Who Can I Summon for Pontiff Sulyvahn in Dark Souls 3?
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The Pontiff Sulyvahn boss fight in Dark Souls 3 is notoriously challenging. Fortunately, summoning help can significantly increase your chances of victory. You can summon the following NPCs and, if online, other players:
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NPC Summons:
- Black Hand Gotthard: His summon sign is located right before the fog gate to the Pontiff Sulyvahn boss arena.
- Anri of Astora (if certain conditions are met): Their summon sign appears near the main entrance to Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, slightly before reaching the Pontiff’s courtyard. This requires a specific progression of Anri’s questline, particularly involving Yoel of Londor and the Hollow status.
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Online Players: If you are playing online and embered, you can summon other players who have placed their summon signs near the boss fog gate or at the Church of Yorshka bonfire.
Understanding Summoning Mechanics in Dark Souls 3
Before delving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental summoning mechanics in Dark Souls 3. You need to be in embered form to see summon signs and summon other players. Using an Ember restores your health and allows you to summon. Additionally, if you have already defeated the area boss, you will not be able to summon other players in that area.
Embered Form is Key
Being embered is not just about summoning; it also makes you vulnerable to invasions by other players. However, the benefits of summoning often outweigh the risk of invasion, especially for challenging bosses like Pontiff Sulyvahn. Remember to stock up on Embers or farm them from enemies if you run out.
Summoning Etiquette
While not mandatory, adhering to certain etiquette guidelines can enhance your co-op experience. Bowing before the boss fight is a common sign of respect. Also, try to communicate with your summons using gestures to coordinate strategies. Remember that the goal is to defeat the boss together, so cooperation is crucial.
Summoning Specifics for Pontiff Sulyvahn
Locating Black Hand Gotthard’s Summon Sign
Black Hand Gotthard is a valuable asset in the Pontiff Sulyvahn fight. His summon sign is conveniently located right before the fog gate. He is a powerful melee fighter and can draw aggro, allowing you to heal or deal damage safely.
Anri of Astora’s Questline and Summon Sign
Anri of Astora’s summon sign is a bit more complicated. It only appears if you have progressed their questline in a specific way. The key steps are:
- Meeting Anri and Horace at the Halfway Fortress in the Road of Sacrifices.
- Speaking to Anri again in the Catacombs of Carthus after Horace disappears.
- Not killing Aldrich, Devourer of Gods, before completing Anri’s quest.
- Finding Anri in the Church of Yorshka in Irithyll (but do not reveal the assassin hiding as a statue).
If these conditions are met, Anri’s summon sign will appear near the main entrance to Irithyll, slightly before reaching the courtyard leading to Pontiff.
Summoning Online Players
To summon online players, you need to be embered and look for white or gold summon signs on the ground. These signs are usually found near bonfires (like the Church of Yorshka) or directly outside the boss fog gate. The availability of summon signs depends on your level and weapon upgrade level, as the game uses these factors to match players.
Strategies for the Pontiff Sulyvahn Fight with Summons
Fighting Pontiff Sulyvahn with summons requires a coordinated strategy. Here are some tips:
- Distribute Aggro: Let Gotthard or another summon tank the boss while you deal damage from behind.
- Focus on the Clone: When Pontiff summons his clone, prioritize taking it down quickly.
- Communicate: Use gestures to signal your intentions and coordinate attacks.
- Heal Strategically: Don’t heal in front of the boss. Use your summons as distractions to create openings.
- Patience is Key: Don’t get greedy with attacks. Wait for the right moments to strike.
FAQs: Summoning for Pontiff Sulyvahn
1. Why can’t I see any summon signs?
There are several reasons why you might not see summon signs:
- You are not embered.
- You have already defeated Pontiff Sulyvahn in your world.
- Your level or weapon upgrade level is too different from other players in the area.
- You are playing offline.
- There are no active players placing summon signs in your region and matchmaking pool.
2. How do I become embered?
You can become embered by:
- Using an Ember.
- Successfully defeating a boss.
- Helping another player defeat a boss as a phantom.
3. What level should I be to fight Pontiff Sulyvahn?
A recommended level range for fighting Pontiff Sulyvahn is 60-80. This range ensures a fair challenge and allows you to find summon signs from players within a similar level range.
4. What weapon level should I have for Pontiff Sulyvahn?
A weapon level of +6 to +8 is generally recommended for this fight.
5. Can I summon more than one NPC?
No, you can only summon one NPC at a time. However, you can summon multiple online players (usually up to two, unless you use the Dried Finger).
6. What happens if my summons die during the fight?
If your summons die, they will disappear from your world. You will need to either summon them again (if their summon sign is still available) or proceed solo.
7. Is it easier to fight Pontiff Sulyvahn with summons?
Yes, generally speaking, fighting Pontiff Sulyvahn with summons makes the fight significantly easier. Summons can draw aggro, allowing you to heal and deal damage more safely.
8. How does the boss’s health scale with summons?
The boss’s health increases proportionally to the number of summons in your world. This means that while the boss is tougher, the increased damage output from multiple players usually outweighs the health increase.
9. Do I get more souls if I defeat Pontiff Sulyvahn with summons?
You will receive the normal amount of souls for defeating the boss, but you will also gain souls from any enemies your summons defeat before the boss fight. Your summons will also receive souls.
10. What are some good strategies for the Pontiff Sulyvahn fight?
- Parrying: Pontiff’s attacks can be parried, but it requires precise timing.
- Backstabbing: He is vulnerable to backstabs, especially when he is focused on another target.
- Dodging: Learn his attack patterns and dodge effectively.
- Using Fire: Pontiff is weak to fire damage.
11. What weapons are effective against Pontiff Sulyvahn?
Fire weapons are highly effective. Weapons with bleed can also be useful.
12. Where is the Church of Yorshka bonfire?
The Church of Yorshka bonfire is located in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, just after the Distant Manor bonfire and before entering the main city area. It’s a common location for players to place summon signs before the Pontiff Sulyvahn fight.
13. What is the Dried Finger, and how does it affect summoning?
The Dried Finger allows you to summon a third phantom into your world, but it also increases the likelihood of being invaded by enemy players. It can be purchased from the Shrine Handmaid after giving her the Grave Warden Pyromancy Tome.
14. How do I complete Anri of Astora’s questline correctly?
To ensure you can summon Anri for the Pontiff fight and achieve the “good” ending to their quest, do not kill Aldrich, Devourer of Gods, before completing their questline. In the Church of Yorshka, locate the statue disguised as a Pilgrim and do not reveal it to Anri. If you find the statue, look closely, as the statue disguised as a Pilgrim is not always easy to distinguish.
15. What happens if I fail Anri’s questline?
If you fail Anri’s questline (e.g., by killing Aldrich before completing it, or by revealing the assassin in the Church of Yorshka), you will not be able to summon Anri for the Pontiff Sulyvahn fight, and you will trigger a different, potentially less desirable, outcome for their story.