Ancient Dragon

The Ancient Dragon is an optional boss in Dark Souls II

Description
The Ancient Dragon is an extremely large dragon that speaks telepathically to the player. It is completely neutral to the player until it is attacked a couple of times.

When talked to it will give the player the Ashen Mist Heart, an object allowing the player to cross into the memories of the giants.

Locations
 The Dragon is found at the very top of the Dragon Shrine in a large arena open arena past the Drakekeepers and Black Dragon Warriors.

Strategy
Going hand in hand with its size, the Ancient Dragon has a huge amount of health and will one-shot the player with every attack. His most dangerous and most common attack is when he flies up and breathes fire on to the floor covering a large area.

The startup for this attack is obvious however so once you see the attack coming; run away. When he lands, stand somewhere in front of him so bait his straight forward fire breath which allows you to run towards him and land a few hits.

Another strategy is staying near its tail, it gives a constant direction to run to and if the flames don't reach the player when they are at the end of it. He does however have a tail slam that does inflict a lot of damage but is easily avoided.

The Ancient Dragon fight is really a test of endurance and skill as the main failing factor of this fight is making a mistake.

Summoning
Head of Vengarl can be summoned for this fight if his dialogue is exhausted in the shaded woods and his body killed. His summon sign is down the corridor towards the fog door.

Melinda the Butcher can also be summoned for this fight. Her summon sign is found just before the staircase to the boss.

Attacks
