Cheats & Secrets - Dark Souls III

Dark Souls III Cheats & Secrets Guide

Dark Souls III does not have conventional cheat codes, console commands, or unlock codes on any platform (PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S). However, the game is filled with developer-intended secrets, hidden areas, Easter eggs, and obscure mechanics that reward thorough exploration. This guide documents all known legitimate hidden content and secrets.

Important Note on Cheating

Using third-party tools, save-file editors, or memory manipulation on PC can result in a softban (being placed on a separate server with other cheaters). This guide covers only in-game secrets accessible without external modifications.

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Hidden Areas & Optional Zones

#### 1. Untended Graves

Location: After defeating Oceiros, the Consumed King in the Garden of the Consumed King. Behind the boss room, there is a hidden wall near the throne. Roll or attack the bookshelf to reveal a path to Untended Graves.

Significance: This area is a dark version of the Cemetery of Ash, featuring the Champion Gundyr boss fight and the Eyes of a Fire Keeper item (used to unlock the “End of Fire” ending).

Location: Use the Path of the Dragon gesture in front of the altar at Irithyll Dungeon (after the room with two giants). You must first obtain the gesture by visiting the Dragon-Shrined area in the DLC or from the Dragon Torso Stone.

Significance: A massive optional area with multiple bosses: Ancient Wyvern (requires a plunging attack), Nameless King (hidden boss), and many loot items.

Location: After defeating the Dancer of the Boreal Valley, go to the Cleansing Chapel bonfire in Cathedral of the Deep. Near the bonfire, interact with the painting (it glows) to enter the DLC.

Significance: Full optional zone with bosses: Gravetender Greatwolf, Sister Friede (and Father Ariandel).

Location: After defeating the Soul of Cinder (final boss) or via a bonfire warp at the end of the Ashes of Ariandel DLC. Alternatively, use the Dreg Heap bonfire after defeating the Demon Prince.

Significance: Final DLC area, concluding the series’ story. Contains bosses: Demon Prince, Halflight, Spear of the Church, Darkeater Midir (optional), Slave Knight Gael.

Secret Quests & NPC Storylines

Requirement: Follow Yoel of Londor’s questline until he dies, then summon Yuria of Londor. Keep a Dark Sigil (from Yoel’s free levels) to trigger Yuria’s dialogue. Marry Anri at the hidden rite at the Church of Yorshka (after killing the Pontiff). Do not kill the assassin (the disguised pilgrim).

Result: Unlocks “Usurpation of Fire” ending.

Steps:

Secret: If Siegward survives, you can get his armor and weapon.

Steps: Help her at the Irithyll bridge (summon sign). Do not join Rosaria’s Fingers covenant before completing her questline. After defeating the Twin Princes, talk to her at Firelink Shrine to receive the Silvercat Ring and Sunless Talisman.

Secret Interaction: If you collect the Dark Soul (from Gael) and give it to the painter girl, she creates a new painted world. This is the finale of the series lore.

Hidden Weapons & Equipment

How to Obtain: Trade the Soul of Oceiros (Consumed King) with Ludleth at Firelink Shrine. Oceiros himself is an optional boss.

How to Obtain: Transpose the Soul of the Old Demon King for the Chaos Bed Vestiges pyromancy OR the Chaos Blade (katana). Requires the Great Swamp Pyromancy Tome.

How to Obtain: Transpose the Soul of the Nameless King. Requires the Dragonslayer Oath gesture? No – just transpose at Ludleth.

How to Obtain: Transpose the Soul of Dark Sun Gwyndolin (from Aldrich, Devourer of Gods) – but you get the soul after defeating Aldrich. Wait… Aldrich’s soul can be made into the Darkmoon Longbow (actually it’s the Darkmoon Bow). Yes.

Location: In the Farron Keep area, near the Stray Demon boss (the bridge). After defeating the demon, loot the corpse near the cliffside for Havel’s Ring. Havel’s armor set is obtained by finding Havel’s secret room in the same area: there is an illusory wall next to the bonfire after the Stray Demon, leading to Havel’s gear.

Easter Eggs & References

Reference: In Anor Londo (Irithyll), you can find the corpse of the Giant Blacksmith from Dark Souls 1 (his hammer and ember are nearby). This is a direct callback.

Appearance: Patches appears at the Cathedral of the Deep (as a spider-legged creature holding a large cross) and later at Firelink Shrine. He also appears in the Ringed City DLC. Kicking him off a cliff yields the “Patches Squat” gesture later.

The Painted World of Ariandel contains references to the original Painted World of Ariamis from Dark Souls 1 (including the same type of enemies and layout hints).

Secret Message: In the Untended Graves, near the Champion Gundyr boss fog, there is an illusory wall that reveals a message saying “Try holding with both hands”. Not a real hint, just a developer joke.

Item Description: The description of the “Small Envoy Horn” (dropped by the Angels in Dreg Heap) says “When the King’s decisive rejection became a cosmic truth, the gods had no choice but to bow.” This references Gwyn’s rejection of linking the fire.

Developer-Intended Hidden Mechanics

Secret Mechanic: Poise stat is less effective for normal attacks but very important for hyper armor during weapon arts and heavy weapon attacks. This is not explained in-game.

Secret: Some weapon arts (like Farron Greatsword’s L1 combo) can parry. The parry frames are different from shields – requires testing.

Blue Sentinel / Darkmoon Blade: Summoned automatically when invaders appear in Way of Blue host’s world. The hidden reward: obtain the Darkmoon Blade miracle and the Darkmoon Ring.

Mound-Makers: The mad phantom covenant’s purpose is not fully explained – you can help the host or invade, and you get a Vertebra Shackle for killing phantoms or hosts.

Tip: A parry just before an attack lands (1–2 frames) results in a “critical parry” that leaves the enemy vulnerable longer. This is the same as DS1/DS2 but with tighter window.

Cut Content (Non-Exploitable)

The Ariamis Painting from DS1 (replaced by Ariandel).

Boss armor sets for Dancer, Oceiros, etc. are not present as wearables.

Mound-Maker NPC types were cut (like the “Mad Knight” enemy).

Safe Exploits (Respectful to the Spirit of the Game)

Mimic Chase: Use the “Undead Hunter Charm” (Lloyd’s Talisman) on mimics to put them to sleep and steal their item without fighting. This is an intended mechanic.

Poisoning Bosses: Some bosses can be poisoned or bled, but this is not a bug – it’s a tactical option.

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Final Words

Dark Souls III rewards players who explore every corner, read item descriptions, and experiment with obscure gestures. There are no actual cheat codes, but the secrets listed above provide a rich and rewarding experience for completionists.