Bushra Griffith
Carthus Worms, formidable foes in the Dark Souls III DLC The Ringed City, are known for their relentless attacks and high damage output, making them a challenging encounter for many players. However, with the right strategy, players can cheese these enemies, exploiting specific mechanics to defeat them with minimal risk. One effective method involves using the environment to your advantage, such as luring the worm into tight spaces where it becomes stuck or unable to attack effectively. Additionally, utilizing ranged attacks or spells from a safe distance can whittle down its health without engaging in direct combat. Another popular tactic involves summoning NPCs or other players to distract the worm while you focus on dealing damage. By combining these techniques and understanding the worm's behavior, players can turn a daunting battle into a manageable—and even humorous—victory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Enemy | Carthus Worm |
| Location | Catacombs of Carthus |
| Weakness | Thrust damage, Lightning damage |
| Resistance | Slash damage, Strike damage, Fire damage, Dark damage |
| Immune | Poison, Toxic, Bleed, Frost |
| Cheese Strategy | Lure worm to narrow pathway, attack from behind with thrusting weapon |
| Recommended Weapons | Rapier, Ricard's Rapier, Chaos Rapier, any thrusting weapon with lightning infusion |
| Recommended Shields | Small shields with high stability (e.g., Target Shield, Leech Shield) |
| Recommended Rings | Chloranthy Ring, Hornet Ring, Ring of Favor, Lightning Clutch Ring |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate, depending on player skill and equipment |
| Drops | Demon's Great Hammer, Carthus Milkring, Souls |
| Notes | Worm has slow turning speed, making it vulnerable to backstabs; can be staggered with repeated thrust attacks |
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What You'll Learn
- Optimal Build Setup: Focus on high bleed damage, using weapons like Carthus Curved Sword or Katana
- Area Layout Exploit: Lure the worm into tight spaces to limit its movement and attacks
- Poison/Bleed Strategy: Apply poison or bleed repeatedly to stack damage over time, weakening it faster
- Summon Assistance: Use NPC summons to distract the worm while you deal damage safely
- Estus Timing: Dodge its attacks, then quickly heal during its long recovery animations to stay alive
Optimal Build Setup: Focus on high bleed damage, using weapons like Carthus Curved Sword or Katana
The Carthus Worm's relentless pursuit and toxic spit make it a formidable early-game challenge in *Dark Souls III*. To "cheese" this enemy effectively, a build centered on high bleed damage is ideal. Weapons like the Carthus Curved Sword or the Katana excel here due to their innate bleed buildup and fast attack speed. Pair these with the Carthus Rouge weapon buff, which significantly boosts bleed accumulation, and you’ll turn the Worm’s aggression into its downfall. Focus on dodging its lunges and striking during its recovery frames, stacking bleed damage until it’s forced into a vulnerable state.
Analyzing the mechanics, bleed damage bypasses the Carthus Worm’s natural defenses, making it a more efficient strategy than pure physical or elemental damage. The Carthus Curved Sword, with its S-tier bleed scaling, can accumulate bleed in just 3-4 hits, while the Katana’s longer reach and higher base damage offer versatility. Equip the Chloranthy Ring to speed up stamina recovery, allowing you to maintain pressure without overexposing yourself. Avoid heavy armor—this build thrives on agility and precision, not tankiness.
A persuasive argument for this setup lies in its efficiency and low resource cost. Unlike strategies relying on consumables or summon assistance, a bleed-focused build requires minimal investment. Farm Carthus Rouge from Hollow Slaves in the Catacombs of Carthus and allocate stat points into Dexterity (minimum 18 for the Carthus Curved Sword, 14 for the Katana). The Flynn’s Ring is optional but recommended, increasing bleed buildup by 50% at the cost of reduced Poise—a fair trade-off for this strategy.
Comparatively, other methods like ranged attacks or magic builds often require more preparation and resources. Bleed damage, however, scales with weapon upgrades and buffs, making it accessible even in early playthroughs. For example, a +3 Carthus Curved Sword with Carthus Rouge can outpace a +5 longbow in terms of damage output against the Worm, especially when factoring in its bleed proc. This build’s effectiveness lies in its simplicity: dodge, strike, and repeat until the enemy is neutralized.
In practice, start the fight by applying Carthus Rouge to your weapon. Wait for the Worm’s initial charge, roll through it, and unleash a combo to build bleed. If it retreats to spit poison, maintain distance and reapply the buff if necessary. Once the bleed effect triggers, the Worm will stagger, giving you a window to deal additional damage or reposition. Patience is key—avoid greed and prioritize consistency over high-risk attacks. With this setup, the Carthus Worm transforms from a daunting foe into a predictable target, showcasing the power of a well-crafted bleed build.
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Area Layout Exploit: Lure the worm into tight spaces to limit its movement and attacks
The Carthus Worm's size and agility are both its greatest strengths and its most exploitable weaknesses. By luring it into tight spaces, you effectively neutralize its ability to perform wide-ranging attacks and limit its movement, turning the battlefield into a strategic choke point. This exploit hinges on understanding the worm's behavior and the layout of the area, allowing you to dictate the flow of combat rather than reacting to its unpredictable movements.
To execute this strategy, begin by identifying narrow corridors, doorways, or areas with obstacles that restrict the worm's mobility. Position yourself at the entrance of these tight spaces, using ranged attacks or bait to draw the worm toward you. Once it enters, its massive body will become constrained, reducing its ability to execute sweeping attacks or quickly close the distance. For example, in the Catacombs of Carthus, the narrow pathways leading to the boss fog gate are ideal for this tactic. The worm’s size forces it to move slowly through these areas, giving you ample time to strike from a safe distance or dodge its limited attacks.
However, this approach requires precision and patience. Avoid getting too close, as the worm’s tail swipe can still be deadly in confined spaces. Instead, maintain a medium distance, using projectiles or spells to chip away at its health. If you’re using a melee build, time your strikes carefully, focusing on quick, high-damage combos before retreating to safety. A critical tip is to bait its charge attack, which becomes predictable in tight spaces due to the worm’s inability to maneuver quickly. This attack leaves it vulnerable for several seconds, providing a prime opportunity to deal significant damage.
Comparatively, this exploit contrasts with more aggressive strategies that rely on dodging and parrying. While those methods require high reflexes and timing, the area layout exploit prioritizes spatial awareness and control. It’s particularly effective for players with lower agility or those using slower weapons, as it minimizes the need for constant movement. Additionally, this tactic reduces the risk of accidental damage from environmental hazards, such as the worm knocking you into walls or off ledges.
In conclusion, luring the Carthus Worm into tight spaces is a tactical masterstroke that leverages the environment to your advantage. By understanding the worm’s limitations and the area’s layout, you transform a daunting battle into a manageable, even predictable, encounter. Practice this exploit in less critical areas to refine your timing and positioning, and soon you’ll find yourself dominating the worm with ease.
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Poison/Bleed Strategy: Apply poison or bleed repeatedly to stack damage over time, weakening it faster
The Carthus Worm's relentless pursuit and unpredictable movements make it a formidable foe, but its susceptibility to status effects offers a strategic edge. Poison and bleed damage, when applied repeatedly, can turn the tide of battle by stacking damage over time, effectively weakening the worm faster than conventional attacks. This approach leverages the game's mechanics to bypass the need for precise, high-damage strikes, making it an ideal "cheese" strategy for players seeking efficiency.
To execute this strategy, equip weapons or tools infused with poison or bleed effects, such as a Poison-infused short sword or a Carthus Rouge-coated dagger. The key is to strike the worm repeatedly, ensuring the status effect meter fills with each hit. Poison deals damage over 30 seconds, while bleed triggers when the meter is full, causing a burst of damage. Aim for the worm's head or tail, as these areas are more vulnerable and allow for quicker application of status effects. Time your attacks during its predictable lunges or when it pauses to reset its position.
A practical tip is to pair this strategy with a shield that offers high stability, such as the Leech Shield, to withstand the worm's aggressive charges while you apply poison or bleed. Additionally, use the environment to your advantage—lure the worm into tight spaces where it has less room to maneuver, giving you more opportunities to land hits. For maximum efficiency, combine status effects with occasional critical hits or backstabs when the worm is staggered.
While this method may require patience, its effectiveness lies in its cumulative impact. Unlike direct damage, poison and bleed effects persist, chipping away at the worm's health even when you're not actively attacking. This makes it particularly useful for players with lower damage output or those who struggle with the worm's erratic movements. By focusing on stacking status effects, you transform a chaotic encounter into a methodical breakdown of the enemy's defenses.
In conclusion, the poison/bleed strategy is a calculated approach to defeating the Carthus Worm, emphasizing consistency over brute force. By understanding the mechanics of status effects and adapting your tactics to the worm's behavior, you can exploit its weaknesses and secure victory with minimal risk. This method not only showcases the depth of the game's combat system but also highlights the value of creativity in overcoming challenges.
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Summon Assistance: Use NPC summons to distract the worm while you deal damage safely
In the treacherous depths of the Catacombs of Carthus, the Carthus Worm poses a formidable challenge with its relentless pursuit and devastating attacks. One effective strategy to mitigate this threat is to employ NPC summons as a distraction, allowing you to deal damage safely from a distance. This tactic leverages the game’s mechanics to create a window of opportunity, turning a daunting encounter into a manageable one. By summoning allies like Anri of Astora or Horace, the Holy Knight, you force the worm to divide its attention, reducing the frequency of its attacks on you. This method not only minimizes risk but also maximizes efficiency, as you can focus on dealing consistent damage without constant interruption.
To execute this strategy, begin by positioning yourself near the worm’s spawning area, ensuring you’re within summoning range of the NPCs. Summon Anri of Astora first, as her agility and proximity to the worm’s initial location make her an ideal first distraction. Follow this by summoning Horace, whose heavy armor and powerful attacks draw significant aggro, further diverting the worm’s focus. Once both NPCs are engaged, maintain a safe distance and prioritize ranged attacks or spells to chip away at the worm’s health. Be mindful of the NPCs’ health bars, as their survival is crucial to maintaining the distraction. If one falls, quickly reposition to avoid becoming the worm’s primary target.
A critical aspect of this approach is timing and positioning. Summon NPCs just before engaging the worm to ensure they’re ready to act immediately. Position yourself on elevated terrain or behind obstacles to limit the worm’s ability to reach you while still allowing clear shots. Avoid overcommitting to damage if the NPCs are overwhelmed, as the worm’s speed and reach can quickly turn the tide against you. Instead, focus on sustained, controlled damage, using the NPCs as a buffer to absorb its aggression. This balance between offense and caution is key to success.
Comparatively, this method stands out from other strategies like kiting or exploiting terrain because it relies on the game’s built-in mechanics rather than player skill alone. While kiting requires precise movement and timing, and terrain exploitation can be inconsistent, NPC summons provide a reliable and repeatable solution. It’s particularly useful for players who struggle with the worm’s aggressive behavior or lack the mobility to kite effectively. However, it’s not without drawbacks—summons have limited health and can be overwhelmed if not managed properly. Thus, it’s essential to monitor their status and adapt your approach if they fall.
In conclusion, using NPC summons to distract the Carthus Worm is a strategic and effective way to cheese this challenging enemy. By summoning allies like Anri and Horace, you create a distraction that allows you to deal damage safely from a distance. Proper timing, positioning, and awareness of NPC health are crucial to maintaining this advantage. While it may not be as flashy as other methods, its reliability and accessibility make it a valuable tool for players of all skill levels. Master this technique, and the Carthus Worm will become just another obstacle on your journey through the Catacombs.
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Estus Timing: Dodge its attacks, then quickly heal during its long recovery animations to stay alive
The Carthus Worm's relentless assaults can whittle down even the hardiest of players, but its predictable attack patterns and lengthy recovery animations offer a lifeline: the Estus Flask. Mastering the art of Estus timing transforms this boss fight from a frantic scramble into a calculated dance.
Step 1: Learn the Worm’s Rhythm
Observe the Worm’s attacks closely. Its most common moves—the lunging bite and the sweeping tail slam—are followed by a noticeable pause, often lasting 1.5 to 2 seconds. These are your windows. During the bite, the Worm recoils slightly, leaving its midsection exposed. After the tail slam, it rears back, its body rigid and vulnerable.
Step 2: Dodge with Precision
Timing is everything. Roll through the attack, not away from it. This minimizes distance and positions you closer to the Worm’s recovery animation. For the bite, roll perpendicular to its body; for the tail slam, roll forward to avoid lingering damage. Practice until the dodge feels instinctive—one mistimed roll can cost you dearly.
Step 3: Heal Aggressively
As soon as the Worm enters its recovery, activate your Estus Flask. The animation for drinking Estus takes approximately 1.2 seconds, so you have a narrow but sufficient window. Prioritize full heals (3 Estus charges) over partial ones, as the Worm’s damage can stack quickly. If you’re low on Estus, consider using a Green Blossom (restores 20% HP) as a stopgap, but it’s less efficient.
Caution: Avoid Greed
Resist the urge to attack during recovery animations. The Worm’s recovery is long, but not infinite. Striking even once risks interrupting your heal or leaving you exposed to a counter-attack. Patience is your greatest ally here.
By exploiting the Worm’s recovery animations, you shift the fight’s momentum in your favor. Each successful heal negates the Worm’s previous assault, effectively nullifying its damage output. Over time, this strategy wears the boss down while keeping you in the fight. Remember: this isn’t about outdamaging the Worm—it’s about outlasting it.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest method is to use a ranged weapon or spells to attack the worm from the safety of the bridge above the boss arena. This allows you to avoid its attacks entirely.
Yes, using a bow or crossbow with high damage arrows, such as Lightning Arrows, allows you to safely kill the worm from the bridge without engaging in melee combat.
Absolutely. Spells like Soul Arrow or Great Soul Arrow, or pyromancies like Fireball, can be used to hit the worm from the bridge, making the fight trivial.
Stand at the center of the bridge above the boss arena, ensuring you have a clear line of sight to the worm. This position keeps you out of reach of its attacks while allowing you to deal damage effectively.
