Dark Souls 3: AVOID THESE MISTAKES at All Costs!

So, you’re diving into the treacherous world of Dark Souls 3 (DS3), eh? Prepare yourself for a trial by fire, Ashen One. But fear not, because every seasoned veteran has a tale of woe from their first playthrough, a catalogue of blunders that made the experience… well, more challenging than it needed to be. The single most crucial thing NOT to do in DS3 is to go in blind without learning from the many pitfalls that await. This guide is designed to help you avoid common, yet devastating, mistakes.

Core Errors to Avoid in Dark Souls 3

Here’s the straight dope, the things you absolutely cannot afford to do if you want to survive (and maybe even thrive) in DS3:

1. Don’t Consume Boss Souls Prematurely: These souls are POWERFUL. Don’t reflexively pop them for the immediate soul boost. Many can be transposed into unique weapons and spells by Ludleth of Courland back at Firelink Shrine. Check what they offer BEFORE consuming! This is one of the single most important thing to remember.

2. Don’t Neglect Your Stats: This is NOT a hack-and-slash game. Stats MATTER. Understand how Vigor, Endurance, Vitality, Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, and Luck influence your build and weapon choices. A poorly distributed stat allocation will cripple you. Read the descriptions of the stats and weapons carefully.

3. Don’t Ignore Upgrade Materials: Finding the right materials to upgrade your weapons are key. Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks, and Titanite Slabs are essential for strengthening your gear. Explore thoroughly, purchase from merchants, and learn where to farm them.

4. Don’t Skip Dialogue: NPCs are cryptic, but they offer valuable information, quests, and sometimes even essential items. Listen carefully to what they say, exhaust their dialogue, and revisit them after significant events. Some quest lines, like Siegward of Catarina’s can’t be finished if you don’t talk to him.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Don’t get stuck in a rut. Try different weapons, armor sets, spells, and pyromancies. Some weapons shine in certain areas or against specific enemies. The beauty of DS3 lies in its versatility!

6. Don’t Underestimate the Environment: Traps, ambushes, and hidden paths are EVERYWHERE. Pay attention to your surroundings, look for clues, and proceed cautiously. Disregarding the environment is a surefire path to an early grave.

7. Don’t Get Greedy: This is the golden rule of Souls games. ONE more hit is often all it takes to get you killed. Learn enemy attack patterns, be patient, and prioritize survival over aggression. This is a skill that will help you get better at the game.

8. Don’t Dismiss Online Play: While you can play offline, online play adds a whole new dimension to the game. Summoning allies for boss fights, invading other players, and leaving messages can enhance your experience (even if those messages are sometimes… misleading).

9. Don’t Forget to Manage Your Equipment Load: Your equipment load affects your roll speed and stamina recovery. Aim for below 70% to avoid fat-rolling, which leaves you vulnerable.

10. Don’t Ignore Covenants: Covenants offer unique rewards and gameplay experiences. Explore different covenants to find one that suits your playstyle.

11. Don’t be wasteful with Embers: Using an Ember is risky, but offers an important boost to your HP bar! If you’re not facing a boss, don’t use it.

12. Don’t be afraid to run from enemies: Sometimes, avoiding a fight is better than wasting your resources. Learn to pick your battles and when to retreat.

13. Don’t forget to upgrade your Estus Flasks: Use Estus Shards to increase the number of times you can heal, and use Undead Bone Shards to make them heal for more.

14. Don’t neglect your weapon scaling: This determines how well a weapon’s damage scales with your stats, which affects the damage output of your build.

15. Don’t underestimate enemies: All enemies can be dangerous if you don’t pay attention to their behavior. Learn their attack patterns and weaknesses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best level to stop at for PvP?

For maximum PvP activity, the consensus is Soul Level (SL) 120-125 [+10 weapon upgrade level]. Some players go up to SL 133, but you risk limiting your matchmaking pool. This level range allows for optimized builds while still connecting with a wide range of players.

2. Is Dark Souls 3 the hardest Dark Souls game?

Difficulty is subjective, but many players find Dark Souls 3 less punishing than the original Dark Souls or Dark Souls 2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is often considered the most challenging FromSoftware title. DS3 focuses on faster combat and more linear level design, which can make it more approachable.

3. Is it bad to start with Dark Souls 3?

Actually, Dark Souls 3 is considered a good entry point. While it references previous games, the core gameplay loop is refined and accessible. The story is intentionally cryptic, so you won’t be lost even without prior knowledge.

4. What are “sins” in Dark Souls 3?

Sin accumulates when you kill innocent NPCs. High sin can lead to increased prices from merchants and potential invasions from the Blue Sentinels. You can absolve your sin at the Statue of Velka in the Undead Settlement or the Purging Monument in The Ringed City.

5. Why is faith so bad in Dark Souls 3?

Historically, Faith builds were underpowered. However, recent patches have improved miracles and pyromancies. Faith builds can be viable, offering powerful healing, buffs, and offensive options. It requires more strategic planning.

6. What is the hardest class to start as in Dark Souls 3?

The Sorcerer is widely considered the hardest starting class due to its low health, stamina, and reliance on limited FP. It requires careful resource management and knowledge of enemy weaknesses.

7. What does 99 hollowing mean?

Reaching 99 Hollowing gives your character a shriveled appearance and a luck bonus when wielding Hollow weapons. Hollowing is tied to Yoel of Londor’s questline.

8. What is the best class in Dark Souls 3?

The Knight is generally considered the best starting class due to its balanced stats, excellent starting equipment (especially the Longsword), and survivability. It’s a versatile class suitable for various builds.

9. Is Dark Souls 3 or Elden Ring more difficult?

Elden Ring offers more tools and options to overcome challenges, such as summoning spirits and a vast open world to explore. While some bosses are incredibly difficult, most people find Dark Souls 3 a more consistently challenging experience due to its more focused and less forgiving nature.

10. What is the easiest Souls game to play?

While subjective, Elden Ring is often considered the easiest due to its open-world exploration, powerful spirit ashes, and more lenient difficulty curve.

11. Why do people say Dark Souls 3 is the easiest?

People find DS3 easier because of its faster, more responsive combat, and less punishing dodge mechanics compared to earlier entries. However, the late-game bosses are notoriously challenging.

12. Who is the hardest boss in Dark Souls 3?

The Nameless King is widely regarded as the hardest boss in Dark Souls 3, known for his high damage, unpredictable attacks, and two-phase fight.

13. How many hours to beat Dark Souls 3?

A standard playthrough of Dark Souls 3 takes around 30-40 hours. A completionist run, including all bosses, areas, and side quests, can take 80-100+ hours.

14. Is there a downside to hollowing?

Hollowing itself has no inherent negative gameplay effects. It’s required for certain NPC questlines and provides a Luck bonus when wielding Hollow weapons. The shriveled appearance is the main aesthetic downside.

15. Should I reverse hollowing?

Reversing Hollowing restores your human appearance and allows you to summon other players and NPCs for co-op. You can reverse it by using an Ember, which can be useful for harder levels.

Final Thoughts

Dark Souls 3 is a game of patience, perseverance, and learning from your mistakes. By avoiding these common pitfalls and embracing the challenge, you’ll be well on your way to conquering Lothric. And remember, the community is always there to help. Don’t be afraid to seek guidance and share your own experiences. Consider exploring how games like Dark Souls 3 can enhance learning skills, such as problem-solving and strategic thinking, as discussed by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Good luck, Ashen One!