Pontiff Sulyvahn is one of the most challenging and aggressive bosses in Dark Souls III, often overwhelming players with his relentless dual-wielding attacks and fast-paced combos. For those struggling with the traditional approach, cheesing Pontiff Sulyvahn offers a viable alternative to overcome this brutal encounter. Whether you’re under-leveled, low on estus, or simply tired of trying to learn his patterns, knowing how to cheese Pontiff Sulyvahn can give you a much-needed edge and help you progress further in the game. This guide details several methods to make the fight much easier while staying within the game’s mechanics.
Understanding Pontiff Sulyvahn’s Attack Patterns
What Makes Him Dangerous
Pontiff Sulyvahn is known for his dual sword attacks, quick combos, and his ability to summon a shadow clone during the second phase. His fight is split into two stages:
- Phase 1: Aggressive sword strikes, rapid combos, and strong tracking.
- Phase 2: Clone appears, mimics attacks, increasing pressure and damage potential.
Because of his speed and power, many players look for alternative strategies to make the fight more manageable. Cheesing doesn’t mean exploiting a glitch it simply means using smart positioning, mechanics, or builds that limit his effectiveness.
Preparation Before the Fight
Equip the Right Gear
To cheese Pontiff effectively, preparation is key. Consider these equipment options:
- Long-range weapons: Bows, crossbows, or sorceries like Great Heavy Soul Arrow or Great Chaos Fire Orb.
- High-damage melee: If you prefer close combat, bring weapons that stagger or stun quickly (Zweihander, Great Club).
- Stamina Management: Use rings like Chloranthy Ring to help with stamina regeneration.
- Fire resistance: His magic sword deals fire damage; equipping a shield like the Black Knight Shield can help if things go wrong.
Summon Help
If you’re open to summoning phantoms, you can call in NPCs like Anri of Astora (if her questline is active) or other players. Summons will divide Pontiff’s attention, making it easier to execute your strategy. However, if you prefer solo cheesing, that’s also very possible.
Cheese Strategy #1: The Bow Method
Location-Based Exploit
Before entering the boss room, players can use a bow from a specific spot near the fog gate to damage Pontiff without triggering his AI immediately. Here’s how to do it:
- Equip a longbow or black bow of pharis for range.
- Go to the upper ledge near the boss fog door.
- Aim down into the arena using manual aim (L1 or left trigger on console).
- Fire arrows at him repeatedly. Sometimes he doesn’t react, allowing you to deal heavy damage safely.
This method may take time due to arrow damage being low, but it’s safe. Make sure you bring plenty of arrows beforehand and use Poison Arrows if available to whittle down his health over time.
Cheese Strategy #2: Melee Stunlock and Backstab Chain
Using High Poise Damage Weapons
This method involves baiting Pontiff into a narrow move set and punishing him repeatedly with stagger or backstab opportunities.
- Lure him to the left side of the arena near the pillars. His movement becomes limited.
- Wait for his forward lunge or vertical slam and dodge behind him.
- Use a weapon with high poise damage to stagger him or get behind for a backstab.
- Rinse and repeat. If timed well, you can lock him into a loop of stun and backstab animations.
This cheese is especially effective with heavy builds that use weapons like the Greatsword or Dragon Slayer Axe. Timing and positioning are important, but once you learn his first few swings, this method becomes very effective.
Cheese Strategy #3: Great Chaos Fire Orb From a Distance
Pyromancy-Based Approach
For magic users, Pyromancy offers a surprisingly effective cheese tactic:
- Equip Great Chaos Fire Orb and boost with Witch’s Ring and Fire Clutch Ring.
- Upon entering the fog, immediately roll backward to bait his first leap attack.
- Roll sideways, then throw the orb near his feet. The lava pool does damage over time.
- Repeat while managing stamina and spacing.
The lava damage from Great Chaos Fire Orb continues to hit him even after you retreat, making it safer than other direct spell casts. Use corners and obstacles in the room to reset distance if needed.
Optional Help: Let the Clone Work Against Him
Phase Two Exploit
In phase two, Pontiff summons a clone that mirrors his movements. With clever movement, you can bait Pontiff into attacking at the same time his clone does, causing both entities to separate.
In this split moment:
- Run between them and let their overlapping attacks miss.
- If you’re lucky, their attack ranges might interfere, giving you a brief safe zone.
- Target the real Pontiff while the clone trails behind.
While not exactly cheese in the traditional sense, using this behavior to your advantage makes the fight much easier, especially when combined with ranged or area-of-effect damage.
Tips for Consistency
Resetting the Fight
If your first attempt to cheese fails and you’re still alive, you can retreat to the arena entrance and regroup. You may even reset his AI if you break line of sight long enough. Use pillars to block projectiles and delay the clone’s attacks if things get messy.
Patience Over Aggression
The biggest mistake players make during cheese attempts is getting greedy. Even with a good strategy, pushing too hard can result in a single combo ending your run. Always wait for clean openings, especially in phase two.
Post-Fight Rewards
What You Get After Defeating Pontiff Sulyvahn
Once you beat Pontiff, you’ll receive:
- Soul of Pontiff Sulyvahn Can be used to craft powerful weapons or spells.
- Access to Irithyll Dungeon The next stage in the story opens up.
- Bonfire Unlocked Useful for fast travel and farming.
The reward justifies the effort, especially since Pontiff is a skill check for the rest of the game. Beating him by any means, including cheese, is still progress and lets you explore deeper areas of Lothric.
Cheesing Pontiff Sulyvahn in Dark Souls III isn’t about avoiding the challenge it’s about using the tools available to level the playing field. Whether you’re using bows from afar, pyromancy tactics, or stun-locking backstabs, these strategies offer a way to bypass the frustration of fighting one of the game’s most aggressive bosses. With the right preparation, timing, and patience, even a difficult boss like Pontiff becomes manageable. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cheese tactics until you find one that fits your playstyle. Victory is what counts.