How Many Kills Does it Take to Get Humanity in Dark Souls? A Deep Dive
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There’s no fixed number of kills it takes to get Humanity in Dark Souls. The acquisition of Humanity is governed by a random number generator (RNG), meaning it’s all about luck. While some players might find Humanity after just a few kills, others could slay dozens or even hundreds of enemies without any luck. Certain factors, such as your Item Discovery stat, do influence the probability of finding Humanity, but they don’t guarantee it.
Understanding Humanity in Dark Souls
Humanity is a valuable resource in Dark Souls, serving multiple crucial purposes. It can be consumed to reverse hollowing, allowing you to return to human form. This is necessary for summoning other players for co-op, kindling bonfires for more Estus flasks, and being vulnerable to invasions from other players. Additionally, having Humanity in your counter (the number in the top left of the screen) increases your Item Discovery stat, making it more likely that enemies will drop items, including more Humanity.
Factors Affecting Humanity Drops
Several factors influence your chances of acquiring Humanity from enemies:
- Item Discovery: This stat directly impacts the frequency of item drops. A higher Item Discovery stat means enemies are more likely to drop items, including Humanity.
- Humanity Counter: The more Humanity you have in your counter (up to 10), the higher your Item Discovery becomes.
- Covetous Gold Serpent Ring: This ring significantly boosts your Item Discovery stat, increasing your chances of finding Humanity.
- Enemy Type: Some enemies have a higher chance of dropping Humanity than others.
Best Farming Locations for Humanity
While the number of kills required to get Humanity is random, certain locations are known for having enemies with a higher drop rate. These are the most popular and efficient farming spots:
The Depths
The sewer rats in The Depths are a classic Humanity farming location. They are relatively weak and respawn infinitely. Equipping the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring and having some Humanity in your counter can significantly increase your drop rate. From the Depths bonfire, simply venture out and eliminate all the rats you encounter. Rinse and repeat.
Tomb of the Giants
The baby skeletons in the Tomb of the Giants (especially after placing the Lordvessel) are another excellent source of Humanity. While they can be annoying to deal with due to their numbers and the darkness of the area, their drop rate is higher than most other enemies. Again, maximizing your Item Discovery is key.
Oolacile Township (DLC)
Arguably the best Humanity farming spot in the game, the Oolacile Township in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC features enemies called Humanity Phantoms. These phantoms have a very high chance of dropping Humanity, making this the most efficient location. You’ll need the DLC to access this area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Humanity
1. What is the difference between “hard” and “soft” Humanity?
Soft Humanity refers to the number displayed in the top-left corner of your screen. This number increases your Item Discovery, can be used to reverse hollowing, and can be offered to covenants. Hard Humanity is an item you can find and use to instantly gain one point of soft Humanity.
2. How do I increase my Item Discovery?
You can increase your Item Discovery by increasing your Humanity counter (up to 10), equipping the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring, or using certain armor pieces that boost the stat.
3. Is it worth farming Humanity early in the game?
Yes, it can be. Having a few Humanity allows you to reverse hollowing, kindle bonfires for extra Estus, and summon help for challenging bosses. Farming the rats in The Depths early on is a common strategy.
4. Can I lose Humanity?
Yes, you can lose soft Humanity. Dying while in human form will cause you to revert to hollow form and lose your Humanity counter. However, you can retrieve your lost souls and Humanity by returning to the spot where you died. If you die again before retrieving them, they’re gone for good.
5. What covenants benefit from offering Humanity?
The Chaos Servant covenant allows you to offer Humanity to increase your covenant rank and unlock new pyromancies.
6. Does being human affect my stats?
No, being human does not directly affect your core stats. However, it does allow you to kindle bonfires, which gives you more Estus flasks, indirectly increasing your survivability.
7. How many Estus Flasks do I get when I kindle a bonfire?
Kindling a bonfire once gives you 10 Estus flasks when you rest at it. If you are part of the Servant of Chaos covenant and give Humanity to the Fair Lady, you get 20 flasks.
8. Where can I buy Humanity?
Humanity can be purchased from:
- Undead Merchant (Female) in the Undead Burg (one time only).
- Patches the Hyena in the Tomb of the Giants (limited quantity).
- Marvelous Chester in the Oolacile Township (DLC only, limited quantity).
9. Is it better to use Humanity or Estus to heal?
Generally, it’s better to use Estus to heal. Humanity is a more valuable resource with multiple uses, so it’s best to conserve it unless you are in a dire situation and out of Estus.
10. Can I farm Humanity offline?
Yes, all Humanity farming methods mentioned above can be done offline.
11. Does my difficulty affect Humanity drop rates?
No, the game’s difficulty does not affect Humanity drop rates.
12. What happens if I reach 99 Humanity?
Reaching 99 Humanity won’t give you any additional benefits beyond maximizing your Item Discovery. Any further Humanity you acquire will simply be stored in your inventory as a consumable item. However, that level of discovery will give you about 40 more points in each defensive stat.
13. Which class is the easiest to start with for farming Humanity?
While class choice doesn’t directly affect Humanity farming, the Pyromancer is often recommended for beginners. It starts with a powerful pyromancy flame, allowing you to deal significant damage to enemies early in the game.
14. Are there any risks associated with being human?
Yes, being human makes you vulnerable to invasions from other players. This can be a challenge, especially in areas with high player activity.
15. How does co-op work in Dark Souls?
To summon other players for co-op, you must be human and use a White Sign Soapstone to place your summon sign on the ground. Other players can then interact with your sign to summon you into their world. You can only summon players within a certain level range. Learning and participating in game communities like the Games Learning Society can connect you with other players to co-op with. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
While there’s no magic number of kills that guarantees you’ll find Humanity in Dark Souls, understanding the factors that influence drop rates and utilizing efficient farming locations will significantly improve your chances. Remember to maximize your Item Discovery, be patient, and good luck in your quest to regain your humanity!