What Happens When You Use the Soul of Gwyn in Dark Souls?

Using the Soul of Gwyn, Lord of Cinder in Dark Souls (and subsequent games where similar souls appear) yields a few distinct outcomes, primarily revolving around its consumption for souls or its utilization to create unique weapons. The most immediate consequence is receiving a large quantity of souls, typically used for leveling up, purchasing items, or upgrading equipment. However, its true value lies in the ability to transmute it into a powerful weapon at a specific blacksmith, offering players access to unique builds and playstyles. This choice hinges on your current needs: immediate power through leveling or long-term benefit through a powerful weapon.

Soul Consumption vs. Weapon Transmutation

The decision to use the Soul of Gwyn boils down to two primary options: consuming it for a significant number of souls or transmuting it into a unique weapon. Each choice presents its own advantages and disadvantages.

Consuming the Soul for Souls

• Immediate Leveling: Consuming the Soul of Gwyn grants a substantial amount of souls. This influx of souls allows players to level up their stats, increasing their damage output, survivability, and overall effectiveness. This is especially useful if you are struggling with a particular area or boss and need a quick stat boost.
• Purchasing Items: The acquired souls can be used to purchase essential items from merchants, such as upgrade materials, spells, or armor sets. This can save time and effort compared to farming for these items, especially for rare or hard-to-find materials.
• Upgrading Equipment: Souls are crucial for upgrading weapons and armor. Using the Soul of Gwyn for souls allows you to reinforce your existing equipment, making you more resilient and potent in combat.

Transmuting the Soul into a Weapon

• Unique Weaponry: The most compelling reason to keep the Soul of Gwyn is its ability to be transmuted into a unique weapon. These weapons possess special movesets, scaling properties, and often, lore significance. These weapons are not obtainable through any other means.
• Specific Builds: The Soul of Gwyn can be transmuted into weapons suited for specific builds. For example, you might create a weapon tailored for faith-based characters or strength-oriented builds, allowing you to optimize your character’s performance.
• Lore and Completionism: For many players, obtaining all the unique weapons and armor is part of the Dark Souls experience. Transmuting the Soul of Gwyn is a necessary step to complete your collection and experience all the game has to offer.

The Transmutation Process

To transmute the Soul of Gwyn into a weapon, you must first locate Blacksmith Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo. This blacksmith possesses the unique ability to forge weapons from boss souls.

1. Defeat Gwyn, Lord of Cinder: Obtain the Soul of Gwyn by defeating the final boss.
2. Locate Giant Blacksmith: Find the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo. He is typically found near the boss arena for Ornstein and Smough.
3. Have a +10 Weapon: You will typically need a specific +10 weapon as a base for the transmutation. The required weapon varies depending on the desired outcome.
4. Select the Desired Weapon: Talk to the Giant Blacksmith and choose the option to create a weapon from the Soul of Gwyn. You will be presented with a list of available weapons.
5. Confirm and Transmute: Select the weapon you desire and confirm the transmutation. You will receive the unique weapon in exchange for the Soul of Gwyn and the required +10 weapon.

Choosing the Right Weapon

The Soul of Gwyn can typically be used to create Great Lord Greatsword. Each weapon caters to different builds and playstyles. Consider the following factors when making your choice:

• Stats: Examine the weapon’s scaling properties. Does it scale with strength, dexterity, faith, or intelligence? Choose a weapon that complements your existing stats.
• Moveset: Consider the weapon’s moveset. Does it have a fast, nimble moveset or a slow, powerful one? Pick a moveset that suits your preferred combat style.
• Special Effects: Some weapons possess special effects, such as dealing fire damage or inflicting status ailments. These effects can significantly enhance the weapon’s utility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about using the Soul of Gwyn in Dark Souls, designed to provide further clarity and helpful information.

1. Can I get the Soul of Gwyn more than once per playthrough? No, you only receive the Soul of Gwyn once per playthrough. To obtain it again, you must start a New Game Plus (NG+) cycle.

2. What weapons can be created from the Soul of Gwyn? The Great Lord Greatsword is the only weapon that can be created using the Soul of Gwyn.

3. Is it better to consume the Soul of Gwyn for souls or transmute it into a weapon? This depends on your individual needs and playstyle. If you need a quick boost in levels or want to purchase essential items, consuming the soul is a viable option. If you’re aiming for a specific build or want a unique weapon, transmutation is the better choice.

4. What happens if I accidentally consume the Soul of Gwyn? Unfortunately, there’s no way to retrieve the soul once it has been consumed. You’ll have to wait until your next playthrough to obtain it again.

5. Do I need to be a specific level to transmute the Soul of Gwyn into a weapon? No, there is no level requirement to transmute the soul. However, you will need a +10 weapon of a specific type as a base for the transmutation.

6. Can I trade the Soul of Gwyn with other players? No, boss souls cannot be traded with other players in Dark Souls.

7. Does the difficulty level (NG+, NG++, etc.) affect the number of souls gained from consuming the Soul of Gwyn? Yes, the number of souls gained from consuming the Soul of Gwyn increases with each subsequent playthrough (NG+, NG++, etc.).

8. Where is the Giant Blacksmith located? The Giant Blacksmith is located in Anor Londo, near the Ornstein and Smough boss arena.

9. What kind of weapon is the Great Lord Greatsword? The Great Lord Greatsword is a unique greatsword with a unique moveset and scaling primarily with strength and faith.

10. Does the Humanity stat affect the outcome of using the Soul of Gwyn? No, the Humanity stat does not affect the outcome of using the Soul of Gwyn, whether you consume it or transmute it.

11. Is the Great Lord Greatsword worth using? The Great Lord Greatsword can be a powerful weapon in the right hands. It’s particularly effective for builds that focus on both strength and faith. Its unique moveset can also provide an advantage in certain situations.

12. Can I use the Soul of Gwyn to upgrade existing weapons? No, the Soul of Gwyn cannot be used to directly upgrade existing weapons. It can only be consumed for souls or transmuted into a unique weapon.

13. Does the Soul of Gwyn respawn after defeating Gwyn in NG+? Yes, the Soul of Gwyn respawns each time you defeat Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, in subsequent playthroughs.

14. Are there any achievements or trophies associated with transmuting the Soul of Gwyn? No, there is no specific achievement or trophy directly tied to transmuting the Soul of Gwyn. However, obtaining all unique weapons may contribute to an achievement related to weapon collection.

15. If I consume the Soul of Gwyn, can I still get the weapon in a later playthrough? Yes, you can obtain the weapon in a future playthrough by saving the Soul of Gwyn and transmuting it with the Giant Blacksmith. The choice is always available in each new game cycle.