Is Hollowing Bad in Dark Souls 3? A Comprehensive Guide
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Hollowing in Dark Souls 3 is a nuanced mechanic that isn’t inherently “bad.” In fact, it can be strategically advantageous, depending on your playstyle and goals. While it does alter your character’s appearance, turning them into a progressively more desiccated version of their former self, the gameplay effects of hollowing are minimal and often beneficial. Hollowing is tied to the Dark Sigil items you acquire from Yoel of Londor, and its consequences are directly linked to the Usurpation of Fire ending.
Essentially, hollowing is only “bad” if you dislike the visual change or if you want to avoid the specific questline associated with it. For many players, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, making hollowing a strategically sound choice. Understanding its effects and implications is key to making the right decision for your playthrough.
Understanding Hollowing Mechanics
Hollowing accumulates as you die after accepting Dark Sigils from Yoel. Each Dark Sigil in your inventory increases the hollowing stat upon death. Aesthetically, your character begins to look more undead as hollowing increases, but this has no impact on gameplay, aside from making your character look like beef jerky.
The key benefits of hollowing include:
- Free Levels: Yoel of Londor grants you five free levels based on your hollowing stat. This is a significant early-game boost.
- Yuria of Londor’s Questline: Accepting Yoel’s services and accumulating hollowing unlocks Yuria’s questline, which leads to the Usurpation of Fire ending, a “secret” ending to the game.
- Luck Bonus with Hollow Weapons: Hollow weapons provide a Luck bonus when wielded by a hollow character. A +10 Hollow infused weapon/shield grants +5 luck to a hollow character. This is a powerful way to boost item discovery and status buildup.
Potential Drawbacks
The disadvantages are largely cosmetic:
- Appearance Change: Your character progressively becomes more hollowed, resulting in a shriveled appearance.
- Soul Cost for Reversal: Reversing hollowing, using a Purging Stone or by requesting absolution from Velka, Goddess of Sin, costs souls. While this is only temporary, paying the Fire Keeper to remove the Dark Sigils will cause the Yuria quest line to fail.
Making the Right Choice
Deciding whether to embrace hollowing depends on your priorities. If you value character aesthetics and want to avoid the Usurpation of Fire ending, you should cure your hollowing. However, if you’re aiming for a specific build focused on Luck or want the free levels and unique ending, hollowing is a worthwhile strategy.
Ultimately, hollowing is a mechanic that adds depth and choice to Dark Souls 3. It is not inherently bad; rather, it is a tool to be used strategically. Understanding how game mechanics like hollowing contribute to player engagement and learning is a key area of research for organizations like the Games Learning Society. For more information, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hollowing
1. What are Dark Sigils and how do I get them?
Dark Sigils are items acquired from Yoel of Londor, located at the Foot of the High Wall bonfire in the Undead Settlement. By talking to him and agreeing to serve as his champion, you gain a Dark Sigil. Each time you request his service (“Draw Out True Strength”) while having a certain amount of hollowing, he bestows another Dark Sigil and grants you a free level.
2. How does hollowing affect my stats?
Hollowing does not directly affect your stats, with one exception. A hollow character wielding a Hollow infused weapon or shield will gain a luck bonus.
3. Can I permanently get rid of hollowing in Dark Souls 3?
Yes, you can permanently remove hollowing by giving the Fire Keeper the Fire Keeper Soul found in the Untended Graves area. After doing so, she will offer to remove your Dark Sigils in exchange for souls. Be warned, doing so will cut you off from the Usurpation of Fire ending. Alternatively, you can use Purging Stones or request absolution from Velka, Goddess of Sin to temporarily reduce your hollowing, but these methods do not remove the Dark Sigils.
4. Should I remove Dark Sigils in Dark Souls 3?
Whether you should remove Dark Sigils depends on your goals. Removing them prevents further hollowing and allows you to avoid the Usurpation of Fire ending. However, it also forfeits the free levels from Yoel and locks you out of Yuria’s questline.
5. What does 99 hollowing mean in Dark Souls 3?
Having 99 hollowing means your character is at the maximum level of visual decay. Gameplay-wise, it primarily affects your appearance and Luck stat if you’re using Hollow infused weapons.
6. Is reversing hollowing necessary to kindle bonfires?
No, reversing hollowing is not necessary to kindle bonfires. Kindling bonfires requires Undead Bone Shards. You can kindle bonfires in hollow form. Reversing hollowing allows you to summon other players for co-op.
7. What is the point of no return in Dark Souls 3 regarding hollowing?
There is no specific point of no return in terms of hollowing. You can always remove your Dark Sigils before completing the game, though it prevents you from achieving the Usurpation of Fire ending. However, once you defeat the final boss, you’re given the option to begin New Game Plus (NG+).
8. How does humanity affect item discovery in Dark Souls 3?
While “soft humanity” existed in previous Dark Souls games, it doesn’t directly translate to Dark Souls 3. In DS3, item discovery is primarily affected by the Luck stat. However, there are items and gear that boost item discovery as well.
9. Why is going hollow considered bad in Dark Souls lore?
In the context of Dark Souls lore, going hollow represents a loss of purpose and sanity. Hollows are typically mindless and driven by primal instincts. The fear of losing one’s self and purpose is a recurring theme in the series.
10. Are there any “good” hollows in the Dark Souls universe?
While most Hollows are hostile, there are rare examples of Hollows retaining some semblance of their former selves. However, these cases are exceptional and do not represent the majority of hollowed individuals.
11. What are Purging Stones and how do they work?
Purging Stones are items that temporarily reduce your hollowing in Dark Souls 3. They can be purchased from Yuria of Londor or found throughout the game world. Using a Purging Stone makes your character look human again. Purging Stones do not remove the Dark Sigils.
12. What is the lore behind hollowing in Dark Souls 3?
Hollowing is a condition that affects the undead in the Dark Souls universe. As undead humans repeatedly die and resurrect, their humanity gradually diminishes, leading to hollowing. This state is characterized by a loss of memory, purpose, and eventually, sanity.
13. Does dying matter in Dark Souls 3 if I’m hollowed?
Dying in Dark Souls 3 always matters, regardless of your hollowing level. You lose any unspent souls and have to retrieve them from your bloodstain. Being hollowed means that your hollow level will increase by one for each Dark Sigil in your inventory upon death.
14. What is the hardest ending to get in Dark Souls 3, and how does hollowing relate to it?
The Usurpation of Fire ending is often considered the hardest to achieve because it requires following a specific and easily missable questline involving Yoel and Yuria of Londor, as well as completing several steps related to Anri of Astora’s questline. This ending requires the player to embrace hollowing.
15. What level should I aim for in Dark Souls 3 if I want to focus on hollow weapons?
If you are using a hollow infused weapon and intend to focus on hollow weapons, you should invest stats in vitality, endurance, and your primary weapon stat while also keeping a luck stat of 40 or more.