How to Get Kaathe to Appear in Dark Souls: A Comprehensive Guide
To get Darkstalker Kaathe to appear after defeating the Four Kings in Dark Souls, you must meet several crucial conditions. The most important is to avoid placing the Lordvessel at the Firelink Altar using Kingseeker Frampt. Instead, defeat the Four Kings before speaking to Frampt or placing the Lordvessel. As long as you haven’t triggered the event to place the Lordvessel through Frampt, Kaathe will be waiting for you in the Abyss after the battle.
Key Steps to Summon Kaathe
- Avoid Frampt: From the start of the game, avoid speaking to Kingseeker Frampt. If you accidentally do, do not let him bring you to the Firelink Altar. If he does, quickly use a Homeward Bone or suicide to return to your last bonfire before he places you down to the altar.
- Descend into New Londo Ruins: Obtain the Covenant of Artorias ring by defeating Sif, the Great Grey Wolf, in Darkroot Garden. This ring allows you to traverse the Abyss.
- Defeat the Four Kings: With the Covenant of Artorias equipped, descend into the Abyss within New Londo Ruins and defeat the Four Kings.
- Kaathe Appears: If you’ve met the conditions above, Kaathe will appear in the Abyss after the boss fight. He will offer you the chance to join the Darkwraith Covenant.
- Join the Darkwraith Covenant: After speaking with him, he will take you to the Firelink Altar where you can now place the Lordvessel to proceed to the later areas of the game.
If you’ve already placed the Lordvessel through Frampt, Kaathe will not appear, and you’ll miss your chance to join the Darkwraith Covenant for that playthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I meet Kaathe after talking to Frampt?
Yes, you can still meet Kaathe after initially talking to Frampt, as long as you do not allow Frampt to place you by the altar. If Frampt takes you to the altar, quickly use a Homeward Bone or suicide to return to your last bonfire before he places you down to the altar.
2. What happens if I accidentally talk to Frampt and he takes me to the altar?
If Frampt takes you to the altar, immediately use a Homeward Bone or simply jump off the edge of the world. This will return you to your last rested bonfire, and you’ll be able to proceed as if you never spoke to him, so long as you do not let him place the Lordvessel.
3. Is Kaathe a villain?
Whether Kaathe is a “villain” is a matter of perspective. He advocates for the Age of Dark, seeking to end the cycle of linking the fire and usher in an era ruled by humanity. He believes Gwyn prolonged the Age of Fire unnecessarily, leading to the current state of the world. Some see his actions as a necessary course correction, while others view him as a manipulator leading humanity towards chaos.
4. What does Darkstalker Kaathe want?
Kaathe wants to usher in the Age of Dark by extinguishing the First Flame and crowning a Lord of Hollows. He believes humanity should embrace its true potential without being controlled by the gods and the cycle of fire.
5. Are Kaathe and Frampt the same character?
No, Kaathe and Frampt are not the same character. They are two separate Primordial Serpents with different ideologies. Kaathe seeks the Age of Dark, while Frampt supports prolonging the Age of Fire. The idea of them being the same serpent is a popular fan theory, but not supported by the in-game lore.
6. How early can I join the Darkwraith Covenant?
Technically, you can join the Darkwraith Covenant as soon as you can reach New Londo Ruins and defeat the Four Kings. This can be done before even visiting Anor Londo. Getting the Covenant of Artorias is the main hurdle.
7. Is Kaathe better than Frampt?
There’s no “better” choice between Kaathe and Frampt. Choosing Kaathe allows you to join the Darkwraith Covenant and embrace the Age of Dark. Choosing Frampt continues the cycle of the Age of Fire. The choice depends on your desired ending and playstyle.
8. Can I join the Darkwraith Covenant after placing the Lordvessel?
No, if you place the Lordvessel with Frampt, you cannot join the Darkwraith Covenant. You must defeat the Four Kings and meet Kaathe before placing the Lordvessel.
9. What are the benefits of joining the Darkwraith Covenant?
Joining the Darkwraith Covenant allows you to obtain the Dark Hand weapon and the Red Eye Orb, which allows for infinite invasions of other players’ worlds. You can also rank up in the covenant by offering humanity to Kaathe, unlocking new rewards.
10. What happens if I offer humanity to Kaathe?
Offering humanity to Kaathe increases your covenant rank within the Darkwraith Covenant. Ranking up unlocks new rewards, such as the Dark Armor Set.
11. Can I still complete the game if I join the Darkwraith Covenant?
Yes, joining the Darkwraith Covenant doesn’t lock you out of completing the game. You can still proceed through the game’s main story and choose your desired ending, whether it be lighting the fire or ushering in the Age of Dark.
12. What happens if I attack Kaathe?
Attacking Kaathe will make him hostile, and you will be unable to join the Darkwraith Covenant in that playthrough. He is an important NPC for those looking to join this specific covenant, so do not attack him!
13. Do I have to be human to meet Kaathe?
No, you do not need to be human to meet Kaathe. The only requirement is that you defeat the Four Kings before placing the Lordvessel with Frampt.
14. What if I accidentally warp to the Firelink Altar?
If you warp to the Firelink Altar, you need to determine how you warped there. If Frampt brought you there, you must use a Homeward Bone or suicide to return before he places the Lordvessel. If you warped there yourself using the Lordvessel, you’ve already locked yourself out of meeting Kaathe for that playthrough.
15. How does Kaathe’s agenda relate to the larger themes of Dark Souls?
Kaathe‘s desire for the Age of Dark challenges the established order of the Age of Fire, raising questions about cycles, control, and the true nature of power. The Games Learning Society studies how games explore such complex themes and foster critical thinking. His perspective contributes to the moral ambiguity present in Dark Souls, forcing players to question the motives of the gods and consider the potential consequences of their actions. For further exploration of such themes, visit GamesLearningSociety.org and join the discussion!