When Should You Explore Demon Ruins in Dark Souls?
The Demon Ruins in Dark Souls is a challenging and somewhat divisive area, often leaving players wondering when the ideal time to venture into its fiery depths actually is. The short answer is: not too early. While accessible shortly after defeating Quelaag, the area is best tackled after you’ve progressed through Sen’s Fortress, conquered Anor Londo, and possibly even dipped into the Catacombs. This delayed approach will ensure that you are appropriately leveled and equipped to handle the dangers that await you.
Why Delay Your Trip to Demon Ruins?
The temptation to head into the Demon Ruins immediately after defeating Quelaag is understandable. However, this area presents a significant difficulty spike for players not adequately prepared. Here’s why waiting is a good strategy:
- Enemy Difficulty: The Demon Ruins is home to a range of enemies, including Capra Demons, Taurus Demons, and various fire-based creatures. These enemies hit hard and can easily overwhelm players who are not sufficiently leveled or who lack suitable equipment and upgrades.
- Boss Challenges: The area culminates in challenging boss encounters, such as the Firesage Demon and the Centipede Demon, which demand tactical play and a good grasp of the game’s mechanics. Players who try to tackle them prematurely may find themselves repeatedly facing frustrating defeats.
- Resource Management: Progressing in the Demon Ruins can be expensive, with heavy reliance on Estus Flasks and other healing items. A higher level and better equipment means you are more likely to conserve these crucial resources.
- Alternate Paths: There are other areas to explore after Quelaag, such as Sen’s Fortress and Anor Londo. These locations not only offer better progression paths in terms of difficulty, but they also provide better equipment and leveling opportunities before venturing into the Demon Ruins.
Recommended Path Before Demon Ruins
Following these general steps before the Demon Ruins will prepare you significantly:
- Sen’s Fortress: This location helps teach players to be patient and strategic in their play, skills that will be vital in the Demon Ruins.
- Anor Londo: This area provides more opportunities for leveling, alongside essential equipment and boss souls that can be traded for powerful weapons.
- Catacombs: This optional area is generally considered easier than Demon Ruins and can provide valuable loot and levels, further strengthening your character.
- New Londo Ruins: It’s also recommended to explore the New Londo Ruins before the Demon Ruins because it has a shorter section and less frustrating boss, and that is where you can get the Very Large Ember.
The Optimal Time for Demon Ruins
The optimal time for venturing into the Demon Ruins is after you’ve obtained the Lordvessel by defeating Ornstein and Smough in Anor Londo. This typically places you at a character level between 50 and 70, giving you sufficient health, stamina, and damage output to tackle the challenges. Furthermore, it is highly advised to fully complete the areas leading up to Demon Ruins before entering, as this will also improve your chances for survival.
Benefits of Waiting
- Enhanced Survivability: Greater health, defenses, and a wider range of spells and weapons greatly increase your survivability within the fiery area.
- Equipment: Through Anor Londo and Sen’s Fortress, you’ll find better equipment, like upgraded weapons and armor that will offer critical damage reduction and improved attack stats.
- Strategic Options: A better understanding of the game mechanics will allow you to more effectively tackle the Demon Ruins enemies, using varied tactics for different situations.
- Mental Preparation: The challenging path through Sen’s Fortress and Anor Londo will mentally prepare you for the challenges of the Demon Ruins, as these areas often demand patience and precision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Demon Ruins Optional?
No, the Demon Ruins are not entirely optional. You will need to progress through the Demon Ruins and eventually tackle the boss at the end of Lost Izalith to unlock the final area of the game and finish your main objective of gathering the Lord Souls.
2. What level should I be at the Demon Ruins?
A level between 50 and 70 is usually recommended, after completing Anor Londo, to tackle the challenges in the area. However, players at lower levels can also succeed if they are skilled and patient.
3. Can I go to Demon Ruins after Quelaag?
Yes, you can access the Demon Ruins directly after Quelaag; however, it is generally not recommended. The difficulty spike makes it a much more difficult experience without first gathering experience from further gameplay.
4. Should I go to New Londo or Demon Ruins first?
It is generally recommended that you visit New Londo Ruins before the Demon Ruins. New Londo is shorter, the boss fight is considered less frustrating, and you can acquire the Very Large Ember, essential for weapon upgrades.
5. What order should I explore in Dark Souls?
A common path is: Undead Asylum, Firelink Shrine, Undead Burg, Undead Parish, Depths, Blighttown, Queelag’s Domain, Sen’s Fortress, Anor Londo, New Londo Ruins, Catacombs, and then finally the Demon Ruins/Lost Izalith.
6. Is there a shortcut in Demon Ruins?
Yes, there is a shortcut to Lost Izalith from the Demon Ruins but it requires joining the Chaos Servant Covenant and raising your rank to +2. This requires sacrificing 30 Humanity.
7. Can you summon help in Demon Ruins?
You cannot summon help after defeating the Ceaseless Discharge, so summon help before you defeat this boss. Summoning opportunities are past the first Capra Demon.
8. Who is the boss of Demon Ruins?
There are several bosses within the Demon Ruins, including the Firesage Demon, and the Centipede Demon. The final Lord Soul Boss that is in Lost Izalith is encountered after progressing through the area.
9. Is the Firesage Demon optional?
The Firesage Demon is not entirely optional, as the game requires you to navigate the area where it resides to ultimately progress to the end. However, skipping it is possible.
10. What is the difficulty of Demon Ruins?
The Demon Ruins are considered to be one of the more challenging areas of Dark Souls, due to the unique and powerful enemy composition, along with environmental hazards.
11. When should I start the DLC?
It is recommended to play the DLC before fighting Gwyn, after obtaining the Lordvessel, and ideally when you are around level 80. The DLC is very difficult and should not be attempted early.
12. Can I skip the Capra Demon?
Yes, you can skip the Capra Demon, Gaping Dragon, and Blighttown with a specific glitch, if you wish to, or you can skip just the last two by defeating the Capra Demon. However, this is not the recommended way to play the game.
13. Should I beat the DLC before Gwyn?
Yes, you should definitely do the DLC before facing Gwyn, as Gwyn signals the end of the game. The DLC offers unique content and challenges that complement the core experience.
14. What level should I be in Depths?
The recommended level for the Depths is approximately between level 20 and 30, though you can succeed if you are lower or higher leveled, though you might find it to be too challenging or easy, respectively.
15. How do I progress in Demon Ruins?
After defeating the Firesage Demon, you’ll find yourself in the main section of the Ruins. Continue exploring, making your way through the fire slugs and other demons to the next bonfire. From here, proceed up through the area to reach Lost Izalith.
Conclusion
The Demon Ruins is an area that rewards patience and preparation. While it’s tempting to explore it early, the best course of action is to fully prepare by going through Sen’s Fortress, conquering Anor Londo, completing New Londo, and possibly even dipping into the Catacombs, to ensure that your player character is adequately leveled and geared up for the challenges of Demon Ruins. Following this approach will make your experience far less frustrating and more enjoyable.