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What to Do After Acquiring the Lord Souls in Dark Souls

So, you’ve conquered the toughest challenges, plumbed the darkest depths, and emerged victorious with all four Lord Souls in your possession. Congratulations, Chosen Undead! But the journey is far from over. You’ve overcome significant hurdles, but the final gauntlet awaits, and it demands preparation and a strategic mind. This guide will walk you through what to do immediately after securing the Lord Souls, and prepare you for the final confrontation in Dark Souls.

Placing the Lord Souls and Opening the Path

With all four Lord Souls – the Bed of Chaos Soul, the Four Kings Soul, the Nito Soul, and the Seath the Scaleless Soul – in your inventory, your primary objective is to return to Firelink Shrine. From there, descend to the Lordvessel located in the chamber beneath the shrine. If you haven’t already done so, you will have to speak to Frampt the Serpent or Kaathe the Serpent to get to the alter to use the Lordvessel.

Once you’re at the Lordvessel, approach the altar. A prompt will appear allowing you to “Offer Souls”. Doing so will trigger a cinematic where the Lord Souls are placed within the Lordvessel, activating it and opening the path to the Kiln of the First Flame.

Exploring the Kiln Entrance

Before venturing into the Kiln of the First Flame, take some time to explore the immediate area that has now been unlocked. This small space, accessible directly behind the Lordvessel, is guarded by several Black Knights. These are formidable foes, so proceed with caution. Defeating them can yield valuable loot, including chunks and slabs for weapon upgrades.

Additionally, you will find a complete set of Black Knight Armor within this area. This set offers excellent physical defense and fire resistance, making it a valuable asset for the challenges ahead. Make sure to collect this armor set; it can make a significant difference in your survivability.

Preparing for the Kiln of the First Flame

The Kiln of the First Flame is the final area of the game, and it pulls no punches. Before entering, consider the following preparations:

Weapon Upgrades: Ensure your primary weapon is fully upgraded to +15 (or its equivalent for unique weapons). This will significantly boost your damage output against the final boss.
Armor Optimization: While the Black Knight Armor is a solid choice, experiment with different armor sets to find the best balance of defense, poise, and mobility for your playstyle.
Level Up: If you have accumulated a substantial number of souls, consider leveling up your character. Vitality, Endurance, Strength, and Dexterity are all valuable stats to invest in.
Stock Up: Replenish your supply of Estus Flasks, Humanity, and other consumable items. You’ll need them for healing, boosting your defense, and potentially summoning help.
Rings: Equip rings that enhance your strengths or compensate for your weaknesses. The Havel’s Ring (for equip load) and the Ring of Favor and Protection (for HP, stamina, and equip load) are always solid choices.
Research: Familiarize yourself with the attack patterns and weaknesses of the final boss, Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. Knowing what to expect will give you a significant advantage.

Facing the Final Boss: Gwyn, Lord of Cinder

The Kiln of the First Flame is a desolate and atmospheric arena filled with charred remains and embers. The path to Gwyn is straightforward, but be prepared for resistance.

Gwyn is a formidable opponent, known for his aggressive attacks and swift movements. He wields a powerful sword and can inflict significant damage. He is particularly susceptible to parrying. Practice your parrying skills, as successfully parrying his attacks can open him up for critical hits.

Alternatively, you can use ranged attacks to deal damage from a distance. Spells, miracles, and pyromancies can all be effective, but be mindful of your mana and stamina.

After defeating Gwyn, you will be presented with a choice:

Link the Fire: Choosing to link the fire will continue the Age of Fire, prolonging the cycle and maintaining the current world order. This ending is often considered the “traditional” ending.
Refuse to Link the Fire: Choosing to refuse to link the fire will usher in the Age of Dark, allowing humanity to rise and potentially reshape the world. This ending is often considered the “alternative” ending.

The ending you choose will determine the final cinematic and the fate of the world. Regardless of your choice, you will be given the option to start a New Game Plus after the credits roll.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens after I beat Gwyn?

After defeating Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, the credits will roll. You’ll then be given the option to begin a New Game Plus (NG+) playthrough. Choosing this option will restart the game from the beginning, but you’ll retain your character level, equipment, and some key items.

2. What is New Game Plus (NG+)?

NG+ is a mode that allows you to replay the game with your existing character. Enemies will be more difficult, but you’ll have access to all the weapons, armor, and spells you acquired in your previous playthrough. This allows you to experiment with different builds and tackle challenges you may have missed.

3. Is there a “true” ending in Dark Souls?

No, there is no official “true” ending in Dark Souls. Both the “Link the Fire” and “Refuse to Link the Fire” endings are considered valid and leave room for interpretation. The game’s lore is intentionally ambiguous, allowing players to draw their own conclusions.

4. What level should I be to fight Gwyn?

The recommended level for fighting Gwyn is typically between 80 and 100. However, your level is less important than your equipment, strategy, and skill. A well-geared and skilled player can defeat Gwyn at a lower level, while a poorly equipped player may struggle even at a higher level.

5. Can I still explore after defeating Gwyn?

Yes, if you choose not to begin NG+ immediately, you can continue exploring the world and completing any unfinished business. This is a good opportunity to acquire any remaining items, defeat optional bosses, or experiment with different builds.

6. Are there any optional bosses I should fight before Gwyn?

Yes, there are several optional bosses in Dark Souls that are worth fighting before taking on Gwyn. These include:

Great Grey Wolf Sif: Found in the Darkroot Garden.
Ceaseless Discharge: Found in Demon Ruins.
Gwyndolin, the Dark Sun: Found in Anor Londo.
Priscilla the Crossbreed: Found in The Painted World of Ariamis.

7. What is the best weapon to use against Gwyn?

The “best” weapon is subjective and depends on your playstyle. However, some popular choices for fighting Gwyn include:

Black Knight Weapons: Especially the Black Knight Sword and Black Knight Halberd, due to their high damage output and fire resistance.
Great Combustion: A powerful pyromancy spell that deals significant damage.
Chaos Blade: A katana known for its high damage and bleed buildup.

8. How do I parry Gwyn’s attacks?

Parrying Gwyn’s attacks requires precise timing. Equip a shield with good parry frames (such as the Buckler or the Target Shield) and press the parry button (usually L2 or LT) just before his attack connects. Practice is key to mastering this technique.

9. Is it worth summoning help for the Gwyn fight?

Summoning help can make the Gwyn fight easier, but it also increases his health. If you’re struggling to defeat him solo, summoning a skilled player can be beneficial. However, be aware that relying too heavily on summons can hinder your own learning and development.

10. What is Humanity used for?

Humanity has multiple uses in Dark Souls, including:

Restoring Humanity: Allows you to become human, enabling you to summon other players and kindle bonfires.
Kindling Bonfires: Increases the number of Estus Flasks you receive when resting at a bonfire.
Increasing Item Discovery: Improves your chances of finding rare items.
Joining Covenants: Some covenants require you to offer Humanity to join.

11. What are Covenants?

Covenants are factions that offer unique rewards and gameplay experiences. Joining a covenant can grant you access to new items, spells, and multiplayer activities.

12. Where can I find the best armor in the game?

The “best” armor depends on your build and playstyle. Some popular armor sets include:

Havel’s Set: Offers the highest poise and physical defense in the game.
Black Knight Set: Provides excellent physical defense and fire resistance.
Elite Knight Set: A well-rounded set with good defense and mobility.

13. What is Poise?

Poise is a stat that determines your resistance to being staggered by enemy attacks. Higher poise allows you to withstand more hits without being interrupted, making it easier to trade blows with enemies.

14. How do I upgrade my weapons?

Weapons can be upgraded at blacksmiths using souls and upgrade materials such as titanite shards, large titanite shards, titanite chunks, and titanite slabs. Each weapon has a specific upgrade path that determines the required materials.

15. Is Dark Souls related to other games?

Dark Souls is part of a series of games developed by FromSoftware. While each game has its own unique story and setting, they share similar gameplay mechanics and themes. The series includes Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls II, Dark Souls III, and Bloodborne. Additionally, Elden Ring is often considered a spiritual successor to the Dark Souls series. Further information on video game-based learning can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

By placing the Lord Souls and venturing into the Kiln of the First Flame, you are embarking on the final leg of your journey in Dark Souls. With careful preparation, strategic gameplay, and a bit of perseverance, you can overcome the challenges that await and claim your destiny as the Chosen Undead. Remember to explore thoroughly, experiment with different builds, and never give up. Good luck, and praise the sun!

What to do after Lord Souls?