Can You Still Wield the Gravelord Sword After Slaying Nito? A Dark Souls Deep Dive
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So, you’ve vanquished Gravelord Nito, the First of the Dead, and now you’re wondering if you’ve locked yourself out of wielding the coveted Gravelord Sword. The short answer is: Yes, you’ve missed your chance.
You cannot obtain the Gravelord Sword (or join the Gravelord Servant covenant) after defeating Nito. Nito is required to be alive in order to join the covenant. Killing him essentially bars you from entry into the covenant for that playthrough. The Gravelord Sword is granted upon joining the Gravelord Servant covenant, so without joining, the sword remains unobtainable. This makes planning your build and covenant allegiances crucial before venturing into the Tomb of the Giants.
Let’s delve into the intricacies of this decision, and other related questions.
Understanding the Gravelord Covenant and Its Rewards
The Gravelord Covenant is one of the more unique and intriguing covenants in Dark Souls. Led by Gravelord Nito, its members aim to spread plagues to other players’ worlds, making their journey through Lordran even more treacherous. The core tenets of the Gravelord Covenant revolve around online interaction and a willingness to disrupt the experiences of other players. But, it also offers unique rewards, which we will cover in more detail here.
Joining the Gravelord Servant Covenant
To become a Gravelord Servant, you must find Gravelord Nito in the Tomb of the Giants before defeating him. This is found by using an Eye of Death while inside the Giant Skeleton pit within the catacombs. This will require some jumping and using the coffins to descend.
Key Rewards: Gravelord Sword and Miracles
The primary draw for many players is the Gravelord Sword, a unique curved greatsword that inflicts Toxin, a potent status effect. You are given this sword upon joining the Covenant. Additionally, by offering Eyes of Death to Nito, you can unlock and upgrade the Gravelord Sword Dance miracle, a powerful AOE attack that deals significant damage and inflicts toxic status effect.
Why Killing Nito Locks You Out
The lore behind this is quite simple: you cannot serve a Lord if he is dead. The game mechanics reflect this directly; Nito must be alive for the covenant options to be available. Think of it as applying for a job after the company has gone bankrupt – the position no longer exists.
Planning Your Build: Prioritizing Covenants
This scenario highlights the importance of planning your character build and considering which covenants you wish to join before progressing too far in the game. Dark Souls often presents players with irreversible choices, and this is one of the more significant ones, especially for those interested in unique weapons and miracles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Gravelord Covenant and Nito
Let’s address some common questions surrounding the Gravelord Covenant, Nito, and the acquisition of the Gravelord Sword.
Can I join another covenant after joining the Gravelord Covenant?
Yes, you can. Joining another covenant will break your allegiance with the Gravelord Servant covenant. You will lose any progress in the covenant.
Does killing Pinwheel affect my ability to join the Gravelord Covenant?
No, killing Pinwheel has no impact on your ability to join the Gravelord Covenant. Pinwheel is an independent boss, and his defeat does not affect Nito or the covenant.
What are the benefits of leveling up in the Gravelord Covenant?
Leveling up by offering Eyes of Death to Nito primarily enhances the Gravelord Sword Dance miracle. You’ll gain a stronger version of the miracle with increased damage output and AOE. There are no other rewards.
Is the Gravelord Sword any good?
The Gravelord Sword is a decent weapon, particularly in the early to mid-game. Its unique attribute is its ability to inflict Toxin, which can be devastating in both PvE and PvP. However, its scaling is not great, and it can be outclassed by other weapons later in the game. Many use the sword for cosmetic value.
What are Nito’s weaknesses?
Nito is vulnerable to fire damage. Using fire-based pyromancies or a weapon buffed with Charcoal Pine Resin can significantly speed up the fight. Using a divine weapon also helps to prevent the skeletons from resurrecting.
Do I need a divine weapon to fight Nito?
While not strictly necessary, a divine weapon is highly recommended. Nito constantly summons skeletons, and divine weapons prevent them from resurrecting, making the fight significantly easier.
Can I summon help for the Nito fight?
Yes, you can summon other players for help. However, you cannot summon Solaire for the Nito fight unless you are using a mod. This is a challenge made significantly easier with the help of friends.
What does the Gravelord Sword scale with?
The Gravelord Sword scales with both Strength and Dexterity, but the scaling is relatively poor. It is a better option for early-game builds that prioritize Toxin buildup over raw damage.
How many Eyes of Death do I need to offer to Nito?
To obtain the Gravelord Greatsword Dance, you need to offer 10 Eyes of Death to Nito. Offering more Eyes of Death will further enhance the miracle’s power, but the increase becomes marginal after a certain point.
What are the best stats for using the Gravelord Sword?
Due to its poor scaling, focusing on stats that enhance your overall build and allow you to meet the weapon requirements is generally more effective than investing heavily in Strength and Dexterity. Vitality and Endurance are always good choices.
Is Gravelord Nito evil?
Gravelord Nito’s morality is ambiguous. He embodies death, a fundamental aspect of the world, rather than representing pure evil. His actions within the game stem from his role in maintaining the cycle of life and death, rather than malice.
What happens if I abandon the Gravelord Covenant?
Abandoning the Gravelord Covenant will remove you from its ranks. You’ll lose access to the covenant’s online features.
How do I get Eyes of Death?
Eyes of Death can be obtained by killing basilisks in the Depths or Great Hollow, or by invading other players’ worlds as a Gravelord Servant and spreading plagues. They are also found as rare drops in certain areas.
Can I refight Nito in New Game Plus (NG+)?
Yes, you can refight Nito in NG+, and this is a standard feature in Dark Souls. Beating Nito in NG+ will give you an additional Soul of Nito to either consume or convert into items.
What other covenants offer unique weapons?
Several other covenants offer unique weapons. The Chaos Servant covenant, for example, allows you to receive Great Chaos Fireball for an exchange of 30 humanity. Another example is the Darkwraith covenant, which allows you to get the Dark Hand. Experimenting with the different allegiances within the game is recommended!
Conclusion: Embrace the Challenge, Plan Your Path
The Gravelord Covenant and the Gravelord Sword represent just one of the many layers of depth and complexity found in Dark Souls. The fact that you can permanently miss out on content by making specific choices adds weight to every decision. By understanding these intricacies, you can better plan your journey through Lordran and make the most of your experience.
Understanding these intricate choices highlights the importance of learning through gameplay. The Games Learning Society recognizes the power of games in education, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, just like the tough decisions you face in Dark Souls. Consider exploring their resources at GamesLearningSociety.org to further appreciate the educational potential of gaming.