Summary
With the limited damage on most ranged weapons in the originalDark Souls, it’s no wonder that most players would opt for melee builds on a first playthrough. However, while close quarters might be viable against most ofDark Souls’ toughest bosses, encounters like Ceaseless Discharge can offer a unique twist to combat that punishes players who limit their builds entirely to melee.
When taken at base value, Ceaseless Discharge might be a fight that fits better inDemon’s Soulsgiven how most of the fight is centered around one major gimmick. That doesn’t mean that the boss doesn’t belong inDark Souls, though, as the gimmicky nature of the fight shakes up the formula in ways that few other bosses in the series do.
Ceaseless Discharge Sets the Pace for His Own Demise
Hurry Up and Wait for an Opening
The pace of most boss encounters in theSoulsborneseries is a give-and-take, as these imposing enemies attack and the player is always on the back foot, always countering when an opening appears. This is as much the central point of the Ceaseless Discharge fight as any other, with the twist that players specifically have to wait until the boss attacks before being able to deal any kind of damage. Aside fromDark Souls' Moonlight Butterfly, few enemies across the series hold the player back like this, forcing them to sit and wait for a chance to attack that isn’t punctuated by an onslaught of attacks.
Range Dominates the Ceaseless Waiting
Something as simple as a bow can be a determining factor for how difficult Ceaseless Discharge will feel from player to player. This is because, while a melee build is sentenced to sit and wait, a little range can give players the ability to set the pace for the fight themselves by filling the downtime with a hail of arrows. For players looking to get through this as easily as possible,sorceries like Dark Bead and Soul Spearare easily capable of clearing this boss without even needing to dodge its overhead attacks.
Never Cease to Expand a Build
Putting together a build in Dark Souls is not only a major part of an initial run of the game, but it is also the key to what makes mostFromSoftware titles so replayable. However, no build is really complete when it is forced to stick to one damage source or weapon type, even if it can be fun to tackle the challenge of beating Dark Souls with a limited toolset. That is what the gimmick of Ceaseless Discharge showcases so well, incentivizing players to be flexible and push beyond the bounds of only hitting things with a big sword.
The Power of Gravity
The Optimized Build is Made of Cheese
After more than ten years since the initial release, players have found every way to easily beat bosses and completely breakDark Soulsfrom overpowered buildsto exploiting quirks in the code. However, it didn’t take long for players to learn that Ceaseless Discharge can be cheesed through developer-intended means, complete with dedicated animations and a consistent, easy victory. By returning back to the start of the fight after stealing the clothes on the altar at the end of the arena, players can trick Ceaseless into hanging off the side of the cliff he is fought in before being dropped to his death.
Cleaver Use of the Environment Beats any Build
There aren’t many bosses inDark Soulsthat have the option to be fought so easily, but players are often incentivized to think outside the box in many other encounters. Sometimes high ledges or pools of lava can be as dangerous to mobs and bosses as they are to the player. So, fitting in perfectly with the need for careful positioning to properly dodge attacks and counter, Ceaseless teaches that theenvironment inDark Soulscan be as much a weaponas it is an obstacle.
Dark Souls Remastered
WHERE TO PLAY
Re-experience the critically acclaimed, genre-defining game that started it all. Beautifully remastered, return to Lordran in stunning detail. DARK SOULS: REMASTERED includes the main game plus the Artorias of the Abyss DLC.Deep and Dark Universe— Delve into an epic dark fantasy universe stricken by the Curse. Explore its intricate world design, full of hidden passages, dungeons and secrets.Each End is a New Beginning— Each playthrough surprises you with new challenges and discoveries.Gameplay Richness and Possibilities— Use hundreds of unique weapon, armor, magic, and crafting combinations to create your own playstyle and gaming experience.The Way of the Multiplayer (up to 6 players)— Whatever your motivations are to play online – collaboration or confrontation, support or betrayal – you’ll find your true home among the nine covenants.
