Phalanx

From Wikidsouls

Phalanx is the first real Archstone boss of the game and looks a lot harder than it is. This boss will teach you the basics for almost all boss fights, patience. With just a simple weapon it is very possible to take out Phalanx.

Phalanx is surround by a mass of Hoplites, which have a heavily shielded body, but are very weak to fire and rear attacks. As Phalanx moves around, the Hoplites will start to drop from Phalanx and come after you. Once you have taken out a few of the Hoplites, the main body of Phalanx will be exposed - and this is a very soft body.

Strategy notes

The first real boss of the game can be quite difficult for some builds, unless you manage to find a decent amount of Firebombs and Turpentine throughout the stage. With Firebombs, you should try to kill as many hoplites as possible (about half can be killed using the Firebombs found throughout the level). To clean up the rest, use a Turpentine on your weapon and melee away, making sure to attack them from behind. If your character is able to wield the Bastard Sword found earlier in the level, this works well with Turpentine due to its large attack arc.

If you find that you used up all of your turpentine and firebombs, go through the level a couple more times and collect up on Souls. There is a Dregling Merchant located within the level that will sell firebombs to you for 500 souls a piece. While a steep price, it will help you make short work of Phalanx.

During the battle with Phalanx, be sure to keep circling the room. Don't let the Demon get you caught in a corner, especially with a bunch of it's minions. The Demon has the power to take you down before you know what hit you. Instead, keep circling the room and attacking the hoplites back's that are spread throughout the room. Don't worry about killing multiples, you're in the fight for the long haul. As you continue to do this, you may begin to realize that the room isn't as full as before. Keep it up and before you know it, Phalanx will have openings on his body where there are no minions protecting him. Get in close and unleash some attacks on this area but be careful the minions don't swarm to you. If they do, keep circling the room and looking for that opportune moment when you can swarm in and take the demon down some more. Once you get Phalanx's health down to zero, he dies along with all remaining hoplites. Collect the demon's soul and exit the level.

Magic and Ranged method

For magic and ranged attacks this battle takes a lot longer, since each hoplites will have to be killed individually. After a decent amount of hoplites have been killed, go for the main core of the boss, who has a attack that knocks the player back slightly when all the hoplites have been destroyed.

Foolhardy warriors method

Simply hide behind any of the columns in the room that doesn't already have stray hoplites around it and let Phalanx come to you. As it comes up on the column, the hoplites will begin to split off of the core in order to get around the column. Once they get close, run behind another column and repeat. As the hoplites are forced to separate, it should eventually leave an opening to Phalanx's core. If you have turpentine, use it now. Run in and get a few strikes in, but don't be too greedy, as it won't be long before the surrounding hoplites ready their spears. After a few hits, roll away and run back behind another column and repeat the whole process, healing should you ever get hit. Eventually you can defeat Phalanx this way without defeating a single hoplite.

New Game+ Strategy

Firestorm and Magic are the fastest and easiest ways to kill Phalanx. Just make sure they attack and counter with Firestorm. Should kill it in one to two casts depending on how many flame pillars hit him. If you don't want to use magic you can use any weapon that deals magic damage because it can pass through the Hoplites' shields.

Large Sword of Moonlight is not blocked by the Hoplites shields and makes very short work of them and Phalanx.

Most of the large sized weapons you would have picked up will make this fight a very short one. Add some enchantment to your weapon and the fight will be over before the enchantment has worn off.