What to Do After Claiming the Four Lord Souls in Dark Souls

So, you’ve conquered the treacherous realms of New Londo Ruins, the Tomb of the Giants, the Demon Ruins/Lost Izalith, and the Duke’s Archives, claiming the four Lord Souls in Dark Souls. Congratulations, Chosen Undead! The weight of these powerful souls now rests upon your shoulders, and the path to the end game is finally within reach. But what exactly do you do with them? The answer is relatively straightforward, but the nuances surrounding this decision are critical for your overall experience.

Your primary objective now is to place the Lord Souls in the Lordvessel at the Firelink Altar. This will open the path to the Kiln of the First Flame, where you will face the final challenge: Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. However, before rushing headlong into this confrontation, there are crucial steps and considerations to ensure you’re fully prepared and have explored all available content.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to do:

1. Return to Firelink Shrine: If you aren’t already there, warp (assuming you placed the Lordvessel previously) or journey back to Firelink Shrine.

2. Descend to the Firelink Altar: Take the elevator down to the area beneath Firelink Shrine. This is where you first met Frampt the Serpent (or Kaathe, depending on your choices earlier).

3. Place the Lord Souls in the Lordvessel: Interact with the Lordvessel. A menu will appear allowing you to place each of the four Lord Souls:

   • Soul of Nito
   • Soul of the Witch of Izalith
   • Soul of the Four Kings
   • Soul of Seath the Scaleless

4. Open the Path to the Kiln of the First Flame: Once all four souls are placed, a cutscene will trigger, and a golden path will open, leading to the Kiln of the First Flame.

5. Prepare for the Final Confrontation: Before venturing into the Kiln, this is your last opportunity to:

   • Upgrade your Weapons and Armor: Visit Andre the Blacksmith in the Undead Parish or other blacksmiths to fully upgrade your equipment.
   • Stock up on Consumables: Buy plenty of Estus Flasks and other helpful items like Humanity, repair powder, and any elemental buffs.
   • Complete Optional Areas: Have you explored all areas, including the Great Hollow, Ash Lake, or the Painted World of Ariamis? This is your last chance to do so before entering New Game Plus (NG+).
   • Defeat Optional Bosses: Consider facing optional bosses like Dark Sun Gwyndolin in Anor Londo or Black Dragon Kalameet if you have the DLC.
   • Acquire Missable Items: Double-check if you’ve obtained all the items you desire, as some may become inaccessible or more difficult to acquire in NG+.
   • Engage in Covenant Activities: Level up your covenants and obtain all the rewards you want from them. Joining and leveling up in covenants provides unique items and sometimes alters gameplay.

6. Enter the Kiln of the First Flame: Once you’re satisfied with your preparations, step onto the golden path and enter the Kiln of the First Flame. Be warned: there’s no turning back after this point. The path ahead leads to the final boss, Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, and the end of your current playthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many Lord Souls are there in Dark Souls?

There are four primary Lord Souls required to open the path to the Kiln of the First Flame: the soul of Nito, the soul of the Witch of Izalith, the soul of the Four Kings, and the soul of Seath the Scaleless.

Can I collect the Lord Souls in any order?

Yes, you can collect the Lord Souls in any order that suits your playstyle and build. The game doesn’t force you into a specific sequence. However, some areas might be easier or more accessible depending on your equipment and level.

What happens if I die in the Kiln of the First Flame?

If you die in the Kiln of the First Flame, you’ll respawn at the last bonfire you rested at, just like in any other area. You’ll need to make your way back to the boss arena to attempt the fight against Gwyn again.

What is the best weapon to use against Gwyn, Lord of Cinder?

Gwyn is highly susceptible to parrying. Weapons with high critical damage, like daggers or rapiers, can be very effective if you’re skilled at parrying. Alternatively, a high-stability shield and a powerful weapon with good poise damage can also work. Some players also find success using pyromancy or ranged attacks.

What happens after I defeat Gwyn, Lord of Cinder?

After defeating Gwyn, you’ll have a choice: link the fire or let it fade. This choice determines the ending you receive. Regardless of your choice, the game will then initiate New Game Plus (NG+), allowing you to play through the game again with your character and most of their equipment intact.

What carries over to New Game Plus (NG+)?

Most of your character’s attributes, levels, equipment (excluding key items like the Lordvessel), spells, and covenant progress will carry over to NG+. However, you will need to reacquire key items to progress through certain areas.

Are there any differences in New Game Plus (NG+)?

Yes, enemies in NG+ are stronger and deal more damage. They also drop more souls. The difficulty increases with each subsequent playthrough.

Is there a maximum number of New Game Plus (NG+)?

While you can technically continue playing through the game indefinitely in NG+, the difficulty increase plateaus after NG+7. After that, the enemies’ strength and health will not increase further.

Should I do the DLC before or after defeating Gwyn?

It is generally recommended to complete the DLC before defeating Gwyn. The DLC areas and bosses are very challenging and provide excellent equipment that can be helpful in the final battle. Also, once you defeat Gwyn, you will automatically be put into NG+, so doing the DLC beforehand ensures you don’t have to wait until another playthrough.

Where is the DLC located in Dark Souls?

The DLC, titled “Artorias of the Abyss,” is accessed via the Duke’s Archives. After defeating Hydra in Darkroot Basin and rescuing Dusk of Oolacile, you’ll need to defeat a Golden Crystal Golem to acquire the Broken Pendant. This pendant allows you to access the DLC area after being grabbed by a specific golem in the Duke’s Archives.

Can I still join covenants after placing the Lordvessel?

Placing the Lordvessel doesn’t prevent you from joining covenants. However, if you’re planning on joining the Darkwraiths Covenant, you must do so before placing the Lordvessel for Frampt. You can join the Darkwraiths by speaking to Kaathe. Placing it for Frampt makes Kaathe disappear and locks you out of this covenant until your next playthrough.

What is the benefit of joining the Darkwraiths Covenant?

Joining the Darkwraiths Covenant allows you to use the Dark Hand to steal Humanity from other players and NPCs. It also gives you access to the Red Eye Orb, which allows you to invade other players’ worlds indefinitely.

How do I get 20 Estus Flasks in Dark Souls?

To get 20 Estus Flasks, you need to first obtain the Rite of Kindling from the Tomb of the Giants (by defeating Pinwheel). Then, kindle a bonfire three times after having access to the Rite of Kindling to increase the number of flasks you receive from that specific bonfire to 20. Not all bonfires can be kindled to 20, only those with a fire keeper present.

What are some tips for fighting Gwyn, Lord of Cinder?

• Parrying is Key: Gwyn is highly susceptible to parrying. Practice parrying his attacks to create openings for critical hits.
• Use Fire Resistance: Gwyn deals primarily fire damage, so equipping fire-resistant armor or using a spell like Flash Sweat can help mitigate the damage.
• Use Pillars for Healing: The pillars in the arena can be used to create some distance and heal, but be aware that Gwyn can quickly close the gap.
• Be Patient: Don’t get greedy with your attacks. Wait for openings and prioritize defense.

What is the “best” ending in Dark Souls?

The concept of a “best” ending in Dark Souls is subjective and depends on your interpretation of the lore. Linking the fire continues the age of the gods but perpetuates the cycle of sacrifice. Letting the fire fade ushers in an age of dark but potentially empowers humanity. Both endings have their implications, and neither is inherently “better” than the other. The choice is yours, Chosen Undead.

As you delve deeper into the world of gaming and its impact on learning, remember to explore resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.