Royal Swordsman | Dark Souls 2 Wiki

Royal Swordsman
HP	NG: 400 NG+: 900 NG+7: 1,200
Weakness	Thrust Attacks Magic Lightning
Resistance	Fire Dark
Respawns	Yes

Royal Swordsman is an enemy in Dark Souls 2 (DKS2). The Royal Swordsman, selected from King Vendrick's bravest, were equipped with the finest armor for the war against the Giants. Encountered in The Forest of Fallen Giants, The Lost Bastille, and Drangleic Castle, they typically operate in teams of 3-4, coordinating their efforts to overpower the player. Armed with greatswords and crossbows, they pose a formidable challenge. Enemies have their own behavior and unique attacks, killing enemies provide various drops that reward players with items and souls.

Royal Swordsman Information

"The Royal Swordsman were chosen from the bravest of King Vendrick's men, and provided them with the best armor available for the war against the Giants. However, very few survived the battles. While they may be no match for Giants, they still pose a threat when they attack you in numbers

Royal Swordsmen are encountered in The Forest of Fallen Giants, The Lost Bastille and Drangleic Castle. They are often found in teams of around 3-4 soldiers and they will work together to overwhelm the player. They wield greatswords and crossbows.
Though both of them look alike, the Castle variant are more aggressive and can do more damage. Standing their ground when using the crossbow and switching weapons only when the player approaches within a few units of distance."

Royal Swordsman Location in Dark Souls 2

• Forest of Fallen Giants
• The Lost Bastille

Dark Souls 2 Royal Swordsman Drops

• Royal Swordsman Set
• Heavy Crossbow - Those armed with Crossbows drop it
• Royal Greatsword (dropped by crossbow-wielder as well)
• Lifegem
• Common Fruit
• Radiant Lifegem (NG+?)
• NG: 180 Souls,NG+ 360 Souls, NG+7: 720 Souls.

Royal Swordsman Strategy Tips in DS2

• They are weak to Thrust (i.e. Spears) type attacks.
• Royal Swordsmen are weak individually but they work in teams and can easily overwhelm the player if they trap them in a corner. Greatsword wielding soldiers will attempt to rush the player while their comrades armed with crossbows will open fire from a distance.
• These enemies have low poise and are easily staggered. It is advisable to use ranged attacks to thin their numbers when they assault the player in a group.

DS2 Royal Swordsman Move Set

• Overhead Slash: Swings downward.
  • Physical Damage
  • Can be blocked
• Stab
  • Physical Damage
  • Can be blocked
• Double slash
  • Physical Damage
  • Can be blocked
• Pommel Bash: Bashes with hilt of greatsword.
  • Physical Damage
  • Can be blocked

Royal Swordsman Notes in Dark Souls 2

• --

Variant Two

Location

• Sinners' Rise
• Shrine of Winter
• Drangleic Castle 

Move Set

• Overhead Slash: Swings downward.
  • Physical Damage
  • Can be blocked
• Stab
  • Physical Damage
  • Can be blocked
• Double slash
  • Physical Damage
  • Can be blocked
• Pommel Bash: Bashes with hilt of greatsword.
  • Physical Damage
  • Can be blocked

Dark Souls 2 Drops

• Royal Swordsman Set
• Heavy Crossbow - Those armed with Crossbows drop it
• Royal Greatsword (dropped by crossbow-wielder as well)
• Lifegem
• Common Fruit
• Radiant Lifegem (NG+?)
• NG: 200 Souls,NG+ 400 Souls, NG+7: 800 Souls.