If you typed "Bradley of the Old Guard" into a search bar expecting to find a deleted scene from the Charlize Theron Netflix movie, I’ve got some bad news for you. You’re in the wrong universe. Or, more accurately, you’re in the wrong franchise. While Andy and her immortal mercenaries are busy dodging bullets in the modern world, the actual Bradley is probably busy casting Great Heal on some poor soul in a desolate wharf.
Basically, Bradley of the Old Guard is one of the most beloved—and occasionally mysterious—NPC summons in Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin. He is a literal lifesaver. But because "The Old Guard" became such a massive cinematic hit, the poor guy has been buried under layers of SEO for immortal warriors. Let's set the record straight on who this guy actually is and why he's basically the "Sunbro" of the Scholar edition.
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Who is Bradley of the Old Guard, Really?
Bradley isn't a Hollywood action hero. He’s a phantom. Specifically, he’s a summonable NPC added in the Scholar of the First Sin (SotFS) update to Dark Souls II. He didn't exist in the original vanilla version of the game, which is why older guides never mention him.
He shows up as a "shade" in No-man's Wharf, and honestly, the first time you see him, you might mistake him for just another generic knight. He wears the Alva Set—which is top-tier fashion souls, by the way—and carries a Heide Spear and a Disc Chime.
But what makes him special isn't just his gear. It's his AI.
Most NPCs in the Souls series are kind of... well, dumb. They run into walls. They fall off ledges. Bradley? Bradley has manners. He's one of the few NPCs that will actually beckon you over if your health is low. He’ll stand there, use the "I won't bite" gesture, and then blast you with a miracle to top off your HP.
Where to Find Him (Because He’s Not Everywhere)
You can't just find Bradley by wandering around aimlessly. He has specific triggers. If you’re looking to bring him into your world, you’ve got to check these spots:
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- No-man's Wharf: His sign is right near the start of the docks, by the first hollow archer. He's a shade here, so his time is limited, but he’s a beast at clearing out those creepy Darkdwellers.
- Shaded Ruins: This one is tricky. You have to kill all the invisible Forest Guardians in the area first. Once they’re gone, his sign pops up between the two towers leading to the Scorpioness Najka fight.
- Throne of Want: This is his big moment. If you’ve met the requirements for the Aldia boss fight, Bradley is available to help you take on the Throne Watcher and Defender, Nashandra, and the big scholar himself.
I’ve seen players argue that Bradley is actually the most "human" NPC FromSoftware ever designed. Most summons just follow you like a lost puppy. Bradley feels like he’s actually playing the game with you. He uses Sunlight Blade on his spear when things get hairy. He uses Force to create space. He’s basically the co-op partner we all wish we had.
The "Old Guard" Confusion
Why do people keep mixing him up with the Greg Rucka comic? It’s the name. "The Old Guard" sounds like a generic military unit, but in the context of Dark Souls II, it implies a veteran status that we don't get much lore on.
There is zero connection between the Netflix movie and this NPC. None. If you’re looking for a guy named Bradley in the Charlize Theron flick, he doesn't exist. You have Andy, Joe, Nicky, Booker, and Nile. No Bradley.
In the gaming world, however, the name Bradley carries weight. In the community, he’s often nicknamed "Chadley" because of how reliably he carries players through some of the most annoying boss fights in the game. He can practically solo the Throne Watcher and Defender on his own if you give him enough space.
Why Bradley Still Matters in 2026
Even with Elden Ring and its sequels dominating the conversation, Dark Souls II has a cult following that refuses to die. Bradley is a huge part of why the Scholar of the First Sin version is often preferred by people who enjoy the mechanical depth of the series.
He represents a peak in NPC AI design that FromSoftware actually stepped back from in later games. In Dark Souls III or Elden Ring, summons are mostly meat shields. They don't interact with your health bar or use gestures to communicate intent the way Bradley does.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re currently replaying Dark Souls II or picking it up for the first time, don't sleep on this summon. To get the most out of Bradley:
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- Keep him healthy: Even though he can heal himself with Estus, he’s most effective when you’re drawing some of the aggro.
- Watch the gestures: If he beckons you, stop running. Let him heal you. It saves your own Estus for the boss.
- Clear the Shaded Woods: If you want him for Najka, remember that you have to hunt down those invisible ghosts. It’s a pain, but having Bradley for that fight makes the boss a total cakewalk.
He’s a relic of a very specific era of game design—a helpful, polite ghost in a world that wants to eat you alive. Just remember: he’s not an undying mercenary from a comic book. He’s just a guy with a spear and a very, very good heart.