Navigating the Frozen Wasteland: A Guide to Reaching the Grand Cathedral in Dark Souls 2

The Grand Cathedral in Dark Souls 2, particularly within the Crown of the Ivory King DLC, is a pivotal location, serving as both a setting for the fight against Alsanna, the Silent Oracle, and a gateway to the Burnt Ivory King boss battle. Reaching it requires a journey through the icy, challenging terrain of Frozen Eleum Loyce. Here’s the step-by-step path to get there:

1. Accessing Frozen Eleum Loyce: You must first own the Crown of the Ivory King DLC. Once acquired, a Frozen Feather will appear in your inventory. To proceed to Frozen Eleum Loyce, you must first defeat the main story bosses. This involves defeating The Lost Sinner, Old Iron King, The Duke’s Dear Freja, and The Rotten. With the souls of the four Great Ones, you can unlock the Shrine of Winter to Drangleic Castle.

2. Finding the Entrance: Proceed to the entrance of the Shrine of Winter. There will be an obelisk. Interact with this obelisk. This interaction initiates the transfer to Frozen Eleum Loyce.

3. Navigating the Outer Wall: After the transfer, ascend the hill and pass through the doorway at the summit. Ascend the staircase and ignite the Outer Wall bonfire. Proceed forward, bracing yourself for minor cold damage. Continue pushing through the environment to get to the Grand Cathedral.

4. Reaching the Grand Cathedral: Once you reach the Inner Wall, proceed to the first boss, Aava, the King’s Pet. Once Aava is defeated, you can access the Grand Cathedral.

Conquering the Cold: A Comprehensive Guide

Reaching the Grand Cathedral isn’t just about knowing the path; it’s about understanding the challenges that await you. Frozen Eleum Loyce is a treacherous area filled with formidable enemies and environmental hazards. Prepare yourself for a rigorous journey, and ensure you have the appropriate equipment and stats to survive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Grand Cathedral and Frozen Eleum Loyce

1. How do I get to the Cathedral in the base game of Dark Souls 2?

In the base game of Dark Souls 2, you can reach the Cathedral of Blue by starting in Majula. Head to the right, descend into the Grave of Saints (the “spoopy tunnel area”), and pull the lever on the wall. This will lead you through the sewers to Heide’s Tower of Flame. The Cathedral of Blue is an extension of Heide’s Tower of Flame. Find it behind the Hellkite Drake.

2. Who is the boss in the Cathedral of Blue in the base game?

The boss in the Cathedral of Blue is the Old Dragonslayer, a familiar face for those who played the first Dark Souls. Defeating him grants access to the Blue Sentinels Covenant.

3. How do I access the Ivory King DLC?

First, purchase and download the Crown of the Ivory King DLC. After downloading, a Frozen Feather will appear in your inventory. You will then need to defeat the main story bosses: The Lost Sinner, Old Iron King, The Duke’s Dear Freja, and The Rotten. Then head to the Shrine of Winter and look for the Obelisk to enter the new zone.

4. How do I melt the ice in the Grand Cathedral area?

To melt the pervasive ice in Frozen Eleum Loyce, you must first defeat Aava, the King’s Pet. After defeating Aava, proceed to the Grand Cathedral and speak with Alsanna, the Silent Oracle. Her dialogue will initiate the cessation of the blizzards, which will gradually melt the ice throughout the region.

5. What is the significance of Alsanna, the Silent Oracle?

Alsanna is a Shard of Manus, the final boss from the Artorias of the Abyss DLC in Dark Souls. She safeguards the Old Chaos and has an important role in the Ivory King’s story.

6. How do I open the door to the Frigid Outskirts?

The Frigid Outskirts are a secret, optional area accessible from Frozen Eleum Loyce. Locate the door guarded by three Hollows and a Rampart Golem. Defeat them and proceed to the Expulsion Chamber bonfire. Light the bonfire, and then interact with the coffin located in the center of the room. This will transport you to the Frigid Outskirts.

7. Is the Eleum Loyce a good weapon?

The Eleum Loyce sword is a viable weapon, though not necessarily known for its outstanding damage. However, its R2 attacks heal you, making it valuable for sustaining health during long fights. You can also infuse it with elements like Dark to improve its damage output.

8. What does “Eleum Loyce” mean?

While not officially confirmed, “Eleum” potentially derives from a combination of “El”, short for electricity, and “-eum”, indicating something is “made of lightning”. The meaning is not entirely certain, but it possibly refers to “Lightning Loyce”.

9. How many DLCs are there for Dark Souls 2?

There are three major DLC expansions for Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King.

10. Who is considered the hardest boss in Dark Souls 2?

Many players consider the Fume Knight (from the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC) to be the most challenging boss in Dark Souls 2. His unpredictable attack timings and aggressive second phase make him a formidable opponent.

11. How do I initiate the Burnt Ivory King boss fight?

Once you’ve melted the ice by talking to Alsanna and obtained the Loyce Armor set, you can enter the Grand Cathedral’s lower level and initiate the boss fight against the Burnt Ivory King. This involves activating the portals and assisting the Loyce Knights in closing the Old Chaos.

12. What are the Loyce Souls and why are they important?

Loyce Souls are acquired by defeating the charred Loyce Knights that spawn during the Burnt Ivory King boss fight. Collecting 50 Loyce Souls and returning them to Alsanna is required to complete her storyline and fully access her rewards.

13. What are the weaknesses of the Ivory King?

The Ivory King is highly susceptible to Lightning damage. Employing Gold Pine Resins or lightning-infused weapons will significantly increase your damage output against him. Avoid using Fire, Dark, Poison, or Bleed due to his resistances against these elements.

14. What does the Crown of the Ivory King do?

The Crown of the Ivory King slowly replenishes your health over time while equipped. This can be useful for passive healing between encounters or during prolonged fights, but it comes at the cost of an armor slot.

15. Why is Frozen Eleum Loyce so challenging?

Frozen Eleum Loyce is challenging due to its constant blizzard, which reduces visibility, the presence of powerful enemies with high poise and damage, and the environmental hazards like ice patches and pitfalls. Proper preparation, including warm clothing, ranged weapons, and patience, is crucial for survival.

Deeper Dive into Game Mechanics

Understanding the game mechanics of Dark Souls 2 will significantly improve your chances of success in Frozen Eleum Loyce. Mastering rolling, parrying, and backstabbing is crucial for surviving encounters. Optimizing your character build to match your playstyle and choosing appropriate weapons and armor will also enhance your capabilities.

Furthermore, explore the various covenants available in Dark Souls 2. Each covenant offers unique gameplay experiences and rewards, such as new spells, weapons, and armor. Engaging with the Blue Sentinels or the Brotherhood of Blood can add depth and variety to your playthrough.

Connecting with the Community

Dark Souls 2 is renowned for its active and passionate community. Engaging with other players through online forums, social media, and cooperative gameplay can enrich your experience and provide valuable insights.

Sharing strategies, exchanging tips, and participating in jolly cooperation can make the game more accessible and enjoyable. Consider joining online communities like the Games Learning Society to connect with fellow players and learn from their experiences. The GamesLearningSociety.org is a great place to expand your knowledge.

By following these steps and mastering the game mechanics, you will be well-equipped to navigate the frozen wasteland of Eleum Loyce and reach the Grand Cathedral, ready to face the challenges that await you within. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee.