Hello, Ashen One. Are you ready to face the Royal Rat Vanguard? This boss fight can be a bit of a chaotic mess if you don't know the trick to it. But fear not, for this guide will lead you through the labyrinthine Grave of Saints and show you exactly how to get to the boss and emerge victorious. Let's begin our journey.
Step 1: Finding the Entrance to the Grave of Saints
So, you've heard whispers of a rat king and his rat army. Your first task is to locate their domain, the Grave of Saints. Don't worry, it's not a hidden corner of the world. It's actually right under your nose in the hub area of Majula.
Engage User: Do you remember the giant pit in the middle of Majula, the one that makes your stomach do a flip every time you look down it? That's where we're going. Grab your courage, and let's take the plunge!
There are two main ways to safely descend into the pit:
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The Ladder Method: This is the most straightforward way. You need to purchase the Laddersmith Gilligan's services. He is initially found in Earthen Peak. After you find him there, he'll move to Majula and set up shop near the pit. You can pay him to set up a series of ladders that will take you all the way down. The more you pay, the further down you can go. To reach the Royal Rat Vanguard, you will need to pay for the longest ladder.
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The Cat Ring Method: If you're feeling adventurous (or don't have enough souls for the ladders), you can purchase the Silvercat Ring from the talking cat, Shalquoir, in Majula. This ring negates fall damage, allowing you to descend the pit by carefully dropping from platform to platform. Be warned, a wrong move can still lead to a fatal fall. This is a much riskier option, so be cautious!
Once you've made your way to the bottom of the pit, you'll find yourself in the Grave of Saints.
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| How To Get To Royal Rat Vanguard Ds2 |
Step 2: Navigating the Grave of Saints
QuickTip: Slow scrolling helps comprehension.
The Grave of Saints is a dark and treacherous area, filled with pesky rats and the members of the Rat King Covenant. Be prepared for a fight, and be mindful of your surroundings.
Sub-heading: Dealing with the Rat-Menace
The rats in this area are not just ordinary rats; they can inflict Petrification and Poison. Petrification is a nasty status effect that can kill you instantly if the bar fills up. So, keep an eye on your status effects! Bring some Alluring Skulls or Yearn to distract them, or a good sweeping weapon to deal with multiple rats at once.
Sub-heading: Finding the Fog Gate
Make your way through the winding tunnels, dealing with the rats and other enemies. The path is fairly linear, but there are some hidden items and shortcuts to be found. Keep exploring until you come across a bonfire. This is a major checkpoint. Rest up, mend your gear, and prepare yourself. From this bonfire, you'll need to continue onward. The path from the bonfire leads to a misty fog gate.
Tip: Reread complex ideas to fully understand them.
Step 3: The Royal Rat Vanguard Boss Fight
Now, for the main event. Step through the fog gate, and let the chaos begin.
Sub-heading: The Boss Arena and the Horde
You won't immediately see a giant boss. Instead, you'll be greeted by a swarm of regular rats. Your primary objective at this stage is to kill the rats. As you kill them, a health bar will appear at the bottom of your screen: Royal Rat Vanguard. This is your cue!
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Sub-heading: Identifying the Real Boss
The Royal Rat Vanguard is not a giant rat. It is one of the rats in the horde, but with a unique appearance. Look for a rat with a distinct spiked mohawk or a noticeable patch of rugged, black fur on its back. It will look slightly different from the others, and its health bar will be the one you're aiming to deplete.
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
Sub-heading: The Strategy
This fight is all about crowd control and target identification.
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Prioritize the Minions: At the beginning, use a weapon with a wide, sweeping attack to clear out the regular rats. They can quickly overwhelm you and inflict petrification.
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Find the Vanguard: Once the health bar appears, immediately start looking for the distinctive rat.
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Lock On and Attack: As soon as you find the Royal Rat Vanguard, lock onto it and don't let go. This will help you keep track of it in the chaotic swarm.
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Stay Mobile: Keep moving and rolling to avoid being swarmed.
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Be Aggressive (but careful!): The Vanguard itself doesn't have a lot of health. Once you find it, a few good hits will be enough to take it down. Don't get greedy, though, as the other rats can still punish you.
Once you defeat the Royal Rat Vanguard, the other rats will dissipate, and you'll have won the fight! Congratulations, you've conquered the Grave of Saints and defeated the Rat King's champion.
FAQ - How to...
How to find the Laddersmith Gilligan? You can find Laddersmith Gilligan in Earthen Peak. He's located in the room with the windmill that you can burn.
How to get the Silvercat Ring? The Silvercat Ring can be purchased from Shalquoir, the cat in Majula, for 13,400 souls.
Tip: Reading in chunks improves focus.
How to deal with the petrification from the rats? You can use Aromatic Ooze to temporarily increase your resistance to petrification. Be sure to have some Prism Stones or Rusted Coins to help you keep track of your drops in the pit.
How to kill the rats quickly? Weapons with a wide arc or area-of-effect spells like Fireball or Soul Spear are highly effective against the rat horde.
How to identify the Royal Rat Vanguard? Look for the rat with a noticeable mohawk or a rugged, black patch of fur on its back. It's the only one that looks different from the rest.
How to get to the boss fog gate from the bonfire? From the bonfire in the Grave of Saints, simply follow the linear path until you reach the misty fog gate.
How to avoid getting swarmed by rats? Keep moving, and don't stay in one place for too long. Use a sweeping weapon to clear a path.
How to join the Rat King Covenant? After defeating the Royal Rat Vanguard, continue through the now-open area to find the Rat King himself. He will offer you the chance to join his covenant.
How to get to the Grave of Saints without ladders or the ring? It's not recommended, but it is technically possible. You can try to jump down the platforms, but it requires very precise timing and landing and will almost certainly result in a death.
How to get to the Doors of Pharros from this area? After defeating the Royal Rat Vanguard and joining the covenant, you can continue through the Grave of Saints to reach the Doors of Pharros.
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