Have you ever faced a boss in Dark Souls II that felt less like a grand, epic encounter and more like a chaotic, disease-ridden mosh pit? If you've ventured into the Grave of Saints, then you know exactly who I'm talking about: the Royal Rat Vanguard. This isn't your typical one-on-one duel; it's a frantic battle against a horde of disease-ridden rats, culminating in a showdown with their surprisingly cunning leader. But fear not, Undead! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to not just survive, but to dominate the Royal Rat Vanguard and claim victory.
Step 1: Understanding Your Foe (and why they're so annoying!)
Let's be honest, the Royal Rat Vanguard isn't feared for its raw power, but for its sheer numbers and the dreaded Toxic status effect. Before we even think about swinging a weapon, let's break down what you're up against:
- The Mooks (Small Rats): These are your primary concern. They're fast, numerous, and most importantly, their attacks inflict Toxic. Unlike poison, Toxic rapidly drains your health and is far more dangerous. They're easily killed but their sheer volume can overwhelm you.
- The Main Man (Royal Rat Vanguard): This isn't just a bigger rat; it's the target. It blends in with the other rats until you've culled enough of them. Its attacks are relatively slow but still inflict Toxic, and it has a unique move where it tries to pounce on you.
- The Arena: The Grave of Saints is a circular arena with several large pillars. These pillars can be your best friend or your worst enemy, depending on how you use them. Visibility can be an issue with so many rats scurrying around.
So, are you ready to turn these furry fiends into mincemeat? Excellent! Let's get to the preparation.
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| How To Defeat Royal Rat Vanguard |
Step 2: Preparation is Key: Gear Up for Rat Annihilation!
Think of this as equipping your anti-rat hazmat suit. Proper preparation will significantly increase your chances of success.
Sub-heading: Armor and Shields: Maximize Your Toxic Resistance
- Toxic Resistance is King: This is non-negotiable. Equip armor pieces that offer high Poison Resistance (which also helps with Toxic).
- Consider: The Antiquated Set, Black Witch Set, or even the Gyrm Set if you have it. Don't be afraid to mix and match for optimal stats.
- Physical Defense: While Toxic is the main threat, physical damage from multiple rats can still whittle you down. Aim for a decent balance.
- Shield Up! A 100% Physical Block shield is highly recommended. It won't stop the Toxic status build-up from direct hits if you're not blocking correctly, but it will significantly reduce incoming physical damage and allow you to block most of the rat's quick lunges.
- Good Options: Drangleic Shield, Watcher's Shield, or any other sturdy shield you have.
Sub-heading: Weapons: Wide Swings and Quick Strikes
- Area of Effect (AoE) is Your Friend: Weapons with wide horizontal swings are ideal for clearing out multiple small rats quickly.
- Examples: Greatswords, Halberds, Scythes, and certain Axes.
- Speed Matters: While a big swing is great, you also need something relatively fast to deal with rats that get too close.
- Damage Type: The rats aren't particularly resistant to any specific damage type, so focus on what you're comfortable with and what has good reach.
- Avoid: Extremely slow weapons or daggers with very short reach, as they'll leave you vulnerable.
Sub-heading: Consumables: Your Lifeline in a Toxic Swamp
This is where you truly gain an edge. Don't go in without a full stock!
Tip: Share one insight from this post with a friend.
- Poison Moss / Purple Moss Clump: These are absolutely essential. They cure the Toxic status effect. Carry as many as you can. You can purchase them from various vendors, including Melentia and Gilligan.
- Lifegems: Always useful for passive healing. They can take the edge off minor damage.
- Estus Flasks: Obviously, but be mindful of when you use them. Healing animations leave you vulnerable.
- Brightbugs (Optional but Recommended): These increase your damage output for a short duration. Can be helpful for quickly dispatching the Vanguard once you find it.
Sub-heading: Rings: Boost Your Defenses and Offense
- Poisonbite Ring: Crucial. This significantly increases your Poison/Toxic resistance, making it much harder for the rats to inflict the status.
- Ring of Steel Protection: Increases physical defense. Always a good choice for boss fights.
- Chloranthy Ring: Increases stamina recovery. More stamina means more swings and more rolls.
- Life Ring: Increases maximum HP. Every little bit helps.
Step 3: The Battle Plan: From Chaos to Control
Now that you're geared up, let's talk strategy. This fight is all about crowd control and target prioritization.
Sub-heading: Phase 1: The Rat Horde - Cull the Numbers
As soon as you enter the arena, you'll be swarmed. Don't panic!
- Stay Mobile: Never stand still. Keep moving, preferably in large circles around the arena. This prevents you from being surrounded and gives you space to react.
- Wide Swings are Your Mantra: Your primary goal in this phase is to eliminate as many small rats as possible. Use your wide-swinging weapon to hit multiple rats with each attack.
- Tip: Aim for their legs or bodies. Their heads are smaller targets.
- Prioritize Toxic Rats: If a rat manages to hit you and you see the Toxic meter building, deal with that rat immediately if possible, and be ready to use a Poison Moss.
- Use the Pillars: The pillars can be your temporary refuge. You can kite rats around them, or use them to create brief moments of separation if you need to heal. However, don't get cornered by them.
- Listen for the Distinctive Roar: The Royal Rat Vanguard doesn't appear immediately. It will only emerge after you've defeated a certain number of its minions. You'll hear a distinct, louder roar when it spawns. This is your cue!
Sub-heading: Phase 2: Identifying and Eliminating the Vanguard
Once the Vanguard appears, the dynamic of the fight changes.
- Locate the Target: The Royal Rat Vanguard looks almost identical to the other rats, but there's a key difference: it has a mohawk-like mane of fur on its back. This is your visual cue.
- Italicized Tip: It often tries to stay slightly behind its brethren, making it harder to spot.
- Target Lock (Carefully!): Once you've spotted the Vanguard, try to lock onto it. However, be prepared to unlock frequently, as the other rats will still be a threat. Locking on can sometimes make it harder to hit the surrounding rats.
- Isolate and Strike: Your new priority is the Vanguard. Try to draw it away from the densest groups of small rats.
- Use the Pillars: You can use the pillars to temporarily block the path of the smaller rats, giving you a brief window to attack the Vanguard.
- Watch for the Pounce: The Vanguard has a distinctive pouncing attack. It will rear up slightly before lunging. Roll sideways to evade this and then counter-attack.
- Don't Forget the Toxic: The Vanguard's attacks also inflict Toxic. Be vigilant and use your Poison Moss as soon as the status effect appears. Don't let your health tick away while you're focused on attacking.
- Patience and Persistence: This phase can be frustrating, as the small rats will continue to respawn (though at a slower rate). Keep your focus on the Vanguard, chip away at its health, and manage the surrounding rats as best you can.
- Victory! Once the Royal Rat Vanguard falls, the remaining rats will disperse, and you'll be rewarded with a satisfying victory message and the Royal Rat Soul.
Step 4: Post-Fight Reflection: What to do with your spoils!
Congratulations, Undead! You've conquered the Royal Rat Vanguard and emerged victorious. Now, what to do with that hard-earned soul?
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
- Royal Rat Soul: You can consume it for 6,000 souls or, more importantly, trade it with Straid of Olaphis for the Warped Sword (a curved sword with A scaling in Dexterity) or the Toxic Mist pyromancy. The Warped Sword is an excellent weapon for Dexterity builds.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 common questions about defeating the Royal Rat Vanguard:
How to identify the Royal Rat Vanguard quickly?
The Royal Rat Vanguard can be identified by its distinctive mohawk-like mane of fur on its back, which is absent on the regular small rats.
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How to cure Toxic in the Royal Rat Vanguard fight?
To cure the Toxic status effect, you need to use a Poison Moss or a Purple Moss Clump. Carry plenty of these into the fight.
How to avoid getting overwhelmed by small rats?
Stay constantly moving and use weapons with wide, horizontal swings to hit multiple rats at once. Don't let them surround you.
QuickTip: Reading regularly builds stronger recall.
How to prepare for the Royal Rat Vanguard fight?
Prioritize gear with high Poison/Toxic resistance, use weapons with good crowd control, and stock up on Poison Moss and Lifegems.
How to use the pillars in the arena effectively?
Pillars can be used to create temporary separation from the rat horde, allowing you a brief window to heal or focus on a specific rat. Be careful not to get cornered.
How to tell when the Royal Rat Vanguard has spawned?
You will hear a distinct, louder roar when the Royal Rat Vanguard officially enters the fight, signaling that you've defeated enough small rats.
How to defeat the Royal Rat Vanguard if I'm a magic user?
Magic users can still utilize wide-area spells like Soul Greatsword or Heavenly Thunder, or focus on powerful single-target spells on the Vanguard while kiting the small rats. Bring chime/staff that cast quickly.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
How to avoid the Royal Rat Vanguard's pounce attack?
The Vanguard will rear up slightly before lunging. Roll sideways as it initiates the pounce to easily evade the attack.
How to get more Poison Moss for the fight?
Poison Moss can be purchased from various merchants throughout Drangleic, including Merchant Hag Melentia and Gilligan. You can also farm them from certain enemies.
How to cheese the Royal Rat Vanguard fight?
While not a traditional "cheese," some players find success by hugging the outer wall and slowly picking off rats as they approach, or by using a strong ranged attack from a distance once the Vanguard is located. However, this is less reliable and can still lead to being overwhelmed. The best approach is often the direct, prepared one.
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