This week From Software showed off Dark Souls 2, the sequel to Dark Souls, at E3, and then they dropped the release date on us: March 2014. GGeeeeyyyawwwd! How much longer do I have to wait to play this sequel!? The wait is worse than having to grind your way through the game for the first time — absolutely frustrating! In the meantime, I’m still filling out my roster of Dark Souls character classes and fantasizing about Bandai using D-Arts to make action figures of characters from Dark Souls.
I started this article as a “Top-5 Bosses” that was going to include monsters as well as humanoids, but then it developed into an article with just humanoids as I realized I really wanted to write an article that continued where the NPC article left off (link), which was focused on armors. In Dark Souls one of the favorite qualities of the game is the ability for the characters to wear different armors, as well as combine them as you want. There are a ton of possibilities from full outfits to mixed outfits — whatever your heart desires.
This list comprises a list of the top-5 bosses that “drop” an armor that you can use — in some cases upgrade, in others just use. Each boss must come with a soul, a homeward bone, and humanity; these would be cool little additions to pack in. NOW, let’s be clear — there is one listing that has two bosses, and while, yes, they are two characters, you must face both of them at the same time, and they as such act as one boss. Also, remember there are weapons that can be forged or dropped from each defeat that plays an important factor in this list! On to the list!
Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough
I love these guys, and sometimes I’ll just hangout in Anor Londo dropping my summon sign to help people fight these clowns. Clowns they are not, and beating them on your own is a challenge, if not impossible. These guys are made for 3-on-3 matches. Their tag-team of strength, speed, and lighting is enough to drive the best batty.
They both have armors that can be bought from Domhnall of Zena, and both of their souls can be used to forge either Smough’s Hammer or Dragonslayer Spear. The armors are a treat on these guys; they look great and can be upgraded. I love seeing people walk around in them, and I’ve seen a number of people put on Smough’s leggings, and just that. Makes for a trippy, cool look, especially since the armor has toes. Arguably, Ornstein’s armor is the best-looking armor in the game; it’s tough to find another one that can challenge it in the pretty-looks department.
This has to be offered as a 2-pack. Yeah, they could be packaged individually, but together they would be the bees’ knees. The only extras that I would like to see them come with is a bolt of lightning for the spear, maybe even some lightning effect for them. Ornstien should have a lightning base that both Smough and Ornstein can sit in, and Smough should have a blasting base.
Gywn Lord of Cinder
The final boss. OK his non-upgradeable armor is cheesy. And pretty worthless. But I do see people waltzing around in it. He’s also got a great sword that can be forged from his soul. While the Great Lord Greatsword doesn’t have any tricks (can’t be upgraded to a fire or chaos path, nor can you use black resin on it), it is pretty damn powerful as a beat-down weapon. I’d rank it up there with some of the great clubs as far as pure brute force is concerned. Since you can use his soul to get the Sunlight Spear, that then has to be a pack-in. He also needs some flames and a base that represent the final battle. Hell, maybe the final bonfire. Since the pack-ins are light with Gywn, I’d throw in the Lord Vessel; you can’t access the final level without it and it does make sense to pack it in with him. Difficult choice, I know, since you have to beat Ornstein and Smough to get it, but they have enough in the way of pack-ins.
Iron Golem
The final boss of the utterly annoying Sens’s Fortress deserves a slot in this list if for no other reason than he is Sen’s Fortress boss; however, that is too easy. This boss is one of the better ones in the game; you have a limited space and he hurls some serious magic. You will be punished for misstepping or being cocky. Best to summon Tarkus, take a defensive position, and let Tarkus go to town. Unless he’s thrown over the edge. Oh gods is that annoying! TARKUS! YOU IDIOT! But you get a cool non-upgradable, heavy, bad-ass armor upgrade from this fight. And with the Iron Golem Soul you can forge the Golem Axe that has a powerful blast that you can shoot. For pure knights, this is a great, powerful ranged weapon that requires no beef-up of intelligence or faith.
Pack-ins specific to this boss are difficult to think of, but I would make a base out of the battle ground with a white circle in the middle as this is the only way to get to Anor Londo and it makes sense.
Knight Artorias
Part of the “Prepare to Die” edition, Artorias is one of the few “heroes” that you come across in the game. Sadly, as a boss, he’s been possessed by Manus, and you have to defeat him if you want to go further into the game. His armor is some of the best looking in the game, and, like the others above, it can be purchased from Domhnall of Zena. I’m not certain what I would do here; there are potentially three swords and two shields that you can pack in with him. Depends on how you want to play this. Great Sword of Artorious, Great Sword of Artorious Cursed, Abyss Greatsword, Cleansing Greatshield, and Greatshield of Artorias. Also Artorious drops a special soul that he has to come with. His base should be the swirling magics that signify his power-ups.
Kirk, Knight of Thorns
OK, not a level boss, but you have to face him three times as a Black Phantom, and gods if he isn’t irritating. His armor, his shield, and his sword all create a ton of damage, and if you happen to meet an invader that has this armor on and knows how to use it? “You Died” will quickly scroll across the screen, insulting and slapping you in the face. Visually, this is a great armor (Set of Thorns), shield (Spiked Shield), and sword (Barbed Straight Sword) set and I’m pretty certain that the designers at Bandai would be able to come up with a visually stunning figure. Pack him with a Black Phantom invading base and an invader summon sign, and you are golden. And as he is a Black Phantom, they can make black with red dry brushing or a Jolly-Rancher-red version as a variant or exclusive.
All of this makes me think we need to get a male and female deprived figure… hmmm… I think I know my next article! None of these figures are planned or available, but we can hope. Dark Souls the game is still available on Amazon.com:
And you can discuss this further on the Fwoosh forums: https://thefwoosh.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=141&t=88806
Best. Game. EVER!!