King Vendrick: Optional Foe or Necessary Evil in Dark Souls 2?
Yes, King Vendrick in Dark Souls 2 is definitively an optional boss. While encountering him is almost unavoidable due to his location within the Undead Crypt, engaging and defeating him is not strictly required to complete the main storyline and see the standard ending. However, his impact on the broader narrative and his connection to other key events make him a figure of considerable importance and strategic value. Ultimately, you can beat the game without him, but skipping the fight has major narrative and gameplay implications.
Understanding Vendrick’s Role in Drangleic
Vendrick, the former king of Drangleic, serves as a pivotal piece in the complex lore of Dark Souls 2. His descent into madness and his eventual state as a hollow, roaming the depths of the Undead Crypt, underscores the cyclical nature of kingdoms rising and falling. While not mandatory for the initial playthrough, his presence heavily influences the ability to unlock certain aspects of the game, particularly the fight against Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin, which many consider the true final boss. Vendrick’s story is intrinsically tied to the overarching themes of ambition, fear, and the corruption of power.
Why Choose to Fight Vendrick?
Even though Vendrick is an optional boss, there are compelling reasons to confront him.
- Unlocking Aldia: As mentioned, defeating Vendrick is a prerequisite for fighting Aldia. For players aiming to experience the complete narrative arc of Dark Souls 2, this makes the fight practically essential.
- Narrative Completion: Vendrick’s backstory is deeply woven into the game’s lore. Fighting him and understanding his motivations provides a richer, more complete understanding of the events that shaped Drangleic.
- Acquiring the King’s Set: Defeating Vendrick allows you to claim his armor set, which is found in the Shrine of Amana, as well as the Soul of the King.
- Challenging Encounter: Vendrick’s fight is renowned for its difficulty, particularly if you face him without obtaining Giant Souls. For players seeking a tough-as-nails challenge, he offers a memorable experience.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Vendrick Enigma
1. Is Vendrick required to finish Dark Souls 2?
No, Vendrick is not strictly required to finish Dark Souls 2 and see the initial ending. You can defeat Nashandra and complete the game without ever facing him. However, skipping the fight has significant implications on other aspects of the game.
2. If I don’t fight Vendrick, what do I miss?
If you skip the fight against Vendrick, you will miss out on the opportunity to face Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin, which many consider the true final boss. You will also miss out on his lore significance and his armor.
3. What happens if I kill Vendrick before Throne Watcher and Throne Defender?
Killing Vendrick before defeating the Throne Watcher and Throne Defender won’t directly affect your ability to fight them. However, if you’ve also not fought the Giant Lord, killing all three in sequence results in a challenging boss gauntlet.
4. How many Giant Souls do I need to effectively fight Vendrick?
Ideally, having all five Giant Souls significantly reduces Vendrick’s defense, making the fight much more manageable. Each soul you possess grants you a substantial damage boost against him.
5. Where can I find the Giant Souls?
The Giant Souls are found in the following locations:
- Memory of Orro: Inside a Giant Tree after defeating the Giant Lord.
- Memory of Vammar: Inside a Giant Tree in the Forest of Fallen Giants, requiring the Ashen Mist Heart.
- Memory of Jeigh: Inside a Giant Tree in the Forest of Fallen Giants, requiring the Ashen Mist Heart.
- Ancient Dragon: Dropped by the Ancient Dragon in Dragon Aerie. (Optional fight.)
- One is found within the Black Gulch after dropping down the hole.
6. Can I summon help for the Vendrick fight?
No, you cannot summon other players to assist you in the fight against King Vendrick. This encounter is designed to be a solo experience.
7. What’s the best strategy for fighting Vendrick without Giant Souls?
Fighting Vendrick without Giant Souls is notoriously difficult. One common strategy involves using a lightning-infused weapon and staying close to his legs, constantly maneuvering to avoid his attacks. Patience and persistence are key.
8. What is Vendrick weak against?
Vendrick’s primary weakness is having fewer Giant Souls, which in turn lowers his defenses, not any specific elemental type. While Lightning can be useful, the core issue is the amount of Giant Souls the player has acquired. However, he is also susceptible to bleed.
9. Does acquiring the crowns have any impact on the Vendrick fight?
Acquiring all four crowns (Sunken King, Old Iron King, Ivory King, and the base game’s Crown) and speaking to Vendrick does not directly impact the fight’s difficulty. However, it grants you “Vendrick’s Blessing,” which nullifies the hollowing effect of each crown, which is very valuable.
10. What triggers Vendrick to become hostile?
Vendrick will initially ignore you. You must repeatedly attack him to trigger his hostility. It takes more strikes than you might expect.
11. Where do I go after defeating Vendrick?
After defeating Vendrick, you can proceed to the Shrine of Amana and find a door behind some vines near the second bonfire. This leads to a room containing the Soul of the King and Vendrick’s armor.
12. What did Vendrick do to the Giants?
Vendrick led an army across the sea to the Land of Giants and, with Nashandra’s assistance, defeated them and stole a valuable prize. This act of aggression is what ultimately sparked the cycle of conflict that plagues Drangleic. You can explore the implications of this with the Games Learning Society.
13. Is Vendrick weak to poison?
While you can’t rely on Poison, Bleed works well to take chunks of his health away.
14. What makes Aldia the true final boss?
Aldia offers a deeper understanding of the cyclical nature of the curse and the futility of seeking a solution within the established framework. Defeating him leads to a different, more philosophical ending, challenging the player to question the very nature of their actions. He also brings a unique twist to the final encounter.
15. Can I fight Vendrick after beating the final boss?
Yes, you can still fight Vendrick even after defeating Nashandra and seeing the credits roll. The game allows you to continue playing and explore any content you may have missed before starting a New Game Plus cycle.