So, you've heard the whispers of a Rat King and his loyal subjects, and now you want to join their ranks? Excellent. The path to becoming a part of this exclusive, furry covenant in Dark Souls 2 is a treacherous one, but a rewarding one. You must first prove your worth by facing the Royal Rat Vanguard, a seemingly chaotic boss fight that tests your ability to handle a horde.
This guide will take you through every perilous step, from finding the hidden entrance to the Rat King's domain to besting his champion. So, grab your best weapon, put on your most fashionable (and fall-damage-reducing) gear, and let's delve into the depths of the Grave of Saints.
Step 1: Gaining Access to the Rat's Domain
First things first, let's get you into the right area. You can't fight a rat boss if you can't find their lair, right? The Royal Rat Vanguard resides in the Grave of Saints, a catacomb located deep within the massive pit in the heart of Majula.
Sub-heading: The Pit of Majula and Your Options
The pit is a daunting drop, and a simple leap will send you to your death. You have a few options to survive this fall.
Option A: The Silvercat Ring. This is the most straightforward method. You can purchase the Silvercat Ring from Shalquoir, the talking cat in the house next to the pit in Majula. This ring significantly reduces fall damage, allowing you to drop down the pit in stages without dying. Be careful, though, as you still need to be mindful of your health.
Option B: Laddersmith Gilligan. If you'd rather not rely on a ring, you can find Laddersmith Gilligan in Earthen Peak and convince him to come to Majula. He'll then build a series of ladders for you in the pit, making your descent a breeze. This is the safest but also the longest route, as you'll have to progress through a significant portion of the game first.
Option C: The "Naked" Plunge. For the brave and foolhardy, you can strip off all your armor to reduce your equip load and take less fall damage. This is a high-risk, high-reward method. You'll need to carefully descend the ledges of the pit, healing as you go.
Once you've made your descent, you'll eventually find a cave entrance on a ledge. This is the entrance to the Grave of Saints. Light the bonfire inside and prepare for the next step.
Step 2: Navigating the Grave of Saints
The Grave of Saints is a murky and treacherous area. It's not just a straight path to the boss; you'll have to contend with various enemies and traps.
Sub-heading: Dealing with the Rodent Horde
The primary enemies you'll encounter here are Corpse Rats. While they are individually weak, they often attack in large packs, and their bites can inflict the dreaded Petrification status. If your petrification bar fills up, you will instantly die.
Stay vigilant and don't get swarmed! Use a weapon with a wide, sweeping attack to hit multiple rats at once. A halberd or greatsword can be very effective here.
Be on the lookout for hidden traps. The floor is littered with pressure plates that can trigger poison-spewing statues or other unpleasant surprises.
You'll also encounter a dark spirit invader, Rhoy the Explorer. He is a member of the Rat King Covenant and will try to stop you. He has invisible weapons and shield, so be cautious.
Follow the linear path through the catacombs, lighting bonfires and clearing out the rat hordes as you go. You'll eventually come to a large chamber with a fog gate at the end. This is it. The arena of the Royal Rat Vanguard.
Step 3: The Royal Rat Vanguard Boss Fight
Now for the main event. This boss fight is less about a single, powerful foe and more about crowd control and target identification.
Sub-heading: The Swarm and the Leader
When you enter the fog gate, you'll be greeted by a massive swarm of Corpse Rats. They will constantly pour into the room. Your main objective isn't to kill them all, but to find the one true Vanguard.
The Royal Rat Vanguard is visually distinct from the other rats. It has a dark brown mohawk of fur running down its back. This can be hard to spot in the chaos, so keep your eyes peeled.
Once you've identified the Vanguard, your focus should be solely on it. The other rats will continuously respawn, so wasting your time on them is pointless.
As soon as you start damaging the Vanguard, its health bar will appear at the bottom of the screen. This is your confirmation. Don't let it get away!
Sub-heading: Recommended Strategies for Victory
Area-of-Effect (AoE) attacks are your best friend. Spells like Soul Spear, Great Fireball, or Flame Swathe can quickly clear out the rat horde and give you a moment of breathing room to find the Vanguard.
Use a large, sweeping weapon. A greatsword, Ultra Greatsword, or a Halberd can cleave through the lesser rats with ease.
Keep moving! Don't let the rats surround you. Roll and sprint to create space and avoid their petrifying attacks.
Once you find the Vanguard, stay locked on. Don't switch targets. Lay into it with your most powerful attacks. It has a surprisingly small health pool and will go down quickly once you focus your damage on it.
After the Royal Rat Vanguard falls, all the other rats will immediately flee, and the fight is over. Congratulations, you've proven your worth!
Step 4: Joining the Rat King Covenant
After defeating the Royal Rat Vanguard, the fog gate at the far end of the room will dissipate. Walk through it, and you'll find a giant rat sitting on a throne of bones. This is the Rat King.
Speak to him, and he will offer you a chance to join his covenant. By accepting, you'll be rewarded with the Crest of the Rat ring and the ability to join the ranks of his furry minions. Now you can place traps and summon trespassers into your world to defend the Rat King's domain!
Related FAQ
How to get to the Grave of Saints from Majula? You need to descend the large pit in the center of Majula. You can do this by using the Silvercat Ring, by having Laddersmith Gilligan build ladders for you, or by carefully platforming and healing as you go.
How to defeat the Royal Rat Vanguard easily? Use a weapon with a wide, sweeping attack or an Area-of-Effect spell to clear out the endless swarm of rats. Then, quickly identify the Vanguard (the one with the dark mohawk) and focus all your attacks on it.
How to stop getting petrified by the rats? Petrification is a status effect caused by the rats' attacks. To avoid it, don't let them swarm you. You can also equip items that boost your petrification resistance.
How to join the Rat King Covenant? Defeat the Royal Rat Vanguard in the Grave of Saints and then speak to the Rat King in the room beyond the boss arena.
How to use the Crest of the Rat ring? When you wear the Crest of the Rat ring in the Grave of Saints or the Doors of Pharros, it allows you to summon other players who enter the area into your world to fight them on your turf.
How to find Laddersmith Gilligan? You can find him in Earthen Peak, leaning against a railing. Talk to him and pay him a small fee to have him move to Majula.
How to get the Silvercat Ring? You can buy the Silvercat Ring from Shalquoir, the talking cat, in her house in Majula.
How to recognize the Royal Rat Vanguard? It's a rat that looks very similar to the others, but it has a distinct dark, spiky mohawk of fur running down its back. Once you hit it, a health bar will appear at the bottom of your screen.
How to get to the Doors of Pharros? The Doors of Pharros are located after the Shaded Woods and the Scorpioness Najka boss fight. From the Fork bonfire, take the path that leads through the dense, foggy woods.
How to deal with Rhoy the Explorer? He is a dark spirit invader in the Grave of Saints. He uses a pair of invisible weapons, so be careful. His attacks are predictable, so you can learn his patterns and parry or dodge accordingly.
