Summary
Oceiros, The Consumed King is one of the best-kept secrets inDark Souls 3, being hidden down a secret path off to the side of the final dungeon. However, finding this hidden path can lead to several of the best fights in the game, including theimpressively difficult Nameless King, as well as the gatekeeper to Archdragon Peak himself.
While Oceiros does act as the final obstacle before being given access to Archdragon Peak and the hardest boss in the base game, this half-dragon is nothing to scoff at. With two phases that land as polar opposites for aggression and readability, Oceiros easily stands among fights like the Nameless King and Gael as one of the toughest encountersDark Souls 3throws at players.
Dark Souls 3 Dominates Arenas with Massive Bosses
Oceiros Remains Larger than Life Without the Bulk
Looking through the boss roster ofDark Souls 3, it might be easier to point outtitans like Darkeater Midiror Yhorm the Giant as the largest and most intimidating beasts that the player will face. However, Oceiros still manages to impose his own size difference when measured against the player, thanks in part to the relatively small size of his arena. Against any humanoid enemy or smaller boss encounter, the room at the end of the Consumed King’s Garden could feel wide and inviting, but as Oceiros fills out the width of the space his presence creates an imposing, claustrophobic atmosphere.
This is all accomplished without relying on FromSoftware’s usual tactics for boss designs, with larger-than-life enemies wielding giant weapons on bulky, muscular shoulders. Instead, Oceiros is practically emaciated, a showing of how this boss was once a man who worshiped the power of dragons in order to become one. It’s a figure that shouldn’t be intimidating, but when combined with the way that the room closes in on Oceiros and calls forth the most powerful magic fromDark Souls 3’s dragon lore.
Oceiros Beats Players Single-Handed
As if to add insult to injury, when players will very likely die in their first encounter against Oceiros, the boss spends the entire first phase fighting with only one hand. The second is grasping for his invisible child, Ocelotte, and completely unable to fight as it tries to protect the baby from intruders. So, instead, Oceiros beats the player down with a staff and fires powerful crystal magic, with enough strength to easily beatDark Souls 3’s ashen protagonistwith one arm literally tied up away from the fight.
A Feral Second Phase Takes the Gloves Off
At this point through exploring the Kingdom of Lothric, players should be plenty prepared forDark Souls 3’s bosses to erupt in multiple phases, adding faster and more punishing attacks as the fight goes on. In the case of Oceiros, however, his second phase goes above and beyond to become an obstacle for players, as the boss drops his staff and starts attacking not only with both hands but his entire body at once. This second phase includes tail swipes, claw slashes, and a charge that can kick off with very little telegraph and covers the entire arena.
Most of the attacks apply their own difficulties when it comes to blocking and dodging, such as the claw swipes often grabbing players and dragging them along while they dodge to catch them when the invincibility frames run out. That being said, the toughest attack is the charge, which turns Oceiros' entire body into a hitbox and can be activated with almost no telegraph, while also being able to turn around on a dime. This attack alone makes Oceiros one of thehardest dragon bosses in the wholeSoulsborneseries, with how unpredictable and erratic it can be.
