Unveiling the Power: What Does the Crown of the Old Iron King Do?
The Crown of the Old Iron King, a coveted artifact from the Dark Souls 2 DLC of the same name, is not just a symbol of fallen royalty, but a powerful tool with a unique effect. This article will delve into the specific functionality of the crown, its lore within the game, and answer frequently asked questions to help players fully understand its significance.
The Core Function: Spell Restoration
At its heart, the Crown of the Old Iron King provides a unique benefit: periodic restoration of spell casts. Specifically, every two minutes while the crown is equipped, it replenishes a small number of your spell uses. This effect is described in-game as being “slightly weaker than an amber herb”. Essentially, it allows mages and hybrid builds to be more liberal with their spell usage without constantly needing to rely on limited restorative items.
How the Restoration Mechanic Works
The timer for this restoration effect starts when the crown is equipped and is automatically reset if the crown is removed from the player’s head or if a loading screen is encountered. Loading screens can occur from warping using a bonfire, dying, entering a new area, or even logging out and back into the game.
Strategic Implications of the Crown
While the regeneration rate isn’t substantial, the cumulative effect over time makes the crown useful in lengthy explorations, particularly during extended dungeon crawls or prolonged boss attempts. The consistent spell regeneration reduces the reliance on consumables and allows casters to be more proactive in combat. However, it doesn’t replace consumables entirely. This means players need to balance conserving spells for difficult encounters while not entirely forgoing their limited restorative options.
Comparing to Amber Herb
The statement that the effect is “slightly weaker than an amber herb” is important to understand in practical terms. An Amber Herb immediately restores one spell use. The crown will restore spell uses over time, making it a more convenient method for replenishing magic over the course of a long journey. When considering that many powerful spells have limited uses, the consistent trickle of spell refreshes can make a real difference for a dedicated mage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Crown of the Old Iron King
These FAQs cover additional points of interest regarding the Crown of the Old Iron King, providing a deeper understanding of its function, lore, and impact within the game.
1. Where is the Crown of the Old Iron King Found?
The Crown of the Old Iron King is not obtained directly. It’s the reward for completing the entire Crown of the Old Iron King DLC. You gain access to the DLC area by interacting with an obelisk in the Primal Bonfire room, which is modified in this DLC, similar to the other Crown DLCs.
2. Who is the final boss of the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC?
The final boss of the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC is the formidable Fume Knight (Raime). Many players consider this boss to be one of the most challenging in the entire Dark Souls 2 experience.
3. How Did the Old Iron King Become a Demon?
The lore suggests the Old Iron King was slain by the Smelter Demon, a golem that betrayed him. The King’s soul was then corrupted by “things that lurk below” and “the one whose name must never be repeated”, possibly agents of the abyss or serpents, turning him into a demonic entity.
4. What are the Other Bosses in the Old Iron King DLC?
Aside from the Fume Knight, the other bosses within the Old Iron King DLC include Sir Alonne and the Blue Smelter Demon. All three of these bosses are considered challenging, even on New Game, and their difficulty is amped up further on New Game+.
5. Is the Crown of the Old Iron King Difficult to Obtain?
Yes, obtaining the Crown of the Old Iron King requires players to progress through challenging environments and defeat multiple difficult bosses. The DLC itself is known for its high difficulty curve, particularly on higher New Game cycles.
6. Does the Crown of the Old Iron King Stack with other spell restoration items?
While the game doesn’t explicitly state if it stacks with other spell regeneration items or effects, its restoration mechanic is relatively unique, and its minor spell restoration effect doesn’t stack with itself. The crown provides a set amount of spells every two minutes, this will remain constant even if another method of restoring spells occurs.
7. How Can I Optimize Spell Usage with the Crown of the Old Iron King?
To optimize spell use, try using the crown during exploration and in between fights to slowly replenish your spell charges. Be mindful of the two-minute timer, and avoid quickly warping or reloading to maximize your benefit. Time spent away from combat or during long walks between areas is valuable for this reason.
8. Is the Crown of the Old Iron King worth the effort?
For players focused on spellcasting, the Crown of the Old Iron King is extremely valuable. The convenience it provides over time with spell restoration makes it one of the best crowns from the DLC. Ultimately, this value is determined by how much a player values convenience for their magic focused builds.
9. What other Crowns are Available?
The other DLCs each feature their own crowns. The Crown of the Sunken King gives a significant boost to HP at the cost of slightly decreased Stamina, The Crown of the Ivory King allows you to restore some health after killing enemies, and the King’s Crown from Vendrick makes you immune to being cursed.
10. What is the Lore of the Crown of the Old Iron King?
The crown is directly tied to the story of the Old Iron King, a powerful ruler who fell to corruption. Its magic seems to be a relic of his past power, though its current form is twisted with the influence of the malevolent forces which corrupted his soul. The Crown is a relic of the time before the Old Iron King fell.
11. What is the significance of the Old Iron King within the Dark Souls Lore?
The Old Iron King was once a powerful monarch who fell victim to his own ambition. His fall serves as a cautionary tale within the broader narrative of the Dark Souls universe, highlighting the corruption of power and the influence of darker forces.
12. Does the Crown of the Old Iron King work with Miracles and Pyromancies?
Yes, the crown’s spell restoration effect applies to all types of spells, including sorceries, miracles, and pyromancies. This makes it a versatile choice for a broad spectrum of character builds.
13. Is there a benefit to collecting all crowns?
While there isn’t a direct benefit for collecting all crowns from the DLCs, their individual effects are very strong and offer unique bonuses. Collecting them is part of the process of exploring the world of Dark Souls 2 and completing the DLC content.
14. Is Fume Knight considered to be one of the hardest bosses in Dark Souls 2?
Yes, many players consider the Fume Knight to be among the hardest, if not the hardest, bosses in Dark Souls 2. His complex moveset, large damage output, and multiple phases make him a significant hurdle.
15. Does the Crown of the Old Iron King work the same in Scholar of the First Sin?
Yes, the Crown of the Old Iron King works identically in the Scholar of the First Sin version of the game. The core mechanic remains the same, and it regenerates spell casts every two minutes while equipped.
Conclusion
The Crown of the Old Iron King is a very powerful item that allows players to sustain their spell usage over time. It offers a unique restoration mechanic that provides value during long explorations. While its magic is not immediate or overwhelming, its cumulative effect on magic users is significant, making it a worthy reward for conquering the challenges of the DLC. Whether you’re battling challenging foes or exploring labyrinthine levels, the Crown of the Old Iron King provides a useful boost to your magical arsenal, making it an invaluable addition to any caster’s repertoire.