Dark Souls 2: Throne of Want – How to Beat the Watcher, the Defender and Nashandra

Continue your journey with Prima’s Dark Souls 2 Guide and Walkthrough!

Travel to the first bonfire in the Drangleic Castle. Head left and open the door at the very end. Go down the stairs to enter the Throne of Want. Continue down the path all the way to the mist door at the end to battle against the Throne Watcher and Throne Defender bosses. 

Boss Battle: Throne Watcher and Throne Defender

Reward: Throne Defender Soul, Throne Watcher Soul 

Going up against both the Watcher and the Defender can be tough. The Watcher is fairly agile, while the Defender is slower and slightly more powerful. Keep both bosses in view at all times and focus on whichever is closest to you. If you can manage it, take down the Watcher first. It’s important to take them down nearly at the same time. You have a short time before the downed boss stands back up if the other boss isn’t defeated. Focus on the Watcher, but deplete both health bars as evenly as possible. 

Both enemies attack with standard two or three hit combos at close range, and lunging attacks from a distance. The key is to get them far enough apart that you have time to attack one without having to worry about avoiding an attack from the other. Fast ranged attacks work very well here. If that’s not an option, make use of a spear or similar weapon that allows you to block with your shield while still attacking. 

Continue to strafe in circles around both enemies, keeping them within view at all times. When a brief opening presents itself, attack once or twice depending on the speed of your weapon. You need to be patient during this battle to ensure you do not take unnecessary damage.

Defeat both enemies, then speak with Shanalotte at the entrance to the Throne of Want. Head back down the long path and enter the mist door to begin the final boss battle against Nashandra. 

Boss Battle: Nashandra

Reward: Soul of Nashandra

At the beginning of the final battle, stay near the entrance and let Nashandra come to you. She summons three objects that create Dark and will curse you if you’re too close to them. If you remain by the entrance, you’ll be far enough away from the first batch of these objects. 

Nashandra attacks with two horizontal swipes, or a single vertical attack that’s fairly linear. Block or evade these attacks, then counter with one or two attacks of your own depending on the speed of your weapon. If you back away from Nashandra, she uses a linear projectile-like attack that’s essentially a line of Darkness. 

About halfway through the battle, Nashandra’s hand becomes engulfed in Darkness. Back away immediately to avoid the following attack. Shortly after, she summons the objects that emit Darkness and you need to move to the far side of the room. Wait for Nashandra to approach again and repeat the above strategy to finish her off and complete the game. 

Congratulations! Now you can start a New Game+.