Navigating Darkroot Garden After the Moonlight Butterfly: A Traveler’s Guide
So, you’ve vanquished the Moonlight Butterfly in Darkroot Garden. Congratulations, Chosen Undead! That’s a significant milestone, but the journey doesn’t end there. The world of Dark Souls is vast and interconnected, and even optional bosses like the Butterfly can unlock new paths and opportunities.
The immediate answer to where you go after defeating the Moonlight Butterfly is to continue exploring Darkroot Garden. Defeating the butterfly itself doesn’t directly open a new area, but it does grant you access to a few key items and progression options.
Specifically:
- Loot the Corpse: Behind the arena where you fought the Butterfly, you’ll find a corpse holding the Divine Ember. This is incredibly important!
- Darkroot Basin Exploration: Now that you’ve acquired the Divine Ember, you are free to explore the Darkroot Basin.
But what does all of this mean in the grand scheme of things? Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Immediate Aftermath
Obtaining the Divine Ember
The Divine Ember is crucial for creating Divine Weapons. These weapons are particularly effective against certain undead enemies and are essential for progressing through areas like the Catacombs. Return to Andre of Astora, the blacksmith in the Undead Parish. Giving him the Divine Ember allows him to ascend your +5 weapons to Divine weapons.
Darkroot Basin and Beyond
The Darkroot Basin is accessed by taking the elevator near the bonfire in the Undead Parish down. This area is home to more challenging enemies, including Black Knights and Hydras. Exploring the basin thoroughly will lead you to the Havel’s Set armor, hidden behind an illusory wall, and a path to the Darkroot Hydra.
The Big Picture
The world of Dark Souls is intricately connected. There is also the possibility to backtrack and use the Soul of the Moonlight Butterfly which allows players to craft high-tier items. Defeating the Moonlight Butterfly is not only a milestone but is also a key step in unlocking optional but valuable content, enhancing your character’s build, and preparing you for even greater challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Moonlight Butterfly Progression
1. Is the Moonlight Butterfly fight skippable?
Yes, the Moonlight Butterfly fight is entirely optional. You can bypass the arena completely and still progress through the main storyline of Dark Souls. However, skipping the Butterfly means missing out on the Divine Ember and the opportunity to obtain its soul, used for crafting powerful items.
2. What do I do with the Soul of the Moonlight Butterfly?
The Soul of the Moonlight Butterfly can be used in several ways:
- Consume it: Grants 1,200 souls. (Not recommended)
- Feed it to Kingseeker Frampt: Grants 8,000 souls. (Still not the best option)
- Craft a Weapon/Shield: This is the most valuable use. Take it to the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo to create either the Moonlight Butterfly Horn (spear) or the Crystal Ring Shield from a +10 spear or +10 shield, respectively. The shield is especially useful due to its 95% Magic Damage Reduction.
3. Which weapon or shield is better to craft with the Moonlight Butterfly Soul?
That depends on your build and play style.
- Moonlight Butterfly Horn: This spear has high magic damage and scales well with Intelligence. It’s a good choice for Intelligence-focused builds.
- Crystal Ring Shield: This shield boasts extremely high magic resistance and is invaluable for facing magic-heavy enemies and bosses. It is often considered the better choice due to the utility it provides.
4. Is the Crystal Ring Shield worth it?
Absolutely! The Crystal Ring Shield has a 95% Magic Damage Reduction, making it one of the best shields for defense against magic attacks. It’s especially useful against bosses like Seath the Scaleless and certain enemies in the Duke’s Archives.
5. Where do I find Andre of Astora?
Andre of Astora is located in the Undead Parish, near the entrance to the Darkroot Garden. He’s the first blacksmith you’ll encounter in the game.
6. How do I get a weapon to +10?
To get a weapon to +10, you first need to upgrade it to +5 using standard titanite shards. Then, acquire the Large Ember (found in the Depths) and give it to Andre of Astora. This allows him to modify your +5 weapon into a +6 weapon. Finally, continue upgrading the weapon with large titanite shards up to +10.
7. Should I give Andre the Large Ember?
Yes, definitely! Giving Andre of Astora the Large Ember is essential for upgrading your weapons beyond +5.
8. What are Divine Weapons good for?
Divine Weapons have a special effect: they prevent skeletons from reassembling in the Catacombs. This makes navigating the Catacombs significantly easier and is essential for reaching the boss, Pinwheel.
9. Where do I find the entrance to the Darkroot Basin?
The entrance to the Darkroot Basin is located near the bonfire in the Undead Parish. Look for an elevator that leads down to the basin. You can also access it through Darkroot Garden, though you’ll need to defeat the Forest Hunter NPCs.
10. Is the Darkroot Garden a safe area?
Darkroot Garden can be challenging. It’s populated by tough enemies, including Stone Knights, Ents, and, if you’re playing online, potentially other players invading your world. Be prepared for ambushes and proceed cautiously.
11. What level should I be to explore Darkroot Garden?
A good level range for exploring Darkroot Garden is around SL 20-30. However, your skill level and build also play a significant role.
12. What’s the best strategy for fighting the Hydra in Darkroot Basin?
The Hydra is a tough enemy with a long reach. The best strategy is to block its attacks (a shield with high stability is helpful) and wait for an opening to attack its heads. Alternatively, you can use ranged attacks or try to lure it close to the shoreline and attack its heads one by one as they descend.
13. How do I find Havel’s Set?
Havel’s Set is hidden behind an illusory wall in the Darkroot Basin. After entering the Basin, follow the path down until you reach a tower. Near the tower, there is an illusory wall that will disappear when you hit it. Havel’s Set is inside.
14. Is the Moonlight Butterfly weak to anything specific?
Yes, the Moonlight Butterfly is notably weak to fire damage. Pyromancy spells like Fireball or Combustion are highly effective against it. Melee players can use weapons buffed with fire, such as Gold Pine Resin.
15. What are some other key areas I should explore after Darkroot Garden?
After Darkroot Garden and acquiring the Divine Ember, consider the following areas:
- The Catacombs: Use your Divine weapons to make progress here.
- The Depths: Home to the Gaping Dragon and a key area for acquiring souls and items.
- Blighttown: A challenging but essential area for progressing the main storyline.
The journey through Dark Souls is a test of perseverance and knowledge. With these tips, you are well-equipped to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. Keep exploring, keep learning, and never give up! Consider checking out the Games Learning Society to learn more about how games can be used for education and skill development! GamesLearningSociety.org offers valuable insights into the broader impact of gaming. Happy Undeading!