Aldrich arrow attack

[dmc donty]

One hit attacks should never be like this.

1. In the first phase you can actually punish Aldrich while it's doing the attack. In the second phase, despite no change in animation, the attack goes on for waaaay longer, and Aldrich can keep attacking during the arrow attack. This causes some bad trial and error for anyone expecting the attack to be the same.
2. The attack is ridiculously long. I've banked more into stamina recovery than capacity, so I can barely run from the attack in the second phase. Lower stamina players should have been considered. Even if you do have enough stamina to adapt to it well it's still just a 30 second run around the arena, making it boring instead of frustrating. Bad either way.
3. The attack is finicky as all hell. After the attack is done tracking you it moves in a straight line and accelerates, meaning you can get hit by it even while running away (I think this is what happened, anyway). I also find the attack has weird tracking in general.

It's a one shot attack that wasn't nearly thought through enough. Other attacks are actually more consistently dodge-able and do far less damage. If the damage numbers were shuffled around a bit and if the attack was made shorter, I may have considered Aldrich among my favorite bosses, but instead Aldrich feels a tad easy with a single badly designed attack.

Update: I found that rolling to the side when it gets close can help somewhat. I also found that the attack can be spammed, which is another big no-no of attacks that are this punishing.

Agree/disagree? Was I factually wrong in anything I said? Would love to discuss with anyone.

[Dorito]

I agree with you, 2nd stage aldrich arrows are frustrating, although I've read that the twisted wall of light effect (either cast or produced by golden wing crest shield/sacred bloom shield parry) can protect you from the arrows if you spam it. Haven't gotten around to testing it though

[quacksouls]

During my first couple of NG cycles, I hated fighting Aldrich because of the barrage of arrows. But note that if you stand close to Aldrich at all time, you can run to the boss when the arrows are being prepared to be fired, and run around the sides and rear. This is effectively the strategy used by speedrunners. And try not to be over-encumbered.

[Sparhawk 59]

You can run as it follows you until it stops

[dmc donty]

Originally posted by quacksouls:

During my first couple of NG cycles, I hated fighting Aldrich because of the barrage of arrows. But note that if you stand close to Aldrich at all time, you can run to the boss when the arrows are being prepared to be fired, and run around the sides and rear. This is effectively the strategy used by speedrunners. And try not to be over-encumbered.

I did try to stay near Aldrich the first couple times, but unlike the first phase the arrows just hit me anyway. I'll try this strategy again since you recommend it.

[quacksouls]

Originally posted by mohc:

Originally posted by quacksouls:

During my first couple of NG cycles, I hated fighting Aldrich because of the barrage of arrows. But note that if you stand close to Aldrich at all time, you can run to the boss when the arrows are being prepared to be fired, and run around the sides and rear. This is effectively the strategy used by speedrunners. And try not to be over-encumbered.

I did try to stay near Aldrich the first couple times, but unlike the first phase the arrows just hit me anyway. I'll try this strategy again since you recommend it.

Before you try it, be sure to watch speedrun videos to see how speedrunners do it. The strategy might seem strange at first. In the second phase, when you use this strategy, the fire around Aldrich can hit you.

[psheue]

I hate fighting Aldrich and the arrow rain is one the reasons why. Not because it's difficult to avoid, it's just that the whole fight consists of running around and it's tedious.

Even at SL 1 you can outrun it. I use the pillars to change direction and gain some stamina back.

[Ξidolon]

how to completely avoid that attack: use a Lingering Dragoncrest Ring +2 to greatly prolong the spell effects that you cast and cast Vow of Silence to make Aldrich completely unable to use any kind of magic (no arrows, no flying lights, no crystal soul spears and no damage when he changes position), thats how you completely avoid the arrows or any magic attack. Cons: you cannot cast magic either

[dmc donty]

Originally posted by quacksouls:

Originally posted by mohc:

I did try to stay near Aldrich the first couple times, but unlike the first phase the arrows just hit me anyway. I'll try this strategy again since you recommend it.

Before you try it, be sure to watch speedrun videos to see how speedrunners do it. The strategy might seem strange at first. In the second phase, when you use this strategy, the fire around Aldrich can hit you.

I attempted this strat twice then looked up speedruns. The arrows hit me when I went behind him, speedrunners either ran away from arrows or killed Aldrich before any arrows went off, if you can show me any video of the strat you did I'd love to see it.

[dmc donty]

Originally posted by FlinteyyySenpai:

how to completely avoid that attack: use a Lingering Dragoncrest Ring +2 to greatly prolong the spell effects that you cast and cast Vow of Silence to make Aldrich completely unable to use any kind of magic (no arrows, no flying lights, no crystal soul spears and no damage when he changes position), thats how you completely avoid the arrows or any magic attack. Cons: you cannot cast magic either

I appreciate the advice but I'm not going out of my way to get all that, I'd rather wait for good rng.

[dmc donty]

I beat it! My strat was predicting where it would appear (opposite end of the arena to you), going full aggressive and being a bit lucky. Running around pillars worked well enough to make the arrow rain fly off in a direction that wouldn't hit me.

[Mytrnz]

Great choas fire orb +5 pyro glove. Let him have it. Really weak to fire!

[Julymorning]

just run to corners of the arena, from one corner to next, it always works, and his soul missiles wont be able to hit you either

[Kai]

Originally posted by mohc:

One hit attacks should never be like this.

1. In the first phase you can actually punish Aldrich while it's doing the attack. In the second phase, despite no change in animation, the attack goes on for waaaay longer, and Aldrich can keep attacking during the arrow attack. This causes some bad trial and error for anyone expecting the attack to be the same.
2. The attack is ridiculously long. I've banked more into stamina recovery than capacity, so I can barely run from the attack in the second phase. Lower stamina players should have been considered. Even if you do have enough stamina to adapt to it well it's still just a 30 second run around the arena, making it boring instead of frustrating. Bad either way.
3. The attack is finicky as all hell. After the attack is done tracking you it moves in a straight line and accelerates, meaning you can get hit by it even while running away (I think this is what happened, anyway). I also find the attack has weird tracking in general.

It's a one shot attack that wasn't nearly thought through enough. Other attacks are actually more consistently dodge-able and do far less damage. If the damage numbers were shuffled around a bit and if the attack was made shorter, I may have considered Aldrich among my favorite bosses, but instead Aldrich feels a tad easy with a single badly designed attack.

Update: I found that rolling to the side when it gets close can help somewhat. I also found that the attack can be spammed, which is another big no-no of attacks that are this punishing.

Agree/disagree? Was I factually wrong in anything I said? Would love to discuss with anyone.

lmao just dont get hit

[Ned Flunders]

git gud

[Menacing Noot]

git gud