How to Get Humanity Without Using Humanity in Dark Souls
So, you’re playing Dark Souls, and you’re staring at that bleak, hollowed face in the mirror. You desperately want to become human again, but you’re fresh out of Humanity items. The good news? You’re not entirely out of luck. There are a few ways to regain your humanity without cracking open your precious stash of Humanity items. Here’s the breakdown:
The primary way to gain “soft” Humanity, the counter that allows you to reverse hollowing, without using a Humanity item is by defeating the boss of an area as a phantom summoned by another player. Alternatively, if the area boss is still alive, farming a sufficient number of enemies can also grant you a Humanity point, although this is less reliable. These are your primary routes to regaining that coveted “soft” Humanity without consuming the physical item. Let’s delve deeper into each of these methods.
Becoming Human Through Cooperative Play
Summoning and Victory
Perhaps the most reliable, and arguably the most enjoyable, way to regain humanity without directly using the item is through cooperative play. When you place your White Sign Soapstone down and another player summons you into their world, you become a phantom. If you successfully assist them in defeating the area’s boss, you are not only rewarded with souls but also with a Humanity point added to your counter.
This method has several advantages. First, it’s a relatively quick way to get Humanity, especially if you’re skilled at fighting the boss. Second, it allows you to test your abilities and strategies against a challenging opponent without risking your own souls or Humanity. Third, it fosters a sense of camaraderie within the Dark Souls community – helping others overcome challenges can be incredibly rewarding.
Important Considerations for Cooperative Play
- Soul Level Range: Ensure that your soul level is within a compatible range for other players in that area. Too high or too low, and you’ll find it difficult to get summoned. Check online resources for the optimal soul level ranges for each boss.
- Location Matters: Place your summon sign in high-traffic areas, such as near bonfires or outside boss fog gates. The more visible your sign, the more likely you are to be summoned.
- Patience is Key: Sometimes, it takes time to get summoned. Don’t get discouraged if you’re waiting for a while. Keep adjusting your location or soul level if necessary.
- Prepare to Fight: When you’re summoned, be ready to engage immediately. Don’t wander off or take unnecessary risks that could lead to your host’s death. Your primary goal is to assist them in defeating the boss.
The Grindy Route: Farming Enemies
How Enemy Farming Works
Another way to potentially regain “soft” Humanity without consuming the item is by farming enemies in an area where the boss is still alive. The game has a mechanic where, after killing a certain number of enemies in a specific area, you have a chance to gain a point of Humanity to your counter.
This method is less reliable and much more time-consuming than cooperative play, but it can be a viable option if you’re playing offline or simply prefer solo play. The rate at which you acquire Humanity through farming is influenced by your item discovery stat, which is increased by higher Humanity counts (up to 10) and items like the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring.
Optimizing Your Farming Run
- Equip Item Discovery Gear: The Covetous Gold Serpent Ring is crucial for maximizing your chances of finding Humanity. It significantly boosts your item discovery stat. You can find it in Sen’s Fortress, requiring a bit of exploration and puzzle-solving.
- Increase Humanity Count: While you’re trying to gain Humanity without using a Humanity item, remember that the “soft” Humanity you do manage to accumulate will improve your item discovery, increasing your chances of further Humanity gains.
- Choose the Right Location: The best farming location depends on your build and progress in the game. Some popular options include the Depths, known for its numerous rats, and Painted World of Ariamis with its Phalanx.
- Be Efficient: Plan your route to maximize the number of enemies you can kill per run. Use efficient weapons and spells that allow you to clear groups of enemies quickly.
- Patience is ESSENTIAL: Farming can be tedious, so be prepared for a long grind. Listen to music, watch a stream, or find some other way to make the process more enjoyable.
Additional Notes
- You cannot gain Humanity through farming or cooperative play if you have already defeated the boss of that area.
- Remember that dying will cause you to lose any “soft” Humanity you’ve accumulated unless you retrieve your bloodstain.
Conclusion
While using Humanity items is the most straightforward way to regain humanity, cooperative play and enemy farming offer viable alternatives, especially when you’re running low. Both methods require patience and strategy, but they can be rewarding in their own right. So, don’t despair if you’re out of Humanity – there are other paths to becoming human again in the unforgiving world of Dark Souls.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is “soft” Humanity?
“Soft” Humanity refers to the counter in the upper-left corner of your screen. It’s distinct from the Humanity item in your inventory. You use soft Humanity to reverse hollowing, becoming human, or to kindle bonfires. It’s gained by using Humanity items, killing area bosses as a phantom, or, less reliably, farming enemies while the area boss is still alive.
2. Does my Humanity count affect item drops?
Yes, your Humanity count significantly affects item drops. Having a higher Humanity count (up to 10) boosts your item discovery stat, increasing the chance of enemies dropping items, including Humanity itself.
3. Where is the best place to farm Humanity?
Many players recommend The Depths and Painted World of Ariamis. The rats in The Depths are numerous and relatively easy to kill, making them ideal for farming with the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring. The Phalanx in Painted World of Ariamis is also a decent option, especially if you can quickly clear them with AoE attacks.
4. How do I increase my item discovery stat?
Your item discovery stat is primarily increased by having a higher Humanity count (up to 10) and equipping the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring. Some equipment and spells might also provide minor boosts, but these are the most significant factors.
5. What is the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring, and where can I find it?
The Covetous Gold Serpent Ring is a ring that significantly increases your item discovery stat. It’s located in Sen’s Fortress, requiring you to navigate a challenging puzzle involving a boulder trap.
6. Can I get Humanity after defeating the area boss?
No, you cannot gain Humanity through farming or cooperative play in an area after you have defeated its boss. The farming mechanic and the summon sign availability are disabled once the boss is vanquished.
7. Will I lose my Humanity if I die?
Yes, you will lose your “soft” Humanity, just like souls, if you die. You can retrieve it by returning to your bloodstain before dying again.
8. What happens if I run out of Humanity items?
If you run out of Humanity items, you can purchase them from certain NPCs, such as the female undead merchant or Patches, or resort to farming and cooperative play as outlined above.
9. Does hollowing affect my gameplay?
Yes, it does. When hollowed, you cannot summon other players for help, nor can you be invaded (outside of specific covenant mechanics). Reversing hollowing allows you to engage in cooperative and competitive multiplayer.
10. Why can’t I see any summon signs?
If you can’t see summon signs, make sure you are in human form (not hollowed) and that you are in an area where summoning is allowed. Also, your soul level must be within the appropriate range for other players in the area.
11. How does Soul Level affect multiplayer?
Soul Level determines the range of players you can interact with in multiplayer. If your Soul Level is too high or too low compared to other players in the same area, you won’t be able to summon or be summoned by them.
12. What are the benefits of being human?
Being human allows you to engage in cooperative multiplayer (summoning other players) and competitive multiplayer (being invaded). It also enables you to kindle bonfires, increasing the number of Estus Flasks you receive when resting at them.
13. What are the disadvantages of being human?
The main disadvantage of being human is that you become vulnerable to invasions by other players. Some players will try to kill you, often to steal your Humanity.
14. How do I reverse hollowing?
To reverse hollowing, you need to have at least one “soft” Humanity point. Then, rest at a bonfire and select the “Reverse Hollowing” option.
15. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and educational principles in gaming?
You can find valuable insights and resources related to game mechanics and educational principles in gaming at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org is a great place to learn more about educational game design.