Recommended Beads: Fire resist, Lightning resist Flasks are a non-factor for the achievement – I finished the run with 3 usable flasks (1 burned for quicksilver upgrade) and 2 that I had sitting in my inventory because I couldn’t be assed to go to a bile fountain. You’ll be fine without maxed fervor and rosary knots. The only skills I’d say are really worth a buy for the bosses are the first combo one and the slide lunge attack. I prioritized HP and Mea Culpa shrines to max out my life expectancy and sword damage. Yes, even Seguiriya – as long as you cast it when a boss is recovering from a missed attack or in a safe spot. These can be cast for relatively cheap and let you get some damage safely. Tiento to Your Thorned Hairs – Invulnerability.I feel like it also gives you invulnerability frames on cast. Debla of the Lights – Ridiculous utility and localized damage, situational depending on boss position.Seguiriya to your Eyes Like Stars – Really big sword speed buff.Taranto to My Sister – Good damage and AoE, situational depending on boss position.Lorquiana – Good damage AoE, situational depending on boss position.The other hearts are worthless during boss fights (Molten Heart of Boiling Blood) or severely gimp you with their demerits (Heart of Oils). If you’re some sort of god who can just stay at low HP and survive you could benefit. Heart of Saltpeter Blood (+sword damage when low HP) – This is only here because there’s no demerit.Smoking Heart of Incense (+prayer/blood damage/duration, +prayer cost) – Even more juice for your prayers and also juices your ranged blood attacks.It’s demerit is more or less a non-factor compared to how much it extends your parry window.
Heart of Virtuous Pain (+parry window, +parry recovery time) – I stuck with this for pretty much the whole run.