The Sun Sets: What Happens When Solaire Dies in Dark Souls?
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Solaire of Astora, the jolly sunbro and unwavering beacon of optimism in the bleak world of Dark Souls, is a character many players strive to protect. However, the harsh reality of Lordran is unforgiving, and sometimes, even with the best intentions, Solaire meets his end. The consequences of his death depend heavily on how and when he dies.
If Solaire dies as a phantom during a boss fight, it’s the least impactful scenario. His “real” self is still alive and well, continuing his quest. You can summon him again for other encounters, assuming you meet the necessary conditions for his availability. However, if Solaire dies in his physical form, whether by your hand or due to the influence of the Chaos Bug, he’s gone for good in that playthrough. This means you’ll miss out on the chance to summon him for future boss fights, including the final battle against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. Furthermore, his death can significantly alter the trajectory of his questline, potentially locking you out of the “good” ending and barring you from obtaining his iconic armor and weapon. The exact consequences are intricately tied to when and where Solaire’s demise occurs.
Solaire’s Death: Unraveling the Consequences
The emotional impact of Solaire’s death is undeniable, especially considering his unwavering positivity and the potential he represents within the bleak world. But beyond the emotional aspect, several practical consequences arise depending on the circumstances.
Phantom vs. Physical Death
As mentioned, the distinction between Solaire dying as a phantom and dying in his physical form is crucial. Summoning Solaire for boss fights allows him to aid you, but his phantom form is essentially a temporary manifestation of his power. If the phantom falls, it has no bearing on his actual journey. He’ll reappear at his designated locations, ready to offer his assistance again (provided you’ve progressed his quest correctly).
Impact on the Questline
Solaire’s questline is arguably one of the most poignant in Dark Souls, showcasing his relentless search for his own “sun.” The most straightforward path involves navigating the treacherous Lost Izalith, where he eventually succumbs to the influence of the Chaos Bug. This transforms him into a hollowed, hostile enemy.
However, by joining the Chaos Servant Covenant and offering 30 Humanity to the Fair Lady (Quelaag’s Sister), you unlock a shortcut leading directly to the Chaos Bug. Killing this bug before reaching the area where Solaire would be infected prevents his descent into madness.
If Solaire dies before you have the chance to save him: you’ll miss the opportunity to unlock the “good” ending to his quest, where he survives the events of Lost Izalith. You will not be able to summon him for the final boss fight against Gwyn, and you won’t receive his unique armor and weapon legitimately unless you kill the corrupted version of him.
If Solaire dies after you have been able to prevent his corruption: you’ve likely already received the benefits of his survival, including potentially summoning him for Gwyn. His death, while unfortunate, is a late-game occurrence and has less impact on your overall playthrough experience.
Missing Out on Summoning
One of the most tangible consequences of Solaire’s death is the inability to summon him for subsequent boss fights. Solaire is an incredibly valuable ally, particularly during challenging encounters like the Ornstein and Smough fight. His presence can significantly increase your chances of success, providing valuable support and drawing enemy aggro. Losing this option can make certain fights considerably more difficult.
Loss of Covenant Rewards
Solaire is the leader of the Warrior of Sunlight Covenant. While killing him doesn’t automatically remove you from the covenant, it removes the possibility of interacting with him to gain further rewards within the covenant, such as more lore and information about the events happening around you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Solaire’s Demise
Here are some commonly asked questions about the consequences of Solaire’s death in Dark Souls:
1. Does Solaire come back if he dies in a boss fight as a phantom?
Yes, if Solaire dies as a phantom during a boss fight, he is not permanently dead. He will reappear at his designated locations, allowing you to summon him again for other encounters, provided you continue progressing his questline correctly.
2. Does Solaire have to survive every boss fight for his quest to continue?
No, Solaire does not need to survive every boss fight when summoned as a phantom. It’s only his death in his physical form that truly affects his questline.
3. What happens if you don’t talk to Solaire at the Undead Parish?
If you miss Solaire at the Undead Parish, he will still appear later in the game at the Anor Londo bonfire. However, missing him can lead to certain dialogue options and early interactions being skipped.
4. How many times can you summon Solaire?
You can summon Solaire for multiple boss fights throughout the game, assuming you meet the conditions for each encounter and he hasn’t died permanently. He is available for the Gargoyles, the Centipede Demon, Ornstein and Smough, and Gwyn, among others.
5. Can I save Solaire after he goes Hollow?
Once Solaire goes hollow, he becomes hostile and attacks you on sight. There is no way to revert him back to his friendly state. The only way to “save” him is to prevent him from hollowing in the first place.
6. How does Solaire go insane?
Solaire goes insane when the Red-Eyed Chaos Bug infects him in Lost Izalith. This happens if you proceed with the game without killing the bug beforehand.
7. How do you keep Solaire from dying in Lost Izalith?
To save Solaire, you must join the Chaos Servant Covenant, offer 30 Humanity to the Fair Lady, and open the shortcut to kill the Red-Eyed Chaos Bug before encountering Solaire in Lost Izalith.
8. Can you get Solaire’s armor without killing him?
No, you cannot obtain Solaire’s armor without killing him, at least not legitimately. The only way to acquire his armor is to defeat him, either in his hollowed state in Lost Izalith or by killing him outright.
9. Is Solaire the son of Gwyn?
While there were early theories suggesting Solaire was Gwyn’s firstborn son, this has been disproven in later Dark Souls games. Solaire’s identity remains distinct and separate from Gwyn’s family.
10. Does killing Solaire break your covenant?
No, killing Solaire does not remove you from the Warrior of Sunlight Covenant. However, it does prevent you from receiving any further covenant-related interactions or rewards from him.
11. Can I summon both Lautrec and Solaire?
Yes, it is possible to summon both Lautrec and Solaire simultaneously for certain boss fights. This can provide significant advantages due to the added firepower and enemy diversion.
12. Can you save Solaire after killing the Centipede Demon?
Yes, you can still save Solaire after killing the Centipede Demon, as long as you haven’t encountered him in Lost Izalith yet. Prioritize killing the Red-Eyed Chaos Bug as soon as possible.
13. How much humanity do I need to save Solaire?
You need 30 Humanity to offer to the Fair Lady in the Chaos Servant Covenant to open the shortcut leading to the Red-Eyed Chaos Bug.
14. Why is Solaire looking for his own sun?
Solaire is seeking his own “sun” as a metaphor for his personal enlightenment and purpose. He is driven by the desire to achieve greatness and find meaning in the world, much like the player’s character. Becoming as grossly incandescent as his ancestors is his ultimate goal.
15. Is Solaire in Elden Ring?
No, Solaire is not directly present in Elden Ring. However, many players find thematic similarities and references to Solaire in various aspects of the game, suggesting that his spirit of optimism and cooperation lives on. The Games Learning Society can help players explore how themes and characters carry across different game universes, and what makes them so memorable. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
In conclusion, while Solaire’s death can have various consequences depending on the circumstances, the most significant impact is the loss of his valuable assistance and the potential failure to complete his questline with the “good” ending. Protecting Solaire is a worthwhile endeavor for any Dark Souls player, both for his combat prowess and the heartwarming presence he brings to the game’s otherwise bleak world.