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The Rotten is a boss in Dark Souls II.

Description[]

He is a huge mass of undead fused together, forming a single creature. A Hollow on his top-left shoulder seems to telegraph the whole entity's movements and attacks.

Plot[]

The Rotten is in the Black Gulch. After seemingly failing to put a statue’s head back on its body, he becomes enraged and proceeds to focus on the player.

Summoning[]

  • Lone Hunter Schmidt can be summoned for this battle outside the boss fight underneath the Giant shortcut.
  • Lucatiel of Mirrah can also be summoned in the Hidden Chamber bonfire room, but only after speaking to her beforehand. She can physically be found by falling off and landing on a ledge just outside the first bonfire; use a torch to see the ledge clearly. After falling, follow the path to her – it also leads to the raised area with the poison-spitting statues. The ledge that one falls on should not be confused with the later ledge with a door that can be opened with the Forgotten Key (that leads to Darkdiver Grandahl) and the two Giants.
  • In Scholar of the First Sin, Bashful Ray can also be summoned. His summon sign is found near the Razorback Nightcrawlers next to Lone Hunter Schmidt's summoning sign.

Fight overview[]

Throughout the fight, the Rotten alternates between his cleaver and his empty hand. His cleaver deals heavy damage and can send the player flying or easily stun-lock the player and break their guard. The hand has two moves; a front smash and a grab. The grab damages twice; the initial damage is from the grab itself and the following damage comes when the Rotten wrings the player out like a rag.

Strategy[]

During the fight, players would do well to avoid the flaming patches throughout the arena as they can deal heavy damage over a short period. Casting Flash Sweat before entering the fog wall can mitigate the damage.

The Rotten attacks with its cleaver by a heavy downward slash, two quicker downward slashes followed by a third heavy slash with slight windup, or horizontal slashes. Dodging toward his right is a good idea as the player risks being hit by the blade by rolling away from him toward the left.

While not particularly slow, running from The Rotten gives the player sufficient time to cast a self-buff or heal. This small period can be used to cast Flash Sweat to avoid fire damage from the burning pits, Strong Magic Shield to counter the dark damage it deals after half its health has been lost, or apply a weapon buff.

After losing about half of its health, the Rotten begins using ranged attacks that deal heavy dark damage. One travels in a straight line after a heavy downward slash, while the other is an area of effect attack. The Rotten will be vulnerable for a short time after each attack, giving ample time to switch to offense. With the Old Leo Ring and a thrusting weapon equipped, this fight can end soon after.

Dealing enough damage to one of the arms will sever it, but it will regenerate after some time. If the player cuts off the left arm, they will be rewarded with a Lockstone.

With magic, the player should keep their distance from the Rotten and only cast while the Rotten recovers from its attacks.

Attacks[]

  • Knife Slam: Slams the knife into the ground.
  • Swipe: Swipes the knife in a wide arc.
  • Combo Slam: Slams his knife on the ground twice in a row.
  • Arm Slam: Slams his off arm on the ground. Blockable, but high stamina damage.
  • Oil Vomit: Vomits and douses the player with two blobs of oil. If the player then steps into a fire patch, they will violently combust for a large amount of damage. This attack is telegraphed by the Rotten clutching his chest with his left arm.
  • Dark Aura Explosion: Charges up with a Dark aura around him and explodes in an area of effect radius.
  • Dark Knife Slam: Slams his knife in the same manner as the normal Knife Slam, but fires off a Dark attack upon hitting the ground.
  • Grab: Grabs the player with the free hand, then twists with both hands like drying a towel. Unblockable and inflicts heavy damage.

Defenses[]

Physical Defenses
Physical Defense Strike Defense Slash Defense Thrust Defense
401 15% -10% -35%
Elemental Defenses
Magic Defense Fire Defense Lightning Defense Dark Defense
30% 30% 15% 50%
Resistances
Poison Resist Bleed Resist Can be Backstabbed Can be Parried
70% 15% No No
(Stats are from Param Studio and are not estimated)
Strike/Slash/Thrust defense are applied on top of Physical Defense. -35% thrust means taking 135% damage.

Drops[]

Item Great Soul
Soul of the Rotten
Lord Soul
Old Dead One Soul
Pharros' Lockstone
Pharros' Lockstone
Drop Rate Guaranteed Guaranteed (NG+) sever left arm

Notes[]

  • A small body on his left shoulder mimics his actions.
  • Close to the fog gate, players may hear the sound of wind blowing, chains creaking, and eerie moaning.
  • By using a Bonfire Ascetic on the Black Gulch bonfire (Hidden Chamber), the Rotten can be respawned.
  • The Rotten is susceptible to Bleed.

Trivia[]

  • The hollow on the Rotten's left shoulder covers their ears during Dark Aura Explosion.
  • The Rotten, who holds the Old Dead One Soul and is made of corpses, is reminiscent of the soul's former owner, Gravelord Nito.
  • The Rotten is apparently hollow, as Soul Appease, which only affects hollows, deals damage.

Gallery[]

Videos[]

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