Should You Be Human in Dark Souls? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of whether to be Human or Hollow in Dark Souls is a fundamental one, shaping your gameplay experience in significant ways. The short answer is: it depends on your goals and playstyle. Being Human opens up opportunities for cooperative play, increased item discovery, and kindling bonfires for more Estus flasks. However, it also makes you vulnerable to invasions by other players. Conversely, being Hollow offers safety from invasions but restricts your ability to summon help. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of this critical decision.
The Allure of Humanity: Pros and Cons
Becoming Human in Dark Souls is a deliberate act, requiring the expenditure of a Humanity item at a bonfire. This transformation comes with several key advantages:
-
Summoning Allies: This is arguably the biggest draw. Being Human allows you to summon other players (phantoms) to assist you with challenging areas and particularly difficult boss fights. For players struggling with specific encounters or simply desiring a more social experience, summoning can be invaluable.
-
Kindling Bonfires: In Human form, you can kindle bonfires. Kindling upgrades a bonfire, increasing the number of Estus Flasks it provides by five. This is a huge benefit, offering significantly increased survivability as you explore Lordran.
-
Increased Item Discovery: Having Humanity in your counter (the number displayed near your health bar) increases your item discovery rate, regardless of whether you are Human or Hollow. This means a higher chance of enemies dropping rare items, weapons, and armor, making farming more efficient.
-
Access to Certain NPCs and Quests: Some NPCs and questlines are only accessible when you are in Human form. Missing these can lock you out of valuable rewards, spells, or even entire sections of the game.
However, the path of Humanity is not without its perils:
-
Invasions: The most significant drawback is that being Human makes you vulnerable to invasions from other players. These invaders are often skilled and geared towards PvP, potentially leading to frustrating deaths and lost souls.
-
Loss of Humanity: Dying in Human form results in the loss of at least one “soft” Humanity, the kind used to reverse hollowing, adding a sting to each defeat.
The Safety of Hollowing: A Different Approach
Remaining Hollow is the default state in Dark Souls. While it limits certain aspects of the game, it provides a measure of safety and convenience:
-
Immunity to Invasions: As a Hollow, you cannot be invaded by other players (unless you are in an area specifically designed for invasions). This allows you to explore the game at your own pace without the constant threat of PvP encounters.
-
No Humanity Loss on Death: Dying as a Hollow does not result in the loss of “soft” Humanity, preserving your resources for when you genuinely need them.
The disadvantages of remaining Hollow are:
-
Inability to Summon: You cannot summon other players for assistance, forcing you to tackle the game’s challenges solo.
-
Limited Bonfire Kindling: You cannot kindle bonfires to increase your Estus Flask count, potentially hindering your survivability.
-
Missed Opportunities: Certain NPCs and questlines are inaccessible to Hollow players, limiting your experience and potential rewards.
When to Be Human: Strategic Considerations
The decision of when to become Human should be based on a strategic assessment of your current situation and goals:
-
Boss Fights: If you are struggling with a particular boss, becoming Human to summon assistance can significantly increase your chances of victory.
-
Challenging Areas: Navigating difficult areas with tough enemies or intricate traps can be made easier with the help of a summoned ally.
-
Farming: If you are actively farming for specific items, increasing your item discovery by having Humanity in your counter, and being human when you kill enemies will boost your chances.
-
Bonfire Kindling: Before tackling a particularly challenging area, consider kindling the nearest bonfire to maximize your Estus Flasks.
-
NPC Interactions: When you need to interact with specific NPCs or progress certain questlines, becoming Human is essential.
Mitigating the Risks of Humanity
While being Human carries the risk of invasions, there are strategies to mitigate this threat:
-
Play Offline: The most straightforward solution is to play offline, completely eliminating the possibility of invasions.
-
Summon Allies Quickly: If you intend to summon allies, do so as quickly as possible after becoming Human. Invaders often target players who have been Human for extended periods without summoning help.
-
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Pay close attention to your environment and be prepared for a potential invasion. Learn common invasion spots and strategies.
-
Embrace the Challenge: Some players find the threat of invasion to be an exciting and integral part of the Dark Souls experience. Embrace the challenge and learn to defend yourself.
Mastering Humanity: A Key to Conquering Lordran
Ultimately, the decision of whether to be Human or Hollow in Dark Souls is a personal one. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each state allows you to make informed choices that align with your playstyle and goals. By mastering the use of Humanity, you can unlock the full potential of Dark Souls and conquer the challenges that await you in Lordran. Remember to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights into game design and learning principles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Humanity in Dark Souls?
Humanity is a consumable item in Dark Souls used to reverse hollowing (return to Human form) and kindle bonfires. It also passively increases your item discovery rate.
2. How do I become Human in Dark Souls?
You can become Human by consuming a Humanity item at a bonfire and selecting the “Reverse Hollowing” option.
3. How do I get Humanity in Dark Souls?
Humanity can be obtained by defeating bosses, killing certain enemies (especially rats in The Depths), finding it as an item in the world, or receiving it as a reward for helping other players as a phantom.
4. What does it mean to Kindle a Bonfire?
Kindling a bonfire (while in Human form) increases the number of Estus Flasks it provides by +5. A standard bonfire gives 5 flasks, but a kindled bonfire provides 10.
5. Can I be invaded if I am Hollow?
No, you cannot be invaded by other players if you are Hollow (unless you are in a specific area designed for invasions, like the Painted World of Ariamis if you trigger the mechanism, or if you use a Dried Finger).
6. What happens if I die in Human form?
If you die in Human form, you revert to Hollow form and lose at least one “soft” Humanity.
7. Does Humanity affect my stats in Dark Souls?
No, Humanity does not directly affect your stats. However, having Humanity in your counter increases your item discovery rate and resistances.
8. Is it possible to avoid invasions in Dark Souls?
Yes, you can avoid invasions by playing offline or remaining in Hollow form.
9. What is the best way to farm Humanity in Dark Souls?
One popular method is to farm rats in The Depths, especially with the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring equipped.
10. Can I summon NPCs for help in Dark Souls?
Yes, there are specific NPCs that can be summoned for certain boss fights, even when Hollow. Their summoning signs will appear near the boss fog gate if you meet the requirements.
11. What is the point of joining a covenant in Dark Souls?
Covenants offer different gameplay experiences, rewards, and objectives. Some covenants encourage cooperative play, while others focus on PvP.
12. How do I join a covenant in Dark Souls?
You can join a covenant by interacting with specific NPCs or objects and fulfilling their requirements.
13. What happens if I betray a covenant in Dark Souls?
Betraying a covenant can result in losing benefits and access to the covenant’s rewards. You may also become hostile to covenant members.
14. Is it cheating to summon help in Dark Souls?
No, summoning help is an intended mechanic in Dark Souls. It is up to each player to decide whether they want to use it.
15. What is the Dark Lord ending in Dark Souls?
The Dark Lord ending is one of two possible endings in Dark Souls, where you choose to let the flame fade and usher in an age of darkness, ruling as the Dark Lord.