Conquering the Storm: The Spoils of Victory Over the Nameless King
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So, you’ve braved the treacherous path to Archdragon Peak, weathered the King of the Storm’s aerial assaults, and stood toe-to-toe with the Nameless King himself. The thunder has subsided, the storm has passed, and you stand victorious. But what tangible rewards await the Ashen One who manages to fell this legendary foe?
The answer is multifaceted, offering immediate boons and long-term strategic advantages for your playthrough. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you receive for defeating the Nameless King in Dark Souls 3:
- 80,000 Souls: A substantial influx of souls, crucial for leveling up your character, upgrading your weapons, or purchasing vital items from vendors. This windfall significantly boosts your progress.
- Soul of the Nameless King: This unique soul is the key to unlocking powerful equipment. It can be consumed for 16,000 souls directly or, more importantly, transposed with Ludleth the Exiled at Firelink Shrine.
- Weapon/Miracle Transposition Options: Transposing the Soul of the Nameless King grants you a choice between three exceptional items:
- Storm Curved Sword (Weapon): A curved sword that embodies the power of lightning and wind, boasting a unique weapon art that calls down a devastating lightning strike.
- Dragonslayer Swordspear (Weapon): A thrusting spear imbued with lightning, reminiscent of Ornstein from the original Dark Souls. Its weapon art unleashes a powerful lightning storm. Many consider this one of the best PVE weapons in the game.
- Lightning Storm (Miracle): A potent miracle that calls down lightning strikes around the caster, dealing significant damage to enemies in the area. It is a great PVE and PVP miracle for any Faith Build.
- Dragonslayer Set (Ornstein’s Armor): After defeating the Nameless King, Ornstein’s armor set becomes available for purchase at the Handmaid in the Firelink Shrine. This iconic armor, recognizable from the original Dark Souls, offers solid protection and a nostalgic touch. This armor is not in the arena but rather with the Shrine Handmaid.
- Pride and Satisfaction: While not a tangible item, the sense of accomplishment derived from overcoming one of the most challenging bosses in the Dark Souls series is a reward in itself.
While defeating the Nameless King doesn’t unlock any new areas or story progression directly, the items acquired offer significant advantages, allowing you to tailor your build and tackle subsequent challenges with newfound power. The Nameless King is a key figure in the lore and for players looking to go for a 100% completion. His items help provide some great build choices for the late game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Nameless King
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) designed to give you the deeper knowledge needed for this challenging fight and his rewards:
Difficulty and Accessibility
Is the Nameless King the Hardest Boss of All Time?
The Nameless King is widely regarded as one of the most difficult bosses in Dark Souls 3, if not the entire series. His aggressive attack patterns, varied moveset, and the two-phase battle make him a formidable opponent. Difficulty is subjective, but the general consensus places him among the toughest.
Can You Fight the Nameless King After Beating the Game?
Yes, the Nameless King remains accessible even after defeating the Soul of Cinder, the final boss. You can return to Archdragon Peak and challenge him at any time before starting New Game Plus (NG+).
Is The Nameless King a Secret Boss?
Yes, the Nameless King is considered a secret boss. He’s located in Archdragon Peak, an optional area, and fighting him is not required to complete the main storyline.
Fight Strategies and Weaknesses
What is the Best Nameless King Weapon for the Player to Use?
Weapons with longer reach and vertical swings are generally more effective against the Nameless King. Lightning-infused weapons can be helpful, but he becomes resistant in his 2nd phase. Bleed weapons are also effective as he can bleed.
What is the Nameless King Most Weak To?
The King of the Storm (the wyvern) is weak to lightning and magic, while the Nameless King is more susceptible to dark and fire damage. He is also resistant to bleed, frost, and lightning.
Can You Bleed the Nameless King?
While resistant, the Nameless King is not immune to bleed. Applying bleed status can deal significant chunks of damage, making bleed weapons a viable strategy.
Community and Stats
How Many People Have Beaten the Nameless King?
Statistical data shows that the Nameless King has a relatively low completion rate compared to other bosses, indicating his challenging nature. About 32% of players who start the game beat the Nameless King. However, the data also states that around 88% of players who reach Archdragon Peak will beat the Nameless King.
Lore and Narrative
Is Solaire the Nameless King?
No, Solaire of Astora is not the Nameless King. They are separate characters.
Is the Nameless King Gwyn’s Son?
It is heavily implied that the Nameless King is Gwyn’s firstborn son. He was stripped of his titles and erased from history for siding with the dragons, explaining his absence from established lore.
Why Did the Nameless King Betray Gwyn?
The lore suggests the Nameless King sympathized with the dragons and possibly sought to protect Priscilla, his half-dragon child. His actions led to his banishment and the erasure of his history.
Build Optimization
What is the Recommended Vigor for Nameless King?
Aim for at least 40 Vigor to have a sufficient health pool to withstand his powerful attacks. More vigor is always helpful, especially for players less familiar with his moveset.
What Level Should You Be For the Nameless King?
Generally, it’s recommended to be around level 80-90 before attempting the Nameless King. However, skilled players can defeat him at lower levels.
Post-Boss Content and Options
What Should I Do With Soul of the Nameless King?
You have two options:
- Consume it for 16,000 souls.
- Transpose it with Ludleth the Exiled to obtain the Storm Curved Sword, the Dragonslayer Swordspear, or the Lightning Storm miracle.
The latter is almost always the better choice, as the weapons and miracle offer unique and powerful abilities.
Can You Start Ringed City After Soul of Cinder?
Yes, you can access the Ringed City DLC after defeating the Soul of Cinder. The entry point is located at the final boss area in the base game. However, it’s generally recommended to complete Ashes of Ariandel first.
Nameless King vs. Other Bosses
Is Nameless King Harder Than Midir?
While both are challenging, the Nameless King is generally considered harder than Midir by most players. Midir, while having a large health pool, is more predictable once you learn his attack patterns.
Ultimately, defeating the Nameless King is a significant achievement in Dark Souls 3, providing valuable rewards and a profound sense of accomplishment. The journey to conquer him is a test of skill, patience, and determination, solidifying his place as a legendary boss in gaming history. The Souls reward, the Soul Transposition, and the Dragonslayer Set all make beating him a worthwhile endeavor.
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