Avoiding the Royal Rat Vanguard

[gabezila]

is there any way to skip the boss fight with the Royal Rat Vanguard?
I absolutely hate this fight and it's getting on my last ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ nerve. So if you know any way to get around or have any tips, let me know below.

[Mikoto]

he is completely optional

[Thelma Harper]

You can skip the vanguard by buying the biggest ladder into the Majula pit.

[TwoFlapjacks]

The whole rat area is optional (both of them), same as the bell towers.

[Rhorge]

Originally posted by Thelma Harper:

You can skip the vanguard by buying the biggest ladder into the Majula pit.

Or just jump down there for free with large enough hp/falling resist gear.

[gabezila]

Originally posted by Fatum Ignis:

The whole rat area is optional (both of them), same as the bell towers. Just head back to the bonfire and go past the mastodon and gyrm warrior. You'll get to the next area.

i think you think that I mean in the Doors of Pharros. I'm talking about the Graveyard of Saints to gutter to black gulch

[gabezila]

Originally posted by Rhorge:

Originally posted by Thelma Harper:

You can skip the vanguard by buying the biggest ladder into the Majula pit.

Or just jump down there for free with large enough hp/falling resist gear.

i was actually thinking about that. I have those jester pants from iron keep and the ring from cat lady so i think i should be good with the 1330 health i have (or something like that i can't remember off the top of my head)

[Sicris]

Originally posted by SPACE☆DANDY:

Originally posted by Fatum Ignis:

The whole rat area is optional (both of them), same as the bell towers. Just head back to the bonfire and go past the mastodon and gyrm warrior. You'll get to the next area.

i think you think that I mean in the Doors of Pharros. I'm talking about the Graveyard of Saints to gutter to black gulch

Like he said, they are both skippable. Buy the big ladder.

[Thelma Harper]

Originally posted by SPACE☆DANDY:

Originally posted by Rhorge:

Or just jump down there for free with large enough hp/falling resist gear.

i was actually thinking about that. I have those jester pants from iron keep and the ring from cat lady so i think i should be good with the 1330 health i have (or something like that i can't remember off the top of my head)

That works too. I just bought the ladder because the cost is negligible later on and it's easy to derp off a ledge if you don't take your time.

[gabezila]

true^
i might just buy the ladder because it's not terribly expensive

[dafaq?!]

The tip i can give you for this fight is DON'T LOCK-ON EVER!

Use a big weapon with a sweeping dash attack (the one you do when you sprint+attack), i used drangelic sword. Basically run around the room, gain momentum/speed and unleash a dash attack - preferably on many targets, you will wreck them. The angle you aim is important couse the blade tends to sweep more to your right, so target the rats you want to hit that are on your right and keep your left clear for retreat. Once you hit, retreat and do the same again. Anticipate their movement, if they are about to hit you they start to speed up so avoid these, take your time for a better opportunity. If you hit the vanguard don't try to hit him again right after couse he tends to counter attack every time you hit him, just dodge to your left side and repeat the procedure. Once he spawns try to pick him up from the crowd and strategize your next hit so you are more efficient in your battle. If you need to heal, retreat towards the rat statues and try to stay behind them till you drink the estus.

[Jansen]

You can remove net-cable when starting DS2, then plug it in once you have loaded your game.

[Razorblade]

Buying ladders is a waste of money, just use Fall Control, you can buy it from Magerold in Iron Keep. Only requires 15 intelligence.

[gabezila]

Originally posted by kingmaker34:

Buying ladders is a waste of money, just use Fall Control, you can buy it from Magerold in Iron Keep. Only requires 15 intelligence.

"only" he says
my bandit has 3 intelligence only because i needed 3 to talk to straid