The Most Memorable Bosses From Dark Souls 2

The success and quality of Dark Souls 2 may be a point of contention among fans of the hardcore series, but few can deny that From Software did a great job of making some very unique and memorable bosses for the game. Being the second game in a genre defining series, expectations were high for the sequel to Dark Souls, and although From Software provided fans with a game that has as many low points as it does high, the high points are very cool. These bosses are so memorable because they exceed expectations in terms of both visual design and mechanical design.
For those unaware, Dark Souls 2 featured 32 bosses including ones from the numerous downloadable content areas. While some of these were straight up just rehashes of Dark Souls bosses like the Old Dragonslayer or the Belfry Gargoyles or even bosses from earlier in the game returning with color palette swaps or in greater numbers, others turned out to be either very unique and compelling boss fights which add to the series' reputation for making astounding and challenging bosses. Most of these bosses found ways to keep players on their toes aside from simply having large reaches and aggressive movesets.

The Pursuer

The Pursuer is so memorable because it is, in a way, the first boss encountered in the game. While traversing the Forest of Fallen Giants, there is a platform which on which the Pursuer can be found. Upon climbing up to this platform, the Pursuer flies overhead being carried by something, and then is dropped onto the platform with the player in a very menacing way. It leaves if the player is unable to kill it fast enough, but is encountered again as an actual boss after defeating the Last Giant. The Pursuer shows up several other times throughout the game as well, each time more powerful and deadly than the last, and can drop a very powerful weapon.

Executioner's Chariot

The Executioner's Chariot is a great example of a boss whose moveset is not the real threat. In this case, the area and the boss' non-conventional tactics pose the real danger. The boss room consists of a large circular hallway with small nooks on either side. The chariot simply runs circles around this hallway, and the player must utilize the nooks in order to avoid death by trampling. Upon traversing far enough, a lever can be pulled which drops a gate, stopping the chariot in its tracks and killing the rider, and then the two headed horse is the actual boss the player fights. This boss is certainly memorable for its unique design and use of clever tactics.

The Skeleton Lords

The Skeleton Lords themselves are weak and relatively easy to defeat, so long as the player keeps their wits about them and doesn't let their numbers and ranged attacks get the best of them. What makes this skeletal trio so memorable is what happens after they die. Each Skeleton Lord the player defeats spawns several Skeletons which greatly outnumber the player and attempt to surround them. If the player kills all the Skeleton Lords too quickly, they could easily be overrun. To make things more interesting, each Skeleton Lord summons a different number and type of Skeleton depending on their weapon, meaning the player can strategize and kill certain Lords first.