Where Do I Go After Killing Vendrick in Dark Souls 2?
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So, you’ve finally managed to fell the enigmatic King Vendrick in the depths of the Undead Crypt – congratulations! This is a significant milestone in Dark Souls 2, and it’s natural to wonder what comes next. The short answer: killing Vendrick doesn’t immediately lead to the game’s end, but it unlocks a crucial piece of the puzzle, allowing you to eventually face the true final boss. You’re not railroaded into the end credits, which is great news if you want to explore or tackle other bosses first.
After defeating Vendrick, you’re free to return to Majula or any other area you choose. Killing Vendrick is essential if you wish to fight the secret final boss, Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin. It’s a critical step in fully experiencing the narrative of Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin.
Key Actions After Defeating Vendrick
Here’s a breakdown of what you should do and what options are available to you after conquering the mad King:
- Collect Vendrick’s Soul and Armor: Head back to the spot where Vendrick was defeated and collect his soul and his armor set. Vendrick’s Soul can be traded to Straid of Olaphis for the powerful King’s Ultra Greatsword.
- Prepare for the True Final Boss: Killing Vendrick opens the door for facing the actual final boss in the Throne of Want. This involves fighting two more bosses, the Throne Defender & Watcher, then confronting Nashandra. You’ll need to have already acquired the Ashen Mist Heart from the Ancient Dragon in Dragon Aerie and possess the Giant Lord Soul.
- Optional Aldia Fight: If you have met specific criteria, defeating Vendrick will trigger a fight with Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin, after Nashandra. To face Aldia you need to have talked to him three times throughout the game. Aldia will not appear if you’ve previously defeated Nashandra, unless you use a Bonfire Ascetic to reset the area. Defeating Aldia triggers a slightly different ending to the game.
- DLC Content: This is a perfect time to tackle any DLC content you may have missed. The DLC areas (Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, Crown of the Ivory King) are all independent of the core story, and provide unique challenges, bosses, and gear.
- Crowns and Vendrick’s Blessing: If you’ve collected the DLC crowns and the King’s Crown, returning to the Undead Crypt and interacting with Vendrick’s remains allows you to gain his blessing. This blessing applies to all the crowns in your inventory, adding interesting perks.
- Explore and Farm: With Vendrick gone, now is a great time to explore any areas you may have overlooked or farm souls for leveling.
- New Game Plus: When you’re truly ready to move on, the bonfire in Majula will take you to New Game Plus. This allows you to replay the game from the beginning with all of your gear and stats, but with significantly more difficult enemies.
Important Notes About Vendrick
- Optional Boss: Vendrick is an optional boss. You can complete the game without fighting him, but you miss out on a lot of story, gear, and the chance to fight Aldia.
- Giant Souls: Vendrick’s damage reduction is directly tied to how many Giant Souls you are carrying. You inflict significantly reduced damage if you don’t have any. Ideally, you should collect all five Giant Souls before facing him to deal normal damage. Each soul you hold will roughly double the damage you do.
- Aggro: Vendrick may not initially engage in combat. He will only become aggressive when you’re inflicting enough damage, so if he’s ignoring you, it’s a clear sign you need to collect more Giant Souls.
- Undead Crypt: Vendrick is found at the bottom of the Undead Crypt, a location accessed through Drangleic Castle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide more context and guidance about what to do after killing Vendrick in Dark Souls 2:
1. Does Killing Vendrick End the Game?
No, killing Vendrick does not end the game. You are free to continue exploring, level up, or tackle the other optional bosses. Vendrick is an important stepping stone to unlocking the true final boss battle and alternative ending.
2. What Happens When You Kill Vendrick?
Defeating Vendrick allows you to acquire his soul and armor, and unlocks the final sequence of boss fights against the Throne Defender & Watcher, and Nashandra. If you have met the criteria, you will also unlock the Aldia boss fight, an alternative final fight.
3. Is Vendrick the Final Boss?
No, Vendrick is not the final boss. He is an optional boss that unlocks a pathway to the true final battles. You encounter the actual final boss, Nashandra, in the Throne of Want after getting the Ashen Mist Heart and Giant Lord Soul.
4. Should I Fight Vendrick Before DLC?
It doesn’t matter. The DLC content is completely separate from the main story and the progression after Vendrick. You can tackle the DLC whenever you choose. However, if you want to get Vendrick’s blessing (which applies to all the crowns you might have from the DLCs), it’s best to collect those crowns and then fight him.
5. Is Vendrick an Optional Boss?
Yes, Vendrick is an optional boss. You don’t need to kill him to beat Nashandra, but you do need to kill him to get the full experience, including the Aldia boss fight.
6. Who is the Secret Final Boss in Dark Souls 2?
The secret final boss in Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin is Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin. He appears after Nashandra if you’ve talked to him three times and defeated Vendrick.
7. What Do I Get for Killing Vendrick?
You gain Vendrick’s Soul, his armor set, and access to the true final boss encounters. Vendrick’s Soul can be traded for his Ultra Greatsword.
8. How Many Giant Souls Do I Need to Fight Vendrick?
While technically you can fight him with any amount of giant souls, you should aim for five Giant Souls to deal normal damage to him. Each Giant Soul you possess will roughly double the damage you do. With less than five, you’ll deal considerably reduced damage.
9. Where is the Final Boss in DS2?
The final bosses are fought in the Throne of Want, located within Drangleic Castle. You first fight Throne Defender & Watcher and then Nashandra. If you meet the criteria, you will then fight Aldia.
10. Can You Beat Vendrick With Four Giant Souls?
Yes, you can beat Vendrick with four Giant Souls, but it will take a lot longer. Bleed builds might help in this case. Using all five Giant Souls is recommended for normal damage.
11. What is the Best Weapon for Vendrick?
Weapons with high counter damage like katanas can be very effective. However, with the proper use of Giant Souls, Vendrick can be beat with almost any build.
12. Why Isn’t King Vendrick Attacking Me?
King Vendrick will only attack if you are doing enough damage. He has a very high damage reduction which is lowered by the number of Giant Souls you have in your inventory. If he isn’t attacking, it’s a strong sign that you need to get more Giant Souls.
13. How Do I Access the DLC in DS2?
DLC areas are accessed through the Black Gulch. After defeating The Rotten, you can find the entrances to the DLC areas, such as Shulva, the Sanctum City.
14. What did Nashandra do to Vendrick?
Nashandra seduced and manipulated Vendrick, driving him to war with the Giants and ultimately leading to the downfall of Drangleic. She is a Child of Dark, and used Vendrick for her own means.
15. How do I Get Vendrick to Bless all Crowns?
You must collect all three DLC crowns and the King’s Crown. Then, head back to the Undead Crypt and interact with Vendrick’s remains to trigger his memory and receive his blessing.