Tutorial
From Wikidsouls
Contents |
Tutorial
Level Walkthrough
Thought the huge demon sitting just past the final fog wall is unbeatable? Not so! Even a first-cycle Demon's Souls hero can take the big lug down with a little patience, luck, and this awesome strategy.
Boss Strategy
Vanguard
Attacks: Regular and Overhead Slashes with a large start-up time (mostly instant kills for any character). Butt Stomp.
At the tutorial stage Vanguard is really just a completely optional mini-boss. His "true," yet less threatening, debut comes at 4-1, where he blocks off a path. He'll be there whether or not you manage to fell him in the tutorial section.
As such, the only true incentives for beating Vanguard on your first run are some Full Moon Grasses, easy soul items, a duplicate of Vanguard's "Grey Demon's Soul" 10:33, 16 October 2009 (PDT)], and dying anyways. Oh, and also great bragging rights.
Before you begin
Ditch your armor
I'm serious, especially for less agile classes, like the Knight. Face it, this thing is "supposed" to kill you. A direct hit from any one of its attacks will send you to soul form. You'll need the extra speed that moving around without armor grants you, especially for sprinting and reducing the stamina drain from attacks.
Boost your health
This is optional (sort of). As above, a direct hit WILL kill you, but keeping your health high before (and during) the fight can save you from some of the "accidental" contacts you might make with the edges of shockwaves, hitboxes, or even being stepped on a bit. Higher health allows for a crack of breathing room. Don't waste too many items on it, though.
Know your lock-on
Fighting Vanguard is actually good practice for general combat, as it exposes the weaknesses of Demon's Souls targeting system and camera. Learning to compensate for them here will help you in the future, especially in close-quarters engagements.
The Fight
Once you're naked, healthy and ready, step through the fog wall. IMMEDIATELY after you enter the room, sprint (SPRINT!) for his right armpit, aiming to, essentially, glue yourself to his rear end. Once you move under his first attack, stay close and start slashing. This can be difficult if you're using a piercing weapon like a rapier, since you have to keep moving laterally to stay centered. You can risk locking on to cast a spell or line up a thrust, but don't stay that way since Vanguard can turn faster than you can side-strafe.
Vanguard telegraphs his attacks, taking large, wide swings into his forward arc. Again, try to dodge under his RIGHT armpit, since his left side attack's damage zone covers the left armpit. Even if he boxes you into the wall, as long as you're running into his RIGHT armpit, towards his rear end, you'll be able to squeeze out. Slash away at his tail, but don't drain your stamina, reserving a bit to sprint or dodge roll.
Every so often, Vanguard will flap his wings and hover for a second, butt-slamming the floor for a 360-degree shockwave. This is the only time you should leave the demon's hindquarters. Run in and take a few shots before resuming the pattern.
Sometimes Vanguard might turn around rapidly, faster than he can usually move. This is a signal to add a dose of speed to your circular run, because the next attack will hit you if you haven't been sprinting.
Keep centered, and keep attacking, and eventually the beast will go down. Touch the Archstone to move to the next area and claim your "reward".
