How to beat The Rotten in Dark Souls 2

Guides
By
published

This walking pile of corpses holds one of the four great souls, but it's not going to give it up easily. Armed with a massive cleaver and a stomach full of acid, The Rotten is one tough boss. You'll have to perfectly time your dodge rolls here.

Having trouble getting the timing right? Study his movements by watching our video guide to The Rotten boss battle.

For more help be sure to check out our complete Dark Souls 2 Boss guide.

Ryan Taljonick
Ryan Taljonick

Ryan was once the Executive Editor of GamesRadar, before moving into the world of games development. He worked as a Brand Manager at EA, and then at Bethesda Softworks, before moving to 2K. He briefly went back to EA and is now the Director of Global Marketing Strategy at 2K. 

Latest in Dark Souls
Love Nikki character wearing Dark Souls 3 helmet
There's a whole world of Dark Souls-style lore hidden in this series of dress-up games, and I bet you can't tell which is which
Elden Ring screenshot showing Ranni, a young woman with pale ice-y blue skin and a large brimmed witch-like hat
The Elden Ring anime made entirely by fans of the RPG is almost here, and even Let Me Solo Her can't wait: "They're honestly cooking up something amazing"
One of Elden Ring's best mods comes to Dark Souls 3 as a prolific FromSoftware modder gets seamless co-op up and running
Elden Ring screenshot showing Ranni, a young woman with pale ice-y blue skin and a large brimmed witch-like hat
Elden Ring and Dark Souls dataminer "overwhelmed" as community clubs together to cover "a looming $15,000 in medical expenses" in a single afternoon
Dark Souls 3
After almost 2 years of attempts, Dark Souls legend completes his brutal 7-game "God Run 3": Demon's Souls to Elden Ring without taking a single hit, all at level 1
Elden Ring Nightreign Wylder warrior
Rejoice! Elden Ring Nightreign has a feature that FromSoftware fans have wanted for years: a DPS test dummy in the hub
Latest in Guides
Umaga is a key player in The Bloodline Showcase
How to unlock all wrestlers in WWE 2K25
FC 25
FC 25 FUT Birthday guide and full cards list
A Sim celebrates his tattoo shop in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies
How to complete The Sims 4 Esteemed Entrepreneur aspiration in Businesses and Hobbies
Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji expansion Naoe and Yasuke in Awaji forest
Assassin's Creed Shadows roadmap, DLC and future content
A scary emoji shown in horror game REPO.
Is REPO coming to consoles?
Monster Hunter Wilds Nu Udra Palico
How to get the Monster Hunter Wilds Aqua Sac and Flame Sac
More about dark souls
Love Nikki character wearing Dark Souls 3 helmet

There's a whole world of Dark Souls-style lore hidden in this series of dress-up games, and I bet you can't tell which is which
Elden Ring screenshot showing Ranni, a young woman with pale ice-y blue skin and a large brimmed witch-like hat

The Elden Ring anime made entirely by fans of the RPG is almost here, and even Let Me Solo Her can't wait: "They're honestly cooking up something amazing"
Limbo

"You can't rewrite the past just because of a bad breakup": Legendary indie devs' feud is going public
See more latest