Dark Souls 3 How To Beat Demon Prince DLC Boss Guide (NG+3)

Jul 8, 2025 by Admin 60 views

How to Defeat the Demon Prince in Dark Souls 3 DLC (NG+3)

Defeating the Demon Prince in the Dark Souls 3 DLC on New Game Plus 3 (NG+3) difficulty is a daunting challenge, even for seasoned players. This guide provides a comprehensive strategy to help you overcome this formidable boss, covering everything from understanding the Demon Prince's moveset and weaknesses to selecting the right equipment and employing effective tactics. This fight is not just about raw power; it requires patience, observation, and a strategic approach to emerge victorious.

Understanding the Demon Prince Fight

The Demon Prince fight is divided into two distinct phases, each with its own challenges. The first phase involves facing either the Demon in Pain and Demon From Below, or the Demon in Pain and Demon in Pain. The order in which you defeat them dictates the final form the Demon Prince will take. Understanding the implications of these choices is crucial for success. The second phase is the Demon Prince boss fight which tests your skills and patience. Knowledge is power, especially in a Souls game, so let's delve deeper into each phase.

Phase 1: The Demons in Pain and From Below

In this initial phase, you'll encounter two demons: the Demon in Pain (who glows orange) and the Demon From Below (who glows blue). The key here is to understand that the last demon you defeat determines the final form of the Demon Prince. This choice has significant implications for the second phase, as each form has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you defeat the Demon in Pain last, the Demon Prince will gain access to the powerful Chaos Bed Vestiges spell, making the fight significantly harder for melee-focused builds. Conversely, defeating the Demon From Below last grants the Demon Prince a large melee combo and the ability to cast a powerful laser beam. Understanding these transformations and planning accordingly is the first step towards victory.

Phase 2: The Demon Prince

The second phase sees the two demons merge into the Demon Prince, a terrifying figure with a diverse moveset. This phase is a true test of your endurance and adaptability. The Demon Prince's attacks are a mix of melee strikes, fire-based spells, and long-range projectiles. The specific attacks it uses will depend on which demon was defeated last in the first phase, further emphasizing the importance of your choices. Learning to read the Demon Prince's telegraphs and react accordingly is crucial for survival. Each attack has a tell, and recognizing these cues will allow you to dodge effectively and create openings for your own attacks. Furthermore, managing your stamina is paramount. Overextending your attacks can leave you vulnerable, so prioritize strategic strikes over reckless aggression.

Preparing for the Battle

Before even stepping into the arena, proper preparation is essential for success. This includes selecting the right equipment, optimizing your stats, and understanding the Demon Prince's weaknesses. A well-prepared character has a significantly higher chance of emerging victorious against this challenging foe. This involves not only choosing the right gear but also understanding how your build synergizes with your playstyle and the specific challenges of this fight. Let's break down the key aspects of preparation.

Stats and Build Optimization

Your stat distribution and overall build play a crucial role in your ability to defeat the Demon Prince. For most builds, Vigor and Endurance are paramount, providing you with the health and stamina needed to survive the fight's relentless attacks. A healthy health pool allows you to withstand a few mistakes, while sufficient stamina enables you to both attack and evade effectively. The specific damage stats you invest in will depend on your chosen weapon. Strength builds benefit from high Strength, while Dexterity builds should prioritize Dexterity. Faith and Intelligence builds can also be viable, but they require a deeper understanding of the fight and the Demon Prince's vulnerabilities. Furthermore, consider your character's resistances. The Demon Prince deals primarily fire damage, so equipping gear that boosts your fire resistance can significantly improve your survivability.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Selecting the right equipment can make a world of difference in this fight. For weapons, fast-hitting options like straight swords, curved swords, and katanas are generally preferred, as they allow you to get in a few quick hits during openings and then retreat to safety. Weapons that deal additional damage types, such as lightning or dark, can also be effective, as the Demon Prince is somewhat vulnerable to these elements. For armor, prioritize a balance between defense and mobility. Heavy armor provides excellent protection but can hinder your ability to dodge, while light armor offers greater agility but less protection. Medium armor often strikes the best balance, allowing you to roll effectively while still mitigating a decent amount of damage. Finally, your rings can provide valuable boosts to your survivability and damage output. Rings that increase your stamina regeneration, fire resistance, or damage output can be particularly useful.

Recommended Equipment

Weapons: Black Knight Sword, Lothric Knight Sword (Lightning Infusion), Sellsword Twinblades (Sharp Infusion), or Onyx Blade. These weapons offer a good balance of damage, speed, and range, making them effective against the Demon Prince. The Black Knight Sword is particularly strong due to its high damage output and hyperarmor, while the Lothric Knight Sword with a Lightning Infusion exploits the Demon Prince's weakness to lightning damage. The Sellsword Twinblades, with their rapid attacks, can quickly build up damage, and the Onyx Blade provides both physical and dark damage. Experiment with different weapons to find the one that best suits your playstyle.
Armor: A balance between defense and mobility is key. The Fallen Knight Set, Lothric Knight Set, or even pieces from various sets to optimize for fire resistance and weight. The Fallen Knight Set is a solid starting point due to its decent protection and manageable weight. The Lothric Knight Set offers better overall protection but is heavier. Mixing and matching armor pieces allows you to fine-tune your defenses and mobility to your specific needs. Prioritize pieces that offer high fire resistance without sacrificing your ability to roll effectively.
Rings: Ring of Favor, Chloranthy Ring, Carthus Bloodring (if you're confident in your dodging), and a ring that boosts your damage (like the Leo Ring for thrusting weapons or the Ring of Steel Protection for physical defense). The Ring of Favor increases your maximum HP, stamina, and equip load, making it an invaluable asset. The Chloranthy Ring boosts your stamina regeneration, allowing you to attack and evade more frequently. The Carthus Bloodring can improve your dodging capabilities, but it requires precise timing and positioning. Finally, a ring that boosts your damage output, such as the Leo Ring for thrusting weapons or the Ring of Steel Protection for physical defense, can help you to end the fight more quickly.

Strategies and Tactics

With your character properly prepared, it's time to delve into the specific strategies and tactics that will help you defeat the Demon Prince. This fight is a marathon, not a sprint, so patience and careful observation are crucial. Learning the Demon Prince's attack patterns and exploiting his weaknesses is the key to victory.

Phase 1 Strategies

As mentioned earlier, the demon you defeat last determines the Demon Prince's final form. If you struggle with the Demon Prince's laser beam attack, defeat the Demon From Below last. This will result in a Demon Prince that relies more on melee attacks and fire-based spells, which are generally easier to dodge. Conversely, if you struggle with the Chaos Bed Vestiges spell, defeat the Demon in Pain last. However, this strategy comes with its own risks, as the melee-focused Demon Prince can be incredibly aggressive. During this phase, focus on dodging the demons' attacks and creating opportunities to strike. The demons are vulnerable to lightning damage, so weapons or spells with lightning infusions can be particularly effective. Pay attention to their attack patterns and learn to recognize the tells that precede their attacks. This will allow you to dodge effectively and create openings for your own attacks.

Phase 2 Strategies

In the Demon Prince phase, patience and observation are key. The Demon Prince has a wide range of attacks, but each one has a tell that you can learn to recognize. Pay attention to his movements and the sound cues that accompany his attacks. This will allow you to anticipate his moves and dodge accordingly. The Demon Prince is most vulnerable after he completes an attack, so focus on dodging his strikes and then counterattacking during the brief openings. Avoid getting greedy with your attacks, as overextending can leave you vulnerable. Stamina management is also crucial in this phase. Conserve your stamina for dodging and strategic attacks. Overusing your stamina can leave you unable to evade the Demon Prince's attacks, which can be devastating. If the Demon Prince transforms into his laser beam form, stay close to him and roll to the side to avoid the beam. If he transforms into his Chaos Bed Vestiges form, maintain a medium distance and dodge the fireballs as they come. A phantom can help to draw aggro and create openings, but having too many phantoms can make the fight harder by increasing the boss's health. Summoning the NPC phantom is a good balance to provide some support without drastically increasing the difficulty.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Use the environment to your advantage: The arena offers some limited cover that can be used to avoid certain attacks. However, be mindful of your positioning and avoid getting cornered.
Learn the Demon Prince's weaknesses: The Demon Prince is somewhat vulnerable to lightning and dark damage, so weapons and spells that deal these damage types can be effective.
Summon a phantom if needed: Summoning a phantom can help to draw aggro and create openings, but be aware that it will also increase the boss's health. The NPC phantom is a good choice.
Practice makes perfect: The Demon Prince is a challenging boss, so don't be discouraged if you don't defeat him on your first try. Keep practicing and learning his attack patterns, and eventually, you will emerge victorious.

Conclusion

Defeating the Demon Prince on NG+3 is a significant achievement in Dark Souls 3. It requires a combination of skill, patience, and strategic planning. By understanding the Demon Prince's moveset, optimizing your build, and employing the tactics outlined in this guide, you can overcome this formidable challenge and claim your victory. Remember, the key is to remain calm, observe the Demon Prince's movements, and strike when the opportunity presents itself. Don't give up, and you will eventually triumph over this difficult boss.