Uploaded July 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Another video in my series showing you how to defeat every single boss in Dark Souls with a washing pole, my favorite weapon in the game. While technically a mini-boss, the hydra encounters are challenging enough to deserve a closer look.
Washing Pole Strategy
The washing pole's large strike area and range with a one-handed running attack are tailor-made for the hydra. You will first fight this beast in Darkroot Garden and will need to get up close. Otherwise, the hydra will lob very powerful and fast jets of water that have ridiculous range. Run forward and roll underneath the water attacks.
Once you get close enough, the hydra will switch to biting attacks with its heads. But don't get too cozy. The hydra lies in a partially hidden cliff. If you venture too close, you will fall to your death. From a safe position away from the edge, hold up your shield, wait for an attack and then chop down the heads one by one. Some will hit far away from you, so you will have to exploit the washing pole's one-handed running attack. Make sure you are wearing the Rusted Iron ring to move quickly in the water or you will have a tougher time chasing down the heads.
Upon its death, the hydra drops a powerful risk-reward item. The Dusk Crown Ring can double the amount of sorceries you can cast but at the cost of half your lifebar! It offsets the sorcery reduction effect of the Tin Crystallization Catalyst, if you favor crazy powerful but weak mages.
The second encounter with the hydra is in Ash Lake. The fight is very similar. This time the heads have more hit points and their attacks do more damage, but there is no movement penalty because of the shallow water close to the hydra. Mind the cliff edge and use the exact same strategy as before. Your reward will be 2 measly Dragon Scales.
Other Strategies
You can cheese the first hydra from various locations with lots of arrows. Find a spot that will block the water jets and get ready to launch a ton of volleys. There is a ladder by the waterfall that will lead you up to safe ground for arrow kiting. You can also switch to lobbing projectiles after chopping down a few heads but melee really is the fastest way to go. Combustion or great combustion work great for searing off the heads because of the fast cast time.
Another video in my series showing you how to defeat every single boss in Dark Souls with a washing pole, my favorite weapon in the game. While technically a mini-boss, the hydra encounters are challenging enough to deserve a closer look.
Washing Pole Strategy
The washing pole's large strike area and range with a one-handed running attack are tailor-made for the hydra. You will first fight this beast in Darkroot Garden and will need to get up close. Otherwise, the hydra will lob very powerful and fast jets of water that have ridiculous range. Run forward and roll underneath the water attacks.
Once you get close enough, the hydra will switch to biting attacks with its heads. But don't get too cozy. The hydra lies in a partially hidden cliff. If you venture too close, you will fall to your death. From a safe position away from the edge, hold up your shield, wait for an attack and then chop down the heads one by one. Some will hit far away from you, so you will have to exploit the washing pole's one-handed running attack. Make sure you are wearing the Rusted Iron ring to move quickly in the water or you will have a tougher time chasing down the heads.
Upon its death, the hydra drops a powerful risk-reward item. The Dusk Crown Ring can double the amount of sorceries you can cast but at the cost of half your lifebar! It offsets the sorcery reduction effect of the Tin Crystallization Catalyst, if you favor crazy powerful but weak mages.
The second encounter with the hydra is in Ash Lake. The fight is very similar. This time the heads have more hit points and their attacks do more damage, but there is no movement penalty because of the shallow water close to the hydra. Mind the cliff edge and use the exact same strategy as before. Your reward will be 2 measly Dragon Scales.
Other Strategies
You can cheese the first hydra from various locations with lots of arrows. Find a spot that will block the water jets and get ready to launch a ton of volleys. There is a ladder by the waterfall that will lead you up to safe ground for arrow kiting. You can also switch to lobbing projectiles after chopping down a few heads but melee really is the fastest way to go. Combustion or great combustion work great for searing off the heads because of the fast cast time.
