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Is Dark Souls 3 Hard to 100%? A Deep Dive into Completion

Yes, Dark Souls 3 is undeniably challenging to 100%. It’s not just about raw difficulty in combat, though that’s certainly a factor. The true challenge comes from a combination of factors: the need for multiple playthroughs (at least three), the requirement to collect every ring, sorcery, pyromancy, and miracle in the game, and the ever-present sting of RNG (Random Number Generation) impacting drop rates for certain covenant items. It demands patience, dedication, and a healthy dose of masochism.

Understanding the 100% Completion Requirements

To truly achieve 100% completion in Dark Souls 3, you’re not just looking at beating the game once or twice. You need to delve deep into every corner, uncover every secret, and master every build. Here’s a breakdown of the core requirements:

Three Full Playthroughs (NG++): This is perhaps the most significant hurdle. Some rings, spells, and other items are only available in New Game Plus (NG+) or New Game Plus Plus (NG++). Therefore, playing through the game three times on the same character is essential.
All Rings: Gathering every ring in the game is a massive undertaking. Many are hidden in obscure locations, require specific quests to be completed, or are only obtainable in later playthroughs. Rings are scattered throughout the world, and some are notoriously well-hidden.
All Sorceries, Pyromancies, and Miracles: This requires collecting every spell in the game, some of which are acquired through covenants, defeating specific bosses, or trading items with NPCs. Covenant rewards often involve grinding for Proof of Concord Kepts (for Darkmoon Blades), Vertebra Shackles (for Mound-Makers), and other covenant-specific items, a task known for its time consumption.
All Bosses Defeated: While seemingly straightforward, this includes both mandatory bosses and optional ones, some of which are incredibly difficult to find, let alone defeat.
All Gestures: Collecting every gesture requires completing specific NPC questlines and performing certain actions at particular locations. Missing a single step can lock you out of a gesture for that playthrough.
All Unique Weapons and Armor (Generally Not Required, But Often Done): While not strictly necessary for the “Master of Rings,” “Master of Miracles,” “Master of Pyromancies,” and “Master of Sorceries” achievements, some completionists strive to collect every unique weapon and armor set in the game for bragging rights.

The Grindy Aspects: Covenants and RNG

The covenant system is where Dark Souls 3 really tests your patience. Earning covenant rewards often involves tedious farming:

Proof of Concord Kept (Darkmoon Blades/Blue Sentinels): Farming Silver Knights in Anor Londo for Proof of Concord Kepts is infamous for its low drop rate. Many players spend dozens of hours farming these items.
Vertebra Shackle (Mound-Makers): Obtaining Vertebra Shackles can be done through PvP or farming Skeletons in the Catacombs of Carthus. Both methods can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Human Dregs (Aldrich Faithful): These are acquired through invading as an Aldrich Faithful in the Irithyll of the Boreal Valley and Anor Londo areas. This covenant is more PvP focused, which can be challenging for some players.
Sunlight Medals (Warriors of Sunlight): Earned by assisting other players in defeating bosses. This requires either being summoned as a cooperator or successfully invading as a Warrior of Sunlight.
Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass (Watchdogs of Farron): Gained by invading in the Farron Woods area or farming Ghrus.

The RNG involved in these covenant item drops is a major factor contributing to the difficulty of 100% completion. You could spend hours farming a specific enemy and still come away empty-handed, leading to immense frustration.

Why Dark Souls 3 Is Considered Harder to 100% Than Other Souls Games

While all Souls games present significant challenges, Dark Souls 3 stands out for a few reasons:

More Items Required: Compared to earlier entries in the series, Dark Souls 3 boasts a larger number of rings, spells, and other collectibles, extending the completion time.
Aggressive Enemy AI: Dark Souls 3 features faster and more aggressive enemy AI compared to its predecessors, demanding greater precision in combat.
Complex Boss Fights: Many of the boss fights in Dark Souls 3 are intricate and challenging, requiring players to learn complex movesets and develop specific strategies.
Covenant Grinding: The notorious covenant item grind in Dark Souls 3 is arguably more demanding than similar systems in previous games.
Limited Respecs: While you can respec your character’s stats, the number of times you can do so per playthrough is limited, meaning you need to plan your build carefully.

The Mental Fortitude Required

Beyond the gameplay mechanics and statistical grind, achieving 100% in Dark Souls 3 requires a strong mental game. You’ll face setbacks, frustrating defeats, and moments where you question your sanity. Perseverance, patience, and the ability to learn from your mistakes are crucial for success.

Tips for Approaching 100% Completion

If you’re determined to conquer Dark Souls 3 and achieve 100% completion, here are some tips to help you along the way:

Plan Your Build: Carefully plan your character build to optimize your combat effectiveness. Research different builds and choose one that suits your playstyle.
Use a Guide: Don’t be afraid to use a comprehensive guide to track your progress and ensure you don’t miss any important items or quests.
Increase Item Discovery: Maximize your item discovery stat to improve your chances of obtaining rare covenant items. Use items like the Symbol of Avarice, Crystal Sage’s Rapier, and Gold Serpent Ring.
Take Breaks: Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks from the game. Step away when you feel frustrated and come back refreshed.
Join the Community: Connect with other Dark Souls 3 players online. Share tips, strategies, and support each other through the challenging grind.
Prioritize Covenant Grinding: Focus on covenant item farming early in your playthroughs to avoid having to grind for extended periods later.
Master Parrying: Parrying is a powerful tool in Dark Souls 3. Practice parrying enemy attacks to gain an advantage in combat.
Learn Enemy Weaknesses: Each enemy in Dark Souls 3 has unique weaknesses. Experiment with different weapons and damage types to exploit these weaknesses.

The Satisfaction of Completion

Despite the challenges, achieving 100% completion in Dark Souls 3 is an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s a testament to your skill, dedication, and perseverance. You’ll have mastered every aspect of the game, uncovered every secret, and earned the ultimate bragging rights.

The process itself, despite the difficulty, can be a learning experience. It can teach you about persistence, problem-solving, and the satisfaction of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. The Games Learning Society understands the value of games in education, and Dark Souls 3, in its own brutal way, offers valuable lessons. Check out Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more about how games can be used for educational purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long does it take to 100% Dark Souls 3?

It typically takes around 90-120 hours to 100% Dark Souls 3. However, this can vary significantly depending on your skill level, efficiency, and luck with covenant item drops.

2. Is it possible to get all achievements in a single playthrough?

No, it is not possible to get all achievements in a single playthrough due to the need for items and rings that are only available in NG+ and NG++.

3. Which covenant is the hardest to get rewards from?

The Darkmoon Blades/Blue Sentinels covenant is widely considered the hardest due to the low drop rate of Proof of Concord Kepts and the reliance on being summoned to assist other players, which can be infrequent.

4. What is the best class to start with for 100% completion?

There is no single “best” class, but a Knight or Warrior is a solid choice due to their balanced stats and access to good early-game equipment.

5. What is the ideal Soul Level for PvP covenant farming?

The ideal Soul Level for PvP covenant farming is around SL 30-40 for early areas like Farron Keep and SL 60-80 for later areas like Irithyll and Anor Londo. SL 120-125 is also popular for general PvP.

6. Can I trade covenant items with other players?

No, covenant items cannot be traded with other players. You must obtain them through farming or fulfilling covenant obligations.

7. What stats should I prioritize for item discovery?

Prioritize Luck. You can also use items like the Symbol of Avarice, Crystal Sage’s Rapier (equipped in off-hand), and Gold Serpent Ring to further boost item discovery.

8. Is it better to farm covenant items offline or online?

Generally, it’s better to farm covenant items offline, as it eliminates the risk of being invaded and allows you to focus solely on farming. The exception is covenants that require PvP, of course.

9. What is the best farming location for Proof of Concord Kepts?

The Silver Knights in Anor Londo are the most common farming location for Proof of Concord Kepts, although the drop rate is notoriously low.

10. How many times can I respec my character in a single playthrough?

You can respec your character a limited number of times per playthrough using Pale Tongues. After defeating Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth, you can respec a certain number of times. This can be increased by giving her Pale Tongues.

11. Do I need to beat all the optional bosses for 100% completion?

Yes, you need to defeat all optional bosses to acquire all boss souls, which are required for transposing certain weapons and spells.

12. What is the importance of collecting all gestures?

Collecting all gestures is required for the “Master of Expression” achievement, contributing to 100% completion.

13. What happens if I accidentally kill an important NPC?

Killing an important NPC can lock you out of specific quests, items, and gestures for that playthrough. You will have to wait until NG+ to complete their questline.

14. Is Dark Souls 3 harder to 100% than Elden Ring?

While both games are challenging, Dark Souls 3 is arguably harder to 100% due to the more demanding covenant grind and the limited opportunities for build experimentation compared to Elden Ring’s open world.

15. What’s the most satisfying part of achieving 100% completion in Dark Souls 3?

The most satisfying part is the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming the game’s numerous challenges and mastering every aspect of its intricate world. It’s a badge of honor among Soulsborne players.

Is Dark Souls 3 hard to 100%?