TheDark Soulsfranchise has taken the industry by storm in the last decade, with each of its three entries being met with waves of praise from both fans and critics alike. Players have been immersed in intricate levels and taken on hugely challenging boss fights as they explore the worlds crafted by FromSoftware.
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It is these bosses, and their connection to the worlds they inhabit, that many find so special about the Souls franchise. Indeed, while many of the bosses players face across the three games are the personification of evil, some show a nobility and character that make them truly memorable. Be it a cursed sister, defending her sibling in the depths of the earth, or an old king that sacrificed his life to stem the tides of chaos, here are some of the noblest bosses in theDark Soulsfranchise.
8Champion Gundyr: Dark Souls 3
The story of Gundyr is a tragic one. An ashen one, just like the player, he arrived late to the Firelink Shrine to find his Firekeeper long dead and the fire he came to sustain already faded. Despite this, Gundyr remained to become the sheath to theCoiled Sword, becoming a test for a later Ashen One looking to sustain the flame.
The tragedy of this boss fight, finding him alone in a dark and empty Firelink Shrine, combined with the truly powerful soundtrack makes this champion a seriously noble character, despite his failings.
7Velstadt, the Royal Aegis: Dark Souls 2
“Velstadt was always at the King’s side as if he were his lord’s own shadow. After the King retired to the Undead Crypt, Velstadt followed, never to return,” notesthe boss' soulcollected when the player defeats Velstadt, the Royal Aegis inDark Souls 2.These acts tell of a noble servant who, even after the fall of his king, stood by his lord’s side, defending him till the end.
Perhaps the choice to give his life for a king that is unable to rule is a foolish act, but it is a noble one nevertheless and one of the best stories inDark Souls 2.
6Chaos Witch Quelaag: Dark Souls
Perhaps not a boss you would expect to see on this list, Queelag jumps the player as they explore the poison-filled Blighttown, appearing out of nowhere to ruin anunsuspecting Undead’s day. However, the introduction to Queelag fails to show the true nobility of her character. This queen of spiders is, in fact, there to protect and defend her helpless sister.
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Quelaag remains by her sister’s side, soothing her from her constant pain by feeding her humanity, a rather noble act in the grand scheme of things.
5Great Grey Wolf Sif: Dark Souls
This giant and loyal wolf has to be in the discussion for one the most noble bosses in the entirety of theDark Soulsfranchise. Eons after the death of his master, Sif remains on course, sticking to his vigil. When the Chosen Undead comes face-to-face with this honorable hound and, if they have met in the past, Sif will kindly bow to the player, just another sign of this nobility.
Ultimately, it is Sif’s loyalty that places him so high on this list. Even after the corruption of his master, he stays firm and noble in his mission. That,coupled with his excellent design, and the fight’s fantastic score, Sif truly is the best boy.
4Yhorm The Giant: Dark Souls 3
As players enter the boss room of Yhorm The Giant, to see him sitting regally on his unfathomably large throne, his sense of nobility is palpable. Yhorm, one ofthe four main bossesplayers set out to defeat at the start ofDark Souls 3, was a once-great king, who despite a series of betrayals from his own people, stuck to his duty to defend his land.
Ridiculed and hated for being a giant, this noble lord remained steadfast until someone he loved dearly was taken from him. With that grief he chose to link the fire, using his great soul to turn every thing in his kingdom to embers. Ultimately, the tragic story of Yhorm defending his kingdom till the last, combined with the imagery of him sitting upon his throne, means this giant cuts a distinctly noble figure.
3The Ivory King: Dark Souls 2
The most underrated entry in the Dark Souls franchise,Dark Souls 2has some seriously noble characters. One of which is The Ivory King, a boss that appears in one of the game’s DLC areas. A once honored and adored lord, the Ivory King gave his life in order to quell the Flame of Chaos. With this noble act, the warrior consigned himself to an eternity of suffering, all to save his people.
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The process of reaching this boss fight only adds to its sense of nobility. The player travels across a frozen city, finding each of the king’s old knights, who, in honor of their lord, have promised to help put an end to his suffering. When we meet the Ivory King, at the bottom of his fiery prison, it is clear to see the noble man this ruler once was.
2The Nameless King: Dark Souls 3
The god of the dragons, this Nameless King nobly awaits the player in his kingdom in the clouds. When the player first meets the Nameless King, he rides atop one of his loyal dragons. Learning of his backstory, it is hard to deny how noblethis impossibly hard boss fightreally is.
A once-great slayer of dragons in the Age of Gods, the Nameless King, who is likely the lost son of Gywn, gave up everything he had to ally with the dragons and protect them. This noble act meant he was cast out from Anor Londo, the land of gods, and rejected by his own family. If that isn’t the choice of a noble hero, then what is?
1Artorias Of The Abyss: Dark Souls
A noble hero who, attempting to save the people he loves, fell to the ever-expanding abyss. Artorias is an icon of the Souls franchise, and rightly so, as he is the most noble of any boss players will face throughout the trilogy. Artorias is the archetype of the noble fallen hero who, despite falling, succeeded in his mission.
From experiencing the fight on its own many would argue that thisDark SoulsDLC boss is a noble character, but this is only compounded when you delveinto his lore. One of the four knights of Gwyn, he chose to give his own life to save the world from the encroaching abyss. A final, but noble, act.
