Dark Souls 3, known for its challenging gameplay and intricate boss battles, features a unique confrontation with The Dancer of the Boreal Valley. This boss fight can be a significant hurdle due to her quick and unpredictable moveset, but with the right approach, you can emerge victorious. Let’s dive into some tips that will help you master this fight.
Understanding The Dancer's Moveset
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The Dancer is renowned for her elegant but deadly attacks:
- Spin Attack: She spins in a wide arc, dealing significant damage. Dodge towards her as she starts to spin.
- Lunge: She lunges forward with one of her blades. This move has a long reach, so timing your dodge is crucial.
- Grab: A rare but devastating move where she attempts to grab and burn you. Stay back if she starts to raise her arm high.
Understanding these moves and their timings is key to surviving the encounter.
Gear Up Appropriately
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Before facing the Dancer:
- Armor: Choose lightweight armor to maintain high mobility since rolling is essential.
- Weapons: Fast weapons like straight swords or rapiers are effective. They allow for quick hits and easier dodging.
- Rings:
- Ring of Favor for increased health and stamina.
- Chloranthy Ring for stamina regeneration.
- Flask of Crimson Tears for additional heals.
<p class="pro-note">⚠️ Note: Gear weight matters; keep it under 70% to avoid the fat roll.</p>
Utilize the Environment
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The Dancer's arena has pillars that can serve as temporary shields:
- Pillar Strategy: Circle around the pillars to buy time to heal or to lure her into attacking the pillar, giving you an opportunity to attack or regain composure.
- Dodge in Open Spaces: In open areas, dodge towards her to get into her blind spots.
Manage Your Stamina
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- Conserve Stamina: Avoid unnecessary attacks. Two or three hits then dodge or block.
- Pacing: Maintain a rhythm of attack, dodge, and retreat. Never empty your stamina bar.
Attack Patterns and Timing
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- Wait for Openings: Her attacks have long windups, allowing for well-timed rolls or blocks.
- Counter After Attacks: She often leaves openings after her combo attacks. This is your window to strike back.
Use Summons Wisely
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- Phantom Help: Summoning Ludleth of Courland can distract the Dancer, giving you breathing space.
- Distraction: While she’s focused on the summon, hit her from behind or from the side.
Adapt to Her Phases
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- First Phase: Stay mobile and use the environment. Wait for her to recover from large attacks to strike back.
- Second Phase: She wields two swords and becomes more aggressive. Keep your distance and dodge frequently.
<p class="pro-note">📌 Note: She can now perform a spin combo attack with both swords.</p>
Parry and Riposte
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- Parrying: With good timing, you can parry her initial swings, setting up for a critical riposte.
- Learn Her Tells: Watch for the slight pause before her attacks; this is your parry moment.
Patience and Discipline
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- Stay Calm: Patience is vital. Rushing leads to mistakes and wasted health flasks.
- Learn: Each death is a lesson. Use it to refine your strategy.
Mix Your Playstyles
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- Melee and Ranged: If you're good with ranged combat, occasionally switch to a bow to shoot from afar when she's recovering from attacks.
- Buffs: Use consumable items or spells like Rapport or Magic Weapon to give yourself an edge.
As with any Souls boss, mastering The Dancer requires patience, observation, and adaptation. Each fight teaches you more about her patterns. Remember, the key to victory is learning from each defeat. Her unpredictable dance can be mastered with the right mindset and approach.
Keep these tips in mind, gear up, and approach the fight with confidence. Soon, the graceful yet lethal dance of the Dancer will no longer be a barrier but another memory of triumph in your journey through Lothric.
<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What is the best weapon to use against the Dancer?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Fast weapons like straight swords or rapiers are highly recommended due to their speed, allowing you to quickly dodge after an attack.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I parry the Dancer of the Boreal Valley?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, you can parry some of the Dancer's attacks if you have the timing down, setting up for a riposte.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>How many phases does the Dancer have?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>The Dancer has two main phases, with the second phase being triggered when she's around 50% health, where she wields both swords.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Is it worth summoning for this fight?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Summoning Ludleth can distract the Dancer, giving you a chance to heal or attack her from behind.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What do I do if I keep getting hit by her spin attack?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Her spin attack is one of her most dangerous moves. You need to dodge towards her at the right moment to avoid the hit or use the pillars for cover.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>