Table of Contents

How to Revive NPCs in Dark Souls: A Comprehensive Guide

The death of an NPC in Dark Souls can be a devastating blow, often hindering progress, locking you out of quests, or simply leaving a void in the game’s already bleak world. The burning question then becomes: How do I bring my NPCs back to life in Dark Souls? Unfortunately, the grim reality is that most NPCs in Dark Souls cannot be revived by normal means. Once they are dead, they are permanently gone for that playthrough. However, there’s one crucial exception and several workarounds to consider.

Understanding NPC Death and Permanence

It’s vital to understand the mechanics surrounding NPC death. Unlike the player character, who can revive at bonfires after succumbing to the myriad dangers of Lordran, NPCs are not afforded the same luxury. When an NPC dies, their death is typically permanent within your current playthrough. This includes NPCs killed by enemies, accidental friendly fire from you, or even those who die due to scripted events.

The Sole Exception: Absolution

There is one method to potentially mitigate the consequences of your actions regarding NPCs, though it doesn’t technically revive them: Absolution. This process, performed by Oswald of Carim in the Undead Parish (after defeating the Gargoyles), absolves your sins. What does this mean for NPCs?

Hostility Reduction: If you accidentally attacked an NPC, causing them to become hostile, Absolution might calm them down. This restores their dialogue and allows you to interact with them normally. Important Note: If you killed the NPC, Absolution will not bring them back. It only addresses accidental aggression.
Sin Removal: Absolution removes “sin,” a mechanic that allows other players to invade your world as Darkmoons. Killing an NPC is considered a sin.
Cost: Absolution costs souls, and the amount increases based on your level.

Workarounds and Considerations

While direct revival is impossible for most dead NPCs, here’s how to manage the situation:

New Game Plus (NG+): The most reliable way to “revive” NPCs is to start a New Game Plus. In NG+, the game world resets, and all NPCs return to their starting locations, alive and well. However, be aware that you will also face increased difficulty in NG+.
Prevention is Key: The best strategy is to avoid killing NPCs in the first place. Be extremely careful during combat, especially near friendly characters. Know the consequences of your actions and dialogue choices to avoid triggering hostile events.
Consequences of Death: Understand the impact of an NPC’s death. Which items can you no longer obtain? Which quests are now impossible to complete? Knowing this helps you decide if restarting or progressing without them is the best option. Some NPCs, like merchants, are essential for certain builds or game progression.
NPC Invaders: Be wary of invading NPCs that may look like friendly characters, such as Kirk, Knight of Thorns. Killing them does provide valuable rewards but can also lock you out of friendly encounters in later areas.

What if an NPC Dies Unintentionally?

Sometimes, NPCs die due to unforeseen circumstances – falling off a cliff, getting caught in enemy attacks, or other unfortunate accidents. If an NPC dies this way and is crucial to your playthrough, your options are limited to starting a new game or proceeding without them. This is part of the unforgiving nature of Dark Souls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about NPC death and revival in Dark Souls:

1. Can I revive Solaire of Astora if he goes hollow?

No, unfortunately, you cannot revive Solaire if he goes hollow and you are forced to kill him. However, you can prevent him from going hollow by offering 30 Humanity to the Chaos Servant covenant to open a shortcut to the boss fight in Lost Izalith, thereby saving him. This is a key decision point in the game.

2. What happens if I kill Andre the Blacksmith?

Killing Andre the Blacksmith is a significant setback. He is the primary blacksmith who upgrades your weapons to +5 and beyond. If he dies, you can no longer upgrade your weapons past a certain point until NG+.

3. Does Absolution revive NPCs I accidentally aggroed?

Absolution can calm down NPCs that you’ve accidentally made hostile but will not revive them if you killed them. It only works to reset their disposition towards you.

4. Are there any mods that allow NPC revival?

Yes, there are mods for the PC version of Dark Souls that can potentially revive dead NPCs. However, using mods can have unforeseen consequences and may affect your game’s stability or online play. Proceed with caution.

5. What happens if I kill the Fire Keeper?

Killing the Fire Keeper permanently extinguishes the bonfire associated with her. This means you can no longer rest or warp to that location. This is a significant disadvantage, especially early in the game.

6. Is there any way to restore a dead Fire Keeper?

No, once a Fire Keeper is dead, she is dead for the remainder of that playthrough. You will have to start a new game or NG+ to restore her and the bonfire she maintains.

7. If I accidentally kill an NPC, should I just restart the game?

This depends on the NPC. If it’s a crucial merchant like Andre or a key quest giver like Laurentius of the Great Swamp, restarting might be the best option, especially early in the game. Otherwise, you might be able to continue but with some limitations.

8. Can I prevent certain NPCs from dying due to scripted events?

Yes, some NPC deaths are preventable. For example, you can save Solaire from going hollow and prevent Laurentius from being consumed by knowledge if you avoid talking to him about specific cursed items you’ve found. Knowledge of the game world is essential to keep NPCs alive.

9. What are the consequences of killing an NPC merchant?

Killing a merchant means you lose access to their inventory and services for the rest of the playthrough. This can significantly impact your ability to acquire certain items or upgrade your gear.

10. How does NPC death affect my game completion?

Some NPC deaths can make certain quests impossible to complete, impacting your ability to obtain specific achievements or trophies. Pay close attention to the consequences of your actions.

11. Does covenant membership affect NPC interactions?

Yes, your covenant membership can influence NPC interactions. For example, joining the Darkwraiths can make you hostile to certain NPCs.

12. Can I hire someone to play through Dark Souls to prevent NPC deaths?

Yes, you could theoretically hire someone to play the game for you and follow specific instructions to keep NPCs alive. However, this would be an expensive and unconventional solution.

13. Is it possible to revive NPCs by using save files?

On PC, if you have save files from before the NPC died, you can reload them. However, on consoles, this is not possible without external save editing, which is generally not recommended.

14. Does killing NPCs affect my character’s alignment or morality?

Dark Souls doesn’t have a strict morality system. However, killing NPCs can have practical consequences, affecting quest availability and access to certain items.

15. What should I do if I am unsure about the consequences of killing an NPC?

If you are unsure about the consequences of killing an NPC, consult a guide or online forum before taking action. Knowledge is your best weapon in Dark Souls. The wiki pages can provide you with complete details.

In conclusion, while permanent NPC death is a core element of the Dark Souls experience, understanding the mechanics and consequences can help you make informed decisions and minimize the impact of these losses. Remember that prevention is always better than cure, and a new game or NG+ offers a fresh start with all your friends (and enemies) back in the world.