Are There Consequences for Killing NPCs in Dark Souls? A Deep Dive
Yes, absolutely. In the unforgiving world of Dark Souls, actions carry weight, and the decision to kill a Non-Player Character (NPC) is rarely without significant consequences. Unlike some games where NPCs are simply window dressing, Dark Souls NPCs often provide vital services, questlines, lore, and even powerful items. Ending their existence can drastically alter your playthrough, locking you out of content and even making the game more difficult. Weigh your options carefully before raising your sword against a seemingly harmless face in Lordran.
Understanding the Severity of NPC Deaths
The repercussions of killing an NPC in Dark Souls are multifaceted. They range from the immediate loss of their services to long-term ramifications on your ability to access certain areas, upgrade equipment, or even complete specific endings. Here’s a breakdown of the major impacts:
- Loss of Services: Many NPCs offer crucial services like weapon upgrades (blacksmiths), spell learning (magic vendors), item sales, and covenant access. Killing them eliminates these options, forcing you to find alternative, often less convenient, solutions.
- Missed Questlines and Lore: The world of Dark Souls is rich in intricate storylines and hidden lore, often revealed through NPC interactions. Killing an NPC can cut off entire questlines, leaving you in the dark about vital information or denying you unique rewards.
- Loss of Potential Rewards: Many NPCs drop valuable items upon death, such as unique weapons, armor sets, or rings. However, obtaining these items by killing them might prevent you from acquiring even more valuable rewards had you kept them alive and completed their associated quest.
- Altered Game Difficulty: Some NPCs provide assistance in boss fights or offer items that significantly improve your character’s capabilities. Eliminating them can make certain encounters much more challenging.
- Permanent Consequences: Unlike accidentally aggroing an NPC (which can be rectified by seeking absolution), killing an NPC is permanent for the duration of your current playthrough. They won’t respawn, and their services will be unavailable until you start a New Game Plus.
- Moral Implications: While not a tangible consequence within the game’s mechanics, killing NPCs can impact your personal experience. Dark Souls often presents morally ambiguous situations, forcing you to consider the ethical implications of your actions. Killing a seemingly harmless NPC might leave you feeling remorseful, especially after learning about their backstory or role in the world.
Absolution: Fixing Accidental Aggression
It’s easy to misjudge an attack in the heat of battle and accidentally hit a friendly NPC. Thankfully, Dark Souls offers a mechanic called absolution to remedy this situation. By speaking to Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish bell tower and paying a fee of souls, you can reset the aggro of any hostile NPCs. This will restore them to their friendly state, allowing you to continue interacting with them as normal. However, absolution does not bring back NPCs you’ve already killed; it only forgives accidental offenses.
Exceptions to the Rule
While killing NPCs is generally detrimental, there are a few exceptions or situations where it might be considered strategically advantageous:
- Early Access to Items: Some NPCs drop powerful items upon death that can significantly benefit you in the early game. However, this often comes at the cost of their services later on, requiring a careful assessment of pros and cons.
- Specific Builds or Playstyles: Certain builds or playstyles might benefit more from the items dropped by a specific NPC than from their services.
- Evil Playthrough: Some players choose to embrace a more morally ambiguous or even evil playthrough, intentionally killing NPCs to experience the consequences and explore a different side of the game.
The Wiki is Your Friend
Before making any rash decisions, it’s always best to consult a reliable Dark Souls wiki. These wikis contain detailed information about each NPC, their questlines, the items they offer, and the consequences of killing them. This research can help you make an informed decision based on your individual goals and playstyle.
The Importance of Considering the Long Term
Dark Souls is a game that rewards patience and planning. While killing an NPC might offer a short-term gain, it’s crucial to consider the long-term consequences. Will the loss of their services significantly impact your ability to upgrade weapons? Will you miss out on valuable lore or questlines? These are the questions you should ask yourself before deciding to take an NPC’s life. GamesLearningSociety.org and similar communities are excellent resources for discussing these strategies with other experienced players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the consequences of killing NPCs in Dark Souls:
1. What happens if I kill the Fire Keeper?
Killing the Fire Keeper in Firelink Shrine disables the bonfire, meaning you cannot rest, level up, or warp to that location. She respawns upon reloading the area after you have given her the eyes, but killing her also removes the ending you get for giving her the eyes.
2. Can I revive a dead NPC?
No. Once an NPC is killed, they are gone for the remainder of your current playthrough. You’ll need to start a New Game Plus to interact with them again.
3. Does killing NPCs affect my character’s alignment or karma?
Dark Souls does not have a traditional alignment or karma system. Your actions don’t affect a meter that dictates your character’s morality. However, your choices can impact the availability of certain quests or items, and they can certainly influence your personal experience of the game.
4. What happens if I accidentally hit an NPC?
If you accidentally hit an NPC, they will become hostile. You can seek absolution from Oswald of Carim to reset their aggro and restore them to their friendly state.
5. Is it ever a good idea to kill an NPC?
In specific situations, killing an NPC might provide a short-term advantage or align with a particular playstyle. However, it’s generally not recommended due to the long-term consequences. Always research the potential repercussions before making a decision.
6. Does killing an NPC affect the game’s ending?
Yes, certain NPCs are tied to specific endings. Killing them can prevent you from achieving those endings.
7. What’s the difference between killing an NPC and making them hostile?
Killing an NPC is permanent for the current playthrough. Making them hostile can be reversed by seeking absolution.
8. How much does absolution cost?
The cost of absolution depends on your character’s level and the number of sins you’ve committed. The higher your level, the more souls it will cost.
9. Can I kill Patches without consequences?
Even Patches offers some useful services. While he is a trickster and a liar, killing him will prevent you from buying his wares and completing his questline.
10. What happens if I kill the blacksmith?
Killing the blacksmith prevents you from upgrading your weapons at that particular blacksmith for the rest of the game. The blacksmiths each have a different upgrade path.
11. Does killing an NPC affect my covenant status?
Killing certain NPCs can anger their associated covenants, potentially leading to expulsion or negative consequences.
12. What happens if I kill a merchant?
Killing a merchant removes their ability to sell you items for the rest of the game. This can be a significant setback, especially if they sell unique or essential items.
13. Can I get banned for killing NPCs?
No. Killing NPCs is a core mechanic of the game and will not result in a ban. Bans are typically reserved for hacking, cheating, or otherwise violating the game’s terms of service.
14. Is there a list of NPCs I should never kill?
While there is no definitive list, it is generally advisable to avoid killing essential NPCs like blacksmiths, merchants, covenant leaders, and quest-givers unless you fully understand the consequences.
15. Where can I find more information about the consequences of killing specific NPCs?
The Dark Souls wikis (such as the Fextralife wiki) are excellent resources for detailed information about each NPC, their questlines, and the consequences of killing them. You can also find valuable discussions and advice on forums and communities like the Games Learning Society.
Conclusion
The decision to kill an NPC in Dark Souls is a weighty one, laden with potential consequences that can significantly impact your playthrough. While there might be specific situations where it’s strategically advantageous, it’s generally best to exercise caution and consider the long-term ramifications before raising your weapon. Remember to utilize resources like wikis and online communities to make informed decisions and navigate the challenging but rewarding world of Dark Souls.