Just started the DLC - big shock to the system!

I recently restarted DS (my first play through I've gotten as far as the Four Kings, soul level 102, dex/ strength character) having bought the prepare to die editon and fancied playing as an INT build, mainly sorcery based. I'm at soul level 40, just beat Smough & Ornstein (sp?) last night and couldn't wait to maje my way to the DLC area. Boy did I get hammered by the Sanctuary Guardian! I'm seriously going to find this guy tough to deal with. Any strategy you can suggest to help?

Equip yourself for Lightning and Poison defense. Learn to dodge his moves and when to heal. I can defeat him solo at NG(5) fresh.

Lol you think the demon is tough now,wait till you meet him / them on your NG+6.:affraid:
Well I am asuming by now you have guessed his attack patten.Also that is damage out put is base.So I would buff up on lighting defence and just try to time your attacks.I know my words are not much help but if you are really finding it hard at the SL you are at now.Try .Or UTube as some good guids.Plus I am sure some of the better Soul Vet's on here will give you a better reply then this......Good luck

As with any boss in DS, study his moves and know which of them are exploitable.
The way i defeat him is equipping a great shield and trying to get him to do the 4-hit-combo. You can block that with relative ease and then get a hit on his head. He doesn't have that much health so he'll die quicker than you'd think that way. Thunder stoneplate ring won't hurt

A Crossbow would do pretty good. All the bosses there have high Magic and Elemental defense, so a +15 weapon is definently the way to go. I learned that for myself quite roughly..

You're an INT build you say?

Why not just hit him with Soul Spears and the like?

^ Because all DLC bosses are insanely resistant to elemental attacks.

On NG+ I took him down with 4 Souls Spears (regular variety) and 2 Crystal Soulsmasses, sustained no damage doing so.

Thanks guys, the best weapon I have so far is a +10 rapier! I have a basic longbow not levelled up at all................

My most powerful magic attack currently is great heavy soul arrow! Not very useful here!

Do you have the Crystal Halberd from Anor Londo?

Nope, no crystal halberd, think I have a regular one. My strength is only 13 so I've been sticking to using my spells and my +10 rapier until now, occasionally switch to a +3 lightning spear but I realise it's useless for my current predicament.

I'd recommend getting better weapon and level first. I'm doing the DLC with a 66 and +15 bandits knife and In still struggling to get past artorias (though its more my rusty skills holding me back than anything)

I'd say you wanna be level 80 and have end game gear if you want it to be reasonable, I'm making it harder for myself for the fun, and you've got it rougher than me.

Advice for the guardian, make sure you only attack when there is a clear opening, like after his 3 attack combo, the DLC bosses are all fast and pack a punch. The key is learning when you can attack without risk.

I'm sure you're right, I'm just dying to play the new stuff and get to try this dark magic that everyone is on about!

The timing you need to use spells against him (solo) are extremely tight. Homing Crystal Soul Mass is a faster cast, but the damage done is lesser than Soul Spear or Crystal Soul Spear.

Put one more stat into Strength and level up a Heavy Crossbow. I suggest giving that a try as your best shot. Heavy cross bolts, of course. It will take you a while to whittle his health down, but you can do it.

There's usually plenty of help at lower soul levels, too.

My lowest character was SL 12, and I finished the DLC. Add me, if you wish.

His moves are actually pretty easy to dodge. At least much easier than the rest of the AotA bosses. Always make sure you have at least below 50% equipment weight so you can roll decently unless you are going for a tank build.

Djem wrote:His moves are actually pretty easy to dodge. At least much easier than the rest of the AotA bosses. Always make sure you have at least below 50% equipment weight so you can roll decently unless you are going for a tank build.

I disagree. The Sanctuary Guardian seems to have a different AI routine if you go solo. I swear he stalks me, waiting for me to sneak an estus flask before he attacks.

He has a jumping attack where he'll flip his tail under his body to almost one-shot kill you.

If you take even just one person into the fight with you, he acts differently and he is easy to kill.

Did you rescue big hat from Sen's? If so, go buy all his spells at firelink, at the very least soul spear and homing soul mass

Green__Eagle wrote:

Djem wrote:His moves are actually pretty easy to dodge. At least much easier than the rest of the AotA bosses. Always make sure you have at least below 50% equipment weight so you can roll decently unless you are going for a tank build.

I disagree. The Sanctuary Guardian seems to have a different AI routine if you go solo. I swear he stalks me, waiting for me to sneak an estus flask before he attacks.

He has a jumping attack where he'll flip his tail under his body to almost one-shot kill you.

If you take even just one person into the fight with you, he acts differently and he is easy to kill.

Every boss is easy to kill with two players, really. I killed the Sanctuary Guardian with a Lightning Spear +5 yesterday. (I upgraded the one I got from Sen's Fortress) It was pretty good even though people keep saying DLC bosses have high resistance to elemental attacks. I used the Dark Wood Grain Ring. Dodging is really easy with it.

Tactics for anyone in need:
When he does any kind of electric attack, roll to the side. When he comes close to you and does his four attack combo, keep rolling back. When he charges from the air towards you with his horns, roll to the side- This is when you attack with melee. Run to his back and attack him a few times, he will do his tail sweep, or will try to kick with his back legs, roll backwards to avoid it. Repeat until he dies.

Took me three tries to kill him with my character who is around level 50. The first two tries I wasn't using DWGR, nor was I below 25% equipment weight. I'd say rolling is the way to go.

I went into the fight the first time with my original toon that is SL200 on NG+6 and got my butt handed to me trying to melee. After a short time learning his attack pattern, I was amazed at how easy it was to take down the Sanctuary Guardian with a composite bow. I've tried it with new characters and it also works really well. The main plan is to keep moving and rolling away and take shots when available.