing between them, the Demon Prince that Lorian had slain in ages past. And man, what a badass Lorian must have been in his prime, because the Demon Prince does not mess around. He gets different attacks depending on which you kill first in phase one, but neither are a cakewalk and you will be punished for any greed. I personally managed to get him down in what was essentially a DPS race, because those fire attacks are no joke. Adding to the spectacle and "cool factor" is that if you look closely, the fight takes place in the ruins of the original Firelink Shrine and enter by jumping through an archtree. Gotta love it. 19 - Great Grey Wolf Sif (DS1) The goodest boi in all of Souls can't really go much higher than this due to being outflanked mechanically by other beastly bosses in future installments, but Sif is just so iconic. The ambiance of his arena, the lore surrounding him and Artorias, and the heartbreaking limping towards the end of the fight make Sif one of the definitive Souls encounters. If you're masochistic enough to trigger the bonus cutscene by playing Artorias of the Abyss before tackling Sif, get your handkerchiefs ready and Prepare to Cry as you duel your old friend to the death for your sacred tasks. 18 - Four Kings (DS1) Few areas in the trilogy are as disquieting and unnerving as New Londo Ruins, and they have a boss fight to match. Plunging into the blackness of the abyss and being greeted by nothing is such a tense moment, and the game makes you sweat it out. You don't land right in front of a King, and one doesn't spawn right away. It takes a second, and then off in the distance, you see him. While the Kings themselves don't have the world's most diverse moveset, it becomes a harrowing DPS race if you struggle to capitalize on your windows and start getting ganged up on. This fight is creepy and stressful and otherworldly in all the ways Souls does best. 17 - Dancer of the Boreal Valley (DS3) If you have gotten proficient enough at rolling and dodging, the Dancer isn't a huge threat, but she is absolutely captivating in design. Her sickly fluid motions and hunched posture convey both grace and twisted perversion, and once she enters that second phase and begins whirling around the room, she truly lives up to her name as Dancer. Despite not needing many attempts to get past her, she sticks out in my mind as a prominent example of immediately resonant and iconic monster design, and even once you have her mechanics down pat, dancing with her is a blast. 16 - Sir Alonne (DS2 - Crown of the Old Iron King) Another miserable corpse run from this DLC can't stop Sir Alonne from being one of the finer duels in the series. You'll notice a lot of high-end representation for duels against roughly human-sized foes, and Alonne clocks in at the bottom spot of the top tier as far as those are concerned. His moveset is not the hardest to learn -- he's punishing, but he's got some pretty clear openings if you aren't greedy -- but it's got some really fun timing to get down. Alonne's lore as an alienated ex-ally of the Iron King's is fascinating as well, as is the implication that, since you are in the memory of the Iron King when you fight him, you are reliving the Iron King tracking down and murdering his old friend. His boss room is, put simply, extremely dope as well. 15 - Soul of Cinder (DS3) Rounding the corner and bringing us into the top fifteen is the Soul of Cinder, the final encounter of base DS3. There could be no more fitting ending than tackling an amalgamation of all the linkers of the fire -- no matter what kind of build you were, you can recognize your DS1 and DS2 characters in the moveset, and I think that is a simply wonderful way to represent the playerbase and the cycle itself as the final boss. Then, of course, you enter phase two, the familiar theme of Gwyn comes over the top of the music, and you engage one last time with the soul of the selfish, misguided lord who set the trilogy in motion. It is a moving and suitable conclusion to the main story, held out of the very top end only by not being a hugely compelling fight mechanically. 14 - Burnt Ivory King (DS3 - Crown of the Ivory King) If this list was based only on presentation, the Burnt Ivory King would clock in top five without breaking a sweat. Stepping through the fog gate and plunging from icy Eleum Loyce directly into the heart of the Old Chaos is one of the premier nerd-chills moments in the entire trilogy, accompanied perfectly by the swoop of the camera and the shriek of the music. Exploring your way through the city to rescue the knights to help you take down their corrupted comrades is a really awesome and rewarding idea, unique to this fight, and then the King makes his entrance... and it is metal as hell. Taking him down after an introduction that would make Sauron blush feels great, and the lore of his character as one of the truly noble characters in our story makes the encounter all the more lovable. This guy made a daughter of Manus see that goodness was a worthy cause by loving her and trusting her despite knowing what she was. What a boss indeed. 13 - Ornstein & Smough (DS1) I'm uncertain if not having O&S quite crack the top twelve will be considered heresy, but it's not for lack of impact. These two are the OGs when it comes to banging your head against the wall as a newcomer, and provide a truly potent challenge even all these years later as a wily vet. I love that you can pick your poison on which phase two you want by how you handle phase one (a bit like the Demon Prince, but with even more impact). They may have been outdone by later fights in the trilogy, but no one can take away their lasting legacy as absolutely definitive Souls bosses. --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951527247] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>22 - Aldrich, Devourer of Gods (DS3) Though it is admittedly as fanservicey as fanservice gets, the surprise return trip to Anor Londo is one of my favorite parts of DS3 (I do wish it were longer). It elevates itself beyond being just fanservice by the way the lore ties in, with Pontiff Sulyvahn ruling with an iron fist at the foot of the old cathedral, his alliance with Saint Aldrich leading to the cannibal quite literally feasting on the power of the gods. Realizing Aldrich was in the middle of eating Gwyndolin when you enter the old Ornstein & Smough arena was equal parts cool and dark. To top it off, Aldrich's mechanics are pretty tight too with a wide variety of abilities to keep you on your toes whether you're up close or at range -- those arrows are brutal! A unique fight that is a fitting finale for the Irithyll/Anor Londo chapter of the game. 21 - Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon (DS2 - Crown of the Sunken King) As the final encounter in DS2's first DLC pack, Sinh checks a lot of boxes for a great Souls fight. Spectacle? Check, he's a big dragon, hard to mess that up too bad. Lore? Check, he was worshipped by the people of Shulva before being poisoned by Elana and accidentally unleashed by the greed of the Drakeblood Knights, leading to the ruin of the city. Combat? Check, given a strong balance of aerial maneuvering, a breath over his shoulder if you're hugging his side, and a breath straight down if you're staying under him, not to mention the poisonous aspects of many attacks. I don't see Sinh discussed much, but I believe he's the second best dragon fight in the trilogy by a fairly comfortable margin. 20 - Demon Prince (DS3 - The Ringed City) While Sinh claims second place for dragon fights, the Demon Prince claims the top spot as daddy of all demon bosses. The opening portion against the Demon in Pain and the Demon from Below is challenging enough, prioritizing which one is enflamed and keeping the other at range. Of course, once you defeat them, you are treated to a reunion of the soul they were sharing between them, the Demon Prince that Lorian had slain in ages past. And man, what a badass Lorian must have been in his prime, because the Demon Prince does not mess around. He gets different attacks depending on which you kill first in phase one, but neither are a cakewalk and you will be punished for any greed. I personally managed to get him down in what was essentially a DPS race, because those fire attacks are no joke. Adding to the spectacle and "cool factor" is that if you look closely, the fight takes place in the ruins of the original Firelink Shrine and enter by jumping through an archtree. Gotta love it. 19 - Great Grey Wolf Sif (DS1) The goodest boi in all of Souls can't really go much higher than this due to being outflanked mechanically by other beastly bosses in future installments, but Sif is just so iconic. The ambiance of his arena, the lore surrounding him and Artorias, and the heartbreaking limping towards the end of the fight make Sif one of the definitive Souls encounters. If you're masochistic enough to trigger the bonus cutscene by playing Artorias of the Abyss before tackling Sif, get your handkerchiefs ready and Prepare to Cry as you duel your old friend to the death for your sacred tasks. 18 - Four Kings (DS1) Few areas in the trilogy are as disquieting and unnerving as New Londo Ruins, and they have a boss fight to match. Plunging into the blackness of the abyss and being greeted by nothing is such a tense moment, and the game makes you sweat it out. You don't land right in front of a King, and one doesn't spawn right away. It takes a second, and then off in the distance, you see him. While the Kings themselves don't have the world's most diverse moveset, it becomes a harrowing DPS race if you struggle to capitalize on your windows and start getting ganged up on. This fight is creepy and stressful and otherworldly in all the ways Souls does best. 17 - Dancer of the Boreal Valley (DS3) If you have gotten proficient enough at rolling and dodging, the Dancer isn't a huge threat, but she is absolutely captivating in design. Her sickly fluid motions and hunched posture convey both grace and twisted perversion, and once she enters that second phase and begins whirling around the room, she truly lives up to her name as Dancer. Despite not needing many attempts to get past her, she sticks out in my mind as a prominent example of immediately resonant and iconic monster design, and even once you have her mechanics down pat, dancing with her is a blast. 16 - Sir Alonne (DS2 - Crown of the Old Iron King) Another miserable corpse run from this DLC can't stop Sir Alonne from being one of the finer duels in the series. You'll notice a lot of high-end representation for duels against roughly human-sized foes, and Alonne clocks in at the bottom spot of the top tier as far as those are concerned. His moveset is not the hardest to learn -- he's punishing, but he's got some pretty clear openings if you aren't greedy -- but it's got some really fun timing to get down. Alonne's lore as an alienated ex-ally of the Iron King's is fascinating as well, as is the implication that, since you are in the memory of the Iron King when you fight him, you are reliving the Iron King tracking down and murdering his old friend. His boss room is, put simply, extremely dope as well. 15 - Soul of Cinder (DS3) Rounding the corner and bringing us into the top fifteen is the Soul of Cinder, the final encounter of base DS3. There could be no more fitting ending than tackling an amalgamation of all the linkers of the fire -- no matter what kind of build you were, you can recognize your DS1 and DS2 characters in the moveset, and I think that is a simply wonderful way to represent the playerbase and the cycle itself as the final boss. Then, of course, you enter phase two, the familiar theme of Gwyn comes over the top of the music, and you engage one last time with the soul of the selfish, misguided lord who set the trilogy in motion. It is a moving and suitable conclusion to the main story, held out of the very top end only by not being a hugely compelling fight mechanically. 14 - Burnt Ivory King (DS3 - Crown of the Ivory King) If this list was based only on presentation, the Burnt Ivory King would clock in top five without breaking a sweat. Stepping through the fog gate and plunging from icy Eleum Loyce directly into the heart of the Old Chaos is one of the premier nerd-chills moments in the entire trilogy, accompanied perfectly by the swoop of the camera and the shriek of the music. Exploring your way through the city to rescue the knights to help you take down their corrupted comrades is a really awesome and rewarding idea, unique to this fight, and then the King makes his entrance... and it is metal as hell. Taking him down after an introduction that would make Sauron blush feels great, and the lore of his character as one of the truly noble characters in our story makes the encounter all the more lovable. This guy made a daughter of Manus see that goodness was a worthy cause by loving her and trusting her despite knowing what she was. What a boss indeed. 13 - Ornstein & Smough (DS1) I'm uncertain if not having O&S quite crack the top twelve will be considered heresy, but it's not for lack of impact. These two are the OGs when it comes to banging your head against the wall as a newcomer, and provide a truly potent challenge even all these years later as a wily vet. I love that you can pick your poison on which phase two you want by how you handle phase one (a bit like the Demon Prince, but with even more impact). They may have been outdone by later fights in the trilogy, but no one can take away their lasting legacy as absolutely definitive Souls bosses. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Blackstar110 03/09/21 4:06:24 PM #152:	The rankings so far, 92-13: Centipede Demon Royal Rat Vanguard Demon Firesage Prowling Magus & Congregation Pinwheel Belfry Gargoyles Twin Dragonriders The Gank Squad Royal Rat Authority Blue Smelter Demon Dragonrider Ruin Sentinels Covetous Demon Mytha, the Baneful Queen Scorpioness Najka Giant Lord Iron Golem The Bed of Chaos Lud & Zallen, the Kings Pets Skeleton Lords Old Dragonslayer Deacons of the Deep Halflight, Spear of the Church The Last Giant Moonlight Butterfly The Pursuer Flexile Sentry The Rotten Guardian Dragon Demon of Song Ancient Dragon Nashandra The Lost Sinner Bell Gargoyles Throne Defender & Throne Watcher Ancient Wyvern Looking Glass Knight Vendrick Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin Asylum Demon Stray Demon Capra Demon Taurus Demon Ceaseless Discharge Seath the Scaleless Nito Crystal Sage Old Iron King Yhorm the Giant Elana, the Squalid Queen The Dukes Dear Freja Velstadt, the Royal Aegis Crossbreed Priscilla Sanctuary Guardian Executioners Chariot Curse-Rotted Greatwood Gravetender Greatwolf Dark Sun Gwyndolin High Lord Wolnir Gaping Dragon Chaos Witch Quelaag Iudex Gundyr Smelter Demon Vordt of the Boreal Valley Aava, the Kings Pet Old Demon King Darklurker Black Dragon Kalameet Dragonslayer Armor Oceiros, the Consumed King Aldrich, Devourer of Gods Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon Demon Prince Great Grey Wolf Sif Four Kings Dancer of the Boreal Valley Sir Alonne Soul of Cinder Burnt Ivory King Ornstein & Smough The top 12 remaining, in alphabetical order... Abyss Watchers (DS3) Champion Gundyr (DS3) Darkeater Midir (DS3 - The Ringed City) Fume Knight (DS2 - Crown of the Old Iron King) Gwyn, Lord of Cinder (DS1) Knight Artorias (DS1 - Artorias of the Abyss) Manus, Father of the Abyss (DS1 - Artorias of the Abyss) Nameless King (DS3) Pontiff Sulyvahn (DS3) Sister Friede (DS3 - Ashes of Ariandel) Slave Knight Gael (DS3 - The Ringed City) Twin Princes (DS3) --- -Shred <cite>Blackstar110 posted [p:951527507] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>The rankings so far, 92-13: Centipede Demon Royal Rat Vanguard Demon Firesage Prowling Magus & Congregation Pinwheel Belfry Gargoyles Twin Dragonriders The Gank Squad Royal Rat Authority Blue Smelter Demon Dragonrider Ruin Sentinels Covetous Demon Mytha, the Baneful Queen Scorpioness Najka Giant Lord Iron Golem The Bed of Chaos Lud & Zallen, the Kings Pets Skeleton Lords Old Dragonslayer Deacons of the Deep Halflight, Spear of the Church The Last Giant Moonlight Butterfly The Pursuer Flexile Sentry The Rotten Guardian Dragon Demon of Song Ancient Dragon Nashandra The Lost Sinner Bell Gargoyles Throne Defender & Throne Watcher Ancient Wyvern Looking Glass Knight Vendrick Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin Asylum Demon Stray Demon Capra Demon Taurus Demon Ceaseless Discharge Seath the Scaleless Nito Crystal Sage Old Iron King Yhorm the Giant Elana, the Squalid Queen The Dukes Dear Freja Velstadt, the Royal Aegis Crossbreed Priscilla Sanctuary Guardian Executioners Chariot Curse-Rotted Greatwood Gravetender Greatwolf Dark Sun Gwyndolin High Lord Wolnir Gaping Dragon Chaos Witch Quelaag Iudex Gundyr Smelter Demon Vordt of the Boreal Valley Aava, the Kings Pet Old Demon King Darklurker Black Dragon Kalameet Dragonslayer Armor Oceiros, the Consumed King Aldrich, Devourer of Gods Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon Demon Prince Great Grey Wolf Sif Four Kings Dancer of the Boreal Valley Sir Alonne Soul of Cinder Burnt Ivory King Ornstein & Smough The top 12 remaining, in alphabetical order... Abyss Watchers (DS3) Champion Gundyr (DS3) Darkeater Midir (DS3 - The Ringed City) Fume Knight (DS2 - Crown of the Old Iron King) Gwyn, Lord of Cinder (DS1) Knight Artorias (DS1 - Artorias of the Abyss) Manus, Father of the Abyss (DS1 - Artorias of the Abyss) Nameless King (DS3) Pontiff Sulyvahn (DS3) Sister Friede (DS3 - Ashes of Ariandel) Slave Knight Gael (DS3 - The Ringed City) Twin Princes (DS3) </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
onedarksoul 03/09/21 4:11:19 PM #153:	Shit, I can never understand why everyone hates the Gank Squad. They rank top10 for me. I think the key to fighting them is all about close-combat timing. If you can parry well, and can sense when the archer is going to tag you while fighting the other two: you'll be fine. --- Finish a game? Add it to our list! Beat 1,000 games: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/213-nonstop-gaming-general/79298294 <cite>onedarksoul posted [p:951527663] in Just playe... [t:79332383]...</cite> <quote>Shit, I can never understand why everyone hates the Gank Squad. They rank top10 for me. I think the key to fighting them is all about close-combat timing. If you can parry well, and can sense when the archer is going to tag you while fighting the other two: you'll be fine. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
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Current Events > Just played the entire Dark Souls trilogy... time for some BOSS RANKINGS! (+) Yeah! (+)

Current Events > Just played the entire Dark Souls trilogy... time for some BOSS RANKINGS!