The Pontiff Sulyvahn boss fight in Dark Souls III stands as one of the most challenging and aggressive encounters in the game. His fast attack patterns, magic-infused strikes, and relentless aggression make him a formidable opponent, especially for solo players. Summoning help can be a game-changer in this battle, giving you a critical edge by creating openings and splitting his attention. Whether you’re a sorcerer, melee build, or hybrid, the best summon for Pontiff can drastically improve your chances of success. Knowing who to summon, when to summon, and how to utilize them effectively is key to overcoming this dangerous foe.
Why Summons Matter in the Pontiff Sulyvahn Fight
Unlike other bosses, Pontiff Sulyvahn gives players very little room to breathe. His dual-sword fighting style and unpredictable combos punish slow reactions and poor spacing. During the second phase, he creates a phantom clone that mimics his moves, doubling the threat. Summons are useful not just for dealing extra damage, but also for managing aggro and disrupting the clone’s coordination with the real Pontiff.
Using the right summons helps in several ways:
- They divide Pontiff’s attention, making it easier to heal and reposition.
- They can stagger or interrupt Pontiff’s attacks.
- Some NPC summons provide ranged damage or healing support.
- Human summons bring unpredictable strategies and often high skill.
However, it’s important to know that summoning increases Pontiff’s health, so careless summoning can backfire if the allies don’t hold up. Picking the best summon for Pontiff is about maximizing support, timing, and damage output.
Top NPC Summons for Pontiff Sulyvahn
1. Anri of Astora
Anri is one of the most popular NPC summons available for the Pontiff fight. Found in the Irithyll area near the Church of Yorshka bonfire, Anri becomes summonable if the player’s questline is in the right state. She wields a straight sword and uses a balanced combat style, making her a dependable ally in both phases of the fight.
- Pros: Balanced melee damage, aggressive enough to hold aggro
- Location: Summon sign near the cathedral stairs outside the Pontiff’s arena
- Quest Requirement: Must keep Anri alive and on her quest path
Anri does a solid job supporting the player without getting wiped out early, especially if your build lacks aggression. She’s especially helpful in creating distraction during the second phase.
2. Londor Pale Shade
Londor Pale Shade is a more elusive summon but a very strong option if available. Summonable outside the boss room if you’ve progressed in Yuria of Londor’s questline, the Pale Shade is a fast and deadly fighter. He uses quick attacks and can dodge effectively, often outlasting many NPC summons in tougher fights.
- Pros: Fast, agile, hard to kill, useful for interrupting Pontiff’s combos
- Location: Summon sign outside Pontiff’s arena
- Quest Requirement: You must stay aligned with the Hollow Lord ending path
He complements both ranged and melee players well. If you can summon both Anri and Pale Shade together, they form an excellent front line.
Best Human Summons: The Community Advantage
3. Player Summons (Gold Signs)
Nothing beats the adaptability of skilled players. Gold summon signs, which indicate Warriors of Sunlight, are especially useful. These players often have optimized builds and experience with the Pontiff fight. Many use specific anti-Pontiff loadouts, including fire weapons and poise-heavy armor, designed to outlast his pressure.
- Pros: Adaptable, human intelligence, can heal and buff
- Strategy: Look for gold signs near the Pontiff fog door or Church of Yorshka
Be sure to praise the sun with your teammates! Human summons work best when coordinated consider using gestures or messaging to sync attack patterns or item usage. They’re especially useful for dealing with Pontiff’s clone phase since real players can track and kite both enemies.
Optimal Summon Combinations
Ideal Pair: Anri + Human
This setup offers a nice blend of AI consistency and real-player flexibility. Anri will stay on Pontiff consistently, drawing aggro and occasionally tanking hits. The human summon can alternate between assisting you and helping Anri pressure the boss.
Full Squad: Anri + Pale Shade + Player
If you want to go all-in, summoning all available allies creates a four-way fight. This is incredibly effective if you’re struggling solo or if your build lacks DPS. The downside is Pontiff’s HP will skyrocket, so make sure your squad knows how to avoid dying early.
Solo + One Human Summon
For players seeking more challenge while still receiving assistance, one high-level human summon is ideal. It keeps the boss’s HP increase to a minimum while still giving you breathing room. With good teamwork, this duo can finish the fight efficiently without relying on AI patterns.
Additional Tips for a Successful Fight with Summons
Watch Your Positioning
When summoning allies, always make sure you’re not crowding the boss. Getting stuck between allies and Pontiff can be fatal. Let your summons pull aggro and punish from a distance if you’re a caster or ranged weapon user.
Use Buffs and Healing Wisely
Many human summons come equipped with healing miracles or support items. Stay within range of their heals, and don’t be afraid to disengage and heal up if needed. Your summons will often give you time to recover safely.
Prioritize the Clone in Phase Two
In the second half of the fight, Pontiff spawns a spectral clone. Communicate with human summons, or position yourself opposite the clone while your allies distract the real one. Focusing down the clone quickly can save your team from being overwhelmed.
Recommended Builds for Summon Synergy
For Faith Builds
- Use healing miracles to support summons
- Apply buffs like Bless Weapon or Sacred Oath
For Sorcery Builds
- Stay mobile and pick off Pontiff with spells like Great Heavy Soul Arrow
- Use Magic Shield on a good guard to help tank attacks
For Melee Builds
- Time your strikes between Pontiff’s combos while he’s distracted
- Consider using fire or lightning-infused weapons, which Pontiff is weak against
The best summon for Pontiff Sulyvahn depends on your build, your skill level, and what kind of experience you want. For pure effectiveness, combining Anri of Astora with a capable human summon delivers consistent results. If you’re confident, a strong human ally may be all you need. For players focused on strategy and survival, adding the Londor Pale Shade gives you a highly mobile support unit. Regardless of which option you choose, summons can shift the tide of battle turning one of Dark Souls III’s toughest fights into a manageable challenge. Equip wisely, summon smart, and enter the fog gate prepared for war.