Obtaining Weapons at the Shrine of the Dragon God: A Comprehensive Guide
The Shrine of the Dragon God in Demon’s Souls is a crucial location, most notably for the battle against the Dragon God himself. But beyond the boss fight, the Shrine holds the potential for acquiring powerful weaponry. The most sought-after prize is undoubtedly the Dragon Bone Smasher, a massive greatsword. However, obtaining it requires specific conditions to be met, adding a layer of complexity to the process. You get weapons at the Shrine of the Dragon God by meeting specific conditions, such as achieving Pure White World Tendency to access hidden areas, thoroughly exploring accessible locations to find weapons such as the Dragon Long Sword and defeating enemies and bosses to acquire unique items that can be later used for weapon crafting or upgrades.
Acquiring the Dragon Bone Smasher
World Tendency Requirement
The primary method of obtaining a weapon in the Dragon God’s arena is to acquire the Dragon Bone Smasher. The crucial element for unlocking this lies in World Tendency. Specifically, you need Pure White World Tendency (PWWT) in Stonefang Tunnel (World 2). This means the world must be at its purest, most benevolent state.
Achieving Pure White World Tendency
Achieving Pure White World Tendency isn’t a straightforward process. Here’s how it’s typically done:
- Defeat Bosses: The most reliable way to shift World Tendency towards White is by defeating bosses in the world. Each boss defeated significantly increases the World Tendency towards White.
- Avoid Dying in Body Form: Dying in Body Form (as opposed to Soul Form) within the world shifts World Tendency towards Black. Therefore, it’s crucial to play in Soul Form as much as possible while trying to achieve PWWT. You can return to Soul Form by using an Ephemeral Eye Stone after dying in Body Form or by committing suicide in the Nexus after defeating a boss.
- Defeat Black Phantoms and Primeval Demons: These special enemies appear when World Tendency shifts towards Black. Defeating them significantly shifts the tendency back towards White. However, this strategy requires the world to already be tending towards Black, adding complexity.
Locating the Dragon Bone Smasher
Once you have Pure White World Tendency in Stonefang Tunnel, return to the Dragon God’s arena. A crucial change will be visible:
- Cleared Rubble: The rubble blocking the path to the left of the entrance (facing the Dragon God’s altar) will be cleared. This path was previously inaccessible.
Proceed down this now-open path. At the end, you’ll find the Dragon Bone Smasher waiting for you. Be sure you have sufficient inventory space to carry it, as you’ll be forced to drop it if your inventory is full.
Finding the Dragon Long Sword
Location in Stonefang Tunnel
Another weapon you can find in Stonefang Tunnel is the Dragon Long Sword. This is much easier to acquire than the Dragon Bone Smasher, as it doesn’t require manipulating World Tendency.
- After the Lava Pits: Progress through Stonefang Tunnel until you reach the area after the lava pits, where you’ll encounter lava and beetles.
- Tunnel and Left Turn: Proceed through the area until you reach a tunnel. Take the left path within the tunnel.
- Dead End: This left path will lead to a dead end, where you’ll find the Dragon Long Sword.
Other Weapon Acquisition Methods
Besides the specific weapons mentioned, you can also obtain weapons at or near the Shrine of the Dragon God through typical gameplay:
- Enemy Drops: Standard enemies in the area may drop weapons, although the chances are usually low and the weapons may not be particularly powerful.
- Trading: Certain NPCs throughout the game might offer weapons in exchange for specific items.
- Souls: Purchasing weapons using souls from merchants found elsewhere in the game is an option, though not directly at the Shrine of the Dragon God itself.
- Crafting: While the Dragon Bone Smasher cannot be crafted, understanding crafting mechanics can still be useful for other weapon upgrades in general.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I don’t get the Dragon Bone Smasher after beating the Dragon God?
If you fail to retrieve the Dragon Bone Smasher after defeating the Dragon God, you’ll need to reload the area with Pure White World Tendency to have another chance. It doesn’t disappear permanently, but you’ll need to fulfill the PWWT requirement again.
2. Can I get the Dragon Bone Smasher in online mode?
Yes, you can get the Dragon Bone Smasher in online mode, provided you achieve Pure White World Tendency. Online play can sometimes make it harder to control World Tendency due to the potential for unexpected deaths in Body Form.
3. Is the Dragon Bone Smasher the best weapon in Demon’s Souls?
The Dragon Bone Smasher is a powerful weapon, particularly due to its high damage output. However, the “best” weapon depends on your build and playstyle. The Northern Regalia, for example, is also considered a top-tier weapon, but requires a different approach to obtain.
4. How do I check my World Tendency?
You can check your World Tendency by viewing the Archstone menu in the Nexus. The color of the Archstone icon indicates the current World Tendency. Pure White will have a distinctively bright glow.
5. What affects World Tendency besides dying and killing bosses?
Defeating specific enemies like Black Phantoms and Primeval Demons also significantly shifts World Tendency. However, these enemies only appear when the World Tendency is trending towards Black.
6. Can I reverse my World Tendency if I accidentally shift it towards Black?
Yes, you can reverse your World Tendency. Defeating bosses, Black Phantoms, and Primeval Demons will shift it back towards White. It might take some time and effort, but it’s definitely possible.
7. Do the lizards in the Dragon God’s arena respawn?
Yes, the lizards in the Dragon God’s arena can respawn if you leave the area and return. This can be useful for farming materials.
8. What stats are best for the Dragon Bone Smasher?
The Dragon Bone Smasher scales primarily with Strength. Therefore, investing heavily in Strength is crucial to maximize its damage output.
9. Is there any way to bypass the World Tendency requirement for the Dragon Bone Smasher?
Some players have reported glitches or exploits that might allow you to access the Dragon Bone Smasher without Pure White World Tendency, such as loading the game in cinematic mode. However, these are not reliable and may not work in all versions of the game.
10. What is the easiest way to get to the Dragon God?
The easiest way to get to the Dragon God is to progress through Stonefang Tunnel (World 2) until you reach the boss arena. There are no shortcuts that completely bypass the level.
11. What other notable items are in Stonefang Tunnel?
Besides the Dragon Long Sword, Stonefang Tunnel contains valuable ores for weapon upgrades, such as Hardstone, Sharpstone, and Greystone. There are also various armor pieces and consumables scattered throughout the level.
12. How does Soul Form affect gameplay?
In Soul Form, your HP is reduced by 50% (unless you’re wearing the Cling Ring), making you more vulnerable. However, dying in Soul Form doesn’t affect World Tendency, which is why it’s recommended when trying to manipulate it.
13. Can I trade weapons with other players in Demon’s Souls?
Yes, Demon’s Souls allows weapon trading with other players through online play. This can be useful if you need a specific weapon but don’t want to go through the effort of obtaining it yourself.
14. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and learning?
To learn more about how games can be used for learning and the educational aspects of gaming, visit the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Here, you’ll find research and resources on game-based learning.
15. What is the False King’s Demon’s Soul used for?
The False King’s Demon’s Soul is used to create the Northern Regalia, one of the most powerful weapons in Demon’s Souls. It is forged along with the Demonbrandt and Soulbrandt swords.
Final Thoughts
Obtaining weapons at the Shrine of the Dragon God, particularly the coveted Dragon Bone Smasher, requires patience, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of World Tendency mechanics. By following the steps outlined in this guide and addressing common questions, you’ll be well-equipped to acquire these powerful armaments and conquer the challenges that await you in Demon’s Souls. Remember that the GamesLearningSociety.org is a great resource to understand and learn more about the educational aspect of gaming.