What Happens if You Kill Lautrec in His Cell? A Dark Souls Dilemma
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The enigmatic Knight Lautrec of Carim is a character in Dark Souls who presents players with a moral quandary almost immediately upon meeting him. Locked in a cell in the Undead Parish, he pleads for your help. But what happens if you choose a more… permanent solution to the Lautrec problem right then and there?
If you kill Lautrec in his cell, before releasing him, you’ll receive the Ring of Favor and Protection (FAP Ring), Anastacia’s Fire Keeper Soul, 5 humanity, and a Souvenir of Reprisal. The FAP Ring is highly prized for its significant boost to HP, stamina, and equip load. Crucially, Anastacia of Astora, the Fire Keeper at Firelink Shrine, will never be killed by Lautrec, meaning the Firelink Shrine bonfire will remain lit throughout your playthrough. The Souvenir of Reprisal is used to rank up in the Blades of the Darkmoon covenant.
Whether to kill him early is a question every Dark Souls player must consider. It comes down to weighing immediate benefits against potential later advantages. Let’s delve into the details, the consequences, and the FAQs that surround this crucial decision.
Lautrec: Friend or Foe?
Lautrec’s character is shrouded in ambiguity. Saving him seems like the chivalrous thing to do, and he rewards you with a Sunlight Medal, a valuable item for joining the Warrior of Sunlight covenant. He then takes up residence in Firelink Shrine, appearing harmless enough.
However, his true nature is far more sinister. Lautrec is a murderer and a betrayer. If left alive, he will eventually kill Anastacia of Astora, silencing the Firelink Shrine bonfire. This leaves Firelink Shrine a dark and desolate place, rendering it useless as a fast travel point or resting area. You’ll then have to invade him in Anor Londo to regain her soul.
The Pros and Cons of Early Elimination
Advantages of Killing Lautrec in His Cell:
- Prevention of Anastacia’s Death: The most significant advantage is preserving the Firelink Shrine bonfire. This is invaluable for convenience and accessibility throughout the game.
- Early Access to the FAP Ring: The FAP Ring is one of the best rings in the game, providing a substantial advantage in survivability and equipment load. Acquiring it early makes the initial hours of the game significantly easier.
- Souvenir of Reprisal: This item is used to rank up in the Blades of the Darkmoon covenant, and you may want to use it if you plan to use that build.
Disadvantages of Killing Lautrec in His Cell:
- Missing Out on Lautrec’s Questline: Killing him early cuts off his questline, denying you the opportunity to invade him in Anor Londo and obtain his armor set, the Armor of Favor, as well as another FAP ring.
- Limited Summoning Opportunity: Saving him allows you to summon him for the Gargoyle boss fight, potentially making that encounter easier.
- Sunlight Medal: You’ll get a Sunlight Medal if you save him, so you have to consider if you need it.
Strategies for Killing Lautrec in His Cell
Killing Lautrec in his cell can be tricky, especially early in the game when your character is weak. Here are a few strategies:
- Firebombs: Throwing firebombs into the cell is a common and effective method. It requires precise aiming and timing.
- Kicking: You can position yourself at the edge of the cell and attempt to kick him off the cliff. This method requires patience and a bit of luck.
- Melee Attacks: If your weapon has sufficient reach, you can try hitting him through the bars of the cell.
The Moral Implications
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to kill Lautrec in his cell comes down to your personal playstyle and moral compass. Dark Souls is a game filled with difficult choices, and there’s no objectively “right” answer. Do you prioritize the convenience and safety of the Firelink Shrine bonfire? Or do you choose to play through Lautrec’s questline and face the consequences of your actions?
This choice highlights the brilliance of Dark Souls‘ design, pushing players to confront morally gray decisions that have tangible impacts on their gameplay experience. It’s a far cry from simple good vs. evil narratives, and it’s one of the reasons why the game resonates so deeply with its fans. Understanding the nuances of character interactions and making informed decisions is a key element of the Dark Souls experience. The game’s intricate design encourages learning and adaptation, similar to the principles explored at the Games Learning Society website and by research at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lautrec
1. Is it worth keeping Lautrec alive?
Whether it’s worth keeping Lautrec alive depends on your priorities. Keeping him alive leads to more content and items, but at the cost of losing the Firelink Shrine bonfire temporarily. Weigh the benefits against the inconvenience.
2. Can you still kill Lautrec after Ornstein and Smough?
Yes, you can still invade and kill Lautrec in Anor Londo after defeating Ornstein and Smough, as long as you haven’t retrieved the Fire Keeper Soul to revive Anastacia.
3. How do I stop Lautrec from killing the Fire Keeper?
The surest way to stop Lautrec from killing the Fire Keeper is to kill him in his cell before releasing him. Alternatively, you can kill him immediately after releasing him at Firelink Shrine.
4. Can I summon both Solaire and Lautrec?
Yes, you can summon both Solaire and Lautrec for the Gargoyle boss fight, provided you summon Lautrec before fighting the Gargoyles.
5. Is Lautrec a bad guy in Dark Souls?
Yes, Lautrec is considered a supporting antagonist. He kills Anastacia, the Fire Keeper, and invades your world, marking him as a villainous character.
6. Can you bring Solaire back to life?
You cannot bring Solaire back to life if he dies in a boss fight as he is a phantom. However, you can prevent him from going insane and becoming hostile by killing the Chaos Bug.
7. Should I kill Knight Solaire?
It’s generally not recommended to kill Solaire, especially on your first playthrough, as he is a valuable ally and a positive presence in the bleak world of Dark Souls.
8. Can you summon to kill Lautrec in his cell?
No, you cannot summon other players to help you kill Lautrec in his cell. This is a solo endeavor.
9. Can you get Lautrec’s armor?
Yes, you can obtain Lautrec’s armor, the Armor of Favor, by invading and defeating him in Anor Londo after he kills Anastacia.
10. Can I revive Lautrec?
No, you cannot revive Lautrec. Once he is dead, he is permanently gone.
11. Can you invade Lautrec multiple times?
The Black Eye Orb allows you to invade Lautrec’s world repeatedly until you succeed in killing him in Anor Londo.
12. Can you invade Lautrec offline?
Yes, you can invade Lautrec offline, as his invasion is triggered by the Black Eye Orb and does not rely on online connectivity.
13. When should I fight Lautrec?
You can fight Lautrec either early in his cell for immediate benefits or later in Anor Londo for his armor set and to revive the Fire Keeper.
14. Does Solaire go hollow?
Solaire can go hollow if you fail to kill the Chaos Bug in Lost Izalith. This will turn him hostile and prevent you from summoning him for the final boss fight.
15. Is Lautrec needed for platinum?
Lautrec is not strictly needed for the platinum trophy. While he provides a Souvenir of Reprisal needed for a miracle, there are alternative ways to obtain them.