How to Beat Iudex Gundyr in Dark Souls 3
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How to Beat Iudex Gundyr in Dark Souls 3
Extra Tips for Beating Iudex Gundyr
Iudex Gundyr is Dark Souls 3’s first real skill check and teaches one of the core lessons of the game: rolling into attacks is often safer than retreating. Once that idea clicks, the fight becomes much more manageable and the rest of Dark Souls 3 starts to make a lot more sense. Beating Gundyr is less about damage and more about learning spacing, timing, and patience.
⚡ Quick Answer
Step-by-Step Strategy
To beat Iudex Gundyr in Dark Souls 3, stay close to his left side, dodge into his halberd swings instead of backing away, and punish only after his combo strings finish. In Phase 2, do not panic when the black serpent mass appears — the safest strategy is still to stay close and attack during his recovery windows. No summons are available, so this fight is all about learning dodge timing and spacing.
1
Pull the Coiled Sword to start the fight. Once you interact with Gundyr, back up immediately and let him fully stand before you commit to any attack. New players often get hit early because they panic and swing too soon.
2
Stay locked on and circle to his left side. Most of Gundyr’s halberd swings are easier to avoid if you move toward his left hip instead of backing away in a straight line. This position also gives you better punish windows after his combo endings.
3
Dodge into his swings instead of rolling backward. Gundyr’s weapon has enough reach to catch panic rolls away from him, especially for new players. Rolling diagonally into the attack usually puts you beside or behind him, which is exactly where you want to be.
4
Attack only after full combo strings. Iudex Gundyr leaves short punish windows after two-hit, three-hit, and longer halberd sequences. Take one or two safe hits, then reset your spacing instead of getting greedy.
5
Phase 2 starts when the black Pus of Man form appears. Gundyr becomes more aggressive and his body grows a large dark mass, but the safest strategy does not change: stay close, keep circling, and punish after recovery windows. If the chest weak spot is exposed, focus your attacks there for faster damage.
6
Watch for the vertical slam. When Gundyr lifts the halberd straight overhead, get ready for a heavy downward strike with a large hitbox. Roll to the side just before it lands, then punish once if you are in position.
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Only heal after clear recovery windows or when you have already created space. Drinking Estus too early usually gets punished immediately.
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The Knight is one of the safest beginner choices because the shield gives you more room to learn the fight. If you are starting fresh, this is usually the best starting class in Dark Souls 3 for new players.
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Do not panic when Phase 2 begins. The transformation looks much scarier than it really is, and most deaths happen because players stop reading the attacks properly.
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Firebombs are a solid opener if you want some safe damage before fully committing to melee, especially in Phase 2 when the dark mass is exposed.