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Is The Ringed City DLC Hard? A Deep Dive into Dark Souls 3’s Final Challenge

The short answer? Yes, The Ringed City DLC for Dark Souls 3 is unequivocally hard. It’s designed to be the ultimate test for seasoned Dark Souls veterans, pushing players to their limits with brutal enemy encounters, intricate level design filled with traps and ambushes, and some of the most challenging boss fights in the entire series. It’s not just about high enemy damage; it’s about strategic placement, diverse enemy types that require varied tactics, and environments that are actively trying to kill you. Prepare to die. A lot.

Why The Ringed City Earns Its Reputation

The difficulty of The Ringed City isn’t just anecdotal; it’s built into the DLC’s very design. Several factors contribute to its notorious reputation:

High Recommended Level: FromSoftware themselves recommend players be at least level 100 before tackling The Ringed City, and even then, you’ll likely find yourself struggling if your build isn’t optimized. This signifies that the enemies are balanced around players having access to powerful weapons, armor, and stat distributions.
Enemy Density and Variety: The Ringed City doesn’t just throw a few tough enemies at you; it throws waves of them, often mixing and matching enemy types that force you to constantly adapt your strategies. From Ringed Knights with their unpredictable combos to Harald Legion Knights with their massive health pools, every encounter is a threat.
Environmental Hazards: Forget simply dodging attacks; you’ll need to navigate treacherous terrain filled with pitfalls, ambushes, and environmental hazards that can instantly kill you. Knowing the layout of each area is crucial, and even then, one wrong step can spell disaster.
Boss Difficulty: The bosses in The Ringed City are, without a doubt, some of the most challenging in the entire Dark Souls series. Slave Knight Gael is often considered one of the hardest bosses in the entire franchise, requiring near-perfect execution to defeat. Other bosses like Darkeater Midir and the Demon Prince present their own unique challenges, demanding specific strategies and immense patience.
Limited Estus Flasks: You can be sure that your supply of Estus flasks won’t be enough. You need to be prepared to run out of Estus flasks, which means you’ll have to play strategically and manage your resources carefully, especially during extended fights.

Is The Ringed City Worth The Challenge?

Despite its difficulty, The Ringed City is widely considered one of the best DLCs FromSoftware has ever created. The challenging gameplay is balanced by:

Stunning Level Design: The Ringed City is visually breathtaking, with intricate environments that are both beautiful and terrifying. Exploring the dilapidated city and uncovering its secrets is a reward in itself.
Compelling Lore: The DLC delves deep into the lore of the Dark Souls universe, providing answers to long-standing questions and expanding upon the story in meaningful ways.
Meaningful Rewards: Overcoming the challenges of The Ringed City unlocks powerful weapons, armor, and spells that can significantly enhance your character build.
A Sense of Accomplishment: Conquering The Ringed City is a true test of skill and perseverance. The feeling of finally defeating a particularly difficult boss or navigating a treacherous area is incredibly rewarding. This challenge and accomplishment is the core to the appeal of Dark Souls games, and could be related to the field of the Games Learning Society, who are using games to help others overcome challenging situations. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Tips for Surviving The Ringed City

If you’re determined to conquer The Ringed City, here are a few tips to help you survive:

Optimize Your Build: Make sure your stats are properly allocated for your chosen playstyle. Focus on maximizing damage output, survivability, and stamina management.
Upgrade Your Weapons: Maxed-out weapons are essential for dealing sufficient damage to the tough enemies in The Ringed City.
Learn Enemy Attack Patterns: Memorizing enemy attack patterns is crucial for dodging effectively and finding opportunities to counterattack.
Utilize Buffs and Consumables: Don’t be afraid to use buffs like resins, spells, and consumables to increase your damage output and survivability.
Summon Allies (If Necessary): If you’re struggling with a particular boss or area, consider summoning other players to assist you. There’s no shame in asking for help!
Patience is Key: Don’t get discouraged by repeated deaths. The Ringed City is designed to be challenging, so take your time, learn from your mistakes, and keep trying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Ringed City

What level should I be for The Ringed City?

The recommended level for The Ringed City is 100+, but many players find success around level 120-150. Your level will largely depend on your build and skill.

Which Dark Souls 3 DLC is harder: Ashes of Ariandel or The Ringed City?

The Ringed City is significantly harder than Ashes of Ariandel. Ashes of Ariandel presents its own challenges, but The Ringed City is designed to be the ultimate test for Dark Souls 3 players.

How long does it take to complete The Ringed City?

The average completion time for The Ringed City is around 7-10 hours for a first playthrough, but it can take significantly longer if you’re struggling with the difficulty. Completionists might spend 10-15 hours.

How many bosses are in The Ringed City?

There are four main bosses in The Ringed City: Demon Prince, Halflight, Spear of the Church, Darkeater Midir, and Slave Knight Gael.

Can I access The Ringed City after beating the Soul of Cinder?

Yes, you can access The Ringed City after defeating the Soul of Cinder. The DLC is accessible from the Kiln of the First Flame or from a bonfire in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC.

What are the best weapons to use in The Ringed City?

There is no single “best” weapon, as it depends on your build and playstyle. However, popular choices include the Lothric Knight Sword, Black Knight Sword, and Fume Ultra Greatsword for strength builds, and the Sellsword Twinblades, Washing Pole, and Onikiri and Ubadachi for dexterity builds.

What is the hardest boss in The Ringed City?

Most players agree that Slave Knight Gael is the hardest boss in The Ringed City, and possibly the entire Dark Souls series. His unpredictable attacks and multiple phases make him a formidable opponent.

What is Darkeater Midir weak to?

Darkeater Midir is weak to lightning damage and thrusting weapons. However, his massive health pool and powerful attacks make him a challenging fight regardless of your build.

How do I defeat Slave Knight Gael?

Defeating Slave Knight Gael requires patience, precision, and knowledge of his attack patterns. Stay close to him to punish his attacks. Consider using a fast weapon to poke him when he has openings.

What is the Ringed City?

In the lore, The Ringed City is an ancient city, gifted to the pygmies by Lord Gwyn, and said to be at the end of the world.

Is The Ringed City the end of Dark Souls 3?

Yes, The Ringed City is the final DLC for Dark Souls 3 and is considered the conclusion of the Dark Souls story.

How do I start The Ringed City DLC?

You can start The Ringed City DLC by interacting with a bonfire either in the Kiln of the First Flame after beating the Soul of Cinder, or by finding the bonfire in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC near Sister Friede’s boss arena.

What are some good armor sets for The Ringed City?

Good armor sets for The Ringed City include the Lothric Knight Set for its balanced stats, the Black Iron Set for its high physical defense, and the Fallen Knight Set for its light weight and decent protection.

What are some of the new items in The Ringed City?

The Ringed City adds a plethora of new items, including weapons like the Gael’s Greatsword, Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords, and Ledo’s Great Hammer, as well as spells like Lightning Storm and Unfailing Light.

Is The Ringed City worth buying?

Absolutely. Despite its difficulty, The Ringed City is a masterpiece of game design and a must-play for any Dark Souls fan. The challenging gameplay, stunning environments, and compelling lore make it an unforgettable experience.

Is The Ringed City DLC hard?