Darkest Dungeon Wiki
Pelagic Guardian
Enemy Type Eldritch
Size Average
Drops Loot Table A x1
Actions per round
Stats
Variation Pelagic
Guardian
Pelagic
Bulwark
Pelagic
Champion
HP 25 36 51
HP (Stygian/Bloodmoon) 30 44 62
Dodge 0% 8.75% 22.5%
Protection 33% 50% 50%
Speed 0 1 2
Stealth None None None
Resistances
Stun 25% 45% 70%
Blight 10% 30% 55%
Bleed 60% 80% 105%
Debuff 10% 30% 55%
Move 50% 70% 95%


The Pelagic Guardians are hulking, upright cephalopods arrayed in the armor of the Old Gods, and single-mindedly defend their brethren and the uncanny, sunken ruins they have claimed as their own.

It's unclear what these creatures are or were they came from. Some believe that these creatures were ordinary octopus until The Ancestor opened the Portal and awoke The Thing. As its corruption and malevolence started to leak into the seas, it began twisting and mutating the aquatic fauna. One of the more crazier and farfetched theory implies that these creatures were once human until they were sacrificed by a Pelagic Shaman to the Pelagics’ Sea Goddess, with the survivors becoming their perpetual guardians.

Such theory isn't entirely implausible, in light of the many unholy, fungal infected, bloodsucking and nightmarish horrors that stalk the Estate. The memories of their long-gone humanity may have persevered through their darkest moments, unable to control their melancholy for they know the Estate is no longer their home. Since this was not first time or the last that Pelagics have performed such heinous acts on humanity, it's fair to assume their ranks will continue to bolster at the behest of fallen heroes.

Behavior[]

Pelagic Guardians are enemies that appear in the Cove. Unlike its seafolk brethren who resemble pirahnas, the Pelagic Guardian resembles an octopus, standing on several of its tentacles. Like the Bone Defender, the Pelagic Guardian carries a shield that gives it outstanding resilience, and it can use this to its advantage by guarding its allies.

These grueling adversaries will almost always guard an ally before taking any other action, ensuring their pelagic brethren that they may inflict both physical and psychological horrors upon their enemies from behind the safety of their abyssal defender. This, combined with its high protect and health, make it a nuisance that cannot be ignored, and should be dealt with by inflicting Blight or Marking for increased damage.

Octocestus does not do much damage, but does inflict bleed. The Plague Doctor's ability to cure bleed, inflict blight, and stun a guarding Guardian make her invaluable against this type of foe.

The Shieldbreaker is a great counter for the Guardian as her Pierce goes through his protections, and her Puncture breaks his guard (and prevents him from guarding the punctured enemy for two turns). She can also take advantage of his low Blight resist with Adder's Kiss or Captivate.

Note that this creature is unique in that it is the only size 1 creature that you can keep fighting against without worrying about gaining stress or enemy reinforcements for taking too long to kill it. Therefore you can use it, ideally with a stunner, to stall-heal hp and stress.

Abilities[]

Apprentice Level
Skill Name Range Rank Target Accuracy Crit
Chance
Damage Effect
(Target)
Effect
(Self)
Notes
Octocestus Melee 1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2. 77.5% 6% 3-5 100% Bleed 2 No Effect
Barnacle Barrier Support 1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4 (allies). Guard Ally Buff: +25% PROT

Veteran Level
Skill Name Range Rank Target Accuracy Crit
Chance
Damage Effect
(Target)
Effect
(Self)
Notes
Octocestus Melee 1, 2, 3. 1, 2. 83.75% 11% 3-7 120% Bleed 2 No Effect
Barnacle Barrier Support 1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4 (allies). Guard Ally Buff: +25% PROT

Champion Level
Skill Name Range Rank Target Accuracy Crit
Chance
Damage Effect
(Target)
Effect
(Self)
Notes
Octocestus Melee 1, 2, 3. 1, 2. 98% 12% 5-11 140% Bleed 4 No Effect
Barnacle Barrier Support 1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4 (allies). Guard Ally Buff: +25% PROT

Gallery[]

Related Enemies[]

Cove: The Pelagics

Bosses

Cove: The Drowned

Bosses


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Spoilers
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