How to Excel in Dark Souls Remastered

December 9, 2024

Advertisement
Dark Souls Remastered is one of the most challenging yet rewarding action RPGs ever created. It requires strategy, patience, and adaptability. This guide breaks the game into manageable stages, offering detailed steps to help you conquer every challenge, from the first bonfire to the final boss.

1. Choosing Your Starting Class and Gift

Your initial choices can significantly impact your early game experience.

Starting Classes

Each class offers unique strengths:
  • Knight: High defense and health, great for beginners.
  • Sorcerer: Ideal for players who prefer ranged magic attacks.
  • Pyromancer: A balanced choice with a powerful early-game fire spell.

Gifts for Beginners

Pick a gift that complements your playstyle:
  • Master Key: Unlocks doors, making exploration easier.
  • Firebombs: Useful for defeating early-game enemies.

2. Exploring Firelink Shrine

Firelink Shrine serves as your primary hub and first safe haven.

Meeting NPCs

  • Talk to the Crestfallen Warrior for hints.
  • Find the Fire Keeper to upgrade your Estus Flask when you acquire Fire Keeper Souls.

Finding Useful Items

Search for the Estus Flask and the Humanity item. Explore nearby paths for hidden treasures like soul items and weapons.

3. Surviving Undead Burg

This early area introduces combat fundamentals and enemy ambushes.

Combat Tips

  • Lure Enemies: Avoid fighting multiple foes by baiting them one at a time.
  • Conserve Stamina: Attack, block, and dodge wisely to avoid running out of stamina.

Key Items in the Burg

  • Drake Sword: Shoot the Hellkite Dragon’s tail to acquire this powerful weapon early.
  • Firebombs: Use these to deal with groups of enemies.

4. Defeating the Taurus Demon

The Taurus Demon is your first major boss challenge.

Strategy for Victory

  • Use the nearby tower to perform plunging attacks for significant damage.
  • Focus on dodging its swings rather than blocking to conserve stamina.

Avoiding Panic

Keep your distance, and attack only after it finishes a combo. Patience is critical to overcoming this encounter.

5. Venturing Into the Undead Parish

This area introduces tougher enemies and leads to the first major bell.

Unlocking Shortcuts

Activate the elevator to Firelink Shrine for a convenient shortcut.

Fighting the Bell Gargoyles

  • Summon Solaire of Astora for assistance.
  • Focus on the first gargoyle to minimize being overwhelmed.

6. Braving the Depths

The Depths is a labyrinth of dangerous enemies and useful items.

Dealing with Basilisks

  • Avoid their cursed breath; getting cursed reduces your health significantly.
  • Use ranged weapons or magic to eliminate them from a safe distance.

Rescuing Laurentius

Free Laurentius of the Great Swamp to unlock pyromancy spells, an invaluable tool in the game.

7. Navigating Blighttown

Blighttown is infamous for its toxic enemies and precarious platforms.

Preparing for Toxic Hazards

  • Carry Purple Moss Clumps to counter poison and toxin effects.
  • Use ranged attacks to eliminate enemies from a distance.

Finding Safe Routes

Stick to the wooden walkways and avoid unnecessary risks. Use the Valley of Drakes shortcut to skip the more hazardous areas.

8. Ringing the Second Bell

Chaos Witch Quelaag guards the second bell and signals the game's next phase.

Quelaag's Attack Patterns

Watch for her lava attacks and explosive moves. Attack only when she finishes a combo.

Summoning Help

Use Maneater Mildred to assist in the fight, making it more manageable.

9. Conquering Sen’s Fortress

This trap-filled area tests your reflexes and decision-making.

Avoiding Traps

  • Look for pressure plates on the floor to avoid arrow traps.
  • Time your movements carefully to dodge swinging axes.

Defeating the Iron Golem

Attack its legs to stagger it, then land critical hits for an easier victory.

10. Facing Gwyn, Lord of Cinder

The final boss is a test of your skills learned throughout the game.

Parry for Victory

Gwyn is vulnerable to parries. Practice this skill on earlier enemies to perfect your timing.

Final Preparations

Ensure your gear is fully upgraded and your Estus Flask is at maximum efficiency. Use fire-resistant armor and shields to counter Gwyn's fiery attacks.

Conclusion

Dark Souls Remastered is a challenging yet deeply rewarding game. By following this guide, you can navigate its complex world and conquer its toughest foes. Every defeat teaches you something new, and every victory is a testament to your growth as a player. Keep pushing forward, and let your courage be rewarded.