Unveiling the Secrets of the Hollow Gem in Dark Souls 3
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The Hollow Gem in Dark Souls 3 is a unique infusion material with a particular focus on builds that revolve around the Luck stat and embrace the concept of being Hollow. Infusing a weapon with a Hollow Gem fundamentally changes its properties, making it scale with Luck while potentially granting a bonus to your Luck stat directly. This comes at the cost of slightly reduced base damage and some scaling in other stats, making it a specialized choice for specific character builds. This makes it a powerful tool in the hands of the right player, but a detrimental choice if not understood properly.
The Mechanics of Hollow Infusion
Understanding the precise effects of Hollow Infusion is crucial before committing to it. Here’s a breakdown of what a Hollow Gem does:
- Luck Scaling: The primary effect is the addition of Luck scaling to the weapon. This means that the higher your Luck stat, the more damage the weapon will deal. This is particularly potent for builds specifically designed to maximize Luck.
- Damage Reduction: Base damage of the weapon is slightly reduced. This is generally a minor reduction compared to other infusions that reduce damage, but it’s still a factor to consider.
- Scaling Adjustment: It does not alter your weapon’s natural scaling, but it does often reduce any scaling you might have on your weapon.
- Luck Bonus: Hollow-infused weapons, when upgraded to +10, grant an additional +5 Luck to your character when your character is Hollow. This bonus stacks if you wield Hollow weapons in both hands, providing a total of +10 Luck.
- Hollowing Requirement: The Luck bonus is only active when your character is Hollow. Hollowing is a state your character enters as they accumulate Dark Sigils. This can affect your character’s appearance, making them look more like a zombie.
Hollow Builds: Embracing the Undead
The Hollow Gem is most effective when used in conjunction with a dedicated “Hollow Build.” These builds typically focus on the following:
- High Luck Stat: Prioritize leveling up your Luck stat significantly. This is the core of the build, as it directly affects weapon damage and status effect build-up.
- Bleed or Poison Weapons: Hollow builds often utilize weapons that inflict Bleed or Poison. Luck directly influences the speed at which these status effects are applied, making Hollow builds incredibly effective at debilitating enemies.
- Hollowed State: Maintaining a Hollowed state is essential for maximizing the Luck bonus from Hollow weapons.
- Weapon Choice: Faster weapons benefit the most from Hollow Infusion, especially with Bleed or Poison. The increased Luck will cause faster Bleed and Poison procs.
Obtaining and Utilizing the Hollow Gem
Acquiring a Hollow Gem involves trading with Pickle Pee, Pump-a-Rum at the Shrine Handmaid. You have to trade the axe Eleonora for a Hollow Gem. You must first obtain the Profaned Coal and give it to Andre the Blacksmith, allowing him to perform Hollow infusions.
Potential Drawbacks
While Hollow builds can be powerful, they aren’t without their drawbacks:
- Aesthetic Concerns: Hollowing alters your character’s appearance, making them look increasingly zombie-like. This might not appeal to all players.
- Stat Investment: Requires significant investment in Luck, potentially sacrificing other stats.
- Damage Tradeoff: The reduction in base damage and other scaling might make Hollow weapons less effective against enemies resistant to Bleed or Poison.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Hollow Infusion
1. What exactly does “Hollowing” mean in Dark Souls 3?
Hollowing is a status effect tied to the Dark Sigil. Each time you die with Dark Sigils in your inventory, your Hollowing level increases. A character can have a maximum of 99 Hollowing. Being Hollow gives the character a progressively more shriveled appearance, only visible when naked or wearing gear that reveals the body. Hollow characters also receive a bonus to Luck when wielding a Hollow weapon.
2. How do I get the Dark Sigils to become Hollow?
You acquire Dark Sigils through interactions with Yoel of Londor at the Foot of the High Wall. By accepting his “true strength,” you receive Dark Sigils, and Hollowing will then accumulate upon death.
3. Does Hollowing have any negative consequences besides appearance?
There are no negative consequences to being hollow, but you can both wipe your current hollow tally and prevent yourself ever becoming hollow if you want to.
4. Can I reverse Hollowing?
Yes. You can remove your Dark Sigils and stop the Hollowing process by giving the Fire Keeper the Eyes of a Fire Keeper and selecting to heal the Dark Sigil. This essentially ends your “Lord of Hollows” ending questline. You can also purchase Purging Stones from Yuria – or, if she is dead, from the Shrine Handmaid after turning in Yuria’s Ashes, to reduce your hollowing.
5. What happens if I reach 99 Hollowing?
Reaching 99 Hollowing simply means you can’t hollow any further. It does not impose any further penalties or grant any additional bonuses beyond the visual change and synergy with Hollow-infused weapons.
6. How does Luck affect Bleed and Poison build-up?
Luck directly influences the speed at which Bleed and Poison status effects are applied. Higher Luck means faster build-up, leading to quicker procs and more frequent damage output.
7. What weapons are best suited for Hollow Infusion and a Bleed build?
Faster weapons like the Carthus Curved Sword, Warden Twinblades, and Bloodlust are excellent choices for Bleed builds with Hollow Infusion.
8. How does Hollow Infusion compare to other infusions like Sharp or Refined?
Sharp and Refined infusions focus on Dexterity and Strength scaling, respectively. Hollow Infusion is unique in its emphasis on Luck and its reliance on the Hollowed status. It’s less about raw physical damage and more about status effect application.
9. Does Hollow Infusion affect the weapon’s scaling grades (e.g., A, B, C)?
Hollow Infusion does not change the weapon’s natural scaling, but it does often reduce any scaling you might have on your weapon.
10. Is it worth using Hollow Infusion on a shield?
Yes. Hollow shields grant the same Luck bonus as weapons when upgraded to +10 and held while Hollow. This can be a viable strategy for maximizing your Luck stat without sacrificing weapon damage.
11. What stats should I prioritize for a Hollow Bleed build?
Prioritize Luck as your primary stat. Then, invest in Vigor for health, Endurance for stamina, and enough Dexterity or Strength to wield your chosen weapon effectively.
12. Can I respec my stats in Dark Souls 3 if I don’t like my Hollow build?
Yes, you can respec your stats by offering a Pale Tongue to Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth, in the Cathedral of the Deep.
13. Does the Luck bonus from Hollow weapons stack with other Luck-boosting items?
Yes, the Luck bonus from Hollow weapons stacks with other Luck-boosting items like the Symbol of Avarice, Prisoner’s Chain, and Cloranthy Ring.
14. Is a Hollow build viable for PvE (Player vs. Environment)?
Absolutely. A well-optimized Hollow Bleed build can be incredibly effective against many bosses and enemies, especially those vulnerable to Bleed.
15. Is a Hollow build viable for PvP (Player vs. Player)?
Hollow builds can be potent in PvP, but require a skilled player. The ability to quickly inflict Bleed or Poison can quickly turn the tide of a fight, but opponents can also exploit the build’s lower raw damage output.
In conclusion, the Hollow Gem is a specialized tool that can unlock powerful potential for players willing to embrace the Hollowed state and invest in Luck. It rewards strategic build planning and offers a unique gameplay experience centered around status effects and unconventional stat optimization.
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