Conquering Prince Lorian and Lothric in Dark Souls 3 is a notoriously difficult challenge. Their combined attacks, Lothric's unpredictable movements, and Lorian's swift strikes can leave even seasoned players frustrated. But fear not, fellow Ashen One! This guide will detail effective strategies to "cheese" this challenging boss fight, focusing on exploiting weaknesses and minimizing risk. We'll explore several methods, catering to different play styles and builds.
Understanding the Boss Fight: Why Cheesing is an Option
The Lorian and Lothric fight isn't just difficult; it's also unforgiving. Their combined health pool and aggressive attack patterns create a high-pressure environment, demanding near-perfect timing and precise execution. Cheesing isn't about avoiding skill; it's about leveraging game mechanics to overcome a particularly brutal encounter. This is especially useful for players who may be struggling with the timing or pattern recognition required for a straight-up fight.
Method 1: The Far-Range Faith Build Cheese
This method is ideal for Faith builds with high-damage miracles. The key is to maintain a significant distance from the boss arena.
Strategy:
- Weapon Choice: A weapon with a long range, such as a faith-scaling spear or staff, is crucial.
- Miracle Selection: Miracles like Lightning Spears or Great Lightning Spear are your bread and butter. These deal significant damage and can be cast from a relatively safe distance.
- Positioning: Stay at the furthest possible point of the arena where they can't reliably hit you. Use the pillars for cover when needed.
- Execution: Patiently whittle down their health with repeated miracle casts. Be prepared to dodge the occasional long-range attack from Lothric.
Advantages:
- Minimal risk.
- Works well even with suboptimal stats.
- Requires minimal precise timing.
Disadvantages:
- Requires a dedicated Faith build.
- Can be slow-going.
Method 2: The Bleed Build Cheese (with a Catch!)
Bleed builds are effective against many Dark Souls 3 bosses, and Lorian and Lothric are no exception. However, directly applying consistent bleed with melee attacks is risky. This method requires a different approach.
Strategy:
- Weapon Choice: Use a weapon with high bleed buildup, such as a bleed-infused weapon or a weapon with natural bleed scaling (e.g., a bleed-infused Uchigatana).
- Summoning: Summoning an NPC phantom can significantly distract the bosses, providing you with crucial openings to attack.
- Positioning: Circle around the bosses, using your summoned phantom as a shield. Attack strategically when openings present themselves.
Advantages:
- Faster than the Faith method.
- Can be surprisingly effective.
Disadvantages:
- Still carries inherent risk due to boss attacks.
- Requires a summon, possibly requiring a specific build setup.
Method 3: The "Clipping" Glitch (Proceed with Caution)
There are rumors of exploiting specific areas of the arena to "clip" through the geometry and attack the bosses from unusual angles. These methods are often patched and should be approached with caution. Exploiting glitches can potentially corrupt your save file or lead to unforeseen consequences. It is generally recommended to avoid these methods.
Conclusion: Choose Your Cheese Wisely
These are just a few methods of "cheesing" the Lorian and Lothric fight. Remember, the "best" method depends on your build, your playstyle, and your comfort level with risk. While cheesing can be a rewarding way to overcome a tough boss, mastering the fight legitimately is undeniably more satisfying. Experiment, find what works for you, and conquer the Lords of Cinder!
