The Ultimate Nameless King Reward Guide: Weapons, Miracles, and Lore

The Nameless King of Dark Souls 3 is a formidable opponent, and defeating him earns you significant rewards. While the “best” reward is subjective and depends on your playstyle, the Dragonslayer Swordspear generally takes the crown for its versatility, damage output, and unique moveset, especially for faith-based builds. This article delves into each reward, offering a detailed analysis to help you make the most informed decision, followed by a comprehensive FAQ section.

Deciding on Your Spoils: A Deep Dive into the Nameless King’s Treasures

Upon triumphing over the Nameless King, you receive 80,000 Souls and the Soul of the Nameless King. This soul can be transposed at Firelink Shrine with Ludleth of Courland into one of three options:

• Storm Curved Sword (Weapon)
• Dragonslayer Swordspear (Weapon)
• Lightning Storm (Miracle)

Let’s examine each option in detail:

The Storm Curved Sword: A Unique but Niche Choice

The Storm Curved Sword is a unique curved sword that scales primarily with Dexterity. Its weapon art, Stormcaller, allows you to briefly charge the blade with lightning and unleash a powerful sweeping attack.

Pros:

• Unique moveset: The Stormcaller weapon art offers a different approach to combat.
• Lightning Damage: Deals bonus lightning damage, useful against enemies weak to it.

Cons:

• Low scaling: Dexterity scaling isn’t the best compared to other weapons.
• Situational usefulness: The Stormcaller weapon art is telegraphed, making it easily dodged by experienced players.
• Outclassed by other curved swords: Other curved swords often provide more consistent damage and versatility.

Verdict: While the Storm Curved Sword is visually appealing and offers a unique playstyle, its limited scaling and situational weapon art make it a less optimal choice compared to the other two rewards. Only recommended for players specifically building around curved swords and wanting a novelty weapon.

The Dragonslayer Swordspear: The Champion’s Choice

The Dragonslayer Swordspear is a spear that scales primarily with Dexterity and Faith. It’s a powerful weapon with a versatile moveset, making it a favorite among many players. Its weapon art, Lightning Charge, allows you to imbue the spear with lightning and unleash a devastating thrust attack.

Pros:

• Excellent scaling: Scales well with both Dexterity and Faith, making it ideal for hybrid builds.
• Versatile moveset: Offers a mix of thrusting and sweeping attacks, suitable for various combat situations.
• Lightning Damage: Deals bonus lightning damage, effective against numerous enemies.
• Effective Range: Good range for safe attacks.
• Lightning Charge Weapon Art: Good range, damage, and attack.

Cons:

• Split Damage: Split damage (physical and lightning) can sometimes be less effective against heavily armored enemies.
• Requires stat investment: Needs decent Dexterity and Faith to be effective.

Verdict: The Dragonslayer Swordspear is generally considered the best weapon reward from the Nameless King due to its excellent scaling, versatile moveset, and powerful weapon art. It’s a fantastic choice for both PvE and PvP, particularly for faith-based builds.

Lightning Storm: Unleash the Fury of the Heavens

Lightning Storm is a miracle that calls down a barrage of lightning strikes around the caster. It requires high Faith and can be incredibly devastating in certain situations.

Pros:

• High damage potential: Can deal massive damage to groups of enemies or large bosses.
• Area of effect: Covers a wide area, making it effective against multiple targets.
• Surprise element: Can catch opponents off guard in PvP.

Cons:

• High Faith requirement: Requires significant investment in Faith.
• Long cast time: Can be easily interrupted, leaving you vulnerable.
• FP intensive: Drains a large amount of FP per cast.
• Situational usefulness: Less effective against single, highly mobile targets.

Verdict: Lightning Storm is a powerful but situational miracle. Its high Faith requirement, long cast time, and FP cost make it less versatile than the Dragonslayer Swordspear. It’s best suited for dedicated Faith builds and specific encounters where its area-of-effect damage can be maximized.

Picking the Best Reward: A Summary

Ultimately, the “best” reward depends on your character build and playstyle.

• Faith Builds: The Dragonslayer Swordspear and Lightning Storm are both viable options. The Swordspear offers more consistent damage and versatility, while Lightning Storm provides burst damage in specific situations.
• Dexterity Builds: The Dragonslayer Swordspear can still be effective with sufficient Dexterity, while the Storm Curved Sword is a niche choice for curved sword enthusiasts.
• Strength Builds: None of the rewards are particularly well-suited for pure Strength builds. You’re better off using a different weapon.

In most cases, the Dragonslayer Swordspear offers the most well-rounded and effective option due to its excellent scaling, versatile moveset, and powerful weapon art. It’s a weapon that can carry you through much of the game.

Don’t Forget the Armor!

After defeating the Nameless King, you can also purchase the Dragonslayer Set (Ornstein’s armor) from the Shrine Handmaid at Firelink Shrine. While it doesn’t offer any unique abilities, it’s a stylish and iconic armor set with decent protection.

FAQs: Mastering the Nameless King’s Rewards

1. What stats are best for the Dragonslayer Swordspear?

The Dragonslayer Swordspear scales best with Dexterity and Faith. Aim for at least 40 in each stat for optimal damage output.

2. Is the Dragonslayer Swordspear good for PvP?

Yes, the Dragonslayer Swordspear is excellent for PvP. Its versatile moveset, good range, and Lightning Charge weapon art make it a formidable weapon in duels and invasions.

3. How do I effectively use Lightning Storm?

Use Lightning Storm in situations where you can catch multiple enemies or a large boss off guard. Equip gear that boosts casting speed and FP regeneration to maximize its effectiveness.

4. What is the best covenant for a Dragonslayer Swordspear build?

The Warriors of Sunlight covenant complements a faith-based Dragonslayer Swordspear build well, as it focuses on cooperative play and miracles.

5. Can I use the Dragonslayer Swordspear without Faith?

While you can use the Dragonslayer Swordspear with minimal Faith, you won’t get the most out of it. Its damage output will be significantly lower without sufficient Faith scaling.

6. What are the weaknesses of the Dragonslayer Swordspear?

The Dragonslayer Swordspear’s main weaknesses are its split damage, which can be less effective against heavily armored enemies, and its reliance on stat investment in both Dexterity and Faith.

7. How do I unlock the Nameless King fight?

To unlock the Nameless King fight, you must reach the Archdragon Peak area and ring the bell by the Great Belfry.

8. What level should I be to fight the Nameless King?

It’s generally recommended to be around level 80-90 before attempting the Nameless King fight.

9. Is the Nameless King harder than Midir?

The Nameless King is often considered more challenging than Darkeater Midir due to his unpredictable attack patterns and high damage output.

10. What is the Nameless King’s weakness?

The Nameless King is weak to Dark and Fire damage. He is resistant to Bleed, Frost, and Lightning damage.

11. How many phases does the Nameless King have?

The Nameless King fight has two phases. The first phase is against the King of the Storm (the wyvern), and the second phase is against the Nameless King himself.

12. Who is the Nameless King in Dark Souls lore?

The Nameless King is heavily implied to be Gwyn’s firstborn son, a god of war who was stripped of his name and status for allying with the dragons. The Games Learning Society website has a lot of insight into the lore of the Souls Games, GamesLearningSociety.org.

13. Is Solaire related to the Nameless King?

There’s no official confirmation that Solaire is the Nameless King’s son, but it’s a popular fan theory based on item descriptions and dialogue within the game.

14. Where can I purchase the Dragonslayer Set (Ornstein’s armor)?

You can purchase the Dragonslayer Set from the Shrine Handmaid at Firelink Shrine after defeating the Nameless King.

15. What other optional bosses are in Dark Souls 3?

Dark Souls 3 features several other optional bosses, including Darkeater Midir, Champion’s Gravetender & Gravetender Greatwolf, and Oceiros, the Consumed King.

Conquering the Nameless King is a significant achievement in Dark Souls 3, and choosing the right reward can greatly enhance your character build. Whether you opt for the versatile Dragonslayer Swordspear, the explosive Lightning Storm, or the unique Storm Curved Sword, understanding each option’s strengths and weaknesses is key to making the best decision. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!