Who is Sister Friede? Unraveling the Enigmatic Antagonist of Dark Souls III: Ashes of Ariandel
Sister Friede, also known as Elfriede, is the complex and compelling main antagonist and final boss of the Dark Souls III DLC, Ashes of Ariandel. She is a powerful and enigmatic Ashen One who has taken up residence in the Painted World of Ariandel, wielding immense power and a deep-seated aversion to the flame. Friede’s story is not one of simple villainy but rather a tapestry of broken ideals, weary resignation, and desperate attempts to preserve her chosen sanctuary from the cyclical nature of the world outside. She stands as a formidable challenge, not just in combat but also in the moral questions her presence raises.
The Dual Nature of Elfriede and Friede
Elfriede’s transformation into Sister Friede is crucial to understanding her character. Before her arrival in the Painted World, she was an Ashen One from the Sable Church. As an Ashen One, she likely attempted to link the First Flame or usurp it, both monumental acts within the Dark Souls lore, but ultimately failed. This failure led to her rebirth as ash, a fate shared by other “Unkindled” and evidence that she was once a powerful figure in the outside world.
Her abandonment of the Sable Church and subsequent journey into the Painted World of Ariandel mark a pivotal shift. She rebrands herself as “Friede,” shedding her past identity. Within this painted realm, she becomes the de facto leader alongside Father Ariandel, a religious figure who has grown weary of the world’s endless cycle. However, their relationship is not one of equal partnership but one where Friede has manipulated Ariandel to suppress the flame that would burn away the Painted World and allow it to be repainted. This suppression has led to the world’s decay, a state Friede seemingly prefers over the chaos of the flame.
The Motivations of a Weary Soul
Friede’s core motivation revolves around her weariness of the endless cycle of fire and darkness that defines the Dark Souls universe. She seeks to avoid the need to create a new painted world, recognizing that it will eventually decay like the current one. Her actions are rooted in a desire to let the current Painted World rot away into nothingness, rather than perpetuate the cycle of creation and destruction. This is a direct conflict with the protagonist’s goal, which is to bring flame and thus renewal to the painted world through the painter girl.
She is tired of the cycle of the Flame, and instead chooses to let the world decay. She is anti-fire, and thus a strong foil to most of the game. Her view of the flame is that it perpetuates nothing more than a futile struggle that inevitably leads back to the same dead end.
Combat and the Three Phases of Battle
The fight against Sister Friede is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in Dark Souls III, spanning three distinct phases.
The First Phase: The Agile Sister Friede
Initially, Friede confronts the player as a nimble and deadly fighter, utilizing her scythe for swift and wide-reaching attacks. Her movements are fluid and deceptive. She wields dark magic that causes frostbite and also has attacks that do slash damage. This phase focuses on learning her attack patterns and exploiting openings. Crucially, she can be parried and backstabbed during this phase, opening up opportunities for critical hits.
The Second Phase: The Unholy Alliance
Once defeated for the first time, Friede collapses. Enraged, Father Ariandel sparks the flame he has so vehemently suppressed, reviving Friede. This transforms her into a much more aggressive fighter, and she engages the player in tandem with Father Ariandel. This phase is a two-on-one, requiring careful management of both enemies. Sister Friede’s health is linked with Father Ariandel’s, making this a difficult part of the fight.
The Third Phase: Blackflame Friede
In her final phase, the Blackflame Friede, she gains even greater power. Her scythe is imbued with a dark flame, increasing her attack power and introducing new, devastating techniques. Her movements are faster, and she uses more powerful magic, including dark damage, making this phase the most intense of the three. Her vulnerability to bleed damage is also crucial at this stage, allowing players with the right build and weapon to deal significant damage quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sister Friede
1. What did Sister Friede do to Father Ariandel?
Friede manipulated Father Ariandel into suppressing the flame within the Painted World, leaving it in a state of decay. She convinced him that this state was preferable to the cycle of fire and creation.
2. What is Sister Friede’s weakness in combat?
While Friede is most vulnerable to strike damage, she also suffers from bleed status and Dark and lightning damage. These weaknesses are most effective with a combination of weapons and strategy.
3. Why does the Ashen One fight Sister Friede?
The Ashen One is tasked with bringing the flame to the Painted World to allow it to be reborn, so they must fight Sister Friede since she is working to let the world rot. She seeks to prevent the creation of a new painted world, directly opposing the player’s objectives.
4. How does Father Ariandel revive Sister Friede?
When Friede falls the first time, a desperate Father Ariandel reignites the suppressed flame using his blood, bringing her back to life with renewed power.
5. Is Sister Friede good or bad?
Sister Friede is portrayed as an antagonist, but her motivations are not purely evil. She is weary of the cycle of fire and seeks to end it, believing her way is best for her sanctuary. Whether her methods are justifiable is up for interpretation.
6. Was Sister Friede an Ashen One?
Yes, Sister Friede is an Ashen One, evidenced by her ability to be resurrected and her connection to the First Flame. This suggests she attempted, and failed, either linking or usurping the flame in the past.
7. Is Sister Friede a truly evil character?
Friede is better characterized as a tragic figure rather than an outright villain. Her actions stem from her personal weariness of the cycle of the flame and a desire to protect what she considers her sanctuary.
8. Can Sister Friede be bled?
Yes, Sister Friede can be bled. Bleed is one of her weaknesses, and weapons with a bleed buildup can be very effective against her.
9. Is Father Ariandel evil?
Father Ariandel, while a secondary antagonist, is not purely evil. He is a religious leader who has grown weary of the world’s cycle and is manipulated by Friede into helping her suppress the flame. His intentions are to create a new world, though through questionable means.
10. What is the best weapon to use against Sister Friede?
Weapons that deal strike damage, such as hammers and great hammers, are effective. Weapons that also inflict bleed damage, like katanas and curved swords, can also quickly deplete her health pool.
11. Why does Sister Friede revive?
Friede revives as she is an Ashen One. The Ashen One has been resurrected as ash in order to rekindle the flame. Additionally, Ariandel resurrects her after the first time she falls by using his own flame.
12. What is Blackflame Friede’s weakness?
Blackflame Friede shares the same weaknesses as her previous forms: Bleed, Dark and lightning damage.
13. Is Friede related to Yuria of Londor?
Friede is indeed one of Yuria of Londor’s sisters. She is the oldest of the three sisters and a forlorn pyromancer who abandoned her church.
14. Can Sister Friede be backstabbed and parried?
Yes, Sister Friede can be parried and backstabbed during the first phase of the fight, creating vital opportunities for damage.
15. Can you obtain Sister Friede’s weapon?
Yes, players can obtain Sister Friede’s Great Scythe by transposing her soul after defeating her. You can obtain the Transposing Kiln from killing the Curse-Rotted Greatwood in the Undead Settlement.
Conclusion
Sister Friede is more than just a boss in Dark Souls III. She is a complex character whose motivations force players to consider the true cost of fire and creation. Her battle is a significant challenge, both mechanically and conceptually, and her story is a significant part of why the Ashes of Ariandel DLC remains a memorable experience. She is a reminder that even in the most seemingly straightforward conflicts, there are layers of depth, weariness, and desperation that make a character truly engaging.