Stray Demon

The Stray Demon (Asylum Demon 2.0) is a boss that appears upon your return to the Undead Asylum. It's an "upgraded" version of the Asylum Demon that you fought in the tutorial in the beginning of the game, and features more powerful attacks and extremely high HP and damage resistance. It's reachable from the same area as you fought the Asylum Demon in, by going out in the middle of the floor, you'll fall through, and immediately start combat with it, with no cut-scene.

This boss is completeky optional, but grants you 20'000 Souls and a VERY rare Titanite Slab upon defeat (garuanteed drop!), though it should be considered that it is a very hard fight and takes a long time and many tries, especially alone.

Attacks and tactics

 * As soon as you fall through the floor, IMMEDIATELY start sprinting behind the demon, as he will initiate a highly damaging, area-of-effect (AoE) attack that knocks you down and takes a good part of your health, even when blocking.


 * After this, try to stay behind him as much as humanly possible. He will usually do a charge-up AoE attack similar to the first one, but it takes slightly longer time. Use this precious time to get a few meters away from it (note that the attack can reach behind the demon, but has much longer range in front) or if you dare, attack it one or two times, then roll away. After this attack, it's very easy to get in 2-5 hits, depending on weapon used, and then continue as usual. Remember, ALWAYS stay behind him!


 * If you stay in front of him for too long, he will eventually do another AoE attack with the same range, only MUCH faster and MUCH more damaging. It can kill even the healthiest players in one or two hits. Note that he only does this if you're in front of him, never if you stay behind him.


 * If you get in front of him too far away, he'll do an overhead slam with his giant club and knock you down, doing very high damage. This attack is very hard to block and requires high Endurance/Stamina and a good shield to do so. It is however easy to side-roll away from. While he's recovering, cuickly sprint behind him again.


 * If you stay behind him for too long, he will eventually fly up in the air, turn around 180 degrees, and slam down with his giant club and butt. You must NOT try to roll under him, as this is very hard due to his massive size! Instead, side-step around him and keep your shield up, as there's a good chance he'll hit you with his club. Blocking his club is easy and costs low stamina, but blocking his butt is instant knockdown no matter how high your Stamina is. This also has long recovery time, and you should use this time to get behind him again.


 * Repeat step 2-5 until he's dead. Trust me, fighting him is totally worth it!


 * NOTE: This battle is much easier if a Phantom or two are helping you distract him, for example with a bow and arrows, magic, or other ranged means, while you pound away at his back.