How to Beat Smough and Ornstein
To beat Smough and Ornstein, one of the most notorious boss duos in gaming history, you need to employ a hit-and-run strategy, utilizing pillars as shields between you and the bosses, and leveraging their weaknesses, such as Smough’s vulnerability to fire and Ornstein’s weakness to fire as well. By mastering this approach, coupled with the right weapon choices, like the Crystal Halberd, and staying alerted to their attack patterns, you can emerge victorious from this daunting encounter.
Understanding the Basics of the Fight
The fight against Smough and Ornstein is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring patience, strategy, and a well-equipped character. Keeping pillars between you and the bosses is crucial, as this allows for safer healing and ** evasion** of their devastating attacks. Running across the room to another pillar when hit is a viable tactic to create distance and recover. The use of flasks and heals is also paramount to surviving the prolonged battle.
Additional Strategies for Success
Killing Ornstein first can make the second half of the fight easier, but this decision also depends on which armor and weapon you prefer to obtain afterward. Understanding that lightning-based magic is less effective against these bosses is crucial for choosing the right spells or weapons. Furthermore, recognizing Smough’s size and strength as well as Ornstein’s agility can help in anticipating their movements and planning your attacks accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Level Should I Be to Fight Ornstein and Smough?
The recommended level for fighting Ornstein and Smough is between 40-60, as this range provides a balance between challenge and manageability, especially considering the prime coop range when Dark Souls was first released.
2. How Many Tries to Kill Ornstein and Smough?
The number of tries it takes to solo the fight can vary, but with persistence and the right strategy, it’s possible to defeat them after several attempts, with some players succeeding after about 7 or 8 tries.
3. Can You Kill Both Ornstein and Smough at the Same Time?
No, it is not possible to kill both Ornstein and Smough simultaneously without triggering the transformation cutscene, as the game mechanics are designed to ensure one transforms into a more powerful form if killed within a short time frame of the other.
4. Are Ornstein and Smough the Hardest Bosses in Dark Souls?
Ornstein and Smough are considered among the toughest challenges in Dark Souls, known for their overwhelming attacks and the complexity of their fight, making them a benchmark for player skill and strategy.
5. Is Ornstein Weak to Lightning?
No, Ornstein is actually resistant to lightning, making fire-based attacks a more effective choice against him, while Smough has a different set of weaknesses and resistances.
6. What is the Reward for Killing Ornstein First?
Killing Ornstein first rewards the player with the Soul of Smough, which can be used to craft Smough’s Hammer, a powerful weapon in the game.
7. What Weapon is Best for Ornstein and Smough?
The Crystal Halberd is highly recommended, especially among speedrunners, due to its effectiveness in keeping a safe distance and dealing significant damage to both bosses.
8. Can Solaire Help with Ornstein and Smough?
Yes, Solaire of Astora can be a significant help in the fight, capable of dealing with Ornstein on his own if you distract Smough, though his effectiveness diminishes in the second phase of the fight.
9. Are Ornstein and Smough Brothers?
There is no clear indication that Ornstein and Smough are brothers; they are more accurately described as co-workers tasked by Lord Gwyn to work together, based on the game’s lore and narrative.
10. Is Ornstein Immune to Bleed?
While both Ornstein and Smough have some resistance to bleed, Ornstein has a higher resistance, making bleed-based strategies less effective against him.
11. What is the Hardest Boss in Each Souls Game?
Ornstein and Smough are considered one of the hardest boss fights in the Dark Souls series, with other challenging fights including Malenia from Elden Ring and Guardian Ape from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
12. Is DS1 Remastered Easier?
The remastered version of Dark Souls offers some assistance that can make the game easier for first-time players, though the core difficulty remains unchanged.
13. Can You Still Kill Lautrec After Ornstein and Smough?
Yes, it is possible to invade and kill Lautrec even after defeating Ornstein and Smough, as Lautrec remains in Anor Londo and can be invaded repeatedly using the Black Eye Orb.
14. Why Are Ornstein and Smough So Big?
The size of Ornstein and Smough can be attributed to their role as giants in the Dark Souls universe, with their size possibly influenced by their absorption of souls, as seen in the game’s lore.
15. Is Solaire the Nameless King?
No, Solaire is not the Nameless King; instead, Solaire appears as an illusion in the first game, with his true identity and connection to the Nameless King being a subject of speculation among players.