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Should I Use a Purging Stone? A Dark Souls Conundrum

The burning question for many a Dark Souls player, staring at their increasingly gaunt and undead avatar, is simple: “Should I use a Purging Stone?” The short answer? It depends. Using a Purging Stone is a tactical decision, not a moral one. It boils down to your current goals in the game, your tolerance for looking like beef jerky, and your willingness to manage the consequences of Hollowing and Dark Sigils. Purging Stones offer a temporary reprieve from the visual effects of Hollowing, but they don’t address the root cause, the Dark Sigils. Understanding this distinction is key to making the right choice.

Let’s break it down:

Aesthetics: The primary reason most players reach for a Purging Stone is vanity. Hollowing transforms your character into an increasingly emaciated, zombie-like figure. If you’re role-playing or simply prefer a less gruesome aesthetic, a Purging Stone provides a temporary solution.
Dark Sigils: These are the real culprits behind your Hollowing. Acquired through interactions with Yoel of Londor and Yuria of Londor, Dark Sigils grant you “free” levels in exchange for increasing your Hollowing stat upon death. This is a tempting offer for stat optimization, but it comes at a cost. Purging Stones do not remove Dark Sigils.
Hollowing: This is the numerical representation of your undead condition. The higher your Hollowing, the more zombified you appear. Purging Stones reset your Hollowing to zero, temporarily restoring your human appearance.
Cost: Purging Stones aren’t free. They cost souls – a precious resource in the brutal world of Dark Souls. The Undead Female Merchant sells them for 6,000 souls, while Oswald of Carim offers them at a slightly discounted 3,000 souls after ringing the first bell. Snuggly the Crow is a early method to gain them.
Consequences: The most significant drawback of using a Purging Stone is its temporary nature. Upon death, your Hollowing will begin to accumulate again. This is especially problematic if you’re intentionally accepting Dark Sigils for those free level ups because you will have to die to get those levels up to 5.

When to Use a Purging Stone

Before interacting with NPCs: Some NPCs react differently to Hollowed characters. While the impact is often minimal, there might be dialogue options or quest triggers that require a human appearance.
Co-op and PvP: While Hollowing doesn’t prevent you from summoning or being summoned, some players find the zombie look unappealing for cooperative play. Furthermore, some invasions are triggered by being in human form.
Simply for Aesthetics: There’s no shame in wanting to look good! If your Hollowed appearance is bothering you, a Purging Stone offers a temporary fix.

When to Avoid Using a Purging Stone

If you’re embracing the Londor questline: Yoel and Yuria of Londor encourage Hollowing. If you’re following their questline, using Purging Stones is counterproductive.
If you’re short on souls: 6,000 souls (or even 3,000) is a significant investment, especially early in the game. Prioritize weapon upgrades and essential items before splurging on a Purging Stone.
If you’re okay with the Hollowed look: Some players actually prefer the zombie aesthetic. If you’re one of them, save your souls!

Ultimately, the decision to use a Purging Stone is a personal one. There’s no right or wrong answer. Consider your current goals, your tolerance for Hollowing, and your soul economy before making a purchase. Remember, it’s a temporary solution, not a permanent cure. To remove the Dark Sigils completely you have to find another method, which has its own consequences and might lock you out of a certain ending.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Purging Stones

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Purging Stones to further clarify their use and impact in Dark Souls:

1. What exactly does a Purging Stone do?

A Purging Stone temporarily reverses Hollowing. It resets your Hollowing counter to zero, restoring your character’s human appearance. It does not remove Dark Sigils or cure the underlying cause of your Hollowing.

2. Where can I buy Purging Stones?

Purging Stones can be purchased from:

Undead Female Merchant: Located in the aqueduct connecting Firelink Shrine and The Depths. She sells them for 6,000 souls.
Oswald of Carim: Found in the Undead Parish Bell Tower after ringing the first bell. He sells them for 3,000 souls.

3. Is there a way to get Purging Stones for free early game?

Yes, a Cracked Red Eye Orb can be traded to Snuggly the Crow in the starting area for 2 Purging Stones.

4. Do Purging Stones remove Dark Sigils?

No, Purging Stones do not remove Dark Sigils. They only mask the visual effects of Hollowing. To remove Dark Sigils, you need to pursue a specific questline or use the Fire Keeper soul. This often has significant consequences for the game’s ending.

5. How do I get Dark Sigils?

Dark Sigils are primarily obtained through interacting with Yoel of Londor. He offers “free” levels in exchange for accepting Dark Sigils. Each time you die with a Dark Sigil, your Hollowing stat increases. You can get a total of five Dark Sigils.

6. Does Hollowing affect my gameplay?

In Dark Souls 3, Hollowing primarily affects your appearance. It does not directly impact your stats or gameplay mechanics, unlike in previous Dark Souls games. However, certain weapons and items may have effects tied to your hollowing stat.

7. What happens if I remove my Dark Sigils?

Removing Dark Sigils prevents further Hollowing upon death. However, it can also lock you out of the Londor ending, and you may have to pay a large number of souls to the Firekeeper to do so.

8. How do I cure Curse in Dark Souls?

Purging Stones will temporarily mitigate the effects of Curse by resetting the buildup of the Curse status effect. However, they do not provide immunity or remove any existing Curse.

9. How much does Hollowing affect my character’s appearance?

The higher your Hollowing stat, the more emaciated and zombie-like your character becomes. At 99 Hollowing, your character will appear significantly gaunt and undead.

10. Should I reverse Hollowing before a boss fight?

It depends on your preference. Hollowing doesn’t affect your combat abilities. However, some players prefer to fight bosses in their human form for aesthetic or role-playing reasons. Also, certain NPC summons require being in human form to summon.

11. Can I use a Purging Stone if I’m not Hollowed?

No, Purging Stones can only be used if your character is Hollowed (i.e., has a Hollowing stat greater than zero).

12. Are there any items that prevent Hollowing?

No, there are no items in Dark Souls 3 that completely prevent Hollowing. The only way to stop Hollowing permanently is to remove the Dark Sigils.

13. Is it worth buying Purging Stones?

The worth of Purging Stones depends on your priorities. If you value your character’s appearance and have souls to spare, they can be a worthwhile purchase. However, if you’re focused on gameplay and don’t mind the Hollowed look, you can save your souls for other items.

14. What happens if I die immediately after using a Purging Stone?

If you die immediately after using a Purging Stone, your Hollowing will start to accumulate again. You’ll quickly revert back to your Hollowed appearance.

15. Where can I learn more about the lore and mechanics of Dark Souls?

For in-depth discussions, analyses, and community insights into Dark Souls, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. It’s a great way to connect with other players and deepen your understanding of the game.

Should I use purging stone?