Where to Find Flame Weapons in Dark Souls 2: A Comprehensive Guide
Finding a flame weapon in Dark Souls 2 can significantly enhance your gameplay, offering both fiery damage and strategic advantages. The methods to acquire these weapons are diverse and require exploration, specific boss defeats, and sometimes, savvy trading. The most direct answer to the question “Where to find a flame weapon in Dark Souls 2?” is: you can obtain the Flame Weapon by trading the Old Witch Soul to Straid of Olaphis.
This article delves into the various ways you can acquire flame weapons in Dark Souls 2, detailing the steps involved and providing useful tips. It will also answer some frequently asked questions to clear up any confusion surrounding fire-based armaments in this notoriously challenging game.
How to Acquire the Flame Weapon
The primary way to get the Flame Weapon is through a specific item trade. This involves:
- Defeating the Lost Sinner: This boss, located in the Lost Bastille, is a crucial step.
- Reaching New Game Plus (NG+) or Using a Bonfire Ascetic: After defeating the Lost Sinner in your initial playthrough, you’ll need to either begin a New Game Plus or use a Bonfire Ascetic at the Sinner’s Rise bonfire to respawn her.
- Defeating the Lost Sinner Again: Upon re-defeating her in NG+ or after using a Bonfire Ascetic, you will receive the “Old Witch Soul,” which was unavailable in the initial playthrough.
- Trading with Straid of Olaphis: Straid of Olaphis, located in the Lost Bastille, is the crucial NPC here. Once you obtain the Old Witch Soul, speak to Straid and trade the Soul for the Flame Weapon.
This Flame Weapon is not a sword or a mace; rather, it is an enchantment that can be cast upon your weapon, coating it in fire and adding fire damage to your attacks. The power and effectiveness of this enchantment scale with your pyromancy flame and stats.
Other Fire-Related Weapons and Items
While the Flame Weapon enchantment is the most directly sought-after ‘flame weapon,’ there are several other fire-related items and weapons in the game that players might be interested in:
Pyromancies
- Flame Swathe: This powerful pyromancy can be purchased from Straid of Olaphis or obtained as drops from dwarves in Belfry Sol. Flame Swathe is an offensive spell that creates a fiery explosion.
- Great Fireball: Great Fireball is found behind a locked door in the cathedral area in Brightstone Cove Tseldora, after defeating Freja and acquiring the key from Duke Tseldora.
- Fire Butterflies: These items, which apply fire damage to your weapon for a short time, can be purchased from Weaponsmith Ornifex for 600 souls each.
Fire-Imbued Weapons
- Quelaag’s Furysword: While not strictly a ‘flame weapon’ in the way the Flame Weapon enchantment is, Quelaag’s Furysword deals fire damage and scales with Dexterity and Soft Humanity. This weapon is created using the Soul of Quelaag with a blacksmith in Anor Londo, not available in Dark Souls 2.
- Other unique weapons might have inherent fire damage, often available as boss weapons or through specific trades or exploration. The game offers a variety of armaments, many of which can be infused with fire using embers and a blacksmith.
Key Locations and Items Related to Fire
- The Tower of Flame: This area, accessed via a path from Majula, is the home of the Dragonrider boss. The path starts in the cave beside the house of the talking cat, accessible by acquiring a key in the Forest of Fallen Giants.
- Iron Keep: Here, a key found in front of the first fire spewing statue unlocks a door near the Last Giant boss room in the Forest of Fallen Giants, granting access to more fire-related encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that will give you more insight about fire and flame weapons in Dark Souls 2:
1. Can I get the Flame Weapon in my first playthrough?
No, the Old Witch Soul is only available in NG+ or by using a Bonfire Ascetic to respawn the Lost Sinner in a new cycle.
2. Where is Straid of Olaphis?
Straid of Olaphis is located in the Lost Bastille, after progressing a bit through the area. He is behind a locked door that needs to be opened by releasing a lever.
3. What does the Flame Weapon enchantment do?
The Flame Weapon enchantment adds fire damage to your weapon, scaling with your Pyromancy Flame and stats. It provides an offensive boost against enemies weak to fire.
4. How do I access the Lost Bastille?
You can reach the Lost Bastille in two primary ways: by taking a ship from No-Man’s Wharf, or by defeating the Pursuer in the Forest of Fallen Giants and being carried by an eagle.
5. Where can I find fire lizards in Dark Souls 2?
You encounter fire lizards early in the game in the Forest of the Fallen Giants area, specifically in the area with lava pools.
6. How do I get to the well in Majula?
To access The Gutter and Black Gulch from the well in Majula, you’ll need to use an item or spell that minimizes fall damage. Items like the Silvercat Ring or the Fall Control spell can help.
7. Is the Flame Weapon enchantment worth it?
Yes, the Flame Weapon is a very valuable enchantment, particularly against enemies susceptible to fire. It significantly increases your damage output.
8. How do I find Flame Swathe?
Flame Swathe can be bought from Straid of Olaphis or obtained as a drop from dwarves in Belfry Sol.
9. Where is the Great Fireball Pyromancy in Dark Souls 2?
Great Fireball is behind a locked door in Brightstone Cove Tseldora, accessible after defeating Freja and acquiring the key from Duke Tseldora.
10. What are Fire Butterflies used for?
Fire Butterflies can be used to temporarily apply fire damage to your weapon.
11. Are there any flame swords in Dark Souls 2?
Not directly named “flame swords,” but there are weapons that deal fire damage, can be infused with fire, or are created with fire based boss souls. Quelaag’s Furysword is a prime example.
12. Where can I find the key for the door before the Last Giant boss room?
The key is found in front of the first fire-spewing statue in the Iron Keep.
13. What are the flames on the map in Dark Souls 2?
The flames on the map signify which bosses you have defeated. To turn them blue, you need to kill each boss 10 times total.
14. Where is the Ancient Dragon in Dark Souls 2?
The Ancient Dragon is an optional boss found at the top of the Dragon Shrine.
15. Where can I find Dyna and Tillo?
Dyna and Tillo, the birds that have a nest, are located in Things Betwixt. Access them by going through the tunnel into the tutorial area, and entering the first door on the left and going up to the top.
Conclusion
Finding flame weapons and related items in Dark Souls 2 requires careful exploration, strategic boss defeats, and the ability to use Bonfire Ascetics or move into New Game Plus. The Flame Weapon enchantment is a potent addition to your arsenal, and other fire-based pyromancies and items further enhance your offensive capabilities. By understanding where to find these items, and utilizing the frequently asked questions to clarify information, you’ll be well-equipped to wield fire with precision and power in the world of Drangleic.