How to Reach Straid of Olaphis in Dark Souls 2: A Comprehensive Guide
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Getting to Straid of Olaphis, the enigmatic sorcerer imprisoned in the Lost Bastille, is a crucial step for many players in Dark Souls 2. Straid is a vital NPC who can trade boss souls for unique and powerful items, including spells and weapons. However, reaching him requires navigating tricky areas, defeating formidable foes, and possessing a specific item. This guide will lead you through the process step by step, ensuring you can access Straid and his services.
The Journey to Straid’s Cell
The journey to Straid begins in the Lost Bastille, specifically from the Servants’ Quarters Bonfire. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the path:
- Reach the Servants’ Quarters Bonfire: If you haven’t already, you’ll need to defeat the Ruin Sentinels boss fight. After this victory, ascend the stairs in a corner of the boss arena. Continue through the corridor with small cells to find a room with various furniture; the Servants’ Quarters Bonfire will be to your left.
- Head Towards Sinner’s Rise: From the Servants’ Quarters bonfire, go up the stairs, then head through the hallway. You’ll open a door that leads onto a walkway.
- Navigating Past the Exploding Hollows: Carefully move along the walkway. This area is notorious for its exploding hollows that jump towards you. Time your movements to avoid their area of effect damage.
- Straid’s Petrified Cell: After getting past the exploding enemies, you’ll soon find yourself in front of Straid’s cell. He is petrified, blocking access to the bonfire within his cell and preventing any interaction.
- Obtain a Fragrant Branch of Yore: To unpetrify Straid, you must use a Fragrant Branch of Yore. These can be found in several locations:
- Purchased from Merchant Hag Melentia: Located in the Forest of Fallen Giants (initially) or Majula after defeating the Last Giant, she sells one for 12,000 souls.
- Found in No-Man’s Wharf: There’s a branch in a chest inside the house with the numerous jars.
- Found in Lost Bastille: There’s a branch located in a chest at the start of Lost Bastille.
- Unpetrify Straid: Once you have a Fragrant Branch of Yore, interact with the petrified Straid to unfreeze him.
- Meet the Requirements: Straid won’t speak with you until your character has at least 3 intelligence and 3 faith. If your stats are lower, you’ll have to level up those attributes or use a Soul Vessel to reallocate your points temporarily.
- Access Straid’s Services: With the required stats and Straid freed, you can now access his services. He will trade unique weapons, armor, and sorceries for boss souls. Also, you can use his bonfire for fast travel.
Detailed Explanation of Key Locations
The Lost Bastille
The Lost Bastille is a large area filled with dangerous enemies and interconnected sections. It can be entered in two ways:
- Ship from No-Man’s Wharf: Travel by ship from the end of No-Man’s Wharf.
- Eagle Transport after Defeating the Pursuer: After beating the Pursuer boss in the Forest of Fallen Giants, the giant eagle will transport you to The Lost Bastille.
Servants’ Quarters
The Servants’ Quarters Bonfire is a vital resting point on the way to Straid. It can be reached after defeating the Ruin Sentinels. Look for the staircase after the fight and follow the path to the room with furniture. The bonfire is located on the left side of the room, from the entrance.
Sinner’s Rise
Sinner’s Rise is the area after the path to Straid’s Cell. You’ll encounter the Saltfort Bonfire here after passing through Straid’s cell and continuing the way. The Lost Sinner boss encounter is located there.
Important Considerations
- Alternative Routes: While the path described above is the most direct, there are alternative routes to reach areas within the Lost Bastille. However, they all converge towards Straid’s location.
- Stat Requirements: Make sure you have 3 intelligence and 3 faith to interact with him.
- Fragrant Branches: Save Fragrant Branches carefully, since they are needed to unpetrify certain characters and unlock areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Straid’s role in Dark Souls 2?
Straid of Olaphis is a merchant who trades boss souls for unique spells, weapons, and armor. He plays an important role in character progression, particularly for magic users.
2. Where exactly is Straid’s Cell located?
Straid’s cell is located in the Lost Bastille holding cells, just past a walkway and exploding hollows, a short distance before you reach Sinner’s Rise.
3. How do I unpetrify Straid?
You need a Fragrant Branch of Yore to unpetrify Straid. Interact with his petrified form and use the branch.
4. Do I need specific stats to talk to Straid?
Yes, you need at least 3 intelligence and 3 faith before Straid will interact with you.
5. How do I reach the Servants’ Quarters Bonfire?
The Servants’ Quarters Bonfire is located in the Lost Bastille, after you defeat the Ruin Sentinels boss fight. Ascend the stairs in the corner of the boss room and follow the path.
6. Where can I find Fragrant Branch of Yore?
You can find Fragrant Branch of Yore in a few locations: from Merchant Hag Melentia, in a chest in No-Man’s Wharf, and in a chest in the Lost Bastille.
7. What does Straid sell or trade?
Straid trades boss souls for unique spells, weapons, and armor pieces.
8. Is the Lost Bastille an optional area?
No, The Lost Bastille is not fully optional. It is possible to get through the game without going through the full area (collecting 1 million souls). However, it is a significant part of the game and provides access to important NPCs like Straid.
9. How do I get to No-Man’s Wharf?
No-Man’s Wharf is accessible through Heide’s Tower of Flame. Go down the narrow spiral staircase, past the Dragonrider boss area to reach No-Man’s Wharf.
10. Is the Belfry Gargoyles boss fight required to reach Straid?
No, the Belfry Gargoyles boss fight is optional and not required to reach Straid. However, beating them provides a key to open additional areas.
11. What is the Bastille Key used for?
The Bastille Key, obtained by defeating the Belfry Gargoyles, opens doors in the Lost Bastille that match its description.
12. Where can I find Ornifex?
Ornifex can be found in the Shaded Ruins after using a Fragrant Branch of Yore on a petrified NPC and completing some dialogue with her. After this she will relocate to Brightstone Cove Tseldora.
13. What is the difference between Straid and Ornifex?
Straid mainly trades boss souls for spells, while Ornifex mainly trades boss souls for weapons.
14. How many bonfires are in the Lost Bastille?
There are 7 bonfires in the Lost Bastille.
15. What happens after I beat the Ruin Sentinels?
After defeating the Ruin Sentinels, proceed through the doorway on the side of the room. This path leads to the Servants’ Quarters Bonfire, and further into the Lost Bastille, including to Straid.
By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to reach Straid, benefit from his services, and progress further in your Dark Souls 2 journey. Remember to be cautious, take your time, and prepare for the many challenges that the Lost Bastille has to offer!