9. Combat Dark Souls III Guide

Never waste a chance for a backstab - the damage you can deal is enormous.

Combat is the inseparable part of Dark Souls III. Wherever and whenever you enter a location, you will always stumble upon enemies. They are characterized by different styles of combat, equipment, durability, or speed. This is why the most basic skill you have to master is to be able to adapt your combat style to specific enemies. You will fight differently against a boss, and differently when dealing with a group of smaller, but dangerously swift, enemies.

A weapon and a shield - the best combination to begin with. Attacks coming from weaker enemies can be fully blocked with a shield, which will allow you to avoid taking damage and perform counterattacks. Additionally, you can hide behind a shield in order to protect yourself from fire of enemy archers and crossbowmen. However, you must be careful, as more powerful attacks can break through your block. Finally, pay attention to your energy - you require it to block attacks.

Two-Handed weapons - there is a number of dedicated two-handed weapons in the game, and some one-handed weapon can also be wielded with two hands. This combat style tends to leave you open, as you aren't using a shield, which is why you must perfect the ability to dodge if you want to use is. Two-handed weapons deal more damage than one-handed ones, and some of the more powerful attacks can't be blocked by a shield. This is why you should try to fight more powerful enemies, as well as bosses, using this style to deal the highest possible damage.

Ranged attacks - you should use them whenever the enemy gains some distance. They deal less damage than an attack with a melee weapon, but every hit counts. Additionally, spells and some of the items can cause negative effects, which weaken the enemy in one way or another.

Special attacks - most weapons are capable of delivering special attacks, which are unique to a specific piece of gear you are using. They can cause, for instance, a short stun, which will cause the enemy to lower his shield. Additionally, remember about the moves available to each of your weapons: backward thrusts, attacks from the top, kicks, attacks performed during sprinting or rolling. You should master at least some of them and connect them with basic strikes (light and heavy) for smooth and deadly combos.

Boss fights

The first boss is vulnerable to fire. There are even some Firebombs lying around before the entrance to the arena.

Boss fights are very different from normal encounters. First of all, in most cases bosses will use several different attacks, which you must counter in a specific way. Additionally, you will have trouble blocking some of their strikes, and, given their immense sizes, some of them can be outright impossible to block. Remember that most of the bosses will change their combat style during the fight, which means that you must adapt as well. Finally, every boss has weak points, and discovering them can make the whole encounter a lot easier - it might be a vulnerability to a specific effect (such as fire), or a specific body part that is more susceptible to damage. If you have difficulties defeating a boss, try to change your approach and use a different tactic.