Ornstein and Smough: A Deep Dive into Dark Souls’ Iconic Duo
The twin bosses in Dark Souls 1 are none other than Dragonslayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough, a formidable pair guarding the entrance to Princess Gwynevere’s chamber in Anor Londo. Their combined strength, unique abilities, and contrasting fighting styles make them one of the most memorable and challenging encounters in the entire Dark Souls series.
Delving into the Lore of Ornstein and Smough
Ornstein: The Dragonslayer
Ornstein is a legendary knight and one of the Four Knights of Gwyn, the lord of Sunlight. He’s known for his Dragonslayer Spear, which is imbued with lightning, and his incredible speed and agility. His armor reflects his dragon-slaying prowess, and he is fiercely loyal to Gwyn and his family. Some believe he was even trained by the Nameless King, Gwyn’s firstborn.
Smough: The Executioner
In stark contrast to Ornstein, Smough is a brutal executioner known for his grotesque appearance, immense strength, and massive hammer. He desired to be one of Gwyn’s knights, but he was denied the position due to his cannibalistic tendencies. Smough’s armor is as bulky and brutal as the man himself, designed for crushing his victims.
The Boss Fight: A Symphony of Destruction
The fight against Ornstein and Smough is a masterclass in boss design. Players must contend with two powerful enemies simultaneously, each with distinct movesets and weaknesses. The arena is relatively large, allowing for some maneuverability, but the constant pressure from both bosses demands precise timing and strategic thinking. If you defeat one of them, the other boss will take on their defeated companion’s stats!
Strategies for Victory
There are generally two main approaches to tackling this boss fight:
- Focus on Ornstein First: This is the more common strategy. Ornstein’s speed and aggressive attacks make him the more immediate threat. Defeating him first allows you to focus on the slower, more predictable Smough. However, if you defeat Ornstein first, Smough will absorb his power, becoming giant and gaining Ornstein’s lightning attacks.
- Focus on Smough First: While less common, this strategy has its merits. Smough’s slow attacks make him easier to dodge, and taking him out first results in Ornstein absorbing his power, growing larger and gaining Smough’s hammer and attacks. Some players find this version of Ornstein easier to manage than a giant Smough with lightning abilities.
Regardless of the strategy, patience, observation, and effective use of the environment are crucial for success.
FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Ornstein and Smough
1. Are Ornstein and Smough brothers?
No, there’s no evidence to suggest they are brothers. The prevailing lore suggests they were simply co-workers tasked by Lord Gwyn to guard Anor Londo. Their contrasting personalities and fighting styles further support the idea that they were not related.
2. What are Ornstein’s weaknesses?
Ornstein is generally weak against fire attacks. Pyromancy can be particularly effective against him. He also has a higher bleed resistance than Smough.
3. What are Smough’s weaknesses?
Smough is generally vulnerable to lightning. He’s also slower and less agile than Ornstein, making him easier to exploit. Smough also is more vulnerable to Bleed.
4. How far into Dark Souls is the Ornstein and Smough fight?
The Ornstein and Smough fight is roughly at the halfway point of the game. While there’s still a significant portion of the game remaining after their defeat, many players find the subsequent areas comparatively easier.
5. Is Ornstein the Old Dragonslayer in Dark Souls 2?
A boss very similar to Ornstein appears in Dark Souls 2 called the Old Dragonslayer. However, this fight has been criticized as lacking creativity and being a simple rehash of Ornstein. It’s heavily implied that the Old Dragonslayer is not the original Ornstein, but rather an imitation or a knight who adopted his style and armor. Some believe that Ornstein went to seek the Nameless King at the end of his time.
6. Is the Ornstein in Dark Souls 1 an illusion?
While the sentinels in Anor Londo are illusions, Ornstein himself is not. He is a real knight of Gwyn. The sentinels are illusions, and they can hurt us.
7. Is Ornstein a boy or a girl?
Ornstein is male. This is confirmed through dialogue, item descriptions, and general lore surrounding the character.
8. Why are Ornstein and Smough so big?
The ‘god’ giants, such as Ornstein, Gwyn, etc., can grow as they absorb more souls. This is directly demonstrated when Ornstein absorbs Smough’s power, increasing his size and gaining new abilities. Likewise Smough absorbs Ornstein too.
9. Is Ornstein a good guy?
Ornstein is a supporting antagonist. He’s loyal to Gwyn and serves as a guardian, but his actions impede the player’s progress. He can be considered a knight of honor rather than a purely good or evil character.
10. Did the Nameless King train Ornstein?
It’s heavily implied that the Nameless King trained Ornstein. This connection is supported by Ornstein’s dragonslaying skills, his mastery of lightning, and the presence of his armor near the Nameless King in Dark Souls 3.
11. Is the Dragonslayer Armor related to Ornstein?
The Dragonslayer Armor in Dark Souls 3 is not directly related to Ornstein. It’s more likely that it was another dragonslayer who based his armor design on Ornstein’s legendary style. Ornstein’s armor has been found after killing the boss.
12. Why did Ornstein look for the Nameless King?
Ornstein’s loyalty to the Nameless King stemmed from the latter’s exile. Ornstein, being fiercely loyal to Gwyn’s children, sought out the disgraced prince, likely hoping to serve him once again.
13. Is Frampt lying in Dark Souls?
While Frampt isn’t outright lying, he is misleading. He encourages the player to link the fire, perpetuating the cycle of sacrifice rather than offering true freedom. Frampt’s lie is in his careful wording.
14. Are there fake walls in DS1?
Yes, there are illusory walls in Dark Souls 1. A notable concentration of them can be found in the Painted World of Ariamis.
15. Why is Ornstein alive in Dark Souls 2?
The appearance of the Old Dragonslayer in Dark Souls 2 is not necessarily the real Ornstein. The lore suggests that after his death, he was corrupted by the Abyss, which drew him to Drangleic. It is also suggested that because Ornstein went to seek the Nameless King at the end of his time. However, his appearance in DS2 is likely an imitation or a character inspired by the legendary Dragonslayer.
Conclusion: A Testament to Excellent Boss Design
Ornstein and Smough remain a benchmark for exceptional boss design in the gaming world. Their challenging mechanics, compelling lore, and memorable aesthetic have cemented their place as one of the most iconic duos in video game history. Their fight is not just a test of skill, but a testament to the depth and complexity of the Dark Souls universe.
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