Cheesing The Giant: Easy Tactics For Cathedral Of The Deep

how to cheese the giant in cathedral of the deep

In the challenging world of Dark Souls III, players often seek unconventional strategies to overcome formidable bosses, and one such tactic is cheesing the Giant in the Cathedral of the Deep. This method involves exploiting the game's mechanics to gain an unfair advantage, allowing players to defeat the boss with minimal risk. By utilizing the environment and specific character positioning, players can lure the Giant into a narrow pathway, limiting its movement and attack options. This strategy requires precise timing and knowledge of the boss's behavior, enabling players to deal damage while avoiding its devastating attacks. Cheesing the Giant in the Cathedral of the Deep is a popular approach for those seeking a more accessible path to victory, though it may detract from the intended challenge and satisfaction of a fair fight.

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Exploit ladder glitch to skip boss entirely

The ladder glitch in the Cathedral of the Deep offers a cunning way to bypass the daunting Giant Boss entirely, saving time and resources. This exploit hinges on a peculiar interaction between the game's physics engine and the ladder leading up to the boss arena. By manipulating your character's positioning and timing, you can effectively "clip" through the ladder, landing on an otherwise inaccessible ledge that circumvents the boss fight.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

Execution: Begin by approaching the ladder leading up to the Giant Boss arena. Position your character directly in front of the ladder, ensuring your back is against the wall. Jump towards the ladder, but immediately roll in the opposite direction mid-jump. Time this roll precisely so that your character clips through the ladder's geometry, propelling you onto the ledge behind it. This requires practice and precision, as the timing window is tight.

Once on the ledge, carefully navigate the narrow path, avoiding any falls. This will lead you directly to the area beyond the boss fight, effectively skipping the encounter.

Cautions: This glitch relies on precise timing and positioning. Multiple attempts may be necessary to succeed. Be mindful of your stamina, as mistimed rolls can lead to falls. This method may be patched in future game updates, rendering it ineffective.

Utilizing this glitch bypasses a significant challenge, potentially diminishing the sense of accomplishment associated with defeating the Giant Boss.

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Use poison arrows for safe, ranged damage

Poison arrows offer a tactical edge when facing the giant in the Cathedral of the Deep, turning a daunting melee encounter into a manageable ranged battle. The giant’s slow, predictable movements make it an ideal target for poison buildup, which deals damage over time and reduces its aggression. To execute this strategy, equip a bow with decent range and pair it with poison-infused arrows. Aim for the giant’s lower body, as it’s easier to hit consistently and still contributes to poison buildup. Each successful hit stacks poison, eventually triggering a damage-over-time effect that whittles down the giant’s health without requiring direct confrontation.

The key to this approach lies in patience and positioning. Stay at maximum range, using the cathedral’s architecture to your advantage. The giant’s path is linear, so position yourself on elevated platforms or behind pillars to avoid its stomps and rock throws. Fire arrows steadily, allowing time for poison to accumulate—rushing the process risks exposure to its attacks. A single poison proc reduces the giant’s health by roughly 10%, so aim for 3–4 procs to significantly weaken it before considering a more aggressive approach.

While poison arrows are effective, they’re not without limitations. Poison buildup requires consistent hits, and missing shots wastes valuable resources. Carry at least 30–40 poison arrows to ensure you have enough for multiple procs. If arrows run low, switch to a secondary strategy like luring the giant into environmental hazards or using a melee weapon coated in poison. Additionally, monitor your own poison resistance—accidental self-infliction can occur if fighting in tight spaces, though this is rare when maintaining distance.

The beauty of this method is its safety. By staying out of melee range, you eliminate the risk of taking massive damage from the giant’s attacks. This strategy is particularly useful for low-level or glass-cannon builds that lack the health or armor to survive close combat. Pair poison arrows with a shield for added security, allowing you to block or dodge if the giant closes the distance unexpectedly. With careful aim and resource management, poison arrows transform a brutal fight into a calculated, low-risk victory.

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Summon NPCs to tank boss attacks

One effective strategy to cheese the Giant in the Cathedral of the Deep involves leveraging summoned NPCs to tank boss attacks, significantly reducing the difficulty of the fight. This method relies on the game’s mechanics, where summoned allies can draw aggro and absorb damage, allowing you to focus on dealing damage or staying safe. The key is to position your NPCs strategically and manage their survival while the boss is distracted. This approach is particularly useful for players who struggle with the Giant’s high damage output or erratic attack patterns.

To execute this strategy, start by summoning NPCs such as Anri of Astora or Horace the Hushed, both of whom are available for summoning in the Cathedral of the Deep. Anri provides consistent damage and decent survivability, while Horace excels at tanking due to his high health pool. Position yourself near the boss’s left leg, a safe spot that allows you to attack while avoiding most of its attacks. Instruct your NPCs to engage the Giant by using the “Beckon” gesture or simply running ahead. Once the boss focuses on your NPCs, take advantage of the opening to chip away at its health. Be mindful of the NPCs’ health bars and use healing items like Estus Flasks sparingly to keep them alive as long as possible.

A critical aspect of this method is timing and resource management. The Giant’s attacks are slow but powerful, so ensure your NPCs are not caught in its area-of-effect stomps or sweeps. If an NPC dies, quickly summon another or adjust your strategy to draw aggro yourself temporarily. Keep a few Ember items on hand to boost your damage output and ensure you can finish the fight before your NPCs are overwhelmed. This approach requires patience and observation of the boss’s attack patterns to maximize the NPCs’ effectiveness.

Compared to soloing the Giant, using NPCs to tank boss attacks offers a more forgiving experience, especially for players with lower vitality or damage output. While it may take longer due to the NPCs’ limited damage, the reduced risk of death makes it a viable option for less experienced players or those seeking a more relaxed playstyle. The trade-off is worth it, as the Giant’s souls and progression rewards remain the same regardless of the method used to defeat it.

In conclusion, summoning NPCs to tank boss attacks is a practical and accessible way to cheese the Giant in the Cathedral of the Deep. By carefully managing your NPC allies and exploiting the boss’s mechanics, you can minimize risk and secure victory. This strategy highlights the game’s flexibility, allowing players to tailor their approach to their skill level and preferences. With practice and resource management, even challenging bosses like the Giant can become manageable feats.

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Abuse pillars for infinite poise-break stunlock

The Cathedral of the Deep's giant boss fight can be a daunting challenge, but with the right strategy, you can turn the arena's architecture into your greatest ally. One particularly effective method involves exploiting the pillars scattered throughout the arena to execute an infinite poise-break stunlock, rendering the giant helpless. This technique requires precision, timing, and a deep understanding of the boss's mechanics, but the payoff is well worth the effort.

To begin, position yourself near one of the larger pillars, ensuring the giant is between you and the pillar. Wait for the giant to initiate a heavy attack, such as its ground slam or sweeping strike. As the attack begins, dodge toward the pillar, using it as a shield to block the brunt of the damage. Immediately after dodging, strike the giant’s legs with a weapon that has high poise damage, such as a heavy club or reinforced mace. The goal is to break the giant’s poise while it’s still recovering from its attack, leaving it vulnerable to a critical hit.

Once the giant is staggered, quickly reposition yourself to the opposite side of the pillar. This forces the giant to turn, giving you a brief window to attack again. Repeat the process, dodging its next attack and striking its legs to maintain the stunlock. The pillar acts as both a defensive barrier and a strategic pivot point, allowing you to control the flow of the battle. Be mindful of your stamina, as overextending yourself can leave you open to a devastating counterattack.

A key advantage of this method is its scalability across different builds. Whether you’re a strength-focused brute or a dexterity-based assassin, the core mechanic remains the same: use the pillar to minimize damage and maximize poise-breaking opportunities. For added efficiency, infuse your weapon with lightning or fire damage, as the giant is particularly susceptible to these elements. Additionally, equipping the Chloranthy Ring can help manage stamina regeneration, ensuring you can maintain the stunlock without fatigue.

While this strategy is highly effective, it’s not without risks. The giant’s grab attack, for instance, can bypass the pillar’s protection, so always keep an eye on its animations. If you notice the giant winding up for a grab, immediately create distance or use a well-timed roll to avoid it. Practice is crucial, as mastering the timing and positioning requires familiarity with both the boss’s patterns and the arena’s layout. With patience and persistence, however, you’ll find that the pillars become your most reliable tool for turning this seemingly insurmountable fight into a controlled, methodical victory.

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Lure boss to stairs for easy backstabs

The Giant in the Cathedral of the Deep is a formidable foe, but with the right strategy, you can turn the battlefield to your advantage. One effective method is to lure the boss to the stairs, where its size becomes a liability rather than a strength. This technique leverages the environment to restrict the Giant's movement, making it easier to land critical backstabs. Here’s how to execute this strategy with precision.

Begin by positioning yourself at the top of the stairs leading to the Giant's arena. Equip a weapon with high critical damage, such as a dagger or a rapier, and ensure your dexterity or luck stat meets the weapon's requirements for maximum effectiveness. When the fight starts, maintain a medium distance from the Giant, provoking it to chase you. Use sprinting sparingly to avoid stamina depletion, and instead rely on sidestepping and backpedaling to guide the Giant toward the stairs. The key is to stay just out of its attack range, enticing it to follow without triggering aggressive combos.

Once the Giant reaches the stairs, its massive frame will limit its ability to maneuver. This is your cue to strike. Circle around the Giant, staying close to the wall to avoid its sweeping attacks. When the Giant attempts to turn or attack, its slow movements will create openings for backstabs. Time your attacks carefully, aiming for the moment the Giant is fully committed to its swing. A successful backstab deals massive damage and staggers the boss, giving you a brief window to reposition or heal if necessary.

While this strategy is effective, it’s not without risks. The Giant’s stomping attack can still catch you off guard, especially if you’re too close to the edge of the stairs. To mitigate this, always keep one eye on the Giant’s animations and be ready to dodge or block. Additionally, ensure your health is topped off before attempting backstabs, as a missed opportunity can leave you vulnerable. Practice makes perfect—familiarize yourself with the Giant’s attack patterns in earlier attempts to refine your timing.

In conclusion, luring the Giant to the stairs transforms the fight from a test of brute strength to one of precision and patience. By exploiting the environment and the boss’s size, you can consistently land backstabs that whittle down its health bar. This method not only minimizes damage taken but also adds a layer of tactical depth to the encounter. With careful execution and a bit of practice, even under-leveled players can overcome this daunting opponent.

Frequently asked questions

The most common method is to use the Pillars of the Cathedral to your advantage. Lure the Giant near the pillars, then run behind them to avoid his attacks. You can safely strike him from behind the pillars, minimizing damage taken.

Yes, using ranged weapons or spells from a safe distance can be effective. Stay on the upper levels of the Cathedral and shoot or cast spells at the Giant while avoiding his attacks. Just be cautious of his ranged slam.

Yes, you can use the elevators in the Cathedral to your advantage. Lure the Giant onto an elevator, then activate it to stun him temporarily. This gives you a brief window to attack without retaliation.

Using a high-damage, fast-hitting weapon like the Chaos Dagger or Whip can make the fight easier. Focus on quick strikes while dodging his attacks, or use a pyromancy build to deal damage from a distance.

Yes, summoning Anri of Astora or Horace can distract the Giant, allowing you to focus on dealing damage while they tank his attacks. This makes the fight significantly easier.

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