History Characters / DarkSoulsEnemyNPCsAndBosses

* BonusBoss: It's not encountered as part of the main game, and it takes some time to figure out ''how'' to get back to the Asylum. Fittingly, it is also much tougher than the tutorial boss.

* UniqueEnemy: One of the more standout examples. He wears an armour set of unknown origin, and does not respawn once you kill him.

This page details noteworthy enemies and bosses fought in ''Videogame/DarkSouls''. Head back through [[Characters/DarkSouls here]] for other character pages. '''Note: contains some unmarked spoilers.'''

* {{Leitmotif}}: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC1N-1SMAXQ "Iron Golem"]], which is shared with the [[TinTyrant Iron Golem]].

* LaResistance: [[WildMassGuessing Speculated]] to be the reason his loot stash notably includes an Occult Club, a weapon designed to attack gods. What strengthens this connection is a possible MeaningfulName; [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A1clav_Havel Vaclav Havel]] was an instrumental figure in the Chekoslovakian Velvet Revolution.

* {{Expy}}: Their fighting style and general appearance is reminiscent of [[Videogame/DemonsSouls the Maneaters.]]

* TheFaceless: Due wearing a full set of armour.

* LaResistance: [[WildMassGuessing Speculated]] to be the reason his loot stash notably includes an Occult Club, a weapon designed to attack gods. What strengthens this connection is a possible MeaningfulName; [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A1clav_Havel Vaclav Havel]] was an instrumental figure in the Chekoslovakian Velvet Revolution.

* IconicOutfit: Wears the Elite Knight Set, which you can find in the Darkroot Garden.

* TinTyrant

!!The Duke's Archives

* UndergroundMonkey: It has the exact same moves as the Stray Demon, as well as similar stats, but is WreathedInFlames and more likely to be met without SequenceBreaking.

!!Bed of Chaos Guardian

!!Bed of Chaos

* EatenAlive: Not the Gaping Dragon, but you.
* ExtremeOmnivore

* StuffBlowingUp: Launches a few bombs that have a very wide radius of impact, and once [[SwordPlant it plants its staff into the ground]], this is your cue to run.
* UndergroundMonkey: It's basically an Asylum Demon WreathedInFlames, with matching stats for late-game difficulty.

[[folder:Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough]]

* LightningBruiser: Has a plethora of stamina-draining sword swings, and it rarely pauses to break your guard. Only a shield with heavy deflection can ward off its attacks, but none are available by the time players reach its boss fight.

* SequenceBreaking: Surprisingly enough, you can skip it along with the entirety of the Depths if you chose to reach Blighttown through the Valley of Drakes. While doing that is much more tedious than fighting the Capra Demon, it potentially spares you from many brutal deaths if you're not prepared for it.

* BigEater: According to WordOfGod, it was originally a normal dragon that became so obsessed with eating it's body mutated into a giant maw. Now it can only think about eating.

* TheFaceless

* DoppelgangerAttack: And you can see disposed clones on the way in. The fan theory outlined below suggests he may have developed the ability as part of his scheme to disentangle his components from each other.

* CoolMask: He has three of them.

* MaskOfPower: Three of them.

* FlipFlopOfGod: According to the Dark Souls Official Guide, the Daughter of Chaos' real name is Quelaana, which would fit right in with the prefix convention of the Chaos Sisters (Quelana of Izalith and Quelaag). However, the guide also describes the Daughter of Chaos as a [[WholesomeCrossdresser male]]...

* ALoadOfBull: It's based on a minotaur and vaguely resembles a wingless [[{{Manga/Berserk}} Zodd]] in that regard, although its horns are curled, resembling a ram's, and it has a [[SkeletonsInTheCoatCloset skull-like face]].

* PhysicalGod: They're lesser demigods, in the same vein as [[{{Characters/DarkSoulsArtoriasOfTheAbyss}} Artorias and Ciaran]].

* MagmaMan: Closely resembles a wingless [[{{Literature/LordOfTheRings}} Balrog]] due to this.

* {{Expy}}: Of the Old Monk from ''DemonsSouls''. Both were legendary exiles who wore golden robes. The Xanthous crown is almost identical to the one worn by the Black Phantom summoned by the Old Monk for his boss fight.

* OptionalBoss: If you take a detour through the Valley of Drakes, and go all the way up from the Darkroot Basin, you can reach the Undead Parish without ever having to tackle the Undead Burg, making the Taurus Demon skippable.

* OptionalBoss: Surprisingly enough, you can skip it along with the entirety of the Depths if you chose to reach Blighttown through the Valley of Drakes.

* OptionalBoss: In the same vein as the Capra Demon, the Depths are entirely skippable if you reach Blighttown through the Valley of Drakes.

* OptionalBoss: Provided you ranked up a bit in the Chaos Servant covenant, it's possible to skip this boss fight by opening a shortcut to Lost Izalith.

* OptionalBoss: Same as the Firesage Demon, since its boss fight is immediately after the latter's.

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/undead-prince-ricard_2189.jpg]]

* UndyingLoyalty: Defends the tomb of his friend to the death, even when he is [[PlayerPunch too weak to stand.]] [[spoiler:The PlayerPunch is even greater if the player saves Sif in the new content before entering Artorias' grave. Sif actually ''recognizes'' the player, before reluctantly drawing Artorias' greatsword for the boss fight.]]
** {{Hachiko}}

* NoNameGiven: Much like her sister, the Fair Lady, no name is given for her. Not that it would matter given the short length of her appearance.

[[folder:Bell Gargoyles]]
!!Bell Gargoyles[=/=]Belfry Gargoyles
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/300px-gargoyle_621.png]]

A pair of demonic gargoyles hiding under the guise of statues atop the Undead Parish's church, and guardians the first Bell of Awakening. Another pair are seen guarding the outskirts of Anor Londo.

* BewareMyStingerTail: Their tail is basically [[AnAxeToGrind a large double-ended axe]]. You can sever it to acquire it as a weapon.
* BladeOnAStick: Their unique halberd, which they drop if defeated.
* BreathWeapon: If you're keeping your distance too much, they'll start spewing flames over a large area. The ones encountered in Anor Londo breathe [[ShockAndAwe lightning instead]].
* DegradedBoss: In Anor Londo, where they are met individually, have around the same health as their boss counterpart, and don't respawn, effectively making them a {{Miniboss}} for the bridge section.
* DualBoss: In a bit of a subversion, the second gargoyle doesn't actually enter the fight until you reduce the first's health down to half.
* {{Flight}}: They're quite capable of it, though it's mostly used to do [[DeathFromAbove jump attacks on you]].
* MightyRoar: The first one you fight does this during its introductory cutscene.
* OurGargoylesRock: They're made of patinated bronze instead of stone - appropriate since they're fought in a Gothic church.
* ShieldBash: Often if you're too close to them.
* TailSlap: They can do that occasionally when spinning in the air.

[[folder:Kirk, Knight of Thorns]]
!!Kirk, Knight of Thorns
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kirk-knight-of-thorns_7712.jpg]]

A notorious Darkwraith who attacks the protagonist several times over the course of the journey.

* AntiVillain: Possibly. Not only are the Darkwraiths more morally ambiguous than outright evil, [[spoiler:but WordOfGod confirms that he's actually a Chaos Servant. Indeed, you even find his armor near the Daughter of Chaos after defeating him during all three encounters. If that's the case, he was never attacking you ForTheEvulz, he was gathering humanity to ''help'' soothe the IllGirl's pain!]]
* BlackKnight: A more traditional version, since he blocks your way several times throughout your adventures.
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: WordOfGod confirms that [[spoiler:He's a Chaos Servant posing as a Darkwraith]].
* RecurringBoss: He’s notable for being the only invading NPC who attacks you more than once. [[spoiler: He invades you a total of three times, once in the Depths should you head towards the [[DemonicSpiders Basilisks]], next in the Demon Ruins, and finally at the very end of Lost Izalith, with added assistance of the Bed of Chaos Guardian if you haven't killed her already.]]
* RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: He's uniquely encountered as a red phantom invader, and will always try to kill you. Subverted once [[AntiVillain you learn about his true motives]].
* SpikesOfVillainy: He's called the [[RedBaron Knight of Thorns]], and his sword, shield, and armor are all appropriately covered with spikes. Rolling into or kicking an opponent with the armor equipped [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration actually deals some damage]], [[ScratchDamage however small]], and both the sword and shield have bleeding effect.

[[folder:The Gaping Dragon]]
!!Gaping Dragon
[[quoteright:330:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/330px-gaping_dragon_2770.png]]

A mutant dragon trapped within the Depths. Killing it gives you the key to Blighttown.

* BigEater: According to WordOfGod, it was originally a normal dragon that became so obsessed with eating it's body mutated into a giant maw. Now it can only think about eating.
* BodyHorror: It was originally a normal stone dragon. Then its obsession with hunger turned its ribcage into a massive maw...
* BreathWeapon: Sort of. Unlike nearly every other dragon in the game, the Gaping Dragon does not possess any sort of elemental/magic breath attack but instead unleashes a massive amount of corrosive vomit that can eat away at your equipment's durability.
* EatenAlive: Not the Gaping Dragon, but you.
* ExtremeOmnivore
* MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily: [[http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/oracrest/Dark%20Souls/05-noscale.jpg Its most obvious physical feature.]]
* ObsessedWithFood: So obsessed with eating that it became corrupted by this desire.
* TailSlap: Get too far behind it and you'll be on the receiving end of one. Fortunately, you can also cut it, which also rewards you with the [[InfinityMinusOneSword Dragon King Greataxe]].
* WasOnceAMan: Well, dragon.

[[folder:Maneater Mildred]]
!!Maneater Mildred
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/300px-maneater_mildred_5952.jpg]]

A mysterious woman wearing a sack on her head who invades you in the swamps of Blighttown. Defeating her allows you to summon her for help against Quelaag.

* {{BFS}}: She wields a giant butcher's knife of sorts.
* BrawnHilda: Her character model is bottom-heavy according to the character creation options.
* DefeatEqualsFriendship: Soon after you defeat her, her summon sign becomes available in front of Quelaag's boss gate.
* TheFaceless
* ImAHumanitarian: Possibly. Dialogue from Laurentius suggests that if he remained stuck in the Depths, someone would've come to feast upon him. He may have been referring to the [[BigEater Gaping Dragon]], but considering he specifically mentions it being a female, and given Mildred's nickname, one gets the sense her moniker isn't just for catchy alliteration.
** The Japanese name, "Mildred the human-eater", confirms it.
* KarmaHoudini: Has apparently cannibalized several people, yet unlike pretty much every other NPC summon or invader her fate following her final appearance is unknown. In ''Dark Souls'', this pretty much means you get away scot-free.
* ThrowItIn: Surprisingly. WordOfGod says that one of the developers invaded during debugging and surprised the rest of the development team. They liked it enough that they got the data and quickly wrote up a background for her.

[[folder:Chaos Witch Quelaag]]
!!Chaos Witch Quelaag
[[quoteright:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/250px-quelaag_battle_8361.jpg]]

One of the seven Daughters of Chaos and guardian of the second Bell of Awakening.

* AntiVillain: It turns out she was [[spoiler:trying to alleviate her sister's illness, using the Bell of Awakening as an excuse to kill any Undead who journeyed into her domain as a source for harvesting the humanity needed to ease said illness.]]
* BodyHorror: A naked woman's upper body on top of a demonic fire spider. [[spoiler:That said, she's still better off than her sister, who fell deathly ill from the blight pus she sucked when saving one of her followers.]]
* CuteMonsterGirl
* FemmeFatalons
* FlamingSword: Has her own personal sword, [[SwordLines with the unique effect of producing fire with each swing]]. [[spoiler: Like so many other boss weapons, you can forge one by infusing a curved sword with her soul.]]
* GodivaHair: Because her human torso is naked, this seems to be the only way to cover her breasts...
* HalfHumanHybrid: See BodyHorror above. [[spoiler:She and her sister were fused with Chaos Spiders when the Bed of Chaos came into existence.]]
* InfinityMinusOneSword: Quelaag's Furysword, with sufficient dexterity scaling and a reasonable amount of liquid humanity, is known to wreck enemies with low fire resistance (namely the undeads in the starter areas and a few enemies in the Darkroot Garden), and while it's weaker than a fully upgraded Falchion or Scimitar, it's still more affordable than its brethren, and has a longer reach to compensate for [[CripplingOverspecialization its dependence on fire damage]].
* NoSell: Fire-type attacks will not work on her.
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: As with her sisters, she fought alongside the Witch of Izalith against the Everlasting Dragons.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: She originally had a rather long intro speech which ran from when you entered her domain to when you entered the fog gate for the boss battle. But Miyazaki felt that the script for it was of poor quality and that it took something from her character.

[[folder:The Iron Golem]]
!!The Iron Golem
[[quoteright:290:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/290px-iron_golem_8007.png]]

A massive, humanoid suit of armor standing atop Sen's Fortress. Defeating it is the final trial before the Chosen Undead can access to Anor Londo and obtain the Lordvessel.

* AnAxeToGrind: [[{{BFS}} One befitting its size, no less!]] It also fires [[RazorWind streams of air that explode upon impact.]] [[spoiler: You can forge one for yourself by using the golem's core, with the ability to fire those streams as well, [[AwesomeButImpractical although it's the heaviest weapon of its category]].]]
* AnimatedArmor: Its core, which you obtain after defeating it, is actually the power source of that humongous giant, and without it, it's nothing more than a useless suit of armor, as evidenced by the core and the armor set's descriptions.
* ClimaxBoss: It is the final obstacle you'll meet before reaching Anor Londo. This is right after braving the many traps and enemies in Sen's Fortress, and it provides you with an epic finish to the dungeon. [[SubvertedTrope That said]], you can summon [[{{Badass}} Tarkus]] to help you, [[AntiClimaxBoss something which often makes the fight easy]].
* LivingStatue: It doesn't move at all when you peek from outside its boss arena.
* MightyGlacier: Slow and cumbersome, but each of its swings and punches are likely to knock off most of your health.
* OurGiantsAreBigger: Definitely the largest humanoid opponent you will face in Sen's Fortress, [[AnimatedArmor although it turns out to be just a suit of armor]]. It also falls short of the [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever Ceaseless Discharge.]]
* TinTyrant

* {{Irony}}: Basically all of the ruling body of Anor Londo can't stand him, Four Knights included, so he hates them right back, [[spoiler:spitefully dispatching Ornstein while he's down if you take him out first. However, if Smough goes down first, we see Ornstein briefly offer his respect to the body before absorbing it...meaning that Ornstein, who he killed in envy, was the one person who ''didn't'' completely hate his guts.]]

* TragicMonster: WordOfGod states that the Ceaseless Discharge [[spoiler:is the brother of the Daughters of Chaos mentioned in the Orange Charred Ring's description]], according to the recently released Japanese official artbook. Due to his [[BodyHorror unusual condition]] and the fact he guards over the tomb of [[spoiler:one of his sisters]], he certainly qualifies.

* FatAndSkinny: Although Smough turns out to be a well-built underneath that fat-looking armor, if the official artbook is any indication.

* TheFaceless
* DoesNotLikeShoes

* WarmUpBoss: It's literally the first enemy you encounter in the game, and the first one to give you a taste of the [[NintendoHard game's difficulty]].

* {{Necromancer}}

* TragicMonster: WordOfGod states that the Ceaseless Discharge [[spoiler:is the brother of the Daughters of Chaos mentioned in the Orange Charred Ring's description]], according to the recently released Japanese official artbook.
* UnfortunateName

* SequentialBoss: As soon as you cut down one of the orbs, [[spoiler:the Bed of Chaos will produce an additional arm made of fire that will try to dig its way to you]], and some parts of the floor will start crumbling down to a BottomlessPit. Destroying the second orb will cause [[spoiler:the boss to start unleashing fire storms as well]], making the struggle to reach its core even harder.

A notorious Darkwraith who attacks the protagonist several times over the course of the journey. [[spoiler:After defeating him all three times, a corpse carrying his armor is found in the dead-end hall near the Daughter of Chaos. His sword and shield are dropped after defeating him the first and second times respectively.]]

* AntiVillain: Possibly. [[spoiler:Not only are the Darkwraiths more morally ambiguous than outright evil, but WordOfGod confirms that he's actually a Chaos Servant. Indeed, you even find his armor near the Daughter of Chaos. If that's the case, he was never attacking you ForTheEvulz, he was gathering humanity to ''help'' soothe the IllGirl's pain!]]

* [[spoiler:DidYouJustScamCthulhu]]: [[spoiler:He's a Chaos Servant posing as a Darkwraith]].

* RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: He's uniquely encountered as a red phantom invader, and will always try to kill you.

* BodyHorror: It was originally a normal stone dragon. Then its obsession with hunger turned its ribcage into a massive maw. [[NightmareFuel Yuck.]]

One of the seven Daughters of Chaos and guardian of the second Bell of Awakening. [[spoiler:She and her sister were fused with Chaos Spiders when the Bed of Chaos came into existence. The two found their way to Blighttown, taking on the blight-infected Undead as servants. While Quelaag wanted to leave them to their fate, her sister took pity on them. After her sister fell deathly ill from the blight pus she sucked from their infected followers, Quelaag became her sole caretaker, and began using the Bell of Awakening as an excuse to kill any Undead who journeyed into her Domain as a source of harvesting humanity to alleviate her sister's constant pain.]]

* AntiVillain: [[spoiler: Turns out she was collecting humanity in order to alleviate her sister's illness.]]
* BodyHorror: A naked woman's upper body on top of a demonic fire spider. [[spoiler:That said, she's better off than her [[IllGirl sister]].]]

* GodivaHair
* HalfHumanHybrid

A pair of high-ranking knights that guard Princess Gwynevere's chamber. The bosses of [[spoiler:daylight]] Anor Londo.

* AssKicksYou: [[spoiler:After absorbing Smough's power, his moveset includes one which also send [[ShockAndAwe lightning shockwaves]] as he lands.]]

* DueToTheDead: [[spoiler:Should you kill Smough first. Not that the latter would return the favor...]]
* DualBoss: With Smough.

* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: His most dangerous attack [[spoiler:in the second stage]], and it will most likely kill you in one hit.

* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler:If you kill Smough first, Ornstein absorbs his power and turns into a giant, gaining several new abilities.]]
* NotQuiteDead: [[spoiler:As soon as you defeat Ornstein first, he falls to the ground, but in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, one of his fingers is still twitching. Of course, Smough, [[FatBastard being the asshole he is]], promptly crushes him with his hammer.]]

* DualBoss: With Ornstein.

* ShockAndAwe: [[spoiler:If Ornstein is defeated first, [[KickTheDog Smough will crush him with his hammer]], powering his attacks with lightning for the second phase.]]
* TurnsRed: [[spoiler:If you kill Ornstein first, Smough charges his hammer with Ornstein's lightning.]]

* PowerParasite: [[spoiler: He siphons off Gravelord Nito's abilities while Nito lies dormant.]]

Guardian of a FieldOfBlades graveyard found within the Darkroot Basin, which pay honor to Knight Artorias the Abysswalker. He wields a now powerless version of her old master's greatsword, which he holds in his mouth. Defeating Sif grants the player a ring called the Covenant of Artorias, allowing them to traverse the Abyss and slay the Four Kings. [[spoiler: Sif is encountered in the new content as a wolf cub. The player has the option to save Sif from the Abyss, allowing the player to summon him during the fight against Manus. Completing the new content before gaining the Covenant of Artorias will cause a new boss intro video to play.]]

* BadassInDistress: [[spoiler:In the Prepare to Die edition, the player can find him separated from her dead master, weak and surrounded by Humanity phantoms with only Artorias' shield keeping them away from him. Should the player choose to rescue him, he can be summoned for the Manus boss fight.]]
* [[spoiler: BigDamnHeroes: If you rescued him in the Chasm of the Abyss, his summon sign will appear during the fight against Manus, [[DownplayedTrope although he's not going to do much beside distract the boss]].]]
* CanisMajor: He's huge for a wolf, and you're mouse-sized compared to him. [[spoiler:In [[DownloadableContent Artorias of the Abyss]], he's around your size, given this takes place in the past.]]

* [[spoiler: HeartbrokenBadass: Should you manage to save him prior to the mandatory boss fight against him, Sif will recognize the player and whimper softly at their approach. The player reaches out to pet him, but Sif pulls away and howls mournfully, before sadly grabbing Astorias's greatsword]].

This massive fire creature is the source of all the lava that fills the Demon Ruins and restricts access to Lost Izalith. This creature watches over an altar, on which is placed the body of one of the Daughters of Chaos. Picking the Gold Hemmed Black armor set up will aggro the beast, leading to a boss battle. [[spoiler: WordOfGod states that this is the brother mentioned in the Orange Charred Ring description, according to the recently released Japanese official artbook.]]

* BeefGate: As the source of the lava covering the Demon Ruins, you'll have to defeat him before setting foot in yourself.

* TragicMonster

A legendary exile from unknown parts. Invades you in the Painted World of Ariamis. [[spoiler:His armor is found on a corpse sitting near the exit of the Painted World.]]

A massive, tree-like abomination that takes its roots at the deepest ends of Lost Izalith. For more information on this enemy, see [[spoiler: [[Characters/DarkSoulsMainCharactersAndLords the Witch of Izalith]].]]

* BodyHorror: It was originally a normal stone dragon.

* ObsessedWithFood: So obsessed with eating that it became corrupted by this desire.

* InfinityPlusOneSword: Ornstein wields the Dragonslayer Spear, while Smough has his own trademark hammer. [[spoiler:Either one can be forged from the soul obtained from whoever you defeated last, and are decent endgame weapons with the right stats.]]

* YouShallNotPass: Not counting [[spoiler:Kirk who invades you at the exact same spot]], she's the last opponent on your way to fight [[spoiler:the Bed of Chaos.]]

[[folder:Dragon Slayer Ornstein]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Executioner Smough]]

* HeroKiller: Fatally wounds Oscar of Astora between the time he gives you the means to escape your cell and the moment you find him on his last legs.

* [[spoiler:AntiVillain]]: Possibly. [[spoiler:Not only are the Darkwraiths more morally ambiguous than outright evil, but WordOfGod confirms that he's actually a Chaos Servant. Indeed, you even find his armor near the Daughter of Chaos. If that's the case, he was never attacking you ForTheEvulz, he was gathering humanity to ''help'' soothe the IllGirl's pain!]]
* BlackKnight

* [[spoiler: BigDamnHeroes: If you actually rescued him in the Chasm of the Abyss, his summon sign will appear during the fight against Manus, [[SubvertedTrope although he's not going to do much beside distracting the boss]].]]
* CanisMajor: He's huge for a wolf, and you're pretty much mouse-sized compared to him. [[spoiler:In [[DownloadableContent Artorias of the Abyss]], however, he's around your size, given this takes place in the past.]]

* {{Badass}}

* ShockAndAwe

* BigBadassWolf

* CutlassBetweenTheTeeth

* BerserkButton: He seems content to ignore you (or otherwise doesn't even notice you) up until you desecrate the tomb of his sister and take her Gold-Hemmed Black robes. Then he shows no mercy.
* BodyHorror: He was originally born with inflamed sores that oozed lava. That is horrifying enough, but after he lost the ring his sisters made to ease his pain, his sores eventually turned him into the abomination you see now.
* EldritchAbomination

* MagmaMan

* TragicMonster

* RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: Its skin is charred black, and due to the lighting of the boss room (a large field of lava), it also has shades of red. It's also extremely aggressive, ruthlessly attacking the player with heavy strikes from its massive arm.

* AssKicksYou: Sticking close to him isn't a good idea since it will do a groundpound in this manner.

* {{Expy}}: Its role as a tutorial boss is identical to the Vanguard in ''Videogame/DemonsSouls''.
* HeroKiller: Fatally wounds Oscar of Astora between the time he gives you the means to escape your cell and the moment you find him dying.
* WarmUpBoss: It's literally the first enemy you encounter in the game, and the first enemy to give you a taste of the [[NintendoHard game's difficulty]].

* [[spoiler:OneWingedAngel: If you kill Smough first, Ornstein absorbs his power and turns into a giant, gaining several new abilities.]]
* [[spoiler:NotQuiteDead: As soon as you defeat Ornstein first, he falls to the ground, but in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, one of his fingers is still twitching. Of course, Smough, [[FatBastard being the asshole he is]], promptly crushes him with his hammer.]]

* EvilLaugh

* UndergroundMonkey: It's basically an Asylum Demon WreathedInFlames, with stats matching late-game difficulty.

* EatenAlive: Just like the Gaping Dragon, it will attempt to grab you and feed you ''into its ribcage'', although it's actually less damaging than it looks if you struggle hard enough.
* EldritchAbomination: A very twisted creature that looks nothing like its name indicates. Bonnus point for being born from a ring that was supposed to cure ''another'' EldritchAbomination.

[[folder:Havel the Rock]]
!!Havel the Rock

One of Lord Gwyn's followers, Havel is actually a Bishop, thought if he belongs to the Way of White is not known. He is also the sworn enemy of Seath the Scaleless.

* AntiMagic: Invented the Great Magic Barrier miracle to combat the sorcery he hated.
* AttackAttackRetreatRetreat: He's either smart enough to realize he's being lured into a trap or scared to fight outside the confined space of the tower when he runs back into the tower after going through the entrance.
* AxCrazy: After going Hollow. Locked up for his own and everyone else's safety by Gwyn. Although the item description when it says "For his own good, of course" can be taken as sarcastically toned, since it was more likely done, not to protect him from others, but to protect ''others'' from ''him''.
* BadassPreacher: As one of Gwyn's followers, there's no doubt he faced several dangers and came out on top.
* BeefGate: Acts as this for one entrance into Darkroot Basin should the player use the Master Key to unlock the door in the Undead Burg's watchtower.
* CarryABigStick: His Dragon's Tooth, which is speculated to be made from one of Seath's teeth.
* ChurchMilitant: [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Bishop, even]].
* FantasticRacism: Was known to hate sorcery. This was also one of the reasons he hated Seath.
* ImprobableWeaponUser: He wields a huge ''tooth''. As a ''club''.
* LaResistance: [[WildMassGuessing Speculated]] to be the reason his loot stash notably includes an Occult Club, a weapon designed to attack gods. What strengthens this connection is a possible MeaningfulName; [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A1clav_Havel Vaclav Havel]] was an instrumental figure in the Chekoslovakian Velvet Revolution.
* MightyGlacier: Wears ''the'' heaviest armor in the game, ''the'' heaviest shield, as well as one of the heaviest weapons. Is he slow? Definitely. Can he one-shot a bitch? Oh yeah.
* TinTyrant: Although not really metal. His armor is actually ''carved out of solid rock''.

[[folder:Dragon Slayer Ornstein]]
!! Dragon Slayer Ornstein

One of Gwyn's top knights and a member of the Four Knights. Guards the Cathedral of Anor Londo along with Executioner Smough.

* AnimalMotifs: Lions.
* AssKicksYou: [[spoiler:After absorbing Smough's power, his moveset includes one which also send [[ShockAndAwe lightning shockwaves]] as he lands.]]
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Has an impressive trophy room full of dragon heads, adding to his credibility as [[MeaningfulName Dragonslayer]], and is implied to be the current captain of Gwyn's Four Knights.
* {{Badass}}
* BladeOnAStick: The [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Dragonslayer Spear]], which is imbued with [[ShockAndAwe lightning]], is one of the more ornate weapons in the game. [[spoiler:You can forge one for yourself should you defeat Ornstein last.]]
* TheDragon: Although he'd object to the trope name, he is believed to be the Captain of the Four Knights and is thus one of Gwyn's top lieutenants. Also a minor subversion, in that you kill him about halfway though the game.
* DueToTheDead: [[spoiler:Should you kill Smough first. Not that the latter would return the favor...]]
* DualBoss: With Smough.
* EarlyBirdCameo: A statue of him is found in one hall of Anor Londo's beginning area.
* FlashStep[=/=]VideogameDashing: Ornstein's hyper fast attack in which he glides across the ground. If you're helping fight him as a phantom, even a little bit of latency tends to make it look a FlashStep.
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: His most dangerous attack [[spoiler:in the second stage]], and it will most likely kill you in one hit.
* {{Irony}}: His signature ring, the Leo Ring, is poorly suited for his signature weapon, the Dragonslayer Spear, since the ring only boosts the [[{{Technobabble}} physical damage of counter-hits from a thrusting attack]], and the spear's damage is split between physical and lightning, so the ring's better of paired with a purely physical thrusting weapon.
* LightningBruiser: Most of the time, his first move is to charge the player ''very'' fast with his spear.
** [[IncrediblyLamePun Lightning Lightning Bruiser]] in fact, as many of his attacks are imbued with this element.
* [[spoiler:OneWingedAngel: If you kill Smough first, Ornstein absorbs his power and turns into a giant, gaining several new abilities.]]
* [[spoiler:NotQuiteDead: As soon as you defeat Ornstein first, he falls to the ground, but in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, one of his fingers is still twitching. Of course, Smough, [[FatBastard being the asshole he is]], promptly crushes him with his hammer.]]
* ScaryImpracticalArmor[=/=]BlingOfWar: Some of the coolest armor in the game, making him look like a blinged-out Dragoon. He presumably sees through his lion-head helm's open mouth, though his field of vision would be ridiculously limited.
* ShockAndAwe
* TheSlowWalk: When he's not jumping around or attacking, he tends to swagger slowly towards the player.

[[folder:Executioner Smough]]
!! Executioner Smough

The Executioner of Anor Londo, seeking the approval of Gwyn. Guards the Cathedral of Anor Londo alongside Dragon Slayer Ornstein.

* {{Acrofatic}}: He's very agile for someone his size. Justified as he's a minor God, and he may not actually be that bulky under his armor.
** Confirmed by the [[http://marioshinobi.tumblr.com/image/31955808089 official artbook]].
* AssKicksYou: One of his attacks involves jumping the air and slamming down rear-end first. [[spoiler:Ornstein will also start using it should you kill Smough first]].
* DropTheHammer: Undisputably ''the'' heaviest weapon in the game. It's accordingly powerful and slow.
* DualBoss: With Ornstein.
* DueToTheDead: Averted, both in his day job and boss battle. [[spoiler:Ornstein is respectful of Smough if he his killed first. Smough just smashes Ornstein flat if the Dragonslayer falls first, [[EvilLaugh letting out a chuckle as he does so]].]]
* EarlyBirdCameo: Not him, but his armor. The max-stat Black Phantoms released into the games of players who broke the street date wore his armor. Also, a statue of him is displayed in the hall opposite of Ornstein's statue in the beginning area of Anor Londo.
* EvilLaugh
* FanNickname: [[IncrediblyLamePun Tons.]]
* FatBastard: His armour gives this impression, though the artbook shows that he's just big and well-muscled underneath it, not fat.
* ImAHumanitarian: Used the remains of criminals he executed as ''food seasoning.'' This naturally ''horrified'' those around him.
* JigglePhysics: Definitely present. Just watch his chest.
* {{Kevlard}}: [[AvertedTrope Surprisingly averted]]. Yes, Smough appears very fat, and yes, he can take a high amount of punishment. However, both of these aspects come exclusively from his armor. It hides the fact that he's actually just as well built as Ornstein, and protects him even more.
* NoPronunciationGuide: Smoh? Smuh? Smuff? Smug? Smoo? Smoff?
** Considering the other giant in the game with a similar name, Gough, pronounces his name like it rhymes with cough, it [[WildMassGuessing could be assumed]] that Smough's is intended to be pronounced similarly.
* ScaryImpracticalArmor: Not really scary, but pretty intimidating and definitely impractical - there are no visible eye holes (his "face" is actually part of his helm and judging by the player version, sits above where his actual head is) and he can't even walk normally in it. Not that it really slows him down.
** The above link shows that the eye holes of the helmet sit just below the chin of his "face".
* ShockAndAwe: [[spoiler:If Ornstein is defeated first, [[KickTheDog Smough will crush him with his hammer]], powering his attacks with lightning for the second phase.]]
* TurnsRed: [[spoiler:If you kill Ornstein first, Smough charges his hammer with Ornstein's lightning.]]
* [[WellDoneSonGuy Well Done Executioner Guy]]: Desperately seeks the approval of Gwyn and the Four Knights by doing the above, presumably to show how ruthless he is. This backfires spectacularly: [[spoiler:Kingseeker Frampt, a personal friend of Gwyn, thinks so little of him that he'll only pay ''one soul'' for Smough's, and it's implied the Four Knights, including Ornstein, don't like him much more than that.]]
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: When Smough was first conceived, he was originally supposed to be one of the Four Knights, but Miyazaki liked the design too much. Smough's backstory was changed to that of an outsider wishing to join the Four Knights.

[[folder:The Pinwheel]]
!! The Pinwheel

A necromancer residing in the Catacombs below Lordran.

* DoppelgangerAttack: And you can see disposed clones on the way in. The fan theory outlined below suggests he may have developed the ability as part of his scheme to disentangle his components from each other.
* CameBackWrong: Whatever Pinwheel was before becoming... it, it now is an abomination.
* CoolMask: He has three of them.
* {{Expy}}: Of [[DemonsSouls Fool's Idol]]; similar attacks, same teleportation, same doppelgangers. The only difference being that you can't usually stomp Fool's Idol in ten seconds flat.
* HumanoidAbomination: Whatever he looks like under those robes, he's got three heads and six arms. Three heads, it should be noted, that have separate minds, if looking at each other when you show up before he goes into battle stance is any indication.
* MaskOfPower: Three of them.
* {{Necromancer}}
* PowerParasite: [[spoiler: He siphons off Gravelord Nito's abilities while Nito lies dormant.]]
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Implied. The current [[{{Fanon}} fan theory]] is that Pinwheel was a necromancer who tried to resurrect his family. [[FateWorseThanDeath The result...]]

[[folder:Chaos Witch Quelaag]]
!!Chaos Witch Quelaag

One of the seven Daughters of Chaos and guardian of the second Bell of Awakening. [[spoiler:She and her sister were fused with Chaos Spiders when the Bed of Chaos came into existence. The two found their way to Blighttown, taking on the blight-infected Undead as servants. While Quelaag wanted to leave them to their fate, her sister took pity on them. After her sister fell deathly ill from the blight pus she sucked from their infected followers, Quelaag became her sole caretaker, and began using the Bell of Awakening as an excuse to kill any Undead who journeyed into her Domain as a source of harvesting humanity to alleviate her sister's constant pain.]]

* AntiVillain: [[spoiler: Turns out she was collecting humanity in order to alleviate her sister's illness.]]
* BodyHorror: A naked woman's upper body on top of a demonic fire spider. [[spoiler:That said, she's better off than her [[IllGirl sister]].]]
* CuteMonsterGirl
* FemmeFatalons
* FlamingSword: Has her own personal sword, [[SwordLines with the unique effect of producing fire with each swing]]. [[spoiler: Like so many other boss weapons, you can forge one by infusing a curved sword with her soul.]]
* GodivaHair
* HalfHumanHybrid
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: She originally had a rather long intro speech which ran from when you entered her domain to when you entered the fog gate for the boss battle. But Miyazaki felt that the script for it was of poor quality and that it took something from her character.

[[folder:Great Grey Wolf Sif]]
!!Great Grey Wolf Sif

Guardian of a FieldOfBlades graveyard found within the Darkroot Basin, which pay honor to Knight Artorias the Abysswalker. He wields a now powerless version of her old master's greatsword, which he holds in his mouth. Defeating Sif grants the player a ring called the Covenant of Artorias, allowing them to traverse the Abyss and slay the Four Kings. [[spoiler: Sif is encountered in the new content as a wolf cub. The player has the option to save Sif from the Abyss, allowing the player to summon him during the fight against Manus. Completing the new content before gaining the Covenant of Artorias will cause a new boss intro video to play.]]

* BadassInDistress: [[spoiler:In the Prepare to Die edition, the player can find him separated from her dead master, weak and surrounded by Humanity phantoms with only Artorias' shield keeping them away from him. Should the player choose to rescue him, he can be summoned for the Manus boss fight.]]
* BigBadassWolf
* [[spoiler: BigDamnHeroes: If you actually rescued him in the Chasm of the Abyss, his summon sign will appear during the fight against Manus, [[SubvertedTrope although he's not going to do much beside distracting the boss]].]]
* CutlassBetweenTheTeeth
* FragileSpeedster: Sif is this in comparison to other bosses. Sif has fairly high damage, but for the most part, he isn't capable of one shotting you like the Stray Demon and the Gaping Dragon. Sif is also extremely fast and agile, but comparatively low in defense and armor.
* GenderBlenderName: Sif is a [[NorseMythology Norse goddess]]'s name. [[WordOfGod Only Miyazaki can tell Sif's gender as it stands now.]]
* [[spoiler: HeartbrokenBadass: Should you manage to save him prior to the mandatory boss fight against him, Sif will recognize the player and whimper softly at their approach. The player reaches out to pet him, but Sif pulls away and howls mournfully, before sadly grabbing Astorias's greatsword]].
* PunchClockVillain: He's the one of the few bosses in the game to be utterly non-antagonistic. He's only defending his master's grave, which the player needs access to in order to traverse the Abyss.
* UndyingLoyalty: Defends the tomb of his friend to the death, even when he is [[PlayerPunch too weak to stand.]] [[spoiler:The PlayerPunch is even greater if the player saves Sif in the new content before entering Artorias' grave. Sif actually ''recognizes'' the player, before reluctantly drawing Artorias' greatsword for the boss fight.]]
** {{Hachiko}}

[[folder:The Four Kings]]
For more information on this enemy, see Characters/DarkSoulsMainCharactersAndLords.

[[folder:The Ceaseless Discharge]]
!!Ceaseless Discharge

This massive fire creature is the source of all the lava that fills the Demon Ruins and restricts access to Lost Izalith. This creature watches over an altar, on which is placed the body of one of the Daughters of Chaos. Picking the Gold Hemmed Black armor set up will aggro the beast, leading to a boss battle. [[spoiler: WordOfGod states that this is the brother mentioned in the Orange Charred Ring description, according to the recently released Japanese official artbook.]]

* AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever: The largest enemy in the entire game bar none, although you wouldn't guess it since you'll usually be seeing nothing but his head and some tentacles.
* BeefGate: As the source of the lava covering the Demon Ruins, you'll have to defeat him before setting foot in yourself.
* BerserkButton: He seems content to ignore you (or otherwise doesn't even notice you) up until you desecrate the tomb of his sister and take her Gold-Hemmed Black robes. Then he shows no mercy.
* BodyHorror: He was originally born with inflamed sores that oozed lava. That is horrifying enough, but after he lost the ring his sisters made to ease his pain, his sores eventually turned him into the abomination you see now.
* EldritchAbomination
* FateWorseThanDeath: Perpetually being burned by lava certainly counts.
* MagmaMan
* MightyGlacier: Moves and attacks incredibly slow, but will put an end to even the toughest character if he hits them.
* TragicMonster
* UnfortunateName

[[folder:Bed of Chaos Guardian]]
!!Bed of Chaos Guardian

The eldest of the seven Daughters of Chaos, she protects the Bed of Chaos from any invaders that wish to harm it. While she shares the same model as Quelana, they are not the same character. Creator of the Chaos Fire Whip pyromancy spell, which was her signature spell.

* BlackCloak: The same robe that Quelana wears.
* TheFaceless
* DoesNotLikeShoes
* PlayingWithFire: Fittingly, given she created the Chaos Fire Whip pyromancy, although she's more likely to cast Chaos Fireballs and Chaos Firestorms if you drag out the fight for too long.

[[folder:Kirk, Knight of Thorns]]
!!Kirk, Knight of Thorns

A notorious Darkwraith who attacks the protagonist several times over the course of the journey. [[spoiler:After defeating him all three times, a corpse carrying his armor is found in the dead-end hall near the Daughter of Chaos. His sword and shield are dropped after defeating him the first and second times respectively.]]

* [[spoiler:AntiVillain]]: Possibly. [[spoiler:Not only are the Darkwraiths more morally ambiguous than outright evil, but WordOfGod confirms that he's actually a Chaos Servant. Indeed, you even find his armor near the Daughter of Chaos. If that's the case, he was never attacking you ForTheEvulz, he was gathering humanity to ''help'' soothe the IllGirl's pain!]]
* BlackKnight
* [[spoiler:DidYouJustScamCthulhu]]: [[spoiler:He's a Chaos Servant posing as a Darkwraith]].
* RecurringBoss: He’s notable for being the only invading NPC who attacks you more than once. [[spoiler: He invades you a total of three times, once in the Depths should you head towards the [[DemonicSpiders Basilisks]], next in the Demon Ruins, and finally at the very end of Lost Izalith, with added assistance of the Bed of Chaos Guardian if you haven't killed her already.]]
* SpikesOfVillainy: He's called the [[RedBaron Knight of Thorns]], and his sword, shield, and armor are all appropriately covered with spikes. Rolling into or kicking an opponent with the armor equipped [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration actually deals some damage]], [[ScratchDamage however small]], and both the sword and shield have bleeding effect.

[[folder:The Gaping Dragon]]
!!Gaping Dragon

A mutant dragon trapped within the Depths. Killing it gives you the key to Blighttown.

* BigEater: According to WordOfGod, it was originally a normal dragon that became so obsessed with eating it's body mutated into a giant maw. Now it can only think about eating.
* BodyHorror: It was originally a normal stone dragon.
* BreathWeapon: Sort of. Unlike nearly every other dragon in the game, the Gaping Dragon does not possess any sort of elemental/magic breath attack but instead unleashes a massive amount of corrosive vomit that can eat away at your equipment's durability.
* EatenAlive: Not the Gaping Dragon, but you.
* ExtremeOmnivore
* MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily: [[http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/oracrest/Dark%20Souls/05-noscale.jpg Its most obvious physical feature.]]
* ObsessedWithFood: So obsessed with eating that it became corrupted by this desire.
* WasOnceAMan: Well, dragon.

[[folder:The Iron Golem]]
!!The Iron Golem

A massive, humanoid suit of armor standing atop Sen's Fortress. Defeating it is the final trial before the Chosen Undead can access to Anor Londo and obtain the Lordvessel.

* AnAxeToGrind: [[{{BFS}} One befitting its size, no less!]] It also fires [[RazorWind streams of air that explode upon impact.]] [[spoiler: You can forge one for yourself by using the golem's core, with the ability to fire those streams as well, [[AwesomeButImpractical although it's the heaviest weapon of its category]].]]
* AnimatedArmor: Its core, which you obtain after defeating it, is actually the power source of that humongous giant, and without it, it's nothing more than a useless suit of armor, as evidenced by the core and the armor set's descriptions.
* BeefGate: It is the final obstacle you'll meet before reaching Anor Londo.
* MightyGlacier: Slow and cumbersome, but each of its swings and punches are likely to knock off most of your health.
* OurGiantsAreBigger: Definitely the largest humanoid opponent you will face in Sen's Fortress, [[AnimatedArmor although it turns out to be just a suit of armor]]. It also falls short of the [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever Ceaseless Discharge.]]
* TinTyrant

[[folder:Xanthous King Jeremiah]]
!!Xanthous King Jeremiah

A legendary exile from unknown parts. Invades you in the Painted World of Ariamis. [[spoiler:His armor is found on a corpse sitting near the exit of the Painted World.]]

* BodyHorror: The concept art of Jeremiah strongly hints that, yes, his head ''is'' shaped like a giant bloody pus-weeping lightbulb.
* {{Expy}}: Of the Old Monk from ''DemonsSouls''. Both were legendary exiles who wore golden robes. The Xanthous crown is almost identical to the one worn by the Black Phantom summoned by the Old Monk for his boss fight.
* FanNickname: In Japan, Xanthous King Jeremiah's infamous turban is nicknamed "Borraginol", after a brand of suppositories sold in Japan. Some Let's Players even go so far to include the Borraginol jingle (cheerfully saying "Borraginol for your hemorrhoids!") when they use the armor.
* MeaningfulName: Xanthous means yellow. And what color is his armor again...?
* PlayingWithFire: He uses Chaos pyromancies when he invades you, and he seems to resist fire damage far more than the average NPC.
* WhipItGood: Wields and drops the Notched Whip.

[[folder:Maneater Mildred]]
!!Maneater Mildred

A mysterious woman wearing a sack on her head who invades you in the swamps of Blighttown. Defeating her allows you to summon her for help against Quelaag.

* {{BFS}}: She wields a giant butcher's knife of sorts.
* BrawnHilda
* DefeatEqualsFriendship: Soon after you defeat her, her summon sign becomes available in front of Quelaag's boss gate.
* TheFaceless
* ImAHumanitarian: Possibly. Dialogue from Laurentius suggests that if he remained stuck in the Depths, someone would've come to feast upon him. He may have been referring to the [[BigEater Gaping Dragon]], but considering he specifically mentions it being a female, and given Mildred's nickname, one gets the sense her moniker isn't just for catchy alliteration.
** The Japanese name, "Mildred the human-eater", confirms it.
* KarmaHoudini: Has apparently cannibalized several people, yet unlike pretty much every other NPC summon or invader her fate following her final appearance is unknown. In ''Dark Souls'', this pretty much means you get away scot-free.
* ThrowItIn: Surprisingly. WordOfGod says that one of the developers invaded during debugging and surprised the rest of the development team. They liked it enough that they got the data and quickly wrote up a background for her.

* DoppelgangerAttack

* HumanoidAbomination: Whatever he looks like under those robes, he's got three heads and six arms.