Reaching Pontiff Sulyvahn quickly in Dark Souls III is something many players aim for, especially when attempting speedruns, rushing through a new build, or revisiting the boss for PvP unlocks in Irithyll of the Boreal Valley. The path to Pontiff is filled with deadly enemies, environmental traps, and optional detours. To reach him in the fastest and most efficient way, you need to follow a specific route and know what to avoid. This guide walks you through the quickest way to Pontiff Sulyvahn with clear directions and tips to minimize delay and danger.
Getting to Irithyll of the Boreal Valley
Prerequisites Before Entering Irithyll
Before you can enter Irithyll, you need to defeat Deacons of the Deep in Cathedral of the Deep to get the Small Doll. Without this item, the barrier at Irithyll’s entrance will remain impassable. Ensure this boss is completed before attempting to move forward.
Once the Deacons are defeated and you have the doll, progress through the Catacombs of Carthus and defeat High Lord Wolnir. This boss is the gateway to Irithyll of the Boreal Valley. After defeating Wolnir, proceed through the tunnel past his bonfire to reach the Irithyll bridge.
Activating the Central Irithyll Bonfire
Cross the long bridge where a Sulyvahn’s Beast will ambush you. You can either fight it or simply sprint past and activate theCentral Irithyllbonfire. This is your key respawn point for the fast route to the Pontiff Sulyvahn boss arena.
Fastest Route to Pontiff Sulyvahn
Overview of the Shortest Path
From the Central Irithyll bonfire, reaching Pontiff Sulyvahn involves a short but hazardous journey through Irithyll’s central square, enemy patrols, and one of the trickiest rooms in the game. To make this run quickly, you’ll need to ignore enemies and focus solely on speed and positioning.
Step-by-Step Quick Path
- From theCentral Irithyllbonfire, sprint straight out the door and down the main street past the fountain.
- Turn left at the fountain into the building guarded by Pontiff Knights.
- Go up the stairs, turn right, and run past the two Pontiff Knights. Try to roll through their attacks without engaging.
- Exit the building and cross the short bridge to the other side. There is another Pontiff Knight near the door, but keep sprinting past him.
- Open the double doors and enter theChurch of Yorshka. There is a bonfire here activate it to make your run safer in the future.
- From the Church bonfire, turn left and descend the stairs. Continue moving forward past the Silver Knights on the long walkway.
- Turn left at the first open archway and go down the stairs again. Continue through the courtyard with the fire-wielding enemies and the hostile dogs. Run straight without stopping.
- Enter the large building at the far end. This is the antechamber to Pontiff’s throne room. Go up the stairs and reach the large double doors.
- Open the doors and enter thePontiff Sulyvahnboss arena.
Bonfires Along the Way
- Central Irithyll– The starting point of your quick route.
- Church of Yorshka– Optional but highly recommended safety point for future attempts.
Enemy Hazards on the Path
Pontiff Knights
These enemies have long reach and deal high damage. Avoid engaging unless you’re confident in parrying or dodging their combos. Their attacks can interrupt your run, so use dodge rolls liberally while sprinting.
Silver Knights
Found on the balcony past the Church of Yorshka, they can hit hard but are easy to ignore if you run in a straight line. Keep moving to avoid their projectiles and sword slashes.
Dogs and Fire Mages
The courtyard area can be dangerous due to its chaos. The dogs are fast, and the fire mages can stunlock you if you’re not careful. Weaving between enemies and rolling at the right moment is key here.
Useful Tips for Speed and Survival
- Don’t stop to fight: Fighting enemies along the way is unnecessary and dangerous. Speed is your best defense.
- Keep stamina management in mind: Sprinting and rolling drain stamina, so leave enough for an emergency dodge.
- Use light armor: This increases your mobility, stamina regeneration, and roll distance.
- Equip stamina-boosting rings: The Chloranthy Ring or similar items make a big difference during sprint-heavy segments.
- Shortcut from Church of Yorshka: If you die near the end of the run, start from this bonfire to cut the path in half.
Unlocking PvP After Pontiff
Why Players Rush to Pontiff
Defeating Pontiff Sulyvahn unlocks access to the upper areas of Irithyll, including Anor Londo, but also activates one of the most popular PvP zones in the game. The balcony outside Pontiff’s boss room becomes a dueling ground for invaders and hosts alike. Many players rush Pontiff early to start invading or summoning for PvP without needing to progress further in the game.
Advanced Speedrun Tactics
Speedrun Glitches (Optional)
While this guide focuses on legitimate gameplay, veteran speedrunners often use glitches like moveswap or wrong warps to reach Pontiff Sulyvahn in record time. These methods are advanced and not recommended for casual players but can cut the time down drastically for those interested in pushing the game’s mechanics to the limit.
Skip Irithyll Dungeon and Lower City
If your goal is solely to reach and defeat Pontiff, there is no need to explore the rest of Irithyll or descend into the dungeon. Avoiding these areas entirely can save several hours, especially if you’re trying out new character builds or testing damage scaling in boss fights.
Reaching Pontiff Sulyvahn fast in Dark Souls III is all about choosing the correct path, dodging unnecessary combat, and understanding enemy placements. With a route starting from the Central Irithyll bonfire, skipping non-essential areas, and using Church of Yorshka as a midway point, players can arrive at Pontiff’s fog gate within minutes. Whether you’re rushing for PvP, trying to test a build, or simply aiming to relive one of the game’s most iconic boss battles, this optimized route will help you get there with speed and confidence.