Unleash the Inferno: A Comprehensive Guide to Acquiring the Old King’s Great Hammer in Dark Souls 3
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The Old King’s Great Hammer in Dark Souls 3 isn’t just a weapon; it’s a statement. A fiery declaration of power, built for those who favor crushing blows and explosive damage. But obtaining this magnificent instrument of destruction requires a specific process. Here’s how you claim this fiery prize.
To get the Old King’s Great Hammer, you must transpose the Soul of the Old Demon King with Ludleth of Courland. Ludleth, found seated on a throne in Firelink Shrine, is the only NPC capable of transposing boss souls into unique items. Once you defeat the Old Demon King in the Smouldering Lake area, return his soul to Ludleth, and for a certain number of souls, you can claim the fiery hammer as your own.
Deep Dive: Obtaining and Utilizing the Old King’s Great Hammer
Let’s break down the process and delve deeper into what makes this weapon so formidable.
Step 1: Conquer the Catacombs and Reach Smouldering Lake
Before you even think about wielding the Old King’s Great Hammer, you need to reach its source. This means navigating the treacherous Catacombs of Carthus. This area is teeming with skeletons and other undead horrors, all guarding the path to the Smouldering Lake.
From the Catacombs, you’ll eventually find a destructible wooden bridge. Instead of crossing it, strike it to send it crashing down, forming a makeshift ladder into the Smouldering Lake.
Step 2: Navigate the Smouldering Lake
The Smouldering Lake is a dangerous area filled with hostile enemies and environmental hazards. Most notably, a giant ballista will relentlessly fire at you from across the lake. Navigate the environment carefully, using cover whenever possible to avoid getting hit. Your immediate goal is to reach the Old Demon King’s boss arena. It is located to the left of the entrance of the Smouldering Lake. Behind a massive Carthus Sandworm.
Step 3: Defeat the Old Demon King
The Old Demon King is a formidable opponent, resistant to fire damage (ironically) and capable of dealing massive damage with his sweeping attacks. He’s vulnerable to dark damage, so consider using weapons infused with dark or spells that inflict dark damage. Bows with dark arrows can be a surprisingly effective strategy.
Pay attention to his attack patterns and learn when to dodge. He has a tendency to leave himself open after certain attacks, creating opportunities for you to strike. Keep your distance when he’s engulfed in flames, and be prepared to roll away from his fiery explosions.
Step 4: Transpose the Soul with Ludleth
Once you’ve defeated the Old Demon King, return to Firelink Shrine and speak to Ludleth of Courland. Select the option to “Transpose Soul,” and you will find the Old King’s Great Hammer listed among the possible items you can create from the soul. Transpose the soul to create the weapon, and you will be able to use it.
Understanding the Old King’s Great Hammer
The Old King’s Great Hammer is more than just a weapon; it’s a playstyle. It rewards aggressive players who can time their attacks and capitalize on openings.
- High Damage Output: This hammer boasts impressive Attack Rating (AR), making it capable of dealing massive damage with each swing.
- Fire Damage: The hammer deals additional fire damage on top of its physical damage, making it effective against enemies weak to fire.
- Stamina Consumption: Great Hammers are known for their high stamina consumption. Manage your stamina carefully to avoid being caught off guard.
- Weapon Art: Ember: The weapon art, Ember, allows you to slam the hammer into the ground, creating a fiery explosion that damages enemies around you. It’s a powerful tool for crowd control and dealing burst damage.
- Shield Break Potential: Great Hammers are effective at breaking enemy shields, leaving them open to attacks.
- Strength Requirement: This weapon requires a significant investment in Strength, making it ideal for strength-based builds.
The Old King’s Great Hammer demands respect and mastery. But once you learn its ins and outs, it becomes a devastating force on the battlefield.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Old King’s Great Hammer
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you understand the Old King’s Great Hammer and its acquisition even better.
1. What are the stat requirements for the Old King’s Great Hammer?
The Old King’s Great Hammer requires 30 Strength, 12 Dexterity, and 18 Faith. This makes it a great weapon for strength/faith hybrid builds, although it’s perfectly viable on a pure strength build if you don’t plan on using faith-based buffs or spells.
2. Is the Old King’s Great Hammer good in PvP?
Yes, the Old King’s Great Hammer can be effective in PvP if used correctly. Its high damage output and shield-breaking capabilities can punish opponents who rely on blocking. However, its slow attack speed makes it vulnerable to faster weapons. Timing and spacing are crucial.
3. Can I infuse or buff the Old King’s Great Hammer?
No, the Old King’s Great Hammer cannot be infused, as it already deals fire damage. However, it can be buffed with spells like Lightning Blade or Darkmoon Blade to further enhance its damage output.
4. How does the Ember weapon art work?
The Ember weapon art involves slamming the hammer into the ground, creating a fiery explosion around you. This explosion deals significant fire damage and can knock enemies down. The explosion is very effective against crowds of enemies.
5. What armor should I wear with the Old King’s Great Hammer?
The best armor depends on your playstyle and build. Since the Old King’s Great Hammer requires a significant investment in Strength, you’ll likely have plenty of equip load. Consider armor sets that offer a good balance of defense and poise, such as the Black Iron Set or the Havel’s Set.
6. Is the Old King’s Great Hammer better than other Great Hammers?
The Old King’s Great Hammer is a strong contender for the best Great Hammer, but it depends on your preferences. Weapons like Ledo’s Great Hammer or Vordt’s Great Hammer offer different strengths. The Old King’s Great Hammer excels in fire damage and its unique weapon art, but it consumes a lot of stamina.
7. How do I respec my stats in Dark Souls 3?
You can respec your stats by speaking to Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth, in the Cathedral of the Deep. You’ll need a Pale Tongue to respec, and you can only respec a limited number of times per playthrough.
8. What rings are good with the Old King’s Great Hammer?
Several rings can enhance the Old King’s Great Hammer’s effectiveness:
- Ring of Favor: Increases maximum HP, stamina, and equip load.
- Havel’s Ring: Increases maximum equip load.
- Cloranthy Ring: Increases stamina regeneration speed.
- Leo Ring: Enhances thrust attacks (relevant for the weapon art).
- Fire Clutch Ring: Increases fire attack damage, at the expense of damage absorption
9. Is the Old King’s Great Hammer viable for a beginner?
The Old King’s Great Hammer can be challenging for beginners due to its slow attack speed and high stamina consumption. It requires precise timing and strategic positioning. It may be better to start with a faster weapon and transition to the Old King’s Great Hammer later.
10. How do I access the Smouldering Lake if I didn’t break the bridge?
If you missed breaking the bridge in the Catacombs of Carthus, you can still reach the Smouldering Lake. There’s a hidden path near the Old Demon King bonfire. Look for a series of breakable walls leading down to the lake.
11. What are some good alternative weapons to the Old King’s Great Hammer?
If you’re looking for similar strength-based weapons, consider the Great Club, the Exile Greatsword, or the Fume Ultra Greatsword. These weapons offer high damage output and stagger potential.
12. How much souls are required to transpose the Soul of Old Demon King into the Great Hammer?
It requires 1,000 souls to transpose the Soul of the Old Demon King into the Old King’s Great Hammer.
13. Does the Old King’s Great Hammer deal split damage?
Yes, the Old King’s Great Hammer deals split damage, consisting of both physical and fire damage.
14. Can I get the Old King’s Great Hammer in NG+?
Yes, you can obtain the Old King’s Great Hammer in NG+ and subsequent playthroughs by defeating the Old Demon King again and transposing his soul with Ludleth.
15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Dark Souls 3 and weapon builds?
There are numerous online resources available, including wikis, forums, and video guides. The Dark Souls community is very active and helpful. You can also explore the insights and research shared by organizations like the Games Learning Society, which studies the educational aspects of games like Dark Souls. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to discover more about the intersection of games and learning.
Embrace the fire, conquer the Smouldering Lake, and claim the Old King’s Great Hammer. This weapon will surely strike fear into the hearts of your enemies and pave your path to victory in the challenging world of Dark Souls 3.