Summoning Allies in Dark Souls: A Deep Dive into Lautrec and Solaire
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Yes, you can summon both Knight Lautrec of Carim and Solaire of Astora in Dark Souls, but the circumstances for doing so are specific and often time-sensitive. Understanding these conditions is crucial for maximizing their assistance during your perilous journey through Lordran. Both characters offer unique benefits and drawbacks as summons, and knowing when and where to find their summon signs can dramatically alter the difficulty of certain encounters. This article will explore the intricacies of summoning these two iconic characters, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
Lautrec and Solaire: Allies of Varying Virtue
While Solaire is universally regarded as a friendly and helpful NPC, Lautrec’s motivations are far more ambiguous, and his storyline has a darker edge. This contrast extends to their usefulness as summons, with Solaire generally being a more reliable and versatile ally. However, Lautrec’s unique abilities and potential availability at specific points in the game make him a valuable option under certain circumstances.
Summoning Solaire: A Beacon of Hope
Solaire of Astora is the quintessential jolly cooperator, a sun-praising warrior whose summon sign appears before several challenging boss fights. His availability is directly tied to his questline, and ensuring his survival is key to accessing his assistance during the final battle. Solaire is a well-rounded fighter, capable of dealing significant damage and drawing enemy aggro, making him a powerful asset against tough bosses.
Summoning Lautrec: A Risky Proposition
Knight Lautrec of Carim is a more situational summon. He can be summoned for the Gargoyle fight if you speak to him at Firelink Shrine after freeing him from his cage, but before fighting the Gargoyles. His summon sign will appear on a platform behind the ladders leading to Solaire’s summon sign. However, summoning Lautrec comes with the risk of him eventually killing the Fire Keeper, Anastacia of Astora, if his questline isn’t interrupted. Therefore, summoning him is a calculated gamble; he can provide valuable assistance early on, but his subsequent actions may have significant consequences.
Specific Instances Where Summoning is Possible
Understanding where and when you can summon Solaire and Lautrec is crucial for planning your strategy. Here’s a breakdown of key instances:
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The Gargoyles: As mentioned, both Solaire and Lautrec can be summoned for this fight. This is one of the few instances where you can have both of them assisting you simultaneously.
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Gaping Dragon: While you can technically summon both (provided you haven’t progressed too far into their respective questlines), Solaire’s AI can be detrimental if you’re not aggressive. Lautrec tends to last slightly longer as a distraction.
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Ornstein and Smough: Solaire’s summon sign is available for this iconic boss fight, assuming you’ve progressed his questline and kept him alive.
It’s important to note that summoning either character requires you to be in human form. If you are hollowed, you won’t be able to see their summon signs.
Consequences and Considerations
Summoning either character can have ramifications for their respective questlines. Summoning Lautrec, in particular, requires careful consideration. Allowing him to live and progress his questline will inevitably lead to the death of the Fire Keeper, which disables the Firelink Shrine bonfire. This can be avoided by killing him before he takes action, but this also cuts off his potential assistance and rewards.
Solaire’s questline is less morally ambiguous, but it requires diligent effort to ensure his survival. Failing to take the necessary steps will result in him going insane and becoming a hostile enemy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding summoning Lautrec and Solaire in Dark Souls:
1. Can I invade Lautrec with Solaire’s help?
No, you cannot directly invade Lautrec with Solaire’s help. You invade Lautrec in Anor Londo after he kills the Fire Keeper, Anastacia of Astora. Solaire is not present in that area or event.
2. Is Solaire or Lautrec better for the Gaping Dragon fight?
Neither is definitively better. Solaire can die quickly if you’re not aggressive. Lautrec might last a bit longer as a distraction. Ultimately, the Gaping Dragon is manageable with or without summons.
3. How many times can I summon Knight Solaire?
You can summon Solaire for multiple boss fights throughout the game, provided you meet the requirements and keep him alive. There is no limit to the number of times you can summon him across different encounters.
4. Can I save Solaire after he goes insane?
Yes, you can save Solaire by preventing him from encountering the Sunlight Maggot in Lost Izalith. This involves opening a shortcut through the Chaos Servant covenant and killing the Red-Eyed Chaos Bug before progressing Solaire’s quest too far.
5. Can I summon both Lautrec and Solaire for the Gargoyles?
Yes! This is one of the rare instances where you can summon both NPCs simultaneously. Look for their summon signs near the church.
6. Is it worth it to save Solaire?
Absolutely! Saving Solaire allows you to summon him for the final boss, Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, providing invaluable assistance in the ultimate showdown.
7. Is Solaire the Nameless King’s son?
No, this is a popular fan theory, but it has been debunked. Solaire’s origins remain somewhat mysterious, but he is not the Nameless King’s son.
8. How does Solaire go insane?
Solaire goes insane after encountering the Sunlight Maggot in Lost Izalith. This parasitic creature corrupts him, driving him mad in his desperate search for his own sun.
9. Is Solaire the best NPC in Dark Souls?
This is subjective, but Solaire is widely considered one of the best due to his cheerful disposition, helpfulness, and iconic status within the Dark Souls community.
10. When should I fight Lautrec?
You have two options: either kill him early to prevent him from killing the Fire Keeper, or let him kill her and invade him in Anor Londo for his armor and the Ring of Favor and Protection. The choice depends on your priorities.
11. Does Solaire need to survive the Gaping Dragon fight for his questline?
No, Solaire’s survival in any particular boss fight isn’t crucial, since you’re just summoning a phantom version of him. It’s progression through his dialogue options and areas that matter.
12. Should you free Knight Lautrec?
Freeing Lautrec grants you a Sunlight Medal as a reward, but it also sets in motion his questline, which ultimately leads to the Fire Keeper’s death if you don’t intervene. Weigh the benefits and consequences before making your decision.
13. Does it matter if Solaire dies in a boss fight?
No, if Solaire dies as a phantom summon, it doesn’t affect his questline or his overall survival. Only his phantom is defeated.
14. Does killing Solaire break any covenants?
No, killing Solaire does not break any covenants. However, it will obviously prevent you from summoning him for future boss fights.
15. Does Solaire find his sun?
Whether Solaire truly finds his sun is open to interpretation. In one ending, saving him allows him to assist you in the final battle, potentially fulfilling his desire to find his own sun.
Conclusion
Summoning Lautrec and Solaire in Dark Souls can significantly impact your gameplay experience. Understanding the nuances of their availability, questlines, and potential consequences is essential for making informed decisions and maximizing their assistance. While Solaire is often seen as the more reliable and benevolent ally, Lautrec can provide valuable support under specific circumstances. Ultimately, the choice of whether or not to summon them, and how to manage their respective questlines, is up to the player. For more insights into the learning aspects of gaming, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.