Huntsman's Copse

Huntsman's Copse

Huntsman's Copse is a treacherous forest area characterized by its perpetual twilight, dense foliage, and a pervasive sense of dread. It serves as a crucial pathway to Harvest Valley and features unique challenges, including numerous ledges, dark corners, and the ever-present threat of Necromancers endlessly resurrecting skeletal warriors. Navigating this area requires patience, environmental awareness, and a keen eye for hidden paths.

Area Overview & Key Features

• Atmosphere: Dark, overgrown forest with many ledges and drops.
• Primary Threats: Undead Huntsmen, Necromancers, Skeleton Warriors, Rogue Warriors, Mounted Overseers, and the formidable Executioner's Chariot.
• Unique Mechanics: Necromancers revive skeletons; prioritize them to clear areas effectively. Many areas are dimly lit, making a torch or the Cast Light sorcery useful.
• Progression: Leads to Harvest Valley after defeating the area boss.

Bonfire Locations

There are three bonfires in Huntsman's Copse, each strategically placed to aid progression:

1. Bridge Approach: The first bonfire you encounter upon entering the area from Majula.
2. Undead Lockaway: Located after navigating the initial forest path and crossing the first rickety bridge. This bonfire is crucial for the latter half of the area.
3. Undead Purgatory: Found immediately after defeating the Executioner's Chariot, offering a direct path to Harvest Valley.

Detailed Walkthrough: From Bridge Approach to Undead Lockaway

Upon arriving from Majula (via the path near the entrance to Things Betwixt), you'll find the Bridge Approach bonfire. Rest here and prepare for the journey ahead.

1. Initial Path & First Necromancer:
   • From the bonfire, proceed down the winding path. You'll soon encounter your first Undead Huntsman. These enemies are agile and can inflict bleed.
   • Continue forward, and you'll spot a Necromancer on a raised platform to your left. This Necromancer will endlessly revive Skeleton Warriors in the area below.
   • Strategy: Prioritize the Necromancer. Sprint past the skeletons, climb the ladder to the left, and quickly dispatch the Necromancer. Once the Necromancer is down, the skeletons will remain dead.
   • Loot: After clearing, check the area for a Soul of a Proud Knight and a Large Soul of a Lost Undead.
2. The First Bridge & Rogue Warriors:
   • Cross the rickety wooden bridge. Be wary of its narrowness and potential drops.
   • On the other side, you'll encounter Rogue Warriors. These enemies wield twinblades and are quite aggressive. Engage them carefully, as they can quickly deplete your stamina and health.
   • Loot: Explore the small alcoves and ledges around this area for items like a Human Effigy and a Green Blossom.
3. The Second Necromancer & Undead Lockaway:
   • Continue along the path, which will lead you to a more open area with several trees. Another Necromancer will be visible on a distant platform, reviving more skeletons.
   • Strategy: Again, focus on the Necromancer. Navigate the winding path, dealing with any skeletons that get in your way. The Necromancer is usually found near a small cave entrance.
   • Once the Necromancer is defeated, enter the cave. Inside, you'll find the Undead Lockaway bonfire. This is a safe haven and a good place to rest.
   • Loot: Near the bonfire, you can find a Pharros' Lockstone in a chest.

Detailed Walkthrough: From Undead Lockaway to Executioner's Chariot

From the Undead Lockaway bonfire, the path branches, leading towards the boss and optional areas.

1. The Dark Cave & Mounted Overseers:
   • Exit the cave near the bonfire. You'll find a path leading downwards into a darker section of the copse. Consider using a torch or Cast Light here.
   • You'll encounter Mounted Overseers (Undead Huntsmen riding horses). These enemies are tough, have long reach, and can charge. Try to separate them or use ranged attacks.
   • Loot: Explore the dark corners for a Stone Ring (highly recommended for melee builds) and a Titanite Shard.
2. The Narrow Ledges & Third Necromancer:
   • The path will eventually lead to a series of very narrow ledges overlooking a chasm. Be extremely careful with your footing here.
   • Another Necromancer will be positioned to harass you with skeletons while you navigate these perilous ledges.
   • Strategy: Ranged attacks are ideal for the Necromancer here. If you're melee, you'll need to carefully cross the ledges, dealing with skeletons, until you can reach the Necromancer's platform.
   • Loot: On one of the ledges, you can find a Miracle: Emit Force.
3. The Bridge to the Boss:
   • After navigating the ledges and dealing with the final Necromancer, you'll come to a large, stone bridge. This bridge leads directly to the boss fog gate.
   • Before the fog gate, you can find a summon sign for Masterless Glencour, a valuable ally for the upcoming boss fight.
   • Loot: Check the area around the bridge for a Large Soul of a Brave Warrior.

Optional Paths & Secrets

• Pate's Encounter: Near the first rickety bridge, look for a small path leading down. You'll find Mild-mannered Pate trapped, warning you about a trap. Trigger the trap (a pressure plate) and clear the enemies to receive a White Sign Soapstone from him.
• Gavlan's Shop: After the Undead Lockaway bonfire, if you follow the path that leads down into the darker areas, you'll eventually find a cave where Gavlan, the merchant, has set up shop. He buys unwanted items and sells various consumables and unique weapons. This is his first location; he moves later.
• Shortcut to Undead Purgatory: After defeating the Executioner's Chariot, a path opens up directly to the Undead Purgatory bonfire, which also leads to Harvest Valley.

Boss Battle: Executioner's Chariot

The Executioner's Chariot is a unique and challenging boss fight that combines environmental hazards with direct combat.

Arena & Mechanics

The fight takes place in a circular arena with a central path and alcoves on either side. A massive chariot, pulled by two skeletal horses, continuously circles the path, instantly killing anyone in its way. Skeleton Warriors and a Necromancer are also present.

Strategy

1. Phase 1: Reach the Necromancer:
   • Immediately upon entering, sprint to the left or right alcoves to avoid the charging chariot.
   • Your primary goal is to reach the Necromancer located in an alcove further down the path. The Necromancer will endlessly revive Skeleton Warriors, who will try to block your path.
   • Move from alcove to alcove, timing your sprints between chariot passes. Deal with skeletons as quickly as possible, or simply run past them.
   • Once you reach the Necromancer, dispatch him. This will stop the skeletons from respawning.
2. Phase 2: Drop the Chariot:
   • After the Necromancer is defeated, continue to the end of the path where you'll find a lever. Pulling this lever will drop a gate, trapping the chariot.
   • The chariot will crash, and the Executioner's Chariot (the rider and the two skeletal horses) will become vulnerable.
3. Phase 3: Direct Combat:
   • The boss is now a standard melee fight. The Chariot has a few attacks: a sweeping scythe attack, a stomp, and a charge.
   • Weakness: Its head is its weak point. Target it for extra damage.
   • Recommended Loadout: Melee characters should aim for high stamina and good physical defense. Ranged characters can keep their distance and target the head.
   • Co-op: Summoning Masterless Glencour can significantly help by drawing aggro and dealing damage.

Rewards

• Soul of the Executioner Chariot
• Executioner's Chariot Soul (used to craft the Chariot Lance or the Shield Cross)
• 30,000 Souls (NG)

After defeating the Executioner's Chariot, proceed through the newly opened path to find the Undead Purgatory bonfire and continue your journey to Harvest Valley.