Dark Souls 3 guide and walkthrough: master the secrets of Lothric
Our Dark Souls 3 guide leaves no upgrade stone unturned. Put down bosses, collect powerful loot, recruit NPCs and triumph over your foes.
Dark Souls 3 guide and walkthrough: Master the secrets of Lothric
Dark Souls 3 is hard. Although it starts you off gently (well, comparatively) the difficulty escalates rapidly, and the linear world opens into a branching, twisting maze. Which way should you go? What should you go? Where can you find a decent sword? What is that thing that keeps murdering you?
You've got questions, and we've got answers. We've been bashing away at Dark Souls 3 for weeks now, dying over and over again in the pursuit of victory. Don't be like us. Learn from our mistakes. Profit from the sweat of our brows.
Whether you're a total beginner looking for an explanation of all those numbers, a hardened veteran wanting to double check an NPC quest or covenant location, or in need of a step-by-step walkthrough before you shut down and sob in terror, we want to help. This is a work-in-progress guide we'll be adding material to as quickly as we can; let us know what you'd like to see as a priority.
Let's start with some general guides and detailed breakdowns; scroll down for the main walkthrough.
In-depth guides
Beginner's tips
A few quick pointers for those starting Dark Souls 3 for the first time.
New tricks for Veterans
Things even experienced Souls players might not know about From Software's latest.
Bosses – how to beat all the toughest baddies
If you're an expert dungeon crawler just looking for some tips on the bosses, this is your go-to.
The complete guide to summoning and playing co-op
A few steps to help you play the game in co-op with a friend, or any other online player.
Build guide: Cheeseburger Assassin (beginner PvE)
A guide to building a stealthy, ranged character who can nervously snipe their way through Dark Souls 3 without twitch reflexes.
Spoiler-free critical path checklist
Just want to know what to do and in what order, but don't need your hand held? This bare-bones guide gives you a list of goals in each area, without spoiling the pleasures of exploration.
How to get the best ending
There are three endings. Which one will you see? Start planning early to avoid disappointment.
How to recruit trainers and finish NPC quests
Don't miss a friendly face – or turn your back on a foe. Vendors, summons, quest lines: it's all here.
NPCs – quick and dirty reference
Trainers. Side quests. Invading phantoms. Your one stop, quick cheat sheet for everything NPC – spoiler free, unless you dig deeper.
Dark Sigil and hollowing explained
The hollowing system has been overhauled for Dark Souls 3, and is intimately tied to one possible ending.
Guide to covenants
More convoluted multiplayer clans to pledge your life to – or to avoid. How it works, how to rank up and what the benefits are.
Tower Key guide
Is it worth the souls? We list the benefits and detail how to get at the treasure behind this tantalising locked gate.
The Dark Sword is Dark Souls 3's best weapon – here's how to get it
Not sure what to spend your Titanite Chunks on? We have just the blade for you.
Armor of Thorns is tearing up Dark Souls 3 PvP – here's how to get it
Cheap? Yes. Honourable? No. Get it anyway.
How to use the Dragon Stones and turn into a dragon
The pieces you need to become a dragon in Dark Souls 3, where to find them, and how use them.
Snuggly the Crow trading guide
Who, what, and how to get the “Very Good” rock your invaders keep taunting you with.
Boss soul transposition guide
Why cash in a boss soul for currency when you could unlock exclusive loot? The results of transposition laid bare.
Estus Shard locations
Upgrade your Estus Flask and health spam your way through the toughest encounters.
Illusory walls – locations and treasures
Most of the time, you're just being trolled – but sometimes there's quite something ahead.
Step-by-step walkthrough
This is what you came for. We hold your hand and walk you through every twist, every turn, every ambush and every treasure. Don't miss a thing.
Introduction
Cemetery of Ash to Iudex Gundyr
Boss: how to beat Iudex Gundyr
Iudex Gundyr to Firelink Shrine
Firelink Shrine hub guide
Walkthrough: High Wall of Lothric
High Wall of Lothric to Tower on the Wall
Tower on the Wall to Vordt of the Boreal Valley
Boss: how to beat Vordt of the Boreal Valley
Walkthrough: Undead Settlement
Foot of the High Wall to Undead Settlement
Undead Settlement to Dilapidated Bridge
Undead Settlement to Cliff Underside
Optional: Cliff Underside to Demon boss
Cliff Underside to Rotted Greatwood
Boss: how to beat Rotted Greatwood
Undead Settlement to Road of Sacrifices
Walkthrough: Road of Sacrifices
Road of Sacrifices to Halfway Fortress
Halfway Fortress to Crucifixion Woods
Crucifixion Woods to Crystal Sage
Boss: how to beat Crystal Sage
Walkthrough: Farron Keep
Crystal Sage to Farron Keep
Farron Keep to Keep Ruins
Keep Ruins to Old Wolf of Farron
Optional: Old Wolf of Farron to Stray Demon boss
Keep Ruins to Farron Perimeter
Boss: how to beat Abyss Watchers
Walkthrough: Cathedral of the Deep
Crystal Sage to Cleansing Chapel
Cleansing Chapel
Cleansing Chapel to Rosaria's Bedchamber
Boss: how to beat Deacons of the Deep
Walkthrough: Catacombs of Carthus
Abyss Watchers to Catacombs of Carthus
Catacombs of Carthus to Abandoned Tomb
Abandoned Tomb to Smouldering Lake
Optional boss: how to beat Old Demon King
Demon Ruins and Old King's Antechamber
Catacombs of Carthus to High Lord Wolnir
Boss: how to beat High Lord Wolnir
Walkthrough: Irithyll of the Boreal Valley
Irithyll of the Boreal Valley to Central Irithyll
Central Irithyll to Church of Yorshka
Church of Yorshka to Distant Manor
Distant Manor to Pontiff Sulyvahn
Boss: how to beat Pontiff Sulyvahn
Walkthrough: Irithyll Dungeon
Distant Manor to Irithyll Dungeon
Irithyll Dungeon to Profaned Capital
Profaned Capital and Irithyll Dungeon loop
Profaned Capital to Yhorm the Giant
Boss: how to beat Yhorm the Giant
Walkthrough: Anor Londo
Pontiff Sulyvahn to Anor Londo
Anor Londo to Aldrich, Devourer of Souls
Boss: how to beat Aldrich, Devourer of Souls
Walkthrough: Lothric Castle
Boss: how to beat Dancer of the Boreal Valley
Dark Souls 3: Dancer of the Boreal Valley to Dragon Barracks
Dragon Barracks to Dragonslayer Armour
Boss: how to beat Dragonslayer Armour
Walkthrough: Consumed King's Garden
Consumed King's Garden
Boss: how to beat Oceiros, the Consumed King
Walkthrough: Untended Graves
Untended Graves
Boss: how to beat Champion Gundyr
Dark Firelink Shrine
Walkthrough: Grand Archives
Grand Archives
Grand Archives to Twin Princes
Boss: how to beat Lorian, Elder Prince and Lothric, Younger Prince
Walkthrough: Archdragon Peak
Irithyll Dungeon to Archdragon Peak
Boss: how to beat Ancient Wyvern
Dragon-kin Mausoleum to Great Belfry
Path of the Dragon
Boss: how to beat The Nameless King
Walkthrough: Kiln of the First Flame
Firelink Shrine to Kiln of the First Flame
Boss: how to beat Soul of Cinder
