Do Rats Drop Humanity in Dark Souls 1? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, rats in Dark Souls 1 do drop humanity, albeit not with a guaranteed rate. This mechanic is a crucial part of the game’s economy and a popular method for players to farm this valuable resource. However, the specifics surrounding this drop, including drop rates and the best locations, are essential knowledge for any aspiring Dark Souls adventurer.
Understanding Humanity and Its Importance
Before delving into rat-specific farming, it’s vital to understand what humanity is and why it’s important in Dark Souls. Humanity serves multiple functions:
- Reversing Hollowing: Consuming a humanity item will return your character to human form from a hollow state, allowing for summoning and being invaded.
- Item Discovery: Having humanity, particularly up to 10, dramatically increases the item discovery stat, boosting your chances of enemies dropping items, including more humanity.
- Chaos Weapons: Humanity increases the damage output of Chaos weapons, up to a maximum benefit at 10 humanity.
- Covenant Offerings: Humanity is often needed to rank up in covenants, gaining you access to special items, spells, and locations.
- Curse Resistance: Having up to 30 humanity will increase your curse resistance.
Rats and the Lore of Humanity
The connection between rats and humanity in Dark Souls stems from the game’s lore. Rats are scavengers that consume dead bodies. These bodies often contain residual humanity. Thus, when you defeat rats, you are essentially reclaiming the humanity they have ingested. This detail adds depth to the world and reinforces the game’s dark, survivalist themes.
Rat Drop Rates and Farming Locations
The drop rate of humanity from rats isn’t uniform. Here’s a breakdown:
- General Rats: Most undead rats in the game have a base drop rate of 5% for humanity when your item discovery is at 100. This drop rate is significantly impacted by item discovery.
- Small Rats in the Depths: Specifically, the smaller rats in the Depths have a lower drop rate of 3%, even with item discovery of 100.
Optimizing Humanity Farming with Rats
To maximize your humanity farming from rats, consider these factors:
- Item Discovery: As mentioned, having a high item discovery is crucial. The Covetous Gold Serpent Ring greatly increases your item discovery.
- Humanity Count: Your current soft humanity (the number in the upper left of your screen) also boosts item discovery, up to a maximum at 10 soft humanity.
- Farming Location: The Depths: The Depths is widely regarded as the best location for farming humanity from rats due to the large quantity of rats and easy access to a bonfire. Warping to the Depths bonfire and repeatedly clearing out the rats in the surrounding areas is an efficient method.
- Consistency: Even with optimal item discovery, humanity drops are not guaranteed. Be prepared to engage in multiple farming runs to gather a significant quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions surrounding humanity farming, particularly in relation to rats:
1. What does Item Discovery do?
Item Discovery is a stat that affects how frequently enemies drop items when defeated. Higher item discovery increases your chances of obtaining items such as humanity, armor pieces, and weapons.
2. How can I increase my Item Discovery?
You can increase your item discovery using the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring, by having up to 10 soft humanity, and through other specific equipment and consumables in the game.
3. Do I need to be human to get humanity drops from rats?
No, being in human form is not required for enemies to drop humanity. Item drop rates are affected by your soft humanity counter, not your human or hollow status.
4. Is it better to farm rats in The Depths or elsewhere?
The Depths are generally considered the best place to farm humanity from rats because of the sheer number of them and their close proximity to a bonfire. Other areas may have rats, but they are less densely populated.
5. Does the Gaping Dragon boss need to be alive to farm rats?
No, the Gaping Dragon boss doesn’t need to be alive to farm humanity from rats. You can farm the rats in The Depths as long as you have access to the area after obtaining the key from the Capra Demon.
6. How does the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring affect drop rates?
The Covetous Gold Serpent Ring significantly boosts item discovery, making rare drops, including humanity, more frequent. It’s almost essential for dedicated humanity farming.
7. How does soft humanity affect drop rates?
Having up to 10 soft humanity drastically increases item discovery, thereby increasing your chances of humanity dropping from rats.
8. What if I have more than 10 soft humanity?
After 10 soft humanity, item discovery doesn’t increase further. So while having more than 10 is beneficial for chaos weapons or other stats, it won’t improve your drop rates.
9. Are there any other methods to obtain humanity besides killing rats?
Yes, you can obtain humanity by:
* Killing area bosses.
* Assisting other players in co-op against bosses.
* Finding it as loot from corpses.
* Finding it as random drop from mobs.
* Consuming humanity or twin humanity items.
10. Is humanity a finite resource?
No, humanity is not finite. You can continually farm it from enemies, including rats, as many times as needed.
11. Do larger rats drop more humanity?
No, the size of the rats does not affect their drop rate. The smaller rats in the Depths have a lower drop rate than the other rats, despite being smaller.
12. What are some tips for fighting rats?
Rats can be easily defeated with any weapon. Shields are helpful to mitigate damage, and weapons with wide arcs can handle groups of rats efficiently. Avoid being surrounded to prevent poison build-up.
13. What is the point of being human in Dark Souls?
Being human allows you to summon other players for co-op, be invaded by other players, and also can increase item drop rates, increase the damage of Chaos weapons and increase your curse resistance.
14. Does being human improve my stats?
Being human only changes your appearance and allows multiplayer interactions. The item drop rate boost comes from soft humanity, not from your human or hollow status.
15. What is the best equipment for farming humanity?
The Covetous Gold Serpent Ring is essential. Other helpful items include any gear that boosts item discovery and a weapon that can handle multiple enemies effectively. Having 10 soft humanity is also crucial.
Conclusion
While not guaranteed, rats are a reliable source of humanity in Dark Souls 1. Understanding drop rates, item discovery, and the best farming locations (like the Depths) can help you efficiently acquire this valuable resource. By combining this knowledge with the tips provided, you’ll be well-prepared to face the challenges of Dark Souls with plenty of humanity at your disposal. Happy farming, and may the flames guide you!