Frederic Melton
Cheesing the Centipede Demon in *Dark Souls* is a popular strategy for players seeking to bypass the boss's challenging mechanics and secure a quick victory. This method typically involves exploiting the boss arena's layout and the enemy's AI to minimize direct confrontation. By luring the Centipede Demon to the edge of the platform and positioning yourself strategically, you can repeatedly strike its tail from a safe distance, avoiding its devastating frontal attacks. This approach requires patience and precision but is highly effective for both new players and those aiming for a speedrun, as it significantly reduces the risk of taking damage while steadily whittling down the boss's health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Centipede Demon (Ceaseless Discharge) |
| Game | Dark Souls (Remastered) |
| Location | The Great Hollow (bottom, near Ash Lake) |
| Cheese Strategy | Lure the boss to the bottom of the Great Hollow and let the falling boulders kill it. |
| Required Items | None (optional: ranged weapons for safety) |
| Steps | 1. Run past the boss to the edge of the arena. 2. Stay close to the wall where boulders fall. 3. Let the boulders hit and kill the boss. |
| Boulder Damage | Enough to kill the boss in 2-3 hits. |
| Boss HP | ~3000 (varies slightly based on NG cycle) |
| Difficulty | Easy (with cheese strategy) |
| Rewards | Soul of a Proud Knight (~15,000 souls), Humanity (x1) |
| Notes | The boss is slow and predictable, making the cheese strategy highly effective. |
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What You'll Learn
- Exploit the Arena: Use the pillars to block its head, limiting its attacks and movement
- Poison + Bleed Build: Apply poison and bleed status effects to whittle down its health over time
- Summon NPC Allies: Bring NPC summons to distract the boss while you deal damage
- Range Attack Spam: Use ranged weapons or spells to chip away at its health from afar
- Estus Denial Strategy: Force it into predictable patterns to maximize healing opportunities during openings
Exploit the Arena: Use the pillars to block its head, limiting its attacks and movement
The Centipede Demon's arena is a deathtrap, but it's also your greatest weapon. Forget head-on clashes; this fight is about control. The pillars scattered throughout the arena aren't just scenery – they're your shields, your chokepoints, your means of neutering the Demon's most devastating attacks.
By strategically positioning yourself behind these pillars, you create a deadly game of hide-and-seek. The Demon's massive head, its primary weapon, becomes its liability. Its sweeping bites and lunges, designed for open spaces, are rendered impotent when you force it to navigate around obstacles.
Here's the tactic: Stay mobile, but always keep a pillar between you and the Demon's head. When it charges, sidestep and let the pillar absorb the impact. Bait its attacks, then strike from the flanks or rear when it's committed to a swing. Remember, patience is key. This isn't about dealing massive damage in short bursts; it's about whittling the Demon down while minimizing your own risk.
Think of the pillars as extensions of your armor. They provide cover, dictate the flow of battle, and ultimately, turn the arena into a prison for your oversized foe.
This strategy isn't without its challenges. The Demon's reach is considerable, and its tail can still lash out unexpectedly. You'll need to be constantly aware of your surroundings, anticipating its movements and adjusting your position accordingly. Don't get greedy with attacks – a single misstep can leave you exposed.
This method requires precision, timing, and a healthy dose of caution. But when executed correctly, it transforms a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a calculated dance of attrition, where the arena itself becomes your greatest ally.
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Poison + Bleed Build: Apply poison and bleed status effects to whittle down its health over time
The Centipede Demon in *Dark Souls* is a formidable foe, but its massive size and slow movements make it vulnerable to status effects like poison and bleed. By leveraging these, you can bypass its daunting health pool and defensive capabilities, turning a grueling battle into a manageable, even trivial, encounter. This strategy hinges on equipping the right weapons and managing your positioning to maximize status buildup while minimizing risk.
To execute this build effectively, prioritize weapons with innate poison and bleed capabilities, such as the Poison Katana or Uchi for bleed and the Poison Mist spell or Poison Arrow for poison. Infuse your weapons with Poison Gems or Bleed Gems if possible, and ensure your character has sufficient Dexterity and Intelligence to wield them efficiently. For armor, choose lightweight sets like the Thief Set to maintain high mobility, allowing you to dodge attacks and reposition quickly. Bring plenty of Purple Moss Clumps to cure poison if you accidentally trigger it on yourself.
The fight itself requires patience and precision. Begin by drawing the boss’s attention, then circle around its flanks or rear to avoid its sweeping attacks. Focus on landing consistent hits with your poison and bleed weapons, prioritizing status buildup over raw damage. Poison takes time to activate, so maintain pressure while keeping an eye on your own health. Bleed, on the other hand, deals burst damage once the meter fills, so time your attacks to maximize its impact. Use the arena’s pillars for cover if needed, but avoid getting cornered.
This strategy’s strength lies in its ability to bypass the boss’s high damage output and health. While the Centipede Demon’s attacks are devastating, its slow wind-ups and recovery frames give you ample opportunities to strike and retreat. Over time, the cumulative damage from poison and bleed will whittle down its health, often without requiring you to face its most dangerous moves. This approach is particularly effective for players who struggle with the boss’s aggressive patterns or lack the damage output to defeat it conventionally.
In conclusion, the Poison + Bleed Build is a tactical, low-risk method to cheese the Centipede Demon. By focusing on status effects and exploiting the boss’s vulnerabilities, you can transform a daunting encounter into a methodical, almost passive victory. Equip the right tools, manage your positioning, and let the status effects do the heavy lifting. This strategy not only saves time and resources but also highlights the depth of *Dark Souls*’ combat mechanics, proving that creativity can overcome even the most intimidating challenges.
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Summon NPC Allies: Bring NPC summons to distract the boss while you deal damage
One of the most effective strategies to cheese the Centipede Demon in *Dark Souls* is leveraging NPC summons to draw aggro while you focus on damage. Unlike player summons, NPCs like Black Iron Tarkus or Lautrec of Carim can be positioned strategically to tank hits, giving you precious seconds to strike without retaliation. Their AI is predictable, often prioritizing staying near the boss, which makes them ideal distractions. This method is particularly useful for players struggling with the boss’s fast, unpredictable attacks, as it reduces the need for perfect dodging or blocking.
To execute this strategy, first ensure you’ve progressed far enough in NPC questlines to unlock their summon signs. For instance, Black Iron Tarkus requires you to free him from the cell in the Undead Parish, while Lautrec must still be alive (avoid triggering his hostile turn). Once their summon signs appear near the boss fog gate, activate them immediately. Position yourself behind the boss or at a safe angle where you can attack without being hit by its sweeping strikes. Focus on high-damage, low-commitment attacks, such as backstabs or charged heavy strikes, to maximize efficiency.
A critical caution: NPC summons are not invincible. The Centipede Demon’s area-of-effect attacks, like its ground slam, can decimate your allies quickly. Monitor their health bars and be prepared to revive them with a Humanity if they fall. Additionally, avoid summoning too many NPCs, as the boss’s aggro may become erratic, potentially targeting you more frequently. Two NPCs are usually sufficient to keep the boss occupied while you deal damage.
The takeaway is that NPC summons transform the fight from a test of reflexes to a test of positioning and timing. By letting them absorb damage, you can focus on learning the boss’s attack patterns and exploiting openings. This method is especially valuable for players using slower weapons or builds with limited mobility. While it may not be the most honorable approach, it’s a reliable way to bypass the boss’s difficulty and progress through the game.
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Range Attack Spam: Use ranged weapons or spells to chip away at its health from afar
The Centipede Demon in Dark Souls is a formidable foe, but its slow, predictable movements make it vulnerable to a well-executed ranged attack strategy. By exploiting its limited agility and the arena’s terrain, players can minimize risk while steadily depleting its health. This approach requires patience, precision, and a well-chosen arsenal of ranged weapons or spells.
Step-by-Step Execution: Begin by positioning yourself at the edge of the arena, ideally near the fog gate or on elevated terrain. Equip a high-damage ranged weapon like the Dark Hand, a crossbow with heavy bolts, or a spell such as Great Heavy Soul Arrow or Pursuers. Time your attacks to coincide with the boss’s slow wind-ups or recovery animations, ensuring minimal retaliation. For example, when the Centipede Demon performs its area-of-effect slam, it leaves itself exposed for several seconds—use this window to unleash a barrage of ranged attacks.
Cautions and Considerations: While this strategy is effective, it’s not without risks. The boss’s occasional quick dashes or sweeping attacks can close the distance unexpectedly. Maintain a safe distance by circling the arena and avoid becoming complacent. Additionally, manage your stamina and resources carefully; spamming attacks recklessly can leave you vulnerable if the boss closes in. If using spells, ensure you have sufficient mana or casts to sustain the fight.
Comparative Advantage: Compared to melee strategies, ranged spam offers a safer, more controlled approach. Melee requires dodging through hazardous attacks and risking the boss’s toxic damage, whereas ranged attacks allow you to bypass these dangers entirely. However, this method demands more time and patience, as chipping away at the boss’s health gradually is slower than landing high-damage melee combos.
Practical Tips for Success: For maximum efficiency, infuse your ranged weapon with elemental damage (e.g., lightning or fire) to exploit the boss’s weaknesses. If using spells, consider equipping the Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring to increase their range and damage. Keep a few healing items handy for emergencies, but prioritize staying out of harm’s reach. With consistent execution, this strategy transforms the Centipede Demon from a terrifying encounter into a methodical, manageable fight.
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Estus Denial Strategy: Force it into predictable patterns to maximize healing opportunities during openings
The Centipede Demon in Dark Souls is a relentless foe, often leaving players scrambling for healing opportunities. The Estus Denial Strategy flips this dynamic by forcing the boss into predictable patterns, creating windows for safe healing. By understanding its attack cycles and exploiting its recovery frames, you can dictate the rhythm of the fight, ensuring your Estus Flask is always within reach when needed.
To execute this strategy, begin by observing the boss's three primary attack phases: the ground slam, the tail sweep, and the lunging bite. Each phase concludes with a distinct recovery animation, typically lasting 1.5 to 2 seconds. During these moments, the boss is immobile, providing a narrow but reliable opening. Position yourself at a 45-degree angle to its front, just outside its melee range, to minimize the risk of unexpected attacks. This positioning allows you to dodge or heal without being caught off-guard.
The key to maximizing healing opportunities lies in baiting specific attacks. For instance, the ground slam is easily triggered by maintaining a medium distance and avoiding aggressive play. Once the slam is executed, immediately roll backward and consume your Estus Flask during the boss's recovery. Similarly, the tail sweep can be baited by circling the arena clockwise, forcing the boss to pivot and exposing its vulnerable side. Time your heal precisely as the tail completes its arc, ensuring you're out of harm's way.
However, this strategy requires discipline and patience. Overcommitting to attacks or misjudging the recovery frames can lead to devastating counterattacks. Always prioritize survival over damage output, and remember that a single successful heal can turn the tide of the battle. Practice identifying the boss's attack cues in earlier encounters to refine your timing and positioning.
In conclusion, the Estus Denial Strategy transforms the Centipede Demon fight from a chaotic scramble into a methodical dance. By forcing predictable patterns and capitalizing on recovery frames, you can maintain consistent health while chipping away at the boss's stamina. Master this approach, and the once-intimidating Centipede Demon becomes a manageable challenge, showcasing the depth of Dark Souls' combat mechanics.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common method is to use the Drake Sword, which deals high damage early in the game. Stand on the small ledge to the right of the fog gate and attack the boss from range, avoiding its attacks.
Yes, using a bow or crossbow from the ledge near the fog gate is effective. Aim for the boss's head to maximize damage while staying out of its attack range.
Absolutely. Cast spells like Soul Arrow or Fireball from the ledge to deal damage safely. Pyromancies like Fireball or Great Combustion also work well.
Stay on the ledge and keep your distance. The boss's attacks won't reach you if you position yourself correctly, allowing you to attack without risk.
If the boss starts moving toward you, quickly roll back to maintain distance or use the environment to reset its position. Return to the ledge and continue attacking from safety.
