What to Do with Gold Coin in Dark Souls? A Comprehensive Guide
The Gold Coin in Dark Souls is primarily an item used for one thing, and one thing only: to be fed to Kingseeker Frampt. Upon consumption, Frampt will reward you with 5,000 souls. That’s it. Unlike coins in other games, or even real life, these shiny treasures offer no other tangible benefit in the treacherous world of Lordran. While their function is simple, understanding their acquisition and potential opportunity cost is essential for any Dark Souls player.
Acquiring Gold Coins
Location and Drop Rates
Gold Coins aren’t exactly abundant. You’ll primarily find them in two locations:
- The Painted World of Ariamis: This is arguably the best consistent source. Explore carefully, as they are often hidden in chests or lying on corpses.
- Mimics: These deceptively disguised chests have a small chance of dropping a Gold Coin upon defeat.
The drop rate from Mimics is relatively low, making farming for them inefficient. Your best bet is to thoroughly explore the Painted World and hope for the best. Remember that increasing your Item Discovery stat (through methods like wearing the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring or increasing your Humanity) will improve your chances of finding them.
Strategic Usage
While 5,000 souls might seem like a good boost early in the game, consider the bigger picture. Souls are the lifeblood of Dark Souls. They are used for leveling up, upgrading equipment, and purchasing items from vendors. However, at later stages of the game, 5,000 souls are paltry. Before handing them over to Frampt, think carefully about what else you could invest in. Perhaps a few extra shards to upgrade your weapon would be more beneficial than a temporary soul boost.
Understanding the Opportunity Cost
The value of Gold Coins, therefore, is relative to your current progress and needs. Early on, 5,000 souls can be a significant boost, enabling you to level up key stats or purchase essential items. As you progress, however, the value diminishes. Weigh the immediate gain against potential long-term benefits before offering them to Frampt.
Beyond Souls: Considering the Lore
While the Gold Coin’s primary function is souls, Dark Souls is renowned for its intricate lore and hidden meanings. It’s worth noting that the very act of feeding items to Frampt underscores the game’s themes of decay and consumption. He is, after all, consuming these items, turning them into pure soul energy. While the Gold Coin’s specific lore significance is minimal, it contributes to the overall atmosphere and narrative. Consider this as you play and reflect upon the deeper meaning of each item you come across and the actions you perform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I trade Gold Coins with other players?
No, Gold Coins cannot be traded with other players. They are strictly an item to be used by the player who finds them.
2. Does increasing my Luck stat affect the drop rate of Gold Coins?
Indirectly, yes. The Luck stat increases your Item Discovery, which in turn improves your chances of finding rare items like Gold Coins.
3. Is there a limit to how many Gold Coins I can carry?
Yes, like most items in Dark Souls, there is a maximum carry limit for Gold Coins. Once you reach the limit, any additional coins you acquire will be sent to your item box.
4. Are Gold Coins useful in PvP?
No, Gold Coins have no direct use in PvP. They provide no combat buffs or strategic advantages.
5. Can I use Gold Coins to upgrade weapons or armor?
No, Gold Coins cannot be used to upgrade weapons or armor. Their only function is to be fed to Kingseeker Frampt for souls.
6. Are there any secret uses for Gold Coins that I might be missing?
Despite extensive exploration and speculation within the Dark Souls community, no other uses for Gold Coins have been discovered. Their purpose is solely to be fed to Frampt.
7. Should I save Gold Coins for later in the game?
This depends on your playstyle and soul needs. Early on, 5,000 souls can be valuable. Later, the benefit diminishes. Consider your immediate needs before consuming them.
8. Is it worth farming Mimics specifically for Gold Coins?
Generally, no, it’s not worth farming Mimics. The drop rate is low, and there are more efficient ways to acquire souls.
9. Does the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring affect the drop rate of Gold Coins?
Yes, the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring increases Item Discovery, which improves your chances of finding Gold Coins.
10. Are Gold Coins considered rare items?
While not the rarest item in the game, Gold Coins are relatively uncommon, especially compared to more basic consumables.
11. Do Gold Coins have any connection to specific characters or lore in Dark Souls?
While they contribute to the overall atmosphere, Gold Coins don’t have a significant, explicit connection to specific characters or major lore events.
12. Are there any mods that change the function of Gold Coins?
Yes, but using mods can impact game stability and prevent online play. Any change made to the game files will affect the way the game is played. Always be sure to check the Terms of Service of any game before installing a mod.
13. Are there other similar “feeding” mechanics in Dark Souls besides Kingseeker Frampt?
Yes, while not exactly “feeding,” you can give Humanity to the Fair Lady, and souls to specific NPCs to receive special items or access new areas.
14. Where is the Games Learning Society website located?
The website of the Games Learning Society can be found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They focus on the educational aspects and learning potential of video games.
15. What’s a good gift to select at the start of the game?
While not related to Gold Coins, many veterans recommend choosing the Master Key at the beginning of Dark Souls. It allows you to access various areas earlier than intended, which can significantly alter your early-game experience.