Few franchises have mastered level design quite like Dark Souls. Many consider the first game's interconnected world to be one of the greatest masterstrokes in video game level design.
That is why many were disappointed that Dark Souls 2 didn't raise this admittedly high bar. Still, it has a great degree of freedom and great levels that make it stand out from every other third-person action-adventure. Take Heide's Tower of Flame as an example. This zone's sprawling ocean and massive enemies make it one of the most intimidating areas in the early game, but there is much more to this zone than meets the eye. Here are 10 things everyone should know about Heide's Tower of Flame in Dark Souls 2.
10 Can Enter Before Forest Of Fallen Giants
Many Dark Souls fans critique the second game since it is much less interconnected than the first. While true, it isn't as extreme as many make it out to be.
Right from the tutorial, players can choose to enter Heide's Tower of Flame instead of the Forest of Fallen Giants. Head in the opposite direction as the Forest of Fallen Giant's entrance. After a short trek through a sewer, players will find themselves in this zone that is filled with giant knights and two bosses.
9 Old Knights
Old Knights are one of the most intimidating enemies in Dark Souls 2, but they are easy to kill. They might have large swords and sweeping attacks, but they're easy to counter.
Strafe to the left when they begin to swing and the sword slash will go wide, granting a window to punish. This can be done repeatedly, slowly staffing to their back in between attacks. These enemies force players to master positioning. Mastering this will be important for the upcoming boss fight.
8 Heide Knights Are Passive
Besides the Old Knights that roam the area, players will also come across white knights sitting against various walls in Heide's Tower of Flame.
These are called Heide Knights, and they are mostly passive. Heide Knights will generally leave players alone except for a select few. Slaying the Dragonrider boss will also make them hostile. Their attacks are much faster than the Old Knights and can easily kill a newer player. Fortunately, they can be easily sidestepped or parried. Alternatively, players can leave them for later once they have a better build.
7 Switches
Two switches exist in Heide's Tower of Flame that can be interacted with. They seem to do nothing at first glance, but these switches are key to the Dragonrider fight.
Dragonrider fights atop a small platform that can easily throw players into the ocean with a thrust attack, instantly killing them. These two switches can be pulled to raise more ground, making this instant-kill combo impossible to do. The first switch is overlooking the tower after fighting 3 Old Knights, while the second switch is right before the descending stairs to the arena.
6 Dragonrider Fight
As for the boss himself, the Dragonrider is not as intimidating as he looks. This boss has an affinity for thrust attacks and wide slashes.
Since this is one of Dark Souls 2's earlier zones, it also means the Dragonrider is rather weak. A few quick slash attacks should make short work of this boss. Always rotate around the Dragonrider as to not be hit by his attacks, similar to the Old Knights that guard the path to the arena.
5 Dragonrider Cheese
Alternatively, this boss can be instantly killed with a simple trick. Instead of pulling the switches before the arena, pass them and enter the arena. Once the Dragonrider starts walking, begin to cross the small gap between the small walkway and the circular arena.
The Dragonrider will do a thrusting attack, but it will be angled in such a way that he throws himself off the map—instantly dying to fall damage.
4 Dragon Fight
Since Heide's Tower of Flame has a heavy dragon theme with its enemies, it makes sense that an actual dragon would reside here.
Dragons in Dark Souls are deadly monsters that can instantly kill even the toughest characters. The best approach is to run up the stairs and sprint straight towards the dragon. Doing this with hesitation will result in a fire breath attack that will kill most new characters. Lightning Pine Resin or any Lightning-infused gear will demolish this dragon's health bar. Stick to its back and the fight partially plays itself out.
3 Old Dragonslayer Fight
Right next to the dragon is yet another switch. Unlike previous switches, this one has nothing to do with the Dragonrider fight. Instead, this opens the path to fighting a familiar foe.
The Old Dragonslayer is Ornstein from the first Dark Souls but with a much slower moveset. As with the Anor Londo version in the first game, Old Dragonslayer relies on using thrusting attacks and lightning-infused hits to damage players, but he also uses attacks infused with dark to damage players. Dodging and careful blocking is key to beating this boss.
2 Cathedral of Blue
As a reward for slaying this decrepit version or Ornstein, the player will obtain the Old Leo Ring as well as some additional treasure.
The Cleric's Parma, 3 Cracked Blue Eye Orbs, as well as a Tower Shield will be contained in chests further down the cathedral. If the player has slain the Old Dragonslayer as a phantom by assisting someone else in their world, the NPC that overlooks the balcony will offer the player to join the Sentinels of Blue Covenant.
1 Leads To No Man's Wharf
While defeating Old Dragonslayer rewards a ton of loot and potentially a Covenant, defeating the Dragonrider is much more important to progress through the game. Defeating Dragonrider unlocks the way to No Man's Wharf, the next major area in Dark Souls 2 that introduces players to Hex spells.
Those who wish to play as Clerics or Paladins will also stumble across an NPC that sells chimes and Miracles for a fee. Anyone who wants to make a mage should seriously consider clearing out Heide's Tower of Flame as soon as possible.