With the rise of popularity in Souls games, especially the recent release of Elden Ring, players have been expanding into the Souls collection and Souls-like. With Souls-like, many people have dipped their toes into other ARPGs that fit into the category or even games that seem to have the influence. However, there are more games than just ARPGs and Action Adventure that fit the criteria, and one of these genres consists of Metroidvania. In particular, Salt and Sanctuary has been one of the biggest hits as of late, and though it is not as popular as Hollow Knight, it has a direct influence from the Dark Souls franchise but is also just as brutal. It is by far one of the hardest of the genre, and has a lot of players stuck, so here is a guide on the first half of the games bosses which includes stats, item drops, location, and how to beat them.
The Sodden Knight
Health: 250
Drops: 1,010 Gold, 1,000 Salt, Fortress Key, The Sodden Knight’s Ashes
Immune: Slash, Poison
Weakness: Fire
Ashes: Transform Greatsword into Shrouded Bulwark
Location: The Festering Banquet (Top Floor)
Attacks: Slash Damage and Lightning
What To Bring: Birian Firepots
Spells To Use: Flashfire
*Note that dodging is the best method, since he can immediately follow up after being parried and blocking will deplete your stamina.*
Phase 1
In this phase, the boss has a variety of moves to look out for; however they are telegraphed in a way that you can easily dodge them. First and foremost, he has a lightning AOE that is given away by his charging his fist up for a few seconds before slamming it into the ground to create a shockwave, This can be dodged simply by running away from (because the first can damage you if you jump into him) and jumping over the shockwave. He will also hold his weapon up to thrust into you, which deals a good amount of damage and causes knockback so you will want to roll into him. When he slams his sword into the ground it will also cause knockback damage and can be immediately followed up with another attack, so it is best to roll into him if too close and roll a second time away for good measure, or roll away twice all together. Note that he can also leap at you which should simply be avoided by running under him. Keep this up until the second phase, and hit hit only after dodging his AOE, thrust, or leap a couple times.
Phase 2 (50% HP)
For the second phase it is best to keep midrange for the fight. He has a new attack that is a chain slash attacks, and is used as a follow up to many moves. His thrust also loses the delay afterwards removing a good chance to sneak damage in safely. His lightning charge is also followed up by a leap attack. Dodge as normal, but do not forget to jump when he finishes up a combo with his lightning move. The second phase will be more so a battle of endurance, and timing your attacks wisely.
The Queen Of Smiles
Health: 600
Drops: 2,150 Gold, 2,500 Salt, The Queen of Smile’s Ear
Immune: Poison, Strike
Weakness: Holy
Ear: Black Widow ingredient
Location: Village of Smiles (Left of the Tree Sanctuary)
Attacks: Slash, Strike
Items to Bring: Blessed Pages
Prayers to Use: Blessed Weapon
*Note that she cannot be parried, but blocking with a shield is more than safe and effective.*
Phase 1
This fight is actually pretty easy, mostly due to the fact that you can block all of her attacks with little to no punishment. She has a few attacks, which consist of a sword combo, a dash attack, and her AOE like move where she throws eight swords that shoot out around her. What you want to do is use a blessed page or the prayer Blessed Weapon to coat your sword with Holy damage. Then it pretty much will be block her attack and hit a few times. Repeat this method until Phase two.
Phase 2 (50% HP)
The only changes in phase two are that she is faster, and her dash attack changes into a spinning attack that covers the entire floor. The same method should take place, but instead of a few times you may only have time for one or two hits.
Kraeken Cyclops
Health: 800
Drops: 5,010 Gold, 5,000 Salt, Green Key, Kraekan Cyclops’ Horn
Immune: Strike
Weakness: Slash, Elemental
Horn: Ingredient for Headtaker
Location: Between the Watching Woods and Sunken Keep
Attacks: Physical, Knockback
What to Bring: Blessed Pages, Wraithfang, Shockstones, Stained Pages, Pitchfire, Frost Gel, Dragon’s Teeth (All viable options)
Spells/Sorceries to Bring: Blessed Weapon, Flashfire, Lightning Barrage, Lightning Bolt, Venomous Blade, Arcane Weapon
*Note that dodging is the preferred method, he cannot be parried and blocking will deplete your stamina.*
Phase 1:
This boss tends to leave players stuck due to the fact that it hits hard, fast, and is highly aggressive. He leaves little openings for attacks, meaning that greed will most certainly kill you. His moves consist of a slash attack that is telegraphed by him holding his cleaver in front of him, which you should dodge into. He has a slide attack where he slides his cleaver slightly over the ground, this one is very tricky to dodge if you roll into him so try to get behind him if possible. The same goes for his drag attack where he drags his cleaver into the ground toward you, if possible jump because rolling into it does not guarantee he will not hit you. Lastly, he will leap at you but this one is easily dodged by running away or under and dodging. Try to hit after each attack once or twice, but if you are unsure keep back and wait.
Phase 2 (50% HP):
There are no additions to his attacks, he only becomes faster and his leap is followed up by a slide attack. Keep to the same method but hit only once or twice if it really allows you to.
The Mad Alchemist
Health: 500
Drops: 4,010 Gold, 4,000 Salt, The Mad Alchemist’s Ear
Immune: Strike
Weakness: Slash, Elemental
Ear: Ingredient for Trident
Location: The Watching Woods (Top Right Area)
Attacks: Poison, Fire, Lightning, Arcane
Items to Bring: Cook’s Set (for poison defense), Blessed Pages, Wraithfang, Shockstones, Stained Pages, Pitchfire, Frost Gel, Dragon’s Teeth (All viable options)
Spells/Sorceries to Bring: Blessed Weapon, Flashfire, Lightning Barrage, Lightning Bolt, Venomous Blade, Arcane Weapon
Phase 1
This fight is particularly annoying, mostly due to the fact that he will constantly throw different vials with different effects and summon poisonous cytoplasm (THEY SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED). However, with the right gear and damage the fight should be fairly quick to get through. The different vials are Green, Blue, Red, and Purple. The green vial summons multiple cytoplasm that are easily killed, but if ignored will build up your poison meter. The blue vial summons electricity that will track you, but are easily dodged. The red vial will summon fire orbs that will also follow you, but jumping on one of the two ledges will allow you to dodge them. Lastly, the purple will summon clouds that throw two energy scythes at you.
Phase 2
Aside from him becoming more aggressive in this phase and fast, he will use the purple vial more often and can summon them back to back. The clouds that spawn can be as most as three at a time so it is best to kill him as fast as possible. Make sure you target any green vials that are dropped and keep on him with elemental damage like poison, fire, or holy.
The False Jester
Health: 750
Drops: 6,010 Gold, 6,000 Salt, The False Jester’s Ear
Immune: Strike
Weakness: Slash Elemental
Location: Left of the Sanctuary
Attacks: Slash, Knockback, Knockdown
Items to Bring: Blessed Pages, Wraithfang, Shockstones, Stained Pages, Pitchfire, Frost Gel, Dragon’s Teeth (All viable options)
Spells/Sorceries to Bring: Blessed Weapon, Flashfire, Lightning Barrage, Lightning Bolt, Venomous Blade, Arcane Weapon
Phase 1
Another relatively easy fight, the only tricky part is that he is fast and some of his moves have similar telegraphs. For example, he has a plunge and leap attack that have slightly different outcomes. His leap has him slashing in the air towards you that you dodge through, while his plunge has him leaping as well but a short distance and he plunges his sword into the ground. This is also a move that can be rolling through. Other than that he may run at you and stab you or thrust his sword at you, but both are easily dodged. You need only to watch a follow up for the trust and make sure you time your healing carefully. The jester is known for punishing players at inconvenient moments.
Phase 2 (50% HP)
There are no additions to his move set, the only changes are that he is fast and thrusts more frequently. He may also stop a chain attack at random to start something new. He is fairly unpredictable in this phase, so defense should be prioritized.
*Video at 5:45*
Kraeken Wyrm
Health: 1,000
Drops: 12,010 Gold, 12,000 Salt, Kraekan Wyrm’s Horn
Immune: Poison, Slash
Weakness: Elemental
Horn: Ingredient for Phoenix Tail or the Hellfire Arbalest.
Location: Castle of Storms
Attacks: Strike and Fire
Items to Bring: Pitchfire, Blessed Pages
Spells/Sorceries to Bring: Blessed Weapon, Flashfire, Fireball, Flame Barrage
Phase 1
This boss uses a variety attacks such as a bite, tail swip, and fire breath. What is most interesting is that this large blob looking beast can actually move, and will do a jump attack and fly to the other side of the room. The tail swipe is the hardest to roll through and is used the most in the fight, however the best way to dodge it is actually simply jumping over it. Otherwise, it is best to roll through him for his other attacks and stick to his back side. He will also try to create distance constantly with his jump and flight, so it is best to follow him and attack him before he can throw another fire ball. Keeping on this boss is the best method for killing him.
Phase 2
The second phase has only one switch up which is his fire breath will be followed up by a jump attack. Otherwise, he is the same and you should keep to the original strategy.
*Video at 6:50*
The Tree of Men
Health: 1,200
Drops: 8,010 Gold, 8,000 Salt, Tree of Men’s Ashes
Immune: Slash
Weakness: Elemental
Ashes: Ingredient for Mountain Breaker
Location: Bottom Left of Hall of Cages
Attacks: Fire, Physical, Knockback
Items to Bring: Blessed Pages, Wraithfang, Shockstones, Stained Pages, Pitchfire, Frost Gel, Dragon’s Teeth (All viable options)
Spells/Sorceries to Bring: Blessed Weapon, Flashfire, Lightning Barrage, Lightning Bolt, Venomous Blade, Arcane Weapon
*Note that if you die, your salt will be taken by a bat in the arena and not the boss.*
Phase 1
This is an interesting fight, and will require you to constantly stay mobile. The boss will be in the center and there will be multiple platforms on both sides to climb that are all breakable. Staying grounded will lead to your death since he spews fire that covers the floor, and staying on any one platform too long will lead to falling or dying from an attack. The best method is to have a fire resistant shield as a back up, but constantly hit his weak points until the part breaks. Keep mobile at all times and watch out for any attacks directed at you.
Phase 2
Once at 50% HP, there will only be the head to attack, however the boss will start swinging his arm to break platforms and spew fire on either side of the arena. Keep jumping from side to side and hitting his head. Dodge and play as defensive as possible.
*Video at 8:27*
The Disemboweled Husk
Health: 1,500
Drops: 12,010 Gold, 12,000 Salt, Spiked Key, The Disemboweled Husk’s Doll
Immune: Strike, Poison
Weakness: Holy, Fire
Doll: Ingredient for Seawolf Cutlass
Location: Left Upper Middle Area, Left of the Sanctuary in Hager’s Cavern
Attacks: Physical and Fire
Items to Bring: Blacksmith’s Gear, Pitchfire, Blessed Pages
Spells/Sorceries to Bring: Blessed Weapon, Flashfire, Fireball, Flame Barrage
Phase 1
This fight can be extremely brutal, for the Husk is constantly shooting a rain of fire in the air, and a fire shot right at you. He also has a quick combo where he will hit you two to three times. The best method is to keep close until he lets out his rain of fire. Dodge into him for his charge or combo, and hit him as he recovers. Sometimes he will use a jump as his third hit for the combo, move away and then follow him to punish him. Wen he shoots at you roll into it to break the distance, and run as far as possible when he rains fire.
Phase 2 (70% HP)
Phase two will add a new move, which is his lunge that is used as an addition to his combos. You need to dodge into it if possible. Sometimes he will follow up with a rain of fire as well, and it does not help that he is faster and constantly will be attacking you. His shots can also be up to two times in a row so be prepared for the telegraphs.
The Stench Most Foul
Health: 1,600
Drops: 14,010 Gold, 14,000 Salt, The Stench Most Foul’s Tooth
Immune: Strike
Weakness: Holy, Fire
Location: Mire of Stench (Top Left)
Attacks: Poison, Strike, Stenchpods
Items to Bring: Blacksmith’s Gear, Pitchfire, Blessed Pages
Spells/Sorceries to Bring: Blessed Weapon, Flashfire, Fireball, Flame Barrage
Phase 1
This boss remains the same in both phases, and is incredibly easy if you kill the adds and keep on him. The adds can get stuck on the sides of the room that are outside of the actual room if you lead him there, but you need to kill them as fast as possible otherwise. This giant blob will constantly summon these minions and use poison breath as he flies around the arena. He will also swipe his arms which is easily dodged. The boss fight is very easy as said before, just make sure you kill the adds.
Phase 2
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