Unraveling the Fates: A Deep Dive into Dark Souls 3’s Endings

Dark Souls 3, the culmination of FromSoftware’s iconic trilogy, offers players a complex and rewarding experience. The journey through Lothric is fraught with peril, but the choices you make along the way ultimately determine your fate, leading to one of four distinct endings. These endings, all different shades of melancholic and impactful, solidify Dark Souls 3’s position as a masterclass in narrative ambiguity and player agency. Here’s a breakdown of each:

• To Link the First Flame: This is the most straightforward, arguably the “default,” ending. After defeating the Soul of Cinder, you, the Ashen One, approach the First Flame and offer yourself as fuel, perpetuating the Age of Fire. The cycle continues.

• The End of Fire: This ending involves giving the Fire Keeper her eyes back (found in the Untended Graves, a secret area). After defeating the Soul of Cinder, you summon the Fire Keeper, who then extinguishes the First Flame, ushering in an Age of Dark. However, the potential for a new flame still exists.

• Ash Seeketh Embers: Achieved by summoning the Fire Keeper for The End of Fire ending, and then attacking her just as she’s about to snuff out the flame. This ending has you betray the Fire Keeper in a final, selfish act, seizing the embers of the dying flame for yourself. It’s a secret, brutal twist on the End of Fire.

• The Usurpation of Fire: This is the most complex and arguably the “darkest” ending. It requires following Yoel of Londor’s questline, drawing out your true strength, marrying Anri of Astora, and then defeating the Soul of Cinder to become the Lord of Hollows, inheriting the Flame not for the sake of the Gods, but for the Hollows of Londor.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dark Souls 3 Endings

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the endings of Dark Souls 3, providing deeper insights and clarifications.

Understanding the Basics

1. Is there a “true” ending in Dark Souls 3? No. Like previous Souls games, Dark Souls 3 deliberately avoids having a single “canon” ending. This ambiguity encourages player interpretation and discussion. Your experience and decisions define your personal “true” ending. The Games Learning Society often discusses how games can be interpreted differently.

2. Which ending is considered the “best” or “happiest”? None of the endings are particularly “happy,” fitting the somber tone of the series. However, some players might view “The End of Fire” as the least bleak, as it offers the potential for a new beginning, though at what cost?

3. Which ending is the “worst” or “most evil”? The “Usurpation of Fire” is generally considered the darkest. You become the Lord of Hollows, essentially inheriting the Flame for a potentially malevolent purpose. “Ash Seeketh Embers” is also considered quite brutal for its betrayal.

4. Does choosing an ending affect New Game Plus (NG+)? No, the ending you choose does not significantly impact your experience in NG+. You retain your levels, equipment, and most items, allowing you to pursue different endings in subsequent playthroughs.

Achieving Specific Endings

5. How do I trigger the “End of Fire” ending? First, obtain the Eyes of a Fire Keeper from the Untended Graves (a hidden area accessible after defeating Oceiros, the Consumed King). Give the eyes to the Fire Keeper at Firelink Shrine. After defeating the Soul of Cinder, summon the Fire Keeper, and she will snuff out the flame.

6. What are the steps to get the “Usurpation of Fire” ending? This is the most involved ending. Here’s a condensed guide:

   • Accept Yoel of Londor‘s services at the Foot of the High Wall bonfire.
   • Draw out your true strength five times by dying and leveling up through Yoel before defeating the Abyss Watchers.
   • Find Anri of Astora at the Halfway Fortress bonfire and continue following their questline.
   • Do not kill Horace; this is very important to ensure the quest can continue
   • After encountering Anri at the Catacombs, speak to Yuria at Firelink Shrine, who will inform you of your duty.
   • Perform the marriage ritual with Anri in the Darkmoon Tomb (hidden behind an illusionary wall in Anor Londo).
   • Defeat the Soul of Cinder.
   • Interact with the bonfire to trigger the ending.

7. What happens if I fail a step in the “Usurpation of Fire” questline? Failing a step, such as killing Yoel prematurely or failing to draw out your true strength enough times, will lock you out of this ending. You’ll need to pursue a different ending.

8. How do I get the “Ash Seeketh Embers” secret ending? After giving the Fire Keeper her eyes and defeating the Soul of Cinder, choose to summon her for “The End of Fire” ending. At the very last moment, as she’s about to extinguish the flame, attack her. This triggers a different cutscene. Timing is crucial!

Lore and Interpretations

9. What is the significance of the First Flame? The First Flame is the source of all life and power in the Dark Souls world. Linking the Fire extends the Age of Fire, while letting it fade brings about an Age of Dark. Each decision has profound consequences for the world.

10. What does it mean to be a “Lord of Hollows”? Becoming the Lord of Hollows implies inheriting the power of the Flame for the Hollows of Londor, who are essentially undead. This ending often involves manipulating and sacrificing others for personal gain.

11. Is there any connection between the endings and future Dark Souls games (if they existed)? The ambiguous nature of the endings allows for potential continuations or reinterpretations in future installments, though as of now, the Dark Souls trilogy is considered complete. But GamesLearningSociety.org loves to discuss how game stories can be expanded on through player engagement.

Gameplay and Mechanics

12. Can I save scum to get all endings in one playthrough? Yes, on PlayStation and PC (via backing up your save file), you can back up your save before the final boss and reload it after achieving an ending to pursue the others. This avoids needing multiple playthroughs.

13. What is the easiest ending to achieve? “To Link the First Flame” is the easiest, as it requires no specific questlines or prerequisites beyond defeating the final boss.

14. Which ending is the hardest to achieve? “The Usurpation of Fire” is the most difficult due to its complex and easily missable steps. One wrong move can derail the entire questline.

Additional Tips

15. How do I know which ending I’m on track for? Pay close attention to NPC dialogue and quest progression. Characters like Yuria of Londor will provide clues about your alignment with certain endings. Also, consider your own roleplaying choices and how they align with the different outcomes.

Understanding the intricacies of Dark Souls 3’s endings adds another layer of depth to an already rich and rewarding game. Each ending offers a unique perspective on the world and the player’s role within it. Experiment, explore, and choose the fate that best resonates with your own journey through the darkness.