Game Tips

Dark Souls III Game Tips Guide

This guide compiles essential tips for surviving and mastering Dark Souls III. Tips are grouped by category and cover everything from beginner fundamentals to advanced optimizations. Each tip includes a clear explanation and analysis of why it works and when to apply it.

Beginner Tips

1. Learn to Roll, Not Block
- What: Use rolling (dodge) as your primary defense instead of blocking with a shield. Each roll has invincibility frames (i-frames) during its animation.
- Why: Many enemies in Dark Souls III have attacks that drain stamina or bypass shields. Rolling conserves stamina, avoids chip damage, and lets you position for counterattacks. The roll is more versatile than blocking, especially against bosses.
- When: Always in combat. Practice timing rolls to match enemy attack animations. Against slow attacks, roll sideways; against fast combos, roll backwards or into the attack to i-frame through it.

2. Level Vigor First
- What: Prioritize leveling Vigor (HP) to at least 20–25 before investing heavily in other stats.
- Why: Early enemies can kill you in two hits if you have base HP. More Vigor gives you a larger margin for error, which is crucial for learning enemy patterns. It also directly increases survivability during boss fights.
- When: From the start until you reach the Road of Sacrifices. After Vigor 20–25, start building toward your chosen weapon’s stat requirements.

3. Pay Attention to Enemy Patterns
- What: Observe each enemy’s attack animations, tells, and recovery times before engaging.
- Why: Dark Souls III rewards patience. Rushing in leads to punishment. Learning attack patterns lets you know when to dodge, when to punish, and when to retreat. Every enemy—even basic hollows—has a pattern.
- When: On every enemy encounter. For new enemies, kite them to an open area and watch for two to three attack cycles before attacking.

4. Use the Undead Bone Shard and Estus Shard
- What: Collect Undead Bone Shards to upgrade your Estus Flask’s healing potency, and Estus Shards to increase the number of charges.
- Why: These items permanently improve your healing resources. More and better healing directly translates to longer exploration between bonfires and easier boss fights.
- When: Search every area thoroughly. Early shards are in Cemetery of Ash (near the first bonfire), Firelink Shrine (behind the locked door from the Tower Key), and High Wall of Lothric (on a corpse near the second bonfire).

5. Don’t Attack Mimics—Use Undead Hunter Charm
- What: Chests with a chain curling towards you are mimics. Throw an Undead Hunter Charm to put them to sleep, then open them safely for the item.
- Why: Mimics are dangerous enemies that can kill low-level players in one grab attack. Using a charm lets you loot without fighting. Saving you Estus and risk.
- When: Anytime you encounter a suspicious chest. If you have no charm, hit the mimic once, dodge its attacks, and then strike while it recovers.

Combat Tips

6. Manage Stamina Like a Resource
- What: Never let your stamina bar run completely empty. Keep at least 20% stamina reserved for rolling or running away.
- Why: If stamina fully depletes, you become staggered briefly and cannot perform any action. This leaves you vulnerable. Proper stamina management allows continuous offensive and defensive options.
- When: During every fight. Avoid spamming attacks or rolls; instead, use one or two hits then back off to regen stamina. Watch your bar and pace your actions.

7. Use Weapon Art (L2/LT) Wisely
- What: Each weapon has a unique weapon art activated by two-handing and pressing L2/LT (or with a shield that has the Weapon Art skill). These arts consume FP (Focus Points) but can be extremely powerful.
- Why: Weapon arts often grant hyper armor, high damage, or utility (e.g., Perseverance increases poise). Using them at the right moment can turn the tide of a fight.
- When: When facing slow enemies or bosses with long recovery windows. For PvP, use weapon arts sparingly as they can be easily punished. Practice timing in safe areas.

8. Two-Handing Increases Strength
- What: When you two-hand a weapon, your effective Strength stat increases by 50% (rounded down). This allows you to wield weapons that require higher Strength than your base.
- Why: This is crucial for early game builds that want to use heavy weapons before meeting the stat requirement. It also boosts damage since scaling is based on effective Strength.
- When: Whenever you need to meet a Strength requirement by 1.5 times your actual stat. Also use it for any Strength-scaling weapon to maximize damage.

9. Parry for High-Risk, High-Reward
- What: Use a parry tool (small shield, caestus, or parrying dagger) to deflect enemy attacks, leaving them open for a critical riposte that deals massive damage.
- Why: Parrying can one-shot many normal enemies and significantly damage bosses. It’s especially effective against humanoid enemies (Lothric Knights, Silver Knights, black knights).
- When: Learn enemy attack timings. Parry early in the enemy swing, not at impact. Best used against enemies with slow, telegraphed attacks. Do not attempt against bosses with erratic AI unless you have practiced extensively.

10. Attacks from Behind Deal Bonus Damage (Backstab)
- What: Performing a charged heavy attack or using the standard attack button from directly behind an enemy triggers a backstab animation that deals critical damage.
- Why: Backstabs ignore enemy defenses and are devastating. Many enemies can be easily backstabbed if you circle around them while they attack.
- When: Against slow enemies, or when an enemy is locked into a combo. In PvP, backstabs are a core mechanic due to latency. Practice the position: you must be almost touching the enemy’s back.

Exploration Tips

11. Look for Messages and Bloodstains
- What: Player messages (ratings) and bloodstains (ghostly deaths) are scattered everywhere. Read them by interacting.
- Why: Messages often hint at hidden paths, ambushes, or safe spots. Bloodstains show you where previous players died—use them to anticipate traps or tough enemies.
- When: Always check bloodstains in doorways or corridors. Be cautious when messages say “Try jumping” near cliffs—90% are trolls leading you to your death.

12. Explore Every Dark Corner and Dead End
- What: Break breakable walls, drop from hidden ledges, and revisit areas after obtaining keys (like Tower Key or Grave Key).
- Why: Dark Souls III rewards thorough exploration with powerful weapons, Estus Shards, Undead Bone Shards, rings, and soul items. Many optional areas contain unique loot and NPC questlines.
- When: After clearing an area, systematically check all walls and edges. Attack suspicious walls (they may be illusory). Light torches in dark areas to reveal hidden paths.

13. Use the Homeward Bone to Return to Bonfire
- What: Using a Homeward Bone (or Coiled Sword Fragment) instantly returns you to the last bonfire rested at, with no loss of souls or progress.
- Why: This saves time when you’ve explored far from a bonfire and don’t want to backtrack. It’s also a safe retreat if you’re about to die with many souls.
- When: After looting a zone and you’re far from the bonfire. Also use it in boss rooms after killing the boss to quickly rest and level up without running through the area.

14. Always Equip the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring (When Available)
- What: This ring increases the number of souls dropped by enemies by 10% (up to 20% with +3 variant in NG+).
- Why: More souls means faster leveling. Since souls are the main currency for progression, even a small boost adds up over dozens of enemies.
- When: Equip it as soon as you get it (you can find one in the Undead Settlement by following the path behind the giant). Unequip if you need a different ring for a boss fight.

15. Talk to NPCs Until They Repeat
- What: Exhaust all dialogue with NPCs by speaking to them repeatedly until they start repeating the same line.
- Why: Many NPC questlines advance only after you’ve heard all their dialogue. Missing a single line can lock you out of items, spells, or NPC summons.
- When: After every major boss kill or area completion, return to Firelink Shrine and talk to every NPC. Also check areas they may have moved to (e.g., Greirat’s quest requires you to send him pillaging).

Resources & Economy Tips

16. Do Not Use Boss Souls for Souls
- What: Boss souls can be consumed for a large number of souls, but they are far more valuable when transposed into weapons, spells, or rings at Ludleth in Firelink Shrine.
- Why: Boss weapons are often unique and powerful. Transposing gives permanent gear; consuming gives temporary souls that you can easily farm elsewhere.
- When: Always transpose boss souls unless you already have the item and don’t want duplicates. Save all boss souls until you unlock transposition (after killing the Curse-Rotted Greatwood).

17. Sell Unwanted Equipment
- What: You can sell weapons, armor, and rings to the Shrine Handmaid for souls. Prices are low, but it’s better than junk.
- Why: Many weapons are duplicates or useless for your build. Clearing inventory makes sorting easier and provides extra souls for leveling.
- When: After you’ve settled on a build. Don’t sell unique items until you’re sure you won’t need them. Also sell boss souls? Only if you already transposed what you want.

18. Farm Souls Efficiently
- What: Identify high soul-yield enemies near bonfires. Early game: the three Lothric Knights on the High Wall near the Tower on the Wall bonfire. Mid game: the Silver Knights in Anor Londo. Late game: the Ghru hideouts in Smouldering Lake? Actually best is the 3 winged knights at the top of the Grand Archives.
- Why: Farming souls is time-efficient for leveling. Equip the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring, Symbol of Avarice (if you have it), and use the Shield of Want to boost soul gain further.
- When: If you’re stuck on a boss or need a few levels to meet stat requirements. Also for buying expensive items like upgrade materials.

19. Invest Souls in Upgrade Materials Early
- What: Upgrade your primary weapon to +3 before you start facing mid-game bosses. Also buy Titanite Shards from the Shrine Handmaid once she stocks them (after giving her the Dreamchasers’ Ashes).
- Why: Weapon upgrades provide a huge damage boost—much more than leveling stats. A +3 weapon will outperform a +0 weapon even with low stats.
- When: As soon as you have enough souls and have found the Large Titanite needed for +4. Prioritize upgrading over leveling.

20. Always Carry a Homeward Bone and Repair Powder
- What: Keep Homeward Bones in your inventory (easily bought) for emergency escapes. Repair Powder fixes weapon durability which can break in long areas.
- Why: Running out of durability during a boss fight or long dungeon is disastrous. Repair Powder lets you carry on without returning to a bonfire.
- When: Before entering new areas or before boss fights. Also, after clearing a tough area, use a Homeward Bone to bank souls rather than risking a death march back.

Builds & Character Tips

21. Start with the Knight Class for Beginner Ease
- What: The Knight starts with high Vigor, decent Strength/Dexterity, a 100% physical block shield, and good starting armor.
- Why: This class gives you the most forgiving early game. You can respecc later if desired (via Rosaria, but limited per playthrough). The Knight’s stats are optimal for quality builds (Str/Dex).
- When: For new players. If you want a magic build, choose Sorcerer, but be prepared for a harder start.

22. Focus on One Damage Stat Until Late Game
- What: Choose either Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith. Level that stat to at least 40 before branching out.
- Why: Dark Souls III uses soft caps. Going 40 in one stat gives you good damage returns; splitting stats early weakens your damage output. After 40, the returns diminish.
- When: From level 20 to 80. After reaching 40 in your main stat, then invest in secondary stats (e.g., Vigor, Endurance, or another damage stat for hybrid builds).

23. Level Endurance to 20–30 for Stamina
- What: Endurance governs Stamina and Equip Load. More stamina allows more actions in combat.
- Why: Without sufficient stamina, you can’t roll multiple times or execute combos. 20 Endurance gives a comfortable pool; 30 is optimal for heavy weapon users.
- When: After Vigor 20 and your main damage stat is around 30. Don’t neglect endurance—stamina management is key.

24. Attune Spells Only if You Have the Stats
- What: To cast spells, you need attunement slots (from Attunement stat) and the required Intelligence or Faith. Also you must have a casting tool (staff, chime, pyromancy flame).
- Why: Many new players invest in Attunement before having the required Int/Faith, wasting levels. Plan your build: for a pure mage, aim for 60 Int and 30 Attunement by endgame.
- When: Only start adding spells after you have the stats to use them effectively. A single Soul Arrow is not worth the Attunement if you have no Int.

25. Respeccing is Limited
- What: You can reallocate stat points using Rosaria’s rebirth feature, but only five times per playthrough (one per New Game cycle).
- Why: Respecc can fix mistakes, but it’s finite. Do not waste early respecs on experimentation. Reserve them for correcting major oversights.
- When: Only use respec if your build is fundamentally broken (e.g., you leveled Luck without a status build). Otherwise, just level into the right stats from now on.

Advanced & Miscellaneous Tips

26. Turn Off Auto-Lock in Crowded Fights
- What: In combat with multiple enemies, the camera lock can jerk to unintended targets, cause disorientation. You can toggle auto-lock in settings or manually switch targets with right stick click.
- Why: Locking onto one enemy can make you vulnerable to attacks from others. Free camera allows better awareness.
- When: Against groups of enemies (e.g., the dogs in Undead Settlement, or the Deacons of the Deep boss). Use unlocked play to roll away from one enemy and attack another.

27. Use the “Run and Roll” Technique for Gravity
- What: When running, pressing roll just as you reach a ledge can extend your jump distance, allowing you to reach platforms that seem out of reach.
- Why: Many shortcuts and items require precise jumps. The run+roll gives a horizontal burst that clears gaps.
- When: In areas like the Undead Settlement rafters or the Cathedral of the Deep. Practice the timing: sprint to ledge, then roll just before falling.

28. Awareness of Invasion Mechanics
- What: You can be invaded by other players when embered. Invasions occur more frequently if you have a summoned co-operator.
- Why: Invasions can interrupt your progress and cost you ember status. But they also provide extra challenge and PvP experience.
- When: If you want to avoid invasions, play unembered. If you want to engage, use the Dried Finger to extend invasion timeout and allow multiple invaders for organized PvP.

29. Equip a Bow for Pulling
- What: Keep a bow (or any ranged weapon) in your inventory to shoot individual enemies from a distance, aggroing them one by one.
- Why: Many areas have groups of enemies that are deadly together. Pulling one at a time lets you fight fair duels instead of being ganked.
- When: In any area with clumped enemies (like the jailers in Irithyll Dungeon or the dogs in Cathedral of the Deep). A short bow is light and effective.

30. Use the “Chameleon” Spell or Young Dragon Ring for Stealth
- What: Chameleon turns you into an object (barrel, table) for ambushes or bypassing enemies. The Young Dragon Ring reduces fall damage.
- Why: Not just for PvP—in PvE, Chameleon can let you walk past enemies in tight corridors. The ring allows you to survive certain drops that would otherwise kill you.
- When: Chameleon is useful in areas like the jail cells or archives. The ring is crucial for shortcuts like dropping from the rafters to the bonfire in Cathedral of the Deep.

31. Sequence Bonfires to Shortcut Back
- What: Each area has multiple bonfires. Finding the second bonfire often opens shortcuts (e.g., elevators, gates) back to the first bonfire.
- Why: These shortcuts allow you to bypass dangerous sections and quickly return to bosses without running through the entire area again.
- When: After leaving the first bonfire, explore diligently for shortcut mechanisms. If you see a locked gate or elevator, assume there’s a lever or key somewhere.

32. Learn to Manage Equip Load
- What: Your Equip Load percentage determines rolling speed: under 30% is fast roll, 30–70% is medium roll, above 70% is fat roll (very slow).
- Why: Fat rolling leaves you vulnerable due to long recovery. Stay under 70% for viable rolls. Many players aim for under 30% for maximum i-frames and distance.
- When: Adjust armor and weapons to keep load below 70%. Use Havel’s Ring or Ring of Favor to increase equip load if needed.

33. Use the “Tears of Denial” Miracle for a Free Revival
- What: This miracle (requires 12 Faith and a talisman) prevents one lethal hit by leaving you with 1 HP. Lasts until you die or rest at a bonfire.
- Why: It essentially gives you a second chance in boss fights. It requires 2 attunement slots, but is worth it for difficult bosses.
- When: For any boss that has a one-shot attack (e.g., Soul of Cinder, Nameless King). Combine with Lloyd’s Shield Ring for extra tankiness.

34. Back Up Your Save File (PC)
- What: Locate your save file (
%appdata%\DarkSoulsIII\[steamID]\DS30000.sl2) and periodically copy it to a backup folder.
- Why: Prevents loss from corrupted saves, accidental softlocks, or from being banned due to invalid game data. You can restore a previous state if needed.
- When: Before testing new mods, before a dangerous area, or after major achievements.

35. Don’t Rely on Shields for Everything
- What: While shields are useful, they can create a false sense of security. Many attacks drain stamina heavily or bypass shields (e.g., elemental damage, grab attacks).
- Why: Dodging is superior in most situations. Use shields for occasional blocking of fast chip damage or to parry, but not as primary defense.
- When: Against slow swinging enemies or when you need to block a spell. Remove the shield when you need to two-hand your weapon for damage.

Closing Advice

The most important tip: Patience and persistence are your greatest weapons. Dark Souls III punishes greed but rewards careful study. If you’re stuck, explore elsewhere, upgrade gear, or summon help. Every death is a lesson. Learn from it, adapt, and you will conquer Lothric.