Pontiff Sulyvahn is one of the most challenging and iconic bosses in Dark Souls III. Found in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, this fight tests a player’s reflexes, stamina management, and mastery of combat mechanics. But before stepping into his cathedral and facing the intense dual-blade onslaught, there are many essential things a player should do to prepare. By completing optional areas, upgrading gear, and optimizing your character’s build, you can increase your chances of defeating Pontiff Sulyvahn and progressing deeper into the game’s dark and mysterious world.
Explore Irithyll of the Boreal Valley Thoroughly
Clear the Streets and Buildings
Before reaching Pontiff Sulyvahn, players will pass through the frosty streets of Irithyll. This area contains powerful enemies, including Pontiff Knights and Sulyvahn’s Beasts, which can be deadly if underestimated. Take your time clearing the area to collect valuable loot, souls, and Estus refills from Bonfires. The Church of Yorshka bonfire acts as a safe resting spot and gives access to useful NPCs.
Unlock Shortcuts
Irithyll has multiple doors and elevators that serve as shortcuts to boss arenas and major areas. Be sure to unlock the main shortcut gate near the Church of Yorshka, which creates a direct path to Pontiff Sulyvahn’s boss door. This drastically shortens the run back after each attempt and saves time when farming enemies or summoning help.
Defeat the Sulyvahn’s Beast
Near the bridge to Irithyll, a terrifying creature called Sulyvahn’s Beast appears. It’s a tough mini-boss, but defeating it rewards you with valuable loot like the Ring of Favor, which increases HP, stamina, and equip load great advantages for the upcoming fight.
Level Up and Upgrade Weapons
Farm Souls Efficiently
Before challenging Pontiff Sulyvahn, it’s wise to gather souls by farming enemies in safe and accessible areas. The Anor Londo elevator or Silver Knights are good farming targets for mid-level players. Use these souls to level up key stats such as Vigor, Endurance, and your primary damage stat (Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence depending on your build).
Reinforce Your Weapon
Upgrading your main weapon can make a massive difference. At this stage, your weapon should ideally be at least +6. Visit Blacksmith Andre in Firelink Shrine with titanite shards, large titanite shards, and if possible, Titanite Chunks. The more upgraded your weapon is, the easier it will be to deal consistent damage to Pontiff Sulyvahn during his aggressive attack sequences.
Infuse and Buff Weapons
If you’re using a weapon that scales with Intelligence or Faith, infuse it accordingly to maximize elemental damage. Alternatively, prepare resin items like Gold Pine Resin or Charcoal Pine Resin to apply temporary buffs during the fight. Buffing weapons before phase two can give you an edge when he summons his clone.
Optimize Your Armor and Rings
Choose Balanced Armor
Heavy armor can increase survivability, but Pontiff’s quick and magical attacks may still bypass heavy defense. Consider medium armor that allows for quick rolling while providing decent protection. Armor sets like the Black Knight Set or the Faraam Set are excellent choices that balance weight and defense.
Select Helpful Rings
Equipping the right rings can significantly improve your chances. Recommended rings include:
- Ring of Favor: Increases HP, stamina, and equip load.
- Cloranthy Ring: Boosts stamina recovery helpful for dodging and attacking.
- Carthus Milkring: Grants Dexterity and rolling invisibility.
- Magic Stoneplate Ring: Increases resistance to Pontiff’s magic damage.
These rings support both offensive and defensive strategies depending on your character’s build.
Complete Optional Areas and Quests
Return to Cathedral of the Deep
If you haven’t already, clear the Cathedral of the Deep. It provides unique items, NPC questlines, and soul rewards. Defeating Deacons of the Deep also helps progress certain stories that can influence the ending or offer support later in the game.
Clear the Profaned Capital
This optional area holds valuable loot and the boss Yhorm the Giant, who ties into the Siegward of Catarina questline. Completing this arc gives access to the Storm Ruler weapon and a memorable boss encounter. Although not directly related to Pontiff Sulyvahn, it provides useful experience and souls.
Complete Anri of Astora’s Questline
Depending on your choices, Anri can be summoned to help during later parts of the game. Interacting with Anri before fighting Pontiff Sulyvahn ensures their storyline stays on track. This quest can also unlock alternate endings, giving players more narrative control.
Summon Help or Play Online
Place or Use Summon Signs
Just before Pontiff Sulyvahn’s boss fog gate, you’ll find summon signs for both NPC and player allies. Summoning help can drastically increase your chances of success, especially during the second phase where Sulyvahn’s clone appears. Keep in mind, summoning increases the boss’s health pool, so it’s a trade-off that rewards coordination over raw damage.
Join the Blue Sentinels or Way of Blue
If you prefer a defensive strategy, join a covenant that allows for other players to help you when invaded. Irithyll is a hotspot for PvP, and having backup can make your exploration much smoother. The Blue Sentinels and Way of Blue are ideal for new players wanting assistance with hostile invaders.
Stock Up on Items and Consumables
Buy Resin and Firebombs
Before heading to the boss room, visit vendors like the Handmaiden in Firelink Shrine and stock up on useful items. Gold Pine Resin, Green Blossoms, and Firebombs can all provide tactical advantages. Firebombs are especially useful for dealing chip damage to Pontiff when you need to maintain distance during his clone phase.
Upgrade and Manage Estus Flasks
Make sure to collect Estus Shards and Undead Bone Shards before facing Pontiff. These upgrade the quantity and strength of your Estus Flasks. You should aim for at least 810 flasks upgraded to +5 or higher. Allocate more flasks to health unless you’re using a spell-heavy build that needs Ashen Estus.
Practice Combat and Learn Attack Patterns
Train Against Knights and Beasts
Irithyll’s enemy types mirror some of Pontiff Sulyvahn’s attacks. Fighting Pontiff Knights and beasts can help you adapt to fast-paced duels and magical strikes. Practice backstabs, stamina management, and rolling under attacks. These skills are vital when facing a boss as aggressive and unpredictable as Pontiff.
Study His Phases and Movements
If you’ve died to him already, take the opportunity to study his attack patterns. His first phase is aggressive but manageable. The second phase introduces a clone that mimics his moves with a delay. Focus on spacing and target the real Pontiff while dodging the clone’s follow-up strikes.
Prepare Mentally and Stay Focused
While gear and stats are crucial, mindset is just as important. Pontiff Sulyvahn can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unprepared for his rapid combos. Stay calm, don’t panic when hit, and avoid greedily attacking. Mastering patience is often what separates defeat from victory in Dark Souls III.
Taking on Pontiff Sulyvahn in Dark Souls III is a rite of passage. He represents a significant difficulty spike and demands proper preparation. By exploring Irithyll thoroughly, upgrading gear, completing side quests, and adjusting your strategy, you set yourself up for success. Whether you prefer going solo or summoning allies, the battle becomes manageable with planning and perseverance. Use every resource at your disposal and step into the cathedral with confidence. The reward waiting beyond him is well worth the challenge.
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