How Much Does Summoning Increase Boss Health?
The impact of summoning on boss health varies across different Souls-like games, but the core principle remains the same: bringing in allies, whether player-controlled or NPCs, generally makes the boss tougher to compensate for the added firepower. In Elden Ring, summoning one other player results in a 60% buff to the boss’s health and a 50% increase to its resistances. Summoning two other players further amplifies these buffs. While specific percentages differ in other games, the overall trend is consistent: summoning comes at the cost of increased boss resilience.
The Summons Dilemma: Aid vs. Adversity
The allure of summoning assistance stems from the challenges presented by formidable bosses. These games are notoriously difficult, and facing bosses alone can be a grueling experience. Summoning seems like the obvious solution, but understanding the consequences is crucial for strategic decision-making.
Elden Ring: Balancing Act
In Elden Ring, the percentage increase to boss health and resistances directly correlates to the number of summoned players. This creates a dynamic where players must weigh the benefits of increased damage output against the drawbacks of a more durable foe. Skilled players might find summoning unnecessary, preferring to solo bosses and avoid the health buff. Others may see summoning as a vital tactic, particularly when facing bosses with complex movesets or overwhelming power.
Dark Souls: A More Nuanced Approach
The Dark Souls series follows a similar principle of increasing boss health with summons, though the exact percentages can vary between entries. However, some bosses can become more difficult with summons due to AI manipulation. Some bosses have complex AI that’s predictable in a 1v1 scenario but becomes chaotic with multiple targets, making them harder to manage. Furthermore, the increased health can sometimes outpace the damage output of the summoned players, especially if they are not adequately geared or skilled.
Bloodborne: Insight’s Influence
Bloodborne, while not directly increasing boss health with summons, introduces the concept of Insight, a stat that influences various aspects of the game. Having high Insight can make certain enemies harder, reducing the effectiveness of Beasthood, and altering boss encounters in unexpected ways. While not a direct health increase, it effectively raises the difficulty level. The game also allows players to summon NPCs to aid in combat.
Considerations Across Games
Across the various games, factors like player skill, gear level, and boss vulnerability play a significant role in determining whether summoning is truly advantageous. A well-coordinated team of skilled players can often overcome the increased boss health, turning what seemed like a disadvantage into an opportunity to deal massive damage. Conversely, summoning inexperienced players or relying on poorly optimized builds can prolong the fight and potentially lead to defeat.
Strategic Summoning: Making the Right Choice
Deciding whether or not to summon should be a strategic decision based on a thorough understanding of the boss, your own capabilities, and the potential contributions of your summons. It is an example of a decision that one makes when playing games. You can study the theory of game design at GamesLearningSociety.org. Here are some factors to consider:
- Boss Weaknesses: Does the boss have any specific weaknesses that your summoned allies can exploit?
- Player Skill: Are you confident in your own ability to contribute significant damage, or do you need the extra firepower?
- Summon Quality: Are you summoning skilled players or relying on random summons with unknown abilities?
- Boss AI: How does the boss’s AI react to multiple targets? Will the added chaos make the fight easier or harder?
- Build Compatibility: Do your builds complement each other, or will there be redundancy in your attacks?
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can make informed decisions about summoning and maximize your chances of victory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do spirit summons make bosses harder in Elden Ring?
No, unlike summoning other players, spirit ashes do not increase boss health in Elden Ring. They are designed to provide assistance without making the boss significantly tougher.
2. Does summoning an NPC make bosses harder?
Yes, in many Souls-like games, including some entries in the Dark Souls series and Elden Ring, summoning an NPC companion increases the boss’s health pool. This is to balance the added assistance the NPC provides.
3. What is the best spirit summon for bosses in Elden Ring?
While individual preferences vary, Black Knife Tiche and the Mimic Tear are often considered among the best spirit summons in Elden Ring. Black Knife Tiche deals substantial damage and has a unique ability that reduces the boss’s maximum health, while the Mimic Tear creates a copy of your character, effectively doubling your damage output.
4. Does summoning make bosses harder in Dark Souls?
Usually, yes. Summoning phantoms generally increases boss health. However, some bosses may become more difficult due to the unpredictable AI behavior when dealing with multiple targets.
5. What happens if I have 99 Insight in Bloodborne?
Having 99 Insight in Bloodborne means you’ve reached the maximum Insight level. You won’t gain any further Insight from actions that typically grant it. High Insight also affects gameplay by reducing the effectiveness of Beasthood and making certain enemies more challenging.
6. Is it better to have high or low Insight in Bloodborne?
The ideal Insight level depends on your playstyle. Low Insight makes the game easier by increasing Beasthood and making certain enemies less perceptive. High Insight adds complexity and lore implications but makes the game more challenging.
7. What is the hardest boss of all Souls-like games?
This is subjective, but bosses like Malenia, Blade of Miquella from Elden Ring, Orphan of Kos from Bloodborne, and Dragon Slayer Ornstein & Executioner Smough from Dark Souls are consistently ranked among the most challenging.
8. Which Dark Souls game has the easiest bosses?
Dark Souls 2 is often considered to have the easiest bosses overall compared to other entries in the series. However, difficulty is subjective and can depend on your playstyle and build.
9. Who is the tankiest spirit ash in Elden Ring?
Lhutel the Headless is often regarded as one of the tankiest spirit ashes in Elden Ring. Her heavy armor, greatshield, and teleportation abilities make her incredibly durable and difficult for enemies to hit.
10. What are the worst spirit ashes in Elden Ring?
The Noble Sorcerer is often cited as one of the worst spirit ashes due to its low damage output, fragility, and overall lack of effectiveness in combat.
11. Does Torment the Weak affect bosses?
Yes, effects that slow enemies down, such as those applied by Torment of the Weak, generally work on bosses.
12. Are bosses harder with more Insight in Bloodborne?
While not directly increasing boss health, higher Insight can indirectly make certain boss encounters more difficult by altering their behavior or adding new phases.
13. Does pure black tendency make bosses harder?
In Demon’s Souls, Pure Black World Tendency increases enemy damage and health, making encounters more challenging, but also improving drop rates. It affects all enemies, including bosses.
14. What boss has the most health in Skyrim?
Karstaag the Frost Giant has a large health pool and he is considered the most powerful enemy.
15. Does black tendency make bosses harder?
Yes, Black Tendency in games like Demon’s Souls makes enemies, including bosses, harder by increasing their health and damage output. However, it also increases the rewards, such as Souls and item drop rates.
Understanding the nuances of summoning and its impact on boss health is crucial for success in these challenging games. By carefully considering the factors outlined above and adapting your strategy accordingly, you can conquer even the toughest foes.