Unlocking Frampt’s Titanite Secrets: A Deep Dive into Feeding the Primordial Serpent in Dark Souls

So, you’ve stumbled upon Kingseeker Frampt, the seemingly slumbering serpent coiled at Firelink Shrine in Dark Souls. He speaks of destiny, fire, and the need for a chosen undead. But more practically, he also has a unique, if somewhat dubious, use: breaking down Titanite. But what exactly happens when you feed him this precious material? The short answer: he breaks Titanite down into smaller components, but the conversion rates are often less than ideal, making it rarely worth the effort. Let’s dive into the specifics and explore why feeding Frampt Titanite might be something you want to think twice about.

Frampt’s Role in Titanite Transmutation

Frampt serves as the game’s primary (though not always most efficient) method of transmuting Titanite. The idea is simple: you feed him a higher-tier Titanite item, and he’ll munch it down, spitting out smaller, more common Titanite shards in return. This sounds useful in theory, particularly if you’re overflowing with a particular type of Titanite but desperately need another. However, the actual conversion rates are often quite unfavorable.

The Reality of Titanite Conversions

Here’s a breakdown of what you get when feeding Frampt various Titanite items:

• Titanite Slab: Yields 2 x Large Titanite Shards (generally considered a terrible trade)
• Titanite Chunk: Yields 1 x Large Titanite Shard (again, a poor exchange)
• Large Titanite Shard: Yields 1 x Titanite Shard

As you can see, the returns are minimal. You’re essentially losing value with each conversion. Titanite Slabs, in particular, are incredibly rare and valuable, making converting them into only two Large Titanite Shards a monumental waste. You are better off finding all the Titanite Slabs Locations or farming the enemies that have a chance to drop them.

Why is this Unfavorable?

The main reason these conversions are so undesirable is the scarcity of higher-tier Titanite. Titanite Slabs are limited in each playthrough, and Titanite Chunks are relatively rare farming drops. Conversely, Titanite Shards and Large Titanite Shards are much more readily available. You’re essentially sacrificing rare resources for common ones, which is almost always a bad idea in Dark Souls.

When Might It Be Useful?

There’s only one niche scenario where feeding Frampt Titanite could be considered beneficial. If you are absolutely desperate for a single Titanite Shard to upgrade a weapon at a critical moment and have literally no other options, sacrificing a Large Titanite Shard might be justifiable. However, this situation is rare, and careful resource management usually eliminates the need for such drastic measures.

Better Alternatives

Instead of relying on Frampt’s subpar Titanite conversions, consider these alternatives:

• Farming: Many enemies drop various Titanite shards and chunks. Researching efficient farming locations for your specific needs is usually the best option.
• Purchasing: Certain merchants, like the Crestfallen Merchant in Sen’s Fortress, sell Titanite Shards in unlimited quantities.
• Trading: Snuggly the Crow (also known as Sparkly the Crow) offers trades for specific items, which can sometimes yield valuable Titanite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Feeding Frampt

1. What happens if I feed Frampt a Red Titanite Chunk?

You receive one Large Titanite Shard. As with other Titanite Chunk conversions, this is generally not recommended due to the relative rarity of Red Titanite Chunks.

2. Can I hit Frampt to wake him up? Won’t he become hostile?

Yes, you can hit Frampt once to wake him up. He will not become hostile. Don’t worry, he’s a tough serpent!

3. Should I feed coins to Frampt?

Yes, feeding Frampt coins is a viable method of gaining souls. The conversion rates are as follows:

• Gold Coin: 5,000 souls
• Silver Coin: 2,000 souls
• Bronze Coin: 1,000 souls

This is the most ideal way of receiving souls, unless you are in desperate need to trade them to Snuggly for an item.

4. What is the point of feeding Frampt?

The main points are:

• Converting certain items into souls at a higher rate than consuming them.
• Breaking down Titanite, though this is rarely efficient.
• Progressing the main storyline by placing the Lordvessel.

5. Is Frampt lying in Dark Souls?

Yes, Frampt’s words are carefully chosen to mislead. He portrays you as a successor to Gwyn, but his true intention is for you to become fuel for the First Flame, perpetuating the Age of Fire and the reign of the Gods.

6. Does Frampt give more souls for certain items?

Yes, Frampt appears to have preferences and gives more souls for items related to Gwyn and the Gods.

7. Can you join the Darkwraiths if you talk to Frampt?

Yes, talking to Frampt doesn’t prevent you from joining the Darkwraiths covenant. You can initiate his questline, teleport to the Firelink Altar, and then Homeward Bone out. As long as you haven’t placed the Lordvessel, you can still join Kaathe and the Darkwraiths.

8. What does Frampt want?

Frampt, being in league with Gwyndolin, wants to perpetuate the Age of Fire. He seeks to maintain the status quo where Gods rule and humans are kept in their place, even if it means sacrificing chosen undead to rekindle the First Flame.

9. Is Kaathe a bad guy?

Kaathe’s motivations are arguably darker. He seeks to usher in the Age of Dark and the rule of humans, but his methods involve manipulating events and unleashing the power of the Abyss, as evidenced by his involvement in New Londo and Oolacile. Many argue that his pursuit of power is more dangerous.

10. Are Frampt and Kaathe connected?

Some theories suggest that Frampt and Kaathe are two sides of the same coin, or even aspects of the same being, working towards a grander plan that transcends their individual goals. The connection is left ambiguous, adding to the mystery of their motivations.

11. Can you place the Lordvessel without talking to Frampt?

Yes, but it’s not recommended. If you jump down to the Firelink Altar and place the Lordvessel without talking to either Frampt or Kaathe, they will both disappear for the remainder of the NG cycle, preventing access to their respective covenants and services.

12. What happens if I talk to Frampt after talking to Kaathe?

Frampt will call you a “forry sool” (sorry soul), acknowledging your allegiance with Kaathe. Furthermore, if you place the Lordvessel with Frampt, you lock yourself out of Kaathe’s covenant and ending.

13. What is the strongest class in Dark Souls?

The Warrior class is often considered a strong starting point due to its balanced stats and access to good early-game equipment. However, Dark Souls emphasizes build customization, allowing any class to become powerful with the right stat allocation and gear choices.

14. What is the highest NG+ in Dark Souls?

The game scales in difficulty up to NG+7 (New Game Plus 7). After that point, the difficulty remains the same, although you can continue playing in subsequent NG+ cycles.

15. Should I say yes or no to Frampt?

The initial “yes or no” choice to Frampt has no real consequence. It’s more of a roleplaying choice during your first encounter. The key decision lies in whether to place the Lordvessel for him or for Kaathe later in the game.

Conclusion: Feed with Caution

While Kingseeker Frampt offers a unique service in breaking down Titanite and other items, his conversion rates are generally unfavorable. There are almost always better ways to acquire the Titanite you need. However, feeding him certain souls and items to sell them can be a very good way to get souls. Consider your options carefully and remember that resource management is crucial in Dark Souls. And remember to check out the Games Learning Society to know more about games! (GamesLearningSociety.org)