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How to Stagger Ornstein in Dark Souls: A Comprehensive Guide

Staggering Ornstein, one half of the infamous Ornstein and Smough duo in Dark Souls, is no easy feat, but it’s a crucial tactic for gaining the upper hand in this challenging boss fight. You stagger Ornstein by depleting his Poise Meter to zero. This is primarily achieved by landing heavy attacks, especially with weapons that deal significant Poise damage. While he is not as easily staggered as some other enemies, persistent and well-timed assaults will eventually break his stance, creating an opening for a devastating counterattack. The key is understanding Poise, choosing the right weapons, and exploiting Ornstein’s attack patterns.

Understanding Poise and Its Role in Staggering

Poise is a hidden stat in Dark Souls that determines a character’s resistance to being staggered. When an enemy (or the player) receives an attack, their Poise Meter is reduced. If this meter reaches zero, the character is staggered, briefly interrupting their actions and leaving them vulnerable. Ornstein has a decent amount of Poise, making him resilient but not immune to staggering.

Key Factors Influencing Staggering

Weapon Type: Different weapons have varying levels of Poise damage. Greatswords, Ultra Greatswords, Greataxes, and Hammers generally deal more Poise damage than smaller weapons like daggers or straight swords.
Attack Type: Certain attacks within a weapon’s moveset deal more Poise damage than others. Charged attacks and jumping attacks are typically more effective at breaking an enemy’s Poise.
Enemy Poise: As mentioned, Ornstein has a moderate amount of Poise. This means you’ll need to consistently apply pressure to stagger him.
Stance Breaks: Performing specific attacks that target an enemy’s defense can also lead to a stance break and potential stagger, though this mechanic is more prominent in later Souls games.

Strategies for Staggering Ornstein

Here’s a breakdown of effective strategies to stagger Ornstein during the boss fight:

Choose the Right Weapon: Opt for a weapon with high Poise damage. Ultra Greatswords like the Zweihander or Greatsword, or Great Hammers like Large Club or Great Club are excellent choices. These weapons can inflict significant Poise damage with each hit.
Utilize Heavy Attacks: Focus on using heavy attacks (R2/RT) or jumping attacks. These attacks deal more Poise damage than light attacks.
Exploit Attack Openings: Ornstein has several attacks that leave him briefly vulnerable. Capitalize on these moments to land heavy attacks and chip away at his Poise. The end of his lunge attack is a prime opportunity.
Manage Stamina: Stamina management is crucial. Don’t exhaust your stamina bar completely, as you’ll need it to roll away from Ornstein’s attacks or to block if necessary.
Two-Hand Your Weapon: Two-handing your weapon increases its Strength scaling and damage output.
Observe and Learn Patterns: Pay attention to Ornstein’s attack patterns. Learn when he is most vulnerable so you can strike with a heavy attack.
Persistence is Key: Staggering Ornstein may take several attempts. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed immediately. Keep applying pressure with heavy attacks.

Weapons and Builds for Staggering Ornstein

Ultra Greatswords (Zweihander, Greatsword): These offer a good balance of speed, range, and Poise damage.
Great Hammers (Large Club, Great Club): These deliver massive Poise damage and can stagger Ornstein relatively quickly, but are slower and require more careful timing.
Strength Builds: Focus on increasing your Strength stat to maximize the damage output of heavy weapons.
Endurance Builds: Invest in Endurance to increase your stamina, allowing you to attack more frequently and roll more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Ornstein weak to stagger?

Ornstein isn’t inherently “weak” to stagger in the sense that he takes extra damage while staggered. He simply has a moderate Poise Meter that can be depleted with sustained attacks. Depleting his Poise results in a stagger animation, opening him up for a powerful counterattack.

2. What is Ornstein weak to?

Ornstein is weak to Fire damage. Incorporating Fire-based weapons or spells into your strategy can significantly increase your damage output.

3. Is Smough weak to stagger?

Yes, Smough is more susceptible to staggering compared to Ornstein. His Poise is lower. Making him easier to interrupt with heavy attacks.

4. Are Ornstein and Smough weak to magic?

Smough is weak to lightning damage, not magic. While magic can work, it may not be as effective as exploiting their elemental weaknesses. Using pyromancies against Ornstein will be highly effective!

5. How important is Poise for my character in the fight?

Having a good amount of Poise for yourself can help prevent you from being staggered by Ornstein’s attacks, allowing you to trade blows more effectively and maintain offensive pressure.

6. How do you effectively use staggering in Dark Souls?

Effective staggering involves:

Using heavy attacks to deplete an enemy’s Poise.
Exploiting the vulnerability window during the stagger animation to land critical hits or follow-up attacks.
Managing stamina to ensure you can continue applying pressure without being left defenseless.

7. What does a staggered enemy look like in Dark Souls?

A staggered enemy will reel back or stumble, briefly interrupting their actions. There’s a clear visual indication of their vulnerability, making it easy to identify when to strike.

8. Can you parry Ornstein?

No, you cannot parry Ornstein’s attacks, except for one attack: his lunge. Partial parries can still be performed. This deflects the attack, and may open him up for a brief counterattack opportunity.

9. What level should I be to fight Ornstein and Smough?

Most players find success fighting Ornstein and Smough between levels 40-60, with weapons upgraded to at least +10.

10. What happens if I let Ornstein absorb Smough?

If Ornstein absorbs Smough, he becomes Super Ornstein, growing larger and gaining new lightning-based attacks. This version is even more formidable, and retains a weakness to Fire damage.

11. How can I improve my chances of surviving the Ornstein and Smough fight?

Upgrade your weapons as high as possible.
Wear armor with good physical defense and Poise.
Stock up on Estus Flasks and other healing items.
Learn their attack patterns and timing.
Consider summoning a player to help you.

12. Are there any NPC summons available for the Ornstein and Smough fight?

There are no available NPCs that can be summoned for the Ornstein and Smough fight.

13. What’s the easiest way to defeat Ornstein?

There is no single “easiest” way, but focusing on dodging his attacks, exploiting his weaknesses (Fire), and staggering him with heavy attacks is a reliable strategy.

14. What if I’m having trouble dodging their attacks?

Practice makes perfect. Try to memorize their attack patterns and learn the timing of your dodges. Rolling away from their attacks is generally safer than attempting to block. Don’t roll too early, or they’ll adjust the timing and still hit you.

15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and strategies?

For a deeper understanding of game mechanics and learning strategies, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, a valuable resource for game enthusiasts and researchers. You can also find plenty of helpful guides and communities online dedicated to Dark Souls.

Mastering the art of staggering enemies, particularly a formidable foe like Ornstein, is essential for success in Dark Souls. By understanding the mechanics of Poise, choosing the right weapons, and employing effective strategies, you can overcome this challenging boss fight and continue your journey through Lordran.

How do you stagger Ornstein?