Which Dark Souls 3 Ending is Best? A Deep Dive

There’s no single “best” ending in Dark Souls 3. The beauty (and agony) of the Souls series lies in its ambiguity and the player’s interpretation. However, considering the game’s themes of cyclical futility, the slow decay of the world, and the questioning of tradition, “The End of Fire” ending, achieved by giving the Fire Keeper her eyes and summoning her at the bonfire, is arguably the most thematically resonant and narratively satisfying choice. It represents a potential break from the established order, a rejection of the unsustainable “status quo,” and the courage to face an uncertain future – even if that future is shrouded in darkness.

Understanding the Endings: A Brief Overview

Before diving into the nuances, let’s briefly recap the main endings:

• Link the Fire: The “traditional” ending. You become the next Lord of Cinder, perpetuating the Age of Fire and the cycle of sacrifice.
• The End of Fire: You allow the Fire Keeper to extinguish the flame, ushering in an Age of Dark (or something else entirely – its nature is ambiguous).
• Usurpation of Fire: The most complex ending. Requires following Yoel of Londor’s questline and “marrying” Anri of Astora to become the Lord of Hollows, ruling over a new world order.
• Ending the Flame: This is considered to be the True Ending of the game, where you give the Fire Keeper a set of eyes and summon her to handle the flame. You still have to face the Soul of Cinder, but your companion handles what comes next.

Why “The End of Fire” Stands Out

Several factors make “The End of Fire” a compelling choice:

• Challenging the Status Quo: The entire premise of Dark Souls 3 revolves around a world on the brink of collapse, sustained only by the constant, increasingly desperate linking of the First Flame. This ending actively challenges that tradition, suggesting that clinging to the past is ultimately futile.
• Embracing Uncertainty: The Age of Dark isn’t necessarily a “good” thing. Its consequences are unknown. However, it represents a willingness to embrace the unknown rather than clinging to a decaying system. This echoes themes found in the works of various scholars interested in gaming for education, research available at GamesLearningSociety.org, the website for the Games Learning Society.
• The Fire Keeper’s Agency: Giving the Fire Keeper her eyes is crucial. It allows her to “see” the truth of the world and make an informed decision. The ending isn’t simply about passively allowing the fire to fade; it’s about empowering an individual to take control of her destiny and, by extension, the destiny of the world.
• A glimmer of hope: Though it’s a sad scene, where she says in the dark you will find fire, she seems to indicate that the dark is not necessarily the end, and that fire will come again. Not the cycle of fire, but literal fire. That gives it a sense of hope that the other endings lack.
• Moral Implications: The other endings have questionable moral implications. Linking the flame is continuing a tradition of sacrifice and suffering. Usurping the flame is an act of grand theft and domination, and the only way to achieve it is to be the literal worst person that you can be in the game.

Thematic Resonance

This ending resonates strongly with the themes of cyclicality and decay that permeate the entire Souls series. It suggests that sometimes, the most courageous act is not to perpetuate the cycle but to break it, even if the future is uncertain. It’s an ending that encourages players to question tradition, embrace change, and consider the long-term consequences of their actions.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Dark Souls 3 Endings

1. What are the specific steps to achieve “The End of Fire” ending?

First, locate the Eyes of a Fire Keeper in the Untended Graves (a secret area accessible through an illusionary wall in Firelink Shrine). Give these eyes to the Fire Keeper. Then, defeat the Soul of Cinder. At the bonfire, summon the Fire Keeper instead of linking the flame. She will extinguish the flame, initiating the ending.

2. Is the Age of Dark inherently “good” or “bad”?

The game deliberately leaves this ambiguous. Some characters believe the Age of Dark will bring chaos and suffering, while others see it as an opportunity for humanity to forge its own path.

3. What happens to my character in each ending?

• Link the Fire: Your character becomes the next Lord of Cinder, consumed by the flame.
• The End of Fire: Your character’s fate is unclear. They are present during the Fire Keeper’s actions, but their ultimate destiny is left ambiguous.
• Usurpation of Fire: Your character becomes the Lord of Hollows, ruling over a new world order.
• Ending the Flame: Your character is still there in the world. The Fire Keeper touches the Ashen One before walking into the distance.

4. Which ending is considered the “canon” ending?

Dark Souls 3, like the other games in the series, has no officially designated “canon” ending. The choice is left to the player’s interpretation and preferences.

5. Is the “Usurpation of Fire” ending a truly “good” ending?

Despite seemingly offering a path to power, the “Usurpation of Fire” ending requires morally questionable actions and potentially leads to a tyrannical rule by the Lord of Hollows. It is more complex and morally ambiguous than it initially appears.

6. How does the Fire Keeper feel about the Eyes?

She’s deeply affected. The eyes reveal a dark truth about the cyclical nature of the flame and the sacrifices required to maintain it. This knowledge empowers her to make a conscious choice about the fate of the world.

7. Can I reverse my decision after giving the Fire Keeper the Eyes?

Yes and no. You can kill the Fire Keeper to retrieve the eyes, but she will respawn. However, giving her the eyes unlocks the possibility of “The End of Fire” ending, which you can then choose or not choose at the final bonfire.

8. What if I choose not to summon the Fire Keeper at the end?

If you do not summon her, you will have the option to “Link the Fire.”

9. Does my character’s build or playstyle affect which ending is “best”?

Not directly. The “best” ending is a matter of narrative and thematic preference, not gameplay mechanics. However, a player who focuses on faith or intelligence might find the Fire Keeper’s story more compelling.

10. Is there any way to prevent the cycle of linking the flame?

“The End of Fire” ending is the closest the game offers to breaking the cycle. However, whether the Age of Dark is a true end or simply a prelude to a new cycle is left open to interpretation.

11. What role does Yoel of Londor play in the endings?

Yoel of Londor’s questline is essential for achieving the “Usurpation of Fire” ending. He grants you levels of Hollowing, which are necessary for marrying Anri of Astora.

12. How difficult is it to achieve the “Usurpation of Fire” ending?

It’s the most complicated ending to achieve, requiring strict adherence to a specific questline and a high level of Hollowing. Missing a step can lock you out of the ending.

13. What is the significance of the Fire Keeper’s soul?

The Fire Keeper Soul allows the Shrine Handmaid to sell items related to Fire Keepers, like their armor.

14. Why is the Nameless King considered a sad boss?

The Nameless King was once the firstborn son of Lord Gwyn, a god of war. However, he was stripped of his name and exiled for siding with the dragons. His lore is full of betrayal and loss.

15. Does the difficulty of getting an ending reflect its quality?

Not necessarily. “Link the Fire” is the easiest ending to achieve, but many players consider it the least satisfying. The more complex endings often have richer lore implications.

In conclusion, while “best” is subjective, “The End of Fire” ending in Dark Souls 3 offers the most compelling narrative closure and thematic resonance, encouraging players to question the cyclical nature of the world and embrace an uncertain future. The choice, ultimately, is yours.