Patrick Oconnell
Cheesing Friede, the formidable boss from *Dark Souls III: The Ringed City DLC*, involves exploiting specific mechanics to simplify the fight. One popular strategy is to use the pillar cheese method, where players lure Friede into the pillars in the arena’s center, causing her to get stuck or take damage from environmental hazards. Another approach is to focus on summoning the NPC Lapp early in Phase 1, allowing him to tank damage while you deal with Friede’s aggressive attacks. In Phase 2, when Friede transforms into her Blackflame version, players can use ranged attacks or spells to chip away at her health while avoiding her devastating combos. While these tactics may feel unconventional, they provide a viable option for players struggling with the boss’s intense difficulty, offering a more accessible path to victory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss | Sister Friede (Dark Souls III: The Ringed City DLC) |
| Cheese Strategy | Rely on summoning, ranged attacks, or exploiting AI flaws |
| Recommended Summons | Knight Slayer Tsorig (strongest summon for this fight) |
| Phase 1 (Friede) | Focus on staying close to avoid her ranged attacks; bait and punish her combos |
| Phase 2 (Father Ariandel) | Friede gains a father figure; prioritize Friede while avoiding Ariandel’s attacks |
| Phase 3 (Blackflame Friede) | Most dangerous phase; Friede becomes aggressive with black flame attacks; dodge and punish sparingly |
| Exploit: AI Lock-On | Friede can get stuck in certain areas (e.g., near the fog gate), allowing for safe attacks |
| Exploit: Summon Tanking | Let summons draw aggro while you attack from a distance or heal |
| Exploit: Poison/Bleed | Apply status effects (e.g., Carthus Rouge + weapon) to chip away at her health |
| Recommended Weapons | Ranged weapons (e.g., bows, spells) or fast, high-damage melee weapons |
| Recommended Rings | Chloranthy Ring, Hornet Ring (for bleed builds), or Lingering Dragoncrest Ring (for ranged builds) |
| Difficulty | Extremely high; cheese strategies recommended for easier completion |
| Reward | Soul of Sister Friede, Friede’s Great Scythe (after defeating her in optional rematch) |
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What You'll Learn
- Phase 1 Tactics: Dodge her scythe swings, stay close, and punish with quick, high-damage combos
- Phase 2 Strategy: Focus on Friede, ignore the father, and use ranged attacks to avoid chaos
- Summon Management: Use summons to distract Friede, allowing you to deal damage safely
- Weapon Choice: Use fast, high-damage weapons like straight swords or spears for quick strikes
- Environment Utilization: Position near walls to limit her mobility and create safer attack opportunities
Phase 1 Tactics: Dodge her scythe swings, stay close, and punish with quick, high-damage combos
Friede's scythe swings in Phase 1 are deceptively fast and wide-reaching, making them a primary threat to unprepared players. To counter this, mastering the art of dodging is paramount. Time your rolls to the very last moment, exploiting the invincibility frames to slip through her attacks. This tactic not only avoids damage but also positions you closer to Friede, a critical aspect of the "cheese" strategy. By staying within her melee range, you minimize her ability to use long-range or area-of-effect attacks, forcing her into a more predictable pattern of scythe swings.
Once you’ve dodged an attack, capitalize on the opening with quick, high-damage combos. Weapons with fast attack speeds, such as daggers or straight swords, are ideal for this phase. Aim for 2-3 strikes before disengaging to maintain a balance between aggression and safety. Overcommitting leaves you vulnerable to her counterattacks, so discipline is key. For example, the Carthus Curved Sword’s light attacks offer a blend of speed and damage, making it a solid choice for punishing Friede’s mistakes.
A common mistake players make is attempting to maintain distance after a dodge, fearing her reach. However, staying close is a deliberate strategy that limits her options. Friede’s scythe has a slight delay before each swing, providing a narrow window to strike. Practice recognizing this delay—it’s your cue to close the gap and unleash your combo. This proximity also disrupts her ability to summon her phantom allies, further simplifying the fight.
While this tactic is effective, it’s not without risk. Friede’s scythe swings have varying recovery times, and misjudging these can lead to a punishing counterattack. Always prioritize dodging over attacking if you’re unsure of her next move. Additionally, keep an eye on your stamina bar; reckless dodging or overextended combos will leave you defenseless. A well-timed Estus Flask heal during her longer animations can sustain you through this phase, but use it sparingly to avoid interrupting your flow.
In conclusion, mastering Phase 1 against Friede hinges on three core principles: dodge with precision, stay within striking distance, and punish with calculated aggression. This approach not only minimizes her offensive capabilities but also maximizes your damage output, shortening the overall fight. With practice, this tactic becomes second nature, transforming a daunting battle into a manageable—even exploitable—encounter.
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Phase 2 Strategy: Focus on Friede, ignore the father, and use ranged attacks to avoid chaos
In the second phase of the Friede fight, chaos reigns as her father joins the battle, creating a whirlwind of attacks that can overwhelm even seasoned players. To counter this, a strategic shift is essential: focus solely on Friede, ignore the father, and utilize ranged attacks to maintain control. This approach minimizes the risk of getting caught in the father’s unpredictable movements while steadily whittling down Friede’s health. By prioritizing her, you reduce the duration of the phase and limit the father’s involvement, turning a chaotic encounter into a manageable duel.
The key to executing this strategy lies in positioning and timing. Maintain a medium distance from Friede, just outside the father’s melee range, to avoid his attacks while staying within your own ranged weapon’s effective distance. Weapons like the Arbalest or a bow are ideal, as they allow you to chip away at Friede’s health without closing the gap. Be mindful of her teleportation attacks, which can close the distance quickly—dodge these by rolling perpendicular to her movement, then resume your ranged assault. Patience is critical; avoid the temptation to strike the father, even when he’s vulnerable, as this only prolongs the phase.
One practical tip is to use the environment to your advantage. Position yourself near obstacles or corners to limit the father’s movement options, effectively neutralizing his threat. Additionally, summon allies sparingly, as they can inadvertently aggro the father, disrupting your focus on Friede. If using a summon, ensure they’re durable enough to tank the father’s attacks while you maintain your ranged strategy. Consumables like Poison Knives or Toxic Mist can also be employed to supplement damage, but prioritize stamina management for dodging and attacking.
Comparing this strategy to more aggressive approaches highlights its efficiency. While melee combat might seem faster, it exposes you to the father’s erratic attacks, increasing the risk of death. Ranged attacks, on the other hand, provide safety and consistency, allowing you to exploit Friede’s slower movements and predictable patterns. This method is particularly effective for players with lower vitality or those using lighter builds, as it minimizes direct engagement with the father’s high-damage combos.
In conclusion, the Phase 2 strategy of focusing on Friede, ignoring the father, and using ranged attacks transforms a chaotic battle into a calculated engagement. By maintaining distance, prioritizing targets, and leveraging the environment, players can systematically reduce Friede’s health while neutralizing the father’s threat. This approach not only increases survival chances but also streamlines the fight, making it a reliable tactic for both solo and co-op players. Mastery of this strategy ensures that even the most daunting phase of the Friede fight becomes a manageable challenge.
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Summon Management: Use summons to distract Friede, allowing you to deal damage safely
Summoning allies in the fight against Sister Friede can be a game-changer, but it's an art that requires precision and strategy. The key lies in understanding the delicate balance between distraction and aggression. When you summon a phantom or use a summon sign, you're not just adding another fighter to the fray; you're creating a diversion, a momentary lapse in Friede's focus that you can exploit. This tactic is particularly effective during her second phase when she becomes more aggressive and less predictable.
The Distraction Dance: Imagine your summon as a dancing partner, leading Friede in a intricate waltz across the arena. As she engages with your summoned ally, you become the unseen choreographer, directing the dance from the shadows. Position yourself strategically, ensuring you're not too close to attract her attention but close enough to strike when the opportunity arises. This method is especially useful for casters and ranged fighters who can deal damage from a distance while the summon tanks the boss's aggression.
In practice, this strategy involves a careful dance of timing and positioning. Summon your ally at a safe distance, preferably near a wall or corner, to limit Friede's mobility. As she rushes towards the summon, circle around, keeping a safe distance. Wait for her to commit to an attack, then strike from the side or behind, targeting her vulnerable spots. For instance, a well-timed arrow to the head or a critical hit to her back can deal significant damage. Remember, the goal is not to defeat her solely through your summon but to create windows of opportunity for your attacks.
Summon Selection and Timing: Not all summons are created equal in this scenario. Choose summons with high agility and those that can withstand Friede's attacks for a few crucial seconds. The Black Knight or the Mound-makers' summon signs are excellent choices due to their durability and ability to draw aggro. Time your summoning carefully; activating it too early might result in your ally being overwhelmed before you're ready to engage. Wait for Friede to use a high-commitment attack, like her spinning slash, then summon your ally to draw her attention, providing a perfect opening for your assault.
This summon management technique is a sophisticated form of crowd control, allowing you to manipulate the battlefield to your advantage. By mastering this strategy, you can transform a seemingly unfair fight into a manageable, even enjoyable, challenge. It's a testament to the depth of Dark Souls III's combat system, where creativity and understanding of game mechanics can overcome even the most formidable foes. With practice, you'll learn to orchestrate the dance of summons and strikes, turning the battle against Sister Friede into a graceful, deadly ballet.
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Weapon Choice: Use fast, high-damage weapons like straight swords or spears for quick strikes
In the battle against Friede, the Abyss Watcher, every second counts. Her relentless combos and phase transitions demand a weapon that maximizes damage output in minimal time. Straight swords and spears excel here due to their blend of speed and power. A weapon like the Lothric Straight Sword, with its quick strikes and decent base damage, allows you to chip away at her health during brief openings. Spears, such as the Partisan, offer longer reach, enabling you to punish her from a safer distance while still delivering rapid, high-damage attacks.
Consider the trade-offs: straight swords provide agility and precision, ideal for dodging her sweeping attacks and striking during narrow windows. Spears, on the other hand, let you maintain distance but may limit your mobility in close quarters. Pairing these weapons with skills like the Weapon Art can further amplify damage during critical moments. For instance, the Lothric Straight Sword’s Weapon Art delivers a swift, multi-hit combo that can stagger Friede if timed correctly.
To optimize this strategy, focus on upgrading your weapon to +10 and infusing it with a damage type Friede is weak to, such as lightning or fire. Equip rings like the Chloranthy Ring to reduce stamina consumption, allowing for more frequent attacks. Practice timing your strikes to coincide with her recovery frames after combos, such as her spinning slash or phase transition animations.
A cautionary note: relying solely on speed can backfire if you neglect defense. Friede’s attacks deal massive damage, and overcommitting to an offensive leaves you vulnerable. Balance aggression with patience, using your weapon’s speed to strike efficiently without sacrificing positioning. For example, after dodging her leap attack, a well-timed spear thrust can punish her from a safe distance, whereas a straight sword user might need to close the gap more cautiously.
In conclusion, fast, high-damage weapons like straight swords and spears are invaluable tools for cheesing Friede. Their speed lets you capitalize on her limited openings, while their damage output ensures you make every strike count. By upgrading, infusing, and mastering these weapons, you can turn the tide of battle in your favor, even against one of the game’s most formidable bosses.
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Environment Utilization: Position near walls to limit her mobility and create safer attack opportunities
In the battle against Friede, the arena itself becomes your silent ally. Walls, often overlooked, are strategic tools to manipulate her movements and create openings. Friede’s agility and relentless combos make direct confrontation risky, but positioning yourself near walls limits her ability to circle or flank you. This tactic forces her into predictable paths, reducing the angles from which she can attack and giving you a split-second advantage to strike or dodge safely.
Consider the phase transitions in the fight. During Phase 1, Friede’s dashes and sword swings are less erratic, making wall positioning particularly effective. Stand near a wall, slightly angled to face her, and bait her into attacking. When she dashes, the wall will block her momentum, giving you a brief window to punish her recovery frames. In Phase 2, when the arena expands and the Father joins, walls remain crucial but require more precision. Use them to separate the two enemies, focusing on Friede while the wall limits the Father’s approach.
However, this strategy isn’t without risks. Over-reliance on walls can backfire if Friede adapts with aerial attacks or if you’re too close to a corner, leaving you vulnerable to combos. Maintain a safe distance from corners—about two to three rolls’ length—to ensure you have room to maneuver. Additionally, Friede’s grab attack ignores walls, so always be ready to dodge if she lunges unexpectedly. Practice timing your attacks to coincide with her wall-blocked movements, maximizing damage while minimizing exposure.
The key to mastering this tactic lies in observation and adaptation. Friede’s AI prioritizes closing distance, so walls naturally disrupt her pathing. During her slower, more telegraphed attacks, move slightly toward the wall to force her into it. For faster players, this creates opportunities for backstabs or visceral attacks, especially in Phase 1. In later phases, use walls to control the flow of the fight, dictating where and how Friede engages. With practice, this method turns the arena’s geometry into a weapon, transforming a brutal fight into a calculated dance.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest method involves using a bow or crossbow to snipe Friede from the fog gate in Phase 1, exploiting her slow movement and predictable attacks.
Yes, you can cheese Phase 2 by staying near the fog gate and using ranged attacks or spells while she’s stuck in her slow-moving animations, such as her dash or black flame attacks.
Cheesing Phase 3 is harder, but you can try staying near the fog gate and using ranged attacks or spells during her slower, more predictable moves, though this is riskier due to her increased speed and aggression.
Bows, crossbows, or spells like Soul Arrow or Great Soul Arrow are effective for cheesing Friede, as they allow you to deal damage from a safe distance while exploiting her slower movements.
