How to beat The Dancer of the Boreal Valley in Dark Souls 3

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If snakes could walk (and could dress themselves), I’m pretty sure they’d move like The Dancer of the Boreal Valley. As one of the more challenging bosses in Dark Souls 3, her fluid, molasses movements betray how quickly she can actually strike. She’ll tip-toe around the arena without pursuing you and even let you get in a good hit or two—just enough to get the idea that you can hack away without issue—until she swoops into a devastating pirouette of graceful slashes that leave you an inch from death. If you’re extra lucky, she’ll initiate her grab attack, where you’re tossed into the air and skewered on her sword. It was a one hit death for my character.

Once you finish the Dancer yourself, watch this successful soul level one run and cry.

Can’t get enough Dark Souls 3? Check out our glowing review, decipher Durante’s thorough PC port analysis, read up on tips for newcomers, and spec out a new character with our class guide.

James Davenport
James Davenport

James is stuck in an endless loop, playing the Dark Souls games on repeat until Elden Ring and Silksong set him free. He's a truffle pig for indie horror and weird FPS games too, seeking out games that actively hurt to play. Otherwise he's wandering Austin, identifying mushrooms and doodling grackles.