What Does It Mean to Kindle a Fire in Dark Souls?
In the unforgiving world of Dark Souls, bonfires are more than just checkpoints; they are sanctuaries, respawn points, and vital hubs for survival. Among the various actions you can perform at a bonfire, kindling stands out as a crucial mechanic that dramatically enhances your chances of navigating the treacherous landscape of Lordran. But what exactly does it mean to kindle a fire in Dark Souls, and why is it so important? In essence, kindling a bonfire permanently increases the number of Estus Flask charges you receive when resting at that specific bonfire. This is a critical upgrade, as Estus Flasks are your primary means of healing, making kindling an indispensable tool for progressing through the game.
The Essence of Kindling
When you first encounter a bonfire in Dark Souls, resting at it will replenish your Estus Flasks with a default number of charges. Initially, this is typically five flasks. However, the world of Dark Souls is brutal, and five healing charges often feel insufficient when facing the game’s numerous and challenging enemies. This is where kindling comes into play.
Kindling a bonfire is a process that allows you to permanently increase the number of Estus Flask charges you obtain when resting there. The effect is not temporary; once a bonfire is kindled, it remains so throughout all subsequent playthroughs with that character. The initial act of kindling increases your Estus Flask charges to ten, doubling your healing potential at that location. This alone can significantly improve your odds of surviving more challenging areas.
The Mechanics of Kindling
To kindle a bonfire, you must be in human form. Being hollow (undead) prevents you from performing the kindling action. If you are hollow, you must first reverse your hollowing using a Humanity point at the bonfire, which restores your human form. This action is separate from the kindling process. Once human, you need an additional Humanity point to initiate the kindling process itself.
The process is straightforward. At the bonfire menu, select the option to “Kindle”. Once chosen, the Humanity is consumed, and the bonfire is permanently upgraded. Remember, you can only kindle at bonfires and not anywhere else. The bonfire itself will have a stronger flame to reflect that it has been kindled.
The Rite of Kindling
Early on in Dark Souls, the amount of times you can kindle a bonfire is limited to once, increasing Estus Flask charges to ten. To unlock the full potential of the kindling mechanic, you need to acquire the Rite of Kindling. This item allows you to kindle each bonfire an additional two times, making the maximum number of Estus Flask charges 20.
The Rite of Kindling is obtained by defeating Pinwheel in the Catacombs. This can be a challenging area in itself, so acquiring this item is not always straightforward. However, obtaining it is well worth the effort as it provides a significant advantage in the game’s later, more difficult stages.
The Importance of Humanity
As you’ve noticed, the Humanity item is critical to the kindling process. You will need a surplus of these to maintain a human form for summoning phantoms (other players) and to kindle bonfires. As such, you should be strategic about your use of humanity. Remember that having humanity as a ‘soft’ value in your top-left is a bonus in its own right, as it raises resistances and Item Discovery.
Kindling, Checkpoints, and Strategy
Knowing that kindling increases your healing potential at specific locations allows you to plan ahead strategically. Early on, consider which bonfires to prioritize. If you are having a hard time clearing an area, it’s likely worth it to backtrack to a bonfire near the start of the area to ensure your Estus Flask is sufficient. Later in the game, after acquiring the Rite of Kindling, you’ll be able to kindle more freely, but choosing which bonfires to enhance still requires thought, especially in areas with high enemy density or difficult bosses.
Kindling also makes bonfires more valuable as checkpoints. Since each kindled bonfire provides more healing options, making bonfires as safe hubs to return to becomes even more critical. This contrasts with bonfires that have not been kindled, which, as the game progresses, may feel less valuable as they heal you for less.
In conclusion, kindling a bonfire in Dark Souls is not merely a cosmetic action, but a fundamental game mechanic that directly impacts your survivability and progression. The ability to increase your Estus Flask capacity makes kindling a vital action for all players, regardless of experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further insight into the kindling mechanic in Dark Souls:
1. What is the default amount of Estus Flask charges at a bonfire?
The default number of Estus Flask charges is five at most bonfires, with Firelink Shrine and Anor Londo being exceptions.
2. How do I kindle a bonfire?
To kindle, you must be in human form and use one Humanity at the bonfire and select the “Kindle” option.
3. How many times can I kindle a bonfire initially?
Initially, you can kindle a bonfire once, increasing the number of Estus Flask charges to ten.
4. What is the Rite of Kindling?
The Rite of Kindling is an item that allows you to kindle bonfires up to three times, for a total of 20 Estus Flask charges.
5. How do I obtain the Rite of Kindling?
The Rite of Kindling is obtained by defeating Pinwheel in the Catacombs.
6. Is kindling permanent?
Yes, the effects of kindling are permanent on the specific bonfire and persist through all playthroughs with the same character.
7. Do I need Humanity to kindle a fire?
Yes, you need to be in human form by consuming a Humanity item at the bonfire and then use an additional Humanity to perform the kindling action.
8. What is the maximum amount of Estus Flask charges I can have?
The maximum amount of Estus Flask charges you can have at a kindled bonfire is 20, after obtaining the Rite of Kindling.
9. Can I kindle a bonfire if I am hollow?
No, you must reverse your hollowing at a bonfire using a Humanity before you can kindle.
10. Does kindling carry over to New Game Plus (NG+)?
Yes, kindled bonfires retain their upgraded state in New Game Plus.
11. Does lighting a bonfire do anything in Dark Souls?
Lighting a bonfire alone only grants an achievement if you don’t already have it. You must rest at it to respawn there, and you must be able to warp there after resting if you have the Lordvessel.
12. Is there a limit to the number of bonfires I can kindle?
No, you can kindle every bonfire as many times as allowed, provided you have the Humanity items and the Rite of Kindling.
13. Why is kindling important?
Kindling is essential because it increases the amount of healing you have available at each bonfire, making survival in the challenging world of Dark Souls more manageable.
14. Can I warp to every bonfire in Dark Souls?
No, you cannot warp to every bonfire. There are specific bonfires you can warp to after acquiring the Lordvessel, and you must rest at them first to use them as warp points.
15. Can I upgrade my Estus Flasks in Dark Souls?
Yes, you can upgrade your Estus Flask strength by using Fire Keeper Souls. This will increase the amount of health recovered with each sip.