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What to do with Boss Souls? A Soulsborne Masterclass

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So, you’ve just felled a colossal beast, a corrupted monarch, or some other nightmare fuel monstrosity in the grim worlds of Soulsborne games. Congratulations, Tarnished! But now you’re staring at a Boss Soul (or Remembrance, or equivalent) and the million-dollar question pops into your head: what do I do with this thing? The short answer is this: generally, keep them and trade them for unique weapons, spells, or other powerful items. Consuming them for souls (the in-game currency) is almost always a suboptimal choice, especially on your first playthrough. These games are known for teaching important lessons like how persistence and hard work can lead to valuable outcomes! The Games Learning Society would have a field day with the insights one can gain when analyzing Soulsborne games.

The Allure of Boss Soul Items

Why is trading so much better than consuming? Because Boss Soul items offer a unique power fantasy and often define entire character builds. These aren’t just slightly better versions of regular weapons; they frequently possess special weapon arts, scale uniquely with different stats, or offer abilities you simply can’t find anywhere else. Think of them as trophies of your hard-fought victories, trophies you can wield to carve a path through the rest of the game.

Weighing Your Options: Weapons, Spells, and More

The specific choices available to you depend heavily on the game you’re playing.

Dark Souls (I, II, III) & Demon’s Souls: Usually, you’ll take the Boss Soul to a specific NPC (like Blacksmith Ed in Demon’s Souls or Ludleth of Courland in Dark Souls 3) who can transpose it into weapons, spells, or shields. Each Boss Soul often offers two or more options, forcing you to make difficult choices.
Elden Ring: Remembrances can be traded at the Roundtable Hold, either with Enia (the Finger Reader) or duplicated at a Walking Mausoleum to claim both rewards in a single playthrough. The offerings are again weapons, spells, and sometimes even talismans.

Early Game vs. Late Game Considerations

In the early game, a Boss Soul weapon can be an absolute game-changer, providing a significant power boost. Later on, their value depends on your build and preferences. Some Boss Soul weapons remain viable throughout the entire game, while others might fall off in effectiveness as you level up. Experimentation is key!

The Completionist Angle: Achievements and Trophies

If you’re aiming for 100% completion, obtaining all Boss Soul items is often a requirement for specific achievements or trophies. This means multiple playthroughs are often necessary, as you can only obtain one of each Boss Soul per playthrough.

When is it Okay to Consume a Boss Soul?

Honestly, rarely. However, there are a few niche situations where consuming a Boss Soul might be justifiable:

Desperate for Levels: If you’re severely under-leveled and struggling to progress, the souls from a Boss Soul can provide a quick boost. However, farming regular enemies is usually a more efficient alternative.
You Know You Won’t Use the Items: If you’ve already experimented with the Boss Soul weapons on a previous playthrough and know they don’t fit your current build, consuming the soul is an option.
Duplication Limitations: In Elden Ring, if you’ve already duplicated all the Remembrances you care about and have extra Mausoleums, using one for runes might be beneficial.

The takeaway: Think carefully before consuming a Boss Soul. Once it’s gone, it’s gone (until the next playthrough, at least).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Boss Souls to further illuminate their use and value:

Can I duplicate all Remembrances in Elden Ring?

No, there are more Remembrances than Walking Mausoleums, so you can’t duplicate every single one in a single playthrough. Choose wisely based on the weapons or spells you desire most.
Is it worth keeping Boss Souls in Dark Souls 2?

Absolutely. Boss Souls in Dark Souls 2 can be traded for a variety of powerful weapons and spells from different NPCs. Saving them allows you to explore multiple build options.
Should I use Boss Souls for weapons or souls?

Almost always weapons. Boss weapons often offer unique movesets, scaling, and abilities that make them far more valuable than the relatively small number of souls you’d get from consuming them.
Which Demon Souls should I keep?

Keep all of them. Major Demon Souls are essential for creating unique weapons, learning spells, and obtaining miracles. Consuming them is a major waste.
What Remembrance should I get first in Elden Ring?

That depends on your build! The Blasphemous Blade (from Rykard’s Remembrance) is a popular choice for its self-healing ability. However, other options like Godrick’s Axe or Malenia’s Hand are also excellent depending on your playstyle.
Can you use Boss Souls for anything else in Demon’s Souls?

Yes, besides weapons, you can also use Boss Souls to learn unique spells and miracles from specific NPCs. These can be incredibly powerful and define entire builds.
Where do I trade Boss Souls for weapons in Dark Souls 3?

You trade Boss Souls with Ludleth of Courland in Firelink Shrine. He’s the Lord of Cinder sitting on his throne, and he can transpose your Boss Souls into weapons, spells, and shields.
Is there a “best” Boss Soul weapon in each game?

Not necessarily, as the “best” weapon depends on your build and playstyle. However, some consistently rank highly, such as the Blasphemous Blade in Elden Ring or Artorias’ Greatsword in Dark Souls.
What happens if I accidentally consume a Boss Soul?

Unfortunately, you’re out of luck for that playthrough. You’ll have to wait until New Game Plus to obtain that Boss Soul again and create the desired weapon or spell.
Do Boss Soul weapons require specific stats to wield?

Yes, like any weapon, Boss Soul weapons have stat requirements (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane) that you must meet to wield them effectively. Pay attention to these requirements before committing to a weapon.
Are Boss Soul weapons always better than regular weapons?

Not always. While they often possess unique abilities and scaling, some regular weapons can be just as effective, especially when infused with the right gems or upgraded fully. It comes down to personal preference and build optimization.
Can I upgrade Boss Soul weapons?

Yes, Boss Soul weapons can be upgraded like any other weapon, usually with Titanite Shards, Chunks, and Slabs (or their equivalent in other Soulsborne games). Upgrading them is essential to keep them viable in later areas.
How do I get multiple copies of Boss Soul weapons?

You can only obtain one of each Boss Soul per playthrough. To get multiple copies of Boss Soul weapons, you’ll need to play through the game multiple times in New Game Plus and beyond.
Does difficulty affect Boss Soul drops?

No, the difficulty level (e.g., New Game Plus) does not affect the Boss Soul drops. You’ll always receive the same Boss Soul regardless of the difficulty.
Should I look up Boss Soul weapon recipes before fighting a boss?

This is a matter of personal preference. Some players prefer to go in blind and discover the recipes on their own. Others prefer to plan ahead and research the options to ensure they don’t waste a valuable Boss Soul. This game offers a vast variety of learning opportunities! More information about this topic is available from the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

In conclusion, Boss Souls are a valuable resource in Soulsborne games. Using them to craft unique weapons, spells, and items is almost always the best choice, offering a tangible reward for your hard-earned victories and the chance to create powerful and memorable character builds. Now go forth, Tarnished, and forge your legend!