Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Amazon Spring Sale
  • New Games for 2026
  • Crimson Desert
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Pokopia
Don't miss these
Resident Evil 2 Remake plug puzzle chess pieces Monitor Room door
Resident Evil Resident Evil 2 chess plug puzzle solution to open the Monitor Room door
PS3 photo taken by Future Studios
Games The 25 best PS3 games of all time
A PS2 games console standing next to some of the best PS2 games and a black controller.
Games The 25 best PS2 games of all time
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Action Games The 25 best Metroidvania games you can play in 2026
Crimson Desert: Macduff looking out into the distance during the new game, Crimson Desert.
RPGs The ultimate Crimson Desert guide for exploring Pywel
Best single player games: Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Games The 25 best single-player games to play in 2026
Hades 2
Hades "F*** me, I guess": Hades 2 actor Ben Starr "hated" himself while fighting the character he plays in the roguelike
Games like God of War Ragnarok: Kratos fighting a giant monster on a mountain top.
God of War 10 Games like God of War Ragnarok you should play next
Alan Wake 2 cultist stashes
Survival Horror Games Alan Wake 2 stash locations, codes and solutions
Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs Baldur's Gate 3 Dank Crypt walkthrough and guide
Let Me Solo Her sits cross-legged on the ground
Action RPGs Even Elden Ring legend Let Me Solo Her can't always solo her, as he admits defeat to Malenia
A screenshot of a man holding red fire in his palm in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2
Action RPGs I played Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 and rolled through the Lands Between as the new Knight class
The Red Prince in Divinity Original Sin 2
Strategy Games All the best Divinity Original Sin 2 Builds
The Knight stands blade in hand in key art for Hollow Knight, used in Edge Magazine's Time Extend feature
Action Games Hollow Knight just fixed a dreadful bug after 9 years, and I don't know if I want to laugh or cry
Kaliok the Hornsplitter in Crimson Desert
RPGs How to beat the Hornsplitter in Crimson Desert
  1. Games
  2. Action Rpg
  3. Dark Souls
  4. Dark Souls II

Dark Souls 2 Boss guide (updated with Crown of the Ivory King)

Guides
By Iain Wilson, Tony Wilson, Ryan Taljonick published 25 March 2019

Follow our guide with video strategies to take down every boss in Dark Souls 2

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Dark Souls 2 Boss: Demon of Song

The Demon of Song is basically a giant toad, but its heavy armour means you can only damage its face when it pulls back its 'hood' to reveal the creepiness beneath. Stay fairly close to prevent its ranged attacks, wait for the easily avoided arm attacks to end, then get a few hits in while it's still vulnerable. 

Dark Souls 2 Boss: Giant Lord

When fighting the Giant Lord, try and hug his feet as much as possible - though watch out as he has a stamp attack, and some of his sword sweeps can also hit you even if you're slightly behind his legs. Stay to the edges of the arena, as you want to make sure you avoid the fireballs raining down!

Dark Souls 2 Boss: Guardian Dragon

The main thing you need to watch out for when fighting the Guardian Dragon is, unsurprisingly, its fire attacks. If you see it perching on a wall of the giant cage you're fighting in, run to the opposite side as the fire breath that follows has a wide area of effect. Keep dodging the fire, then get in to its feet while its on the ground to deliver a few big hits before it moves again.

Article continues below
You may like
  • Elden Ring The 10 best FromSoftware games for those craving crushing defeats
  • Dark Souls Legendary Dark Souls player completes the entire trilogy without getting hit while using a saxophone as a controller
  • Hollow Knight: Silksong screenshot of Hornet in diving bell If you're playing Hollow Knight Silksong, here's how to be prepared for what's to come

Dark Souls 2 Boss: Velstadt, the Royal Aegis

To get started in this fight, bait Velstadt into destroying the pillars dotted around this thin arena, which will give you more room to work with. This enemy is fast and hard to circle strafe due to their sweeping attacks, so your best bet is backing off to avoid their big swing then dashing in for one or two hits maximum, before quickly backing off again as they follow up with another attack fast. About halfway through they imbue their mace with magic for extra damage, but keep doing what you're doing until you secure victory.

Dark Souls 2 Boss: Throne Watcher and Throne Defender

Here you're fighting two bosses at once, so summoning an NPC to join the fight will definitely help you out. The Throne Watcher is the faster, more agile enemy so it's worth taking them down first - but be aware that if you don't defeat both bosses within a short amount of time, one will revive the other. Tactically, you should aim to get one down to a third of their health or less, then take the other one out before finishing off the first boss.

Dark Souls 2 Boss: Nashandra (FINAL BOSS)

One of the main things to look out for in this final boss fight is the glowing curse orbs that Nashandra summons around them, as you'll get cursed by them whenever you get too close. Try to hold back and use ranged attacks to kite Nashandra away from the cursed area, so you can then get some hits in. Their beam attack is hard to dodge, so if you can't outrun it then at least get your shield up to minimise the damage. This fight isn't actually too tricky if you can get your head around that approach and mitigate any cursing you receive, so keep plugging away until you achieve victory.

Congratulations - you've beaten all of the bosses in Dark Souls 2!

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
  • 1
  • 2

Current page: Page 2

Prev Page Page 1
CATEGORIES
Xbox PlayStation PC Gaming Xbox One PS4 Platforms
Ryan Taljonick
Ryan Taljonick
Social Links Navigation

Ryan was once the Executive Editor of GamesRadar, before moving into the world of games development. He worked as a Brand Manager at EA, and then at Bethesda Softworks, before moving to 2K. He briefly went back to EA and is now the Director of Global Marketing Strategy at 2K. 

Read more
Elden Ring
Games The 10 best FromSoftware games for those craving crushing defeats
 
 
Dark Souls
Dark Souls Legendary Dark Souls player completes the entire trilogy without getting hit while using a saxophone as a controller
 
 
Hollow Knight: Silksong screenshot of Hornet in diving bell
Action Games If you're playing Hollow Knight Silksong, here's how to be prepared for what's to come
 
 
A screenshot of the upcoming PS5 game, Ghost of Yotei.
Action Games Ghost of Yotei devs "really enjoy watching people die" to superboss Takezo the Unrivaled, but know you loathe him
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
RPGs Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's director was "surprised" that someone managed to beat the RPG's most infamous boss without cheesing
 
 
Lords of the Fallen 2 woman clutching her hands together in prayer
Action RPGs Soulslike action RPG Lords of the Fallen 2 is on the "same journey" as the Batman Arkham games, dev says
 
 
Latest in Dark Souls
Dark Souls
Dark Souls The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 dev would've loved to playtest the OG Dark Souls or Demon's Souls
 
 
Elden Ring
Dark Souls Elden Ring owner gets massive investment from a company that gave Nintendo some infamous advice
 
 
Dark Souls
Dark Souls Legendary Dark Souls player completes the entire trilogy without getting hit while using a saxophone as a controller
 
 
Dark Souls
Dark Souls Dark Souls and Elden Ring director "wouldn't necessarily say" that FromSoftware invented the Soulslike genre
 
 
Dark Souls
Dark Souls Calling games Soulslikes has "kept a lot of devs stuck in a loop of recreating Dark Souls," Aggro Crab lead says
 
 
Dark Souls
Dark Souls It's 2025 and we're still digging up new finds in the original Dark Souls: FromSoftware expert reckons cut boss attack "likely to be just a typo" that was resolved in the Artorias DLC
 
 
Latest in Guides
Arc Raiders Canto
Third Person Shooters How to get the Canto SMG blueprint in Arc Raiders
 
 
Dust on the Wires quest in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters How to complete Dust on the Wires in Arc Raiders
 
 
Clamoring for Attention in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters How to complete Clamoring for Attention in Arc Raiders
 
 
Arc Raiders flex rubber
Third Person Shooters Where to find Arc Flex Rubber in Arc Raiders
 
 
Arc Raiders Dolabra
Third Person Shooters How to get the Legendary Dolabra in Arc Raiders
 
 
Sableye stands in from of a Pokemon Center in Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia Sableye event date, time, and details
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. The Hacthin' Yoshi toy between Mario and Luigi, who look surprised
    1
    Where to buy Hatchin' Yoshi, the must-have toy that keeps selling out
  2. 2
    This mini elago Game Boy is designed to store your Switch games and not play them, but I fear I'd lose this cute keyring
  3. 3
    "One stick movement = 10 pushups" - GameSir teases a controller with four back buttons and up to 40kgs of adjustable stick tension for April Fools, but its commitment to the bit is puzzling me
  4. 4
    Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto is "on a mission" to include Pikmin in every Nintendo product after the critters' surprise appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
  5. 5
    Diego Luna thinks Andor and Han Solo would be friends, but that there's one droid Cassian wouldn't get on with

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...