What Does Ornifex Drop in Dark Souls 2?
Ornifex, the eccentric weaponsmith of Dark Souls 2, doesn’t actually drop anything in the traditional sense of an enemy dropping loot upon defeat. Instead, Ornifex’s “drops” are her services and the unique ability to craft weapons from boss souls. She offers her craftsmanship as a reward for being rescued and subsequently relocated. She also sells a small variety of items. To be clear, Ornifex cannot be defeated, and therefore, she does not drop loot.. Instead, you unlock access to her services, which include unique boss soul weapon creation and basic item sales.
Ornifex’s Services and “Drops”
The most significant “drop” related to Ornifex is the access to her crafting abilities. After rescuing her from her petrified state in the Shaded Ruins and exhausting her dialogue, she relocates to her workshop in Brightstone Cove Tseldora. At her new location, she provides two key benefits:
- Boss Soul Weapon Crafting: Ornifex’s primary function is to create unique weapons and items from boss souls. Once you defeat a boss, you can bring their soul to her, and, if you have the requisite number of regular souls, she can craft powerful weapons with distinct properties. She is the sole vendor for these special boss soul items, making her incredibly valuable. For her rescue, she’ll also provide one of these weapons for free provided you have the requisite boss soul.
- Basic Item Sales: Ornifex also acts as a basic vendor, selling a limited selection of items. These include:
- Arrows: Basic projectiles for ranged combat.
- Green Blossom: An item that temporarily increases stamina recovery.
- Flame Butterfly: An item used to restore fire resistance.
- Amber Herb: An item that restores a small amount of health over time.
Saving and Relocating Ornifex
Before you can unlock Ornifex’s services, you must first find and free her. Here’s how:
- Location of First Encounter: She is initially located in the Shaded Ruins area of the game. She is petrified, and located behind a door.
- Acquiring the Fang Key: The Fang Key is required to unlock the door leading to Ornifex. This key is dropped by an unpetrified enemy in the Shaded Woods. Look for the large, petrified creature you can unpetrify with a Fragrant Branch of Yore.
- Freeing Ornifex: After obtaining the Fang Key, use it to open the door where Ornifex is located. Interact with her and exhaust her dialogue to trigger her relocation.
- New Workshop: Ornifex will move to her new workshop, located in the area of Brightstone Cove Tseldora. Specifically, she is in a house to the left of the Lower Brightstone Cove bonfire.
- Access to Services: Once in her workshop, she will offer both her crafting and sales services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ornifex
1. Where Exactly is Ornifex Located?
Ornifex is initially found petrified behind a locked door in the Shaded Ruins. Once freed, she moves to Brightstone Cove Tseldora. You’ll find her in the house on the left immediately after leaving the Lower Brightstone Cove bonfire.
2. How Do I Get the Fang Key?
The Fang Key is dropped by an enemy you must unpetrify in the Shaded Woods. You’ll need a Fragrant Branch of Yore to unpetrify them first.
3. What Happens if I Don’t Save Ornifex?
If you don’t save Ornifex, you’ll miss out on her services, primarily her ability to create boss soul weapons. These weapons are incredibly powerful and unique, significantly impacting gameplay. You also lose access to her item shop.
4. Can I Kill Ornifex?
No, Ornifex cannot be killed by the player. She is an essential NPC that offers key services for weapon crafting and thus, is essential to the game,
5. What if Ornifex Dies?
If Ornifex dies (most often caused by an accidental hit in the environment), her gravestone will appear in her second location in Brightstone Cove Tseldora. You can revive her by interacting with the gravestone and spending 11,000 souls.
6. What is the Difference Between Ornifex and Straid?
Both are vendors that use souls to create items, but their focus differs. Straid of Olaphis mainly turns boss souls into spells and pyromancies, while Ornifex primarily crafts boss souls into weapons.
7. What Kind of Weapons Can Ornifex Craft?
Ornifex can craft a variety of weapons, from swords and katanas to greatswords, halberds, and bows. The weapons are created using the souls of bosses you defeat. She also creates some shields.
8. Can I Get the Same Weapon from Ornifex Multiple Times?
No. She crafts weapons from boss souls and each one can only be crafted once per game cycle. You cannot get two of the same weapon without starting a New Game +.
9. What Souls Does Ornifex Use for Crafting?
Ornifex uses the souls of the defeated bosses of Dark Souls 2. She can only use standard boss souls, not any of the optional, or DLC boss souls.
10. Does Ornifex Sell Anything Else Besides Basic Items?
Besides basic items like arrows and consumables, Ornifex doesn’t sell any other unique items. Her true value comes from her ability to forge boss soul weapons.
11. What is the Best Weapon Ornifex Can Craft?
The “best” weapon is subjective to playstyle, but some of the most powerful ones that Ornifex can craft include weapons like the Crypt Blacksword, Dragonrider Bow, and the Watcher Greatsword. The Smelter Sword is also highly sought after.
12. Does Ornifex’s Location Change After Brightstone Cove Tseldora?
No, Ornifex’s second location at Brightstone Cove Tseldora is her final location for the duration of the game. She will not move again.
13. How do I know if I exhausted Ornifex’s dialogue?
When you have completely exhausted her dialogue, you’ll find her repeating a general line or phrase. When you reach this stage, it indicates she will relocate to Brightstone Cove. This line differs between her first and second location.
14. How Does Freeing Ornifex Grant a Free Boss Weapon?
When you’ve first met her in the Shaded Woods, and after her relocation, Ornifex will offer you one free boss weapon of your choosing provided you have the appropriate boss soul. The selection is based on which souls are in your inventory.
15. Can I Access Ornifex in NG+ (New Game Plus)?
Yes, Ornifex is available in NG+, and she will remember your progress from your first playthrough. The boss souls will need to be acquired again, but you’ll be able to craft all the same weapons.
In conclusion, while Ornifex doesn’t drop loot in the traditional sense, her “drops” are her valuable services – the ability to craft unique boss soul weapons and sell basic combat items. Rescuing and utilizing her skills are crucial for any player progressing through Dark Souls 2. Remember to explore the Shaded Ruins, acquire the Fang Key, and speak with her to unlock this critical NPC.