Dark Souls 3 guide and walkthrough: master the secrets of Lothric, Ariandel and the Ringed City
Our Dark Souls 3 guide leaves no upgrade stone unturned. Put down bosses, collect powerful loot, recruit NPCs and triumph over your foes. Now includes both DLC packs found in The Fire Fades edition.
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? How do you get that item glow that's been taunting you for 45 minutes while you fell off cliffs and were eaten by plant monsters?
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. If you've got questions, we've got answers.
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, in-depth 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. Is this your first Souls game? Make sure to have a squizz.
New tricks for Veterans
Things even experienced Souls players might not know. Find out how From Software mixed it up this time.
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. Designed as a companion to our walkthrough and built with vanilla equipment, tested and updated through both DLC as well as the base game.
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 vanilla game 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. Not as good as it was at release but still tasty.
Armor of Thorns is tearing up Dark Souls 3 PvP - here's how to get it
Cheap? Yes. Honourable? No. Get it anyway. It's all too easy to miss.
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. Rad as heck.
Snuggly the Crow trading guide
Who, what, and how to get the "Very Good" rock your invaders keep taunting you with. Plus some other stuff, we guess.
Boss soul transposition guide
Why cash in a boss soul for currency when you could unlock exclusive loot? The results of transposition laid bare. Play the game through twice to get everything, you glutton.
Estus Shard locations
Upgrade your Estus Flask and health spam your way through the toughest encounters. Why wouldn't you?
Illusory walls - locations and treasures
Most of the time, you're just being trolled - but sometimes there really is quite something ahead.
Undead Bone Shard locations and use guide
Don't be silly, upgrade your bonfire pronto. They say Souls players enjoy suffering, but there's no reason to do it the hard way.
Ashes of Ariandel DLC weapons, armour, spells and items
If you just want to make sure you've seen and done everything without spoilers, or you're looking for the location of a particular new item, this is the page for you. Links back to specific walkthrough pages so you can get what you want with a quick ctrl+f, the hasty gamer's best friend.
How to access Ashes of Ariandel's PvP arena
You've heard that Dark Souls 3's first DLC adds PvP content. But where the heck is it? Don't let your attractive, honest brow wrinkle in perplexity: come in and be illuminated.
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 in the base game. Don't miss a thing.
The first DLC pack for Dark Souls 3, Ashes of Ariandel has a dreamlike familiarity for series veterans. Well, we say dream, but of course we mean nightmare. Cheese your way through with our detailed walkthrough. You can start Ashes of Ariandel pretty early in Dark Souls 3, but ideally you'll be at least level 80 and have completed the base game up to - or past - the final boss.
The second and final Dark Souls 3 DLC, The Ringed City throws some incredible challenges at you - including an optional boss that broke us. Dies it answer all your questions? No. Is it packed with fan service and the tail ends of mysterious lore? Yes. You'll want to be at least level 90 for this one, and will need to be in endgame or have completed Ashes of Ariandel.
That should be everything you need to get through this amazing game. Whether you're a complete beginner to the Souls series of a hardened veteran, you'll find everything you need on this page to master the secrets of Lothric. Don't say we don't do anything for you.
