Should I Kill Smough Or Ornstein First?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: If you favour close‑range combat with a high‑damage, high‑stamina weapon (e.g., greatsword or ultra greatsword) and can reliably parry Ornstein’s thrusts, killing Smough first may let you end the battle quicker because his attacks are slower but more sweeping.
• Good fit: When playing a shield‑heavy, defensive build that can block Ornstein’s rapid thrusts and dodge Smough’s wide arcs, targeting Ornstein first creates a safer window; his death removes the aggressive spear attacks that pressure your stamina.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: If your stamina pool is low or you rely on light weapons with limited reach, engaging Smough first can leave you vulnerable to his sweeping strikes, increasing the chance of a quick death.
• Warning sign: Players who are unfamiliar with Ornstein’s timing may find the duel chaotic; focusing on Smough first can create a chaotic melee where Ornstein continues to thrust, making it harder to recover from a missed hit.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Eliminating Ornstein first removes the rapid thrust pattern, giving you breathing room to manage stamina and heal if needed.
• Killing Smough first can reduce the overall length of the fight for players who can reliably dodge his wide swings, as his large hitbox is easier to predict once you master the timing.

Cons

• Focusing on Smough first often means staying close to both enemies, increasing the chance of getting caught in Ornstein’s quick thrusts and losing stamina faster.
• Targeting Ornstein first may require more precise parries or backstabs; a missed timing can lead to rapid health loss because Smough will continue to rain down heavy blows.

Decision Checklist

• Do I have enough stamina and a weapon that can safely trade hits with Smough’s sweeping attacks?
• Can I reliably block or dodge Ornstein’s thrusts without relying on perfect parries?
• Am I comfortable switching targets quickly, or would a single‑focus approach reduce my risk of confusion?

Alternatives to Consider

Instead of committing to a strict order, you can adopt a “hit‑and‑run” strategy: stagger one opponent, create distance, then finish the other when they’re vulnerable. Another low‑risk option is to summon a fellow player or NPC (e.g., Solaire) to split the enemies’ focus, allowing you to pick off whichever feels safer. For players using magic or ranged weapons, staying at mid‑range and forcing Ornstein to close while damaging Smough from afar can bypass the usual melee decision entirely.

Final Recommendation

There is no universally correct answer; the optimal choice aligns with your build and comfort level. Players with strong defensive shields and ample stamina often benefit from killing Ornstein first, while aggressive, high‑damage melee users may prefer to neutralise Smough first. Test both approaches in a safe environment, observe which pattern feels more controllable, and adjust accordingly. For any high‑stakes multiplayer run where death means a significant setback, consider summoning help or using ranged tactics to mitigate risk.