Can You Fight Midir After Killing Gael? A Deep Dive into Dark Souls III’s End Game
The short answer is a resounding yes, you absolutely can fight Darkeater Midir after defeating Slave Knight Gael in Dark Souls III. Killing Gael, the final boss of the Ringed City DLC, does not lock you out of accessing or battling Midir. In fact, these two encounters are largely independent of each other in terms of progression. Midir is an optional boss, meaning his fight isn’t part of the critical path and can be undertaken at almost any point after gaining access to his area in The Ringed City.
Midir’s Accessibility After Gael
The key to understanding this is that Midir is a location-based encounter, not a story-dependent one. He resides in a specific area reachable after opening a shortcut in the Ringed Inner Wall bonfire area. Defeating Gael is a crucial step in completing the Ringed City DLC but has absolutely no bearing on whether or not you can face Midir. Think of it like this: Midir’s arena is always there, waiting, while Gael guards the conclusion of the DLC’s narrative.
While the NPC Shira provides a questline connected to Midir, completing this quest is also not a requirement for engaging in the Midir battle. Shira’s involvement provides an alternative way to access the boss fight, but even if you skip her questline entirely, the path to Midir remains open.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Midir and Gael
This section provides detailed answers to common questions surrounding Midir and Gael, ensuring you have all the information you need for your Dark Souls III journey.
1. Does Killing Gael Lock Me Out of Fighting Midir?
Absolutely not. Killing Gael does not lock you out of any content in Dark Souls III, including the Midir fight. Midir is located in a separate area that remains accessible regardless of whether you’ve completed the Gael boss fight. You can fight Midir any time after accessing his location in the Ringed City.
2. Is Midir a Required Boss to Beat Dark Souls III?
No, Midir is an optional boss. You can complete the main story of Dark Souls III and even finish the Ringed City DLC without ever fighting him. However, defeating Midir does reward you with a Titanite Slab, an incredibly valuable upgrade material.
3. Do I Have to Complete Shira’s Questline to Fight Midir?
While Shira’s questline does offer a specific method to encounter Midir, it is not mandatory. You can reach Midir’s arena and battle him even if you choose not to engage with Shira’s storyline. You do not need to complete this quest to get the reward.
4. Can I Summon Help for the Midir Fight After Beating Gael?
Yes, you can. You’ll be able to summon other online players within your level range to help you fight Midir. Shira can also be summoned if you have not yet entered Filianore’s chamber, but she becomes unavailable once you do.
5. Where is Midir Located in The Ringed City?
Midir is located in The Ringed City. To reach him, you must open the final shortcut gate near the Ringed Inner Wall bonfire. Take the lift down, then jump/roll into the opening halfway down. Follow the path to a circular room filled with statues. The statue without a sword is an illusion; interact with it to gain access to Midir’s lair.
6. Is Midir Harder Than Gael?
This is subjective and often debated. Generally, Midir is considered harder in early playthroughs due to his massive health pool and unpredictable attacks. However, some players find Gael harder in higher NG+ cycles due to his increased health and damage. Both are among the toughest bosses in the game.
7. What Level Should I Be to Fight Midir?
Level is less important than your knowledge of Midir’s attacks. However, most players recommend being level 80 or above with a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. The focus should be on learning his attack patterns and being patient rather than just brute-forcing the fight with higher stats.
8. Is Midir Immune to Bleed?
Yes, Midir is completely immune to bleed, poison, toxic, and frost. He also resists magic, fire, and dark damage. A pure physical weapon is typically recommended for this fight.
9. What Weapons are Effective Against Midir?
Strike weapons such as hammers and great hammers are generally effective against Midir because of his dragon-like nature. Pure physical damage is ideal as Midir has high resistances to elemental and status damage.
10. Is Midir The Hardest Dragon Boss in the Soulsborne Series?
Many agree that Midir is the toughest dragon boss in all Soulsborne games. His complex attack patterns, massive health bar, and high damage output make him a daunting challenge even for experienced players.
11. Is Gael the True Final Boss of the Dark Souls Series?
Gael is considered the final boss in the Dark Souls series in the sense that he is the final boss in the final DLC, marking the end of that narrative thread. He embodies the culmination of the series’ lore.
12. Is Gael Stronger Than Artorias?
Gael is likely stronger than Artorias. Gael has significantly more HP (14,985 versus Artorias’ 3750) and consumes the Dark Soul, making him a vastly more powerful entity. In terms of pure strength, Gael’s power level exceeds Artorias’s.
13. Did Gael Turn Hollow?
Yes, during the second phase of the fight, Gael goes hollow. This is evident from his changed appearance, and his seemingly detached state after using the blood of the Dark Soul. He is driven by a lack of purpose rather than malicious intent.
14. Is Shira Related to Seath?
The lore suggests Shira is Seath and Gwynevere’s daughter, explaining her unique connection to the dragons and her appearance.
15. Is Midir a Tedious Fight?
Some players find Midir tedious due to his highly predictable pattern, although he is considered one of the most difficult bosses. Once you learn his move set, the fight can become a war of attrition. However, his aggressive nature and large HP pool can still be quite challenging.
Conclusion
To reiterate, the battle against Midir is always available after you reach his area, regardless of whether you’ve defeated Gael or even completed Shira’s questline. Midir’s encounter is independent of other story elements, allowing you to face him at your leisure. Understanding the accessibility, mechanics, and best strategies for this daunting battle is key to conquering this legendary foe within the Dark Souls III universe. Now, go forth, Ashen One, and confront the magnificent dragon, or the final boss of the dark souls series!