He floats. He drifts through the air like a heavy, armored ghost, trailing a cape that looks like it’s seen better centuries. If you’ve spent any time in the Forest of Fallen Giants, you know exactly who I’m talking about. The Pursuer. For many, the Pursuer die of death moment—that specific, frustrating screen fade after he impales you on a glowing blue sword—is a rite of passage. It’s the moment Dark Souls 2 stops being a sequel and starts being a nightmare.
Some bosses in the Souls series are puzzles. Others are tests of patience. The Pursuer is a wall. He’s designed to hunt you. He doesn't just sit in an arena waiting for a fog gate to traverse; he drops from the sky via a giant crow like some medieval paratrooper.
Honestly, the "die of death" meme within the community isn't just about the difficulty. It’s about the sheer relentless nature of his AI. You think you’re safe? You aren’t. You think you’ve outrun him? He’ll find you again in the Lost Bastille, and Iron Keep, and basically everywhere you don't want him to be. It’s exhausting.
The Mechanics of a Pursuer Die of Death
Why is this fight so hard for newcomers? It’s the hitbox. Or, more accurately, it’s the way the Pursuer’s grab attack interacts with your "Agility" stat. In Dark Souls 2, your invincibility frames (i-frames) are tied to a stat called Adaptability (ADP). If you haven't leveled that up, you can dodge a sword and still get sucked onto the blade.
It looks glitched. It feels unfair. You’ll swear you were three feet away, but suddenly, you’re lifted into the air, cursed, and watching your health bar vanish. That’s the quintessential Pursuer die of death experience.
The boss uses a very specific rhythm.
- The Shield Bash: A quick, jarring move that breaks your guard.
- The Long Charge: He closes the distance in a fraction of a second.
- The Curse Stab: His sword glows blue. If this hits, you lose max health.
If you’re playing the Scholar of the First Sin edition, this guy is even more of a nuisance. He pops up constantly. He’s like that one debt collector who found your new address before you even finished moving in.
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The Ballista Strategy (And Why It Fails)
In the main boss arena, there are two massive ballistae in the back. The "pro" move is to parry the Pursuer right in front of one, sprint to the giant crossbow, and fire two bolts into his chest. It deals massive damage. It’s satisfying.
But here’s the thing. Most players trying this for the first time end up killing their co-op partners instead. I’ve seen it happen dozens of times. You go for the "easy" win, and instead, you’ve just shot your best friend in the back, leaving you alone with a very angry, very armored floating knight. It leads to a different kind of death—one wrapped in social awkwardness and "I'm so sorry" messages.
Why Parrying is the Secret
If you want to stop dying to this guy, you have to learn to parry. It sounds scary. Most people avoid parrying because the penalty for missing is, well, death. But the Pursuer is actually the best teacher in the game for this mechanic.
His telegraphed charge is predictable. If you use a small shield or the Buckler, the window is generous. You hear that "clack" sound, he staggers, and for a few seconds, he’s just a guy in a suit of armor wondering where it all went wrong.
The Curse Factor
Getting hit by the blue sword doesn't just kill you; it curses you. In Dark Souls 2, being cursed reduces your total health bar and turns you "Hollow." This is where the Pursuer die of death loop becomes a psychological trap. You die, you lose health. You try again with less health, so you die faster.
It’s a downward spiral.
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The game wants you to use a Human Effigy to restore your humanity, but those are rare early on. So you're stuck fighting a boss that is already faster and stronger than you, while you’re rocking 75% of a health bar. It’s brutal. It’s classic FromSoftware.
Lore: Who is This Guy Anyway?
He’s not just a random enemy. The Pursuer is a specialized hunter. According to the soul description you get after beating him, he’s hunting "those branded by the curse." That’s you. You are his prey.
There are theories that there isn't just one Pursuer. Given that they show up in multiple places—sometimes even two at once in the Drangleic Castle throne room on New Game Plus—it's likely an elite cadre of knights. They collect the weapons of the fallen. Look closely at the bag on his back. It’s filled with swords and axes. Those are trophies from players who didn't make it.
Surviving the Encounter: Real Advice
Stop rolling away. That’s the biggest mistake. If you roll away from the Pursuer, his forward momentum will usually catch you at the end of your animation.
Instead, roll to his right (your left).
Specifically, aim for his shield side. Most of his swings come from his right hand, so if you dodge toward the shield, you’re moving under the arc of the weapon. It feels counterintuitive to jump toward the guy trying to kill you, but in Drangleic, that’s how you stay alive.
Also, keep your weight under 70%. If you're "fat rolling," you’re already dead. The Pursuer punishes heavy builds that don't have the stamina to maintain a constant guard.
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Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think you have to beat him on that first high-wall encounter in the Forest of Fallen Giants. You don't. If he kills you there, he disappears from that spot for the rest of the playthrough. You can just fight him later in his actual arena. Don't let the ego of "I have to win now" ruin your run.
Another myth? That he’s weak to fire. He’s actually fairly resistant to most elemental damage early on. Stick to strike damage if you can. A mace or a club does wonders against heavy armor.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
If you’re stuck in a loop of dying to the Pursuer, change your variables.
- Level ADP: Get your Agility to at least 92 or 96. This gives you enough i-frames to actually survive a roll through his sword.
- The Buckler is King: Grab the Buckler in the Forest of Fallen Giants. It has a longer parry window. Use it.
- Circle Strafe: You don't even have to roll for some of his attacks. Just lock on and walk to the right. His overhead slam will miss you entirely.
- Don't Greed: Hit him once. Maybe twice if you're using a fast weapon like a rapier. If you try for a third hit, he will punish you with a shield bash.
The Pursuer is the "skill check" of Dark Souls 2. Once you beat him, the rest of the early game opens up. You get access to the Drangleic set, which is some of the best early-to-mid-game armor available. You get a sense of confidence. You realize that "die of death" isn't an end state; it's just a very loud, very annoying lesson in timing.
Go back in there. Stop panic-rolling. Watch the sword, not the man. And for the love of everything, stay away from the ballistae if you have a friend with you.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check your Agility (AGL) stat in the player menu; if it's below 90, prioritize leveling Adaptability (ADP) immediately.
- Practice parrying on the hollow soldiers near the second bonfire in the Forest of Fallen Giants before taking on the Pursuer again.
- Locate the Ring of Binding in Heide's Tower of Flame; it limits the health reduction from hollowing, making the "die of death" cycle much more manageable.