This page is dedicated to helping new players with Dark Souls 3. Everything from the important basics to more advanced concepts. For help with the japanese version of the game, check this mini-guide.
Getting Started Guide
You can read our getting started article or watch the video:
Movement and Actions
Use the left stick to move around. (See the controls page for full control configuration.)
Push the left stick a little to walk, or all the way to run.
When you approach something you can examine, open, or pick up, you'll see an onscreen message. Press X (PS4), A (Xbox controller) or E (PC) to perform the corresponding action.
Press the R1/R2 buttons to perform a light/heavy attack or the L1 button to guard (if a shield is equipped on your left hand).
Press the □ (PS4) or X (Xbox controller) button to use the currently equipped item.
Bonfires
Rest at one of the many bonfires found in the world to restore your health and FP (focus points). Bonfires also replenish your Estus Flask uses; bonfires also cure all status effects. (poison, toxic, etc.)
Resting at a bonfire resurrects most enemies you have killed since your last rest, certain enimes will not respawn.
Death
When you die, all the souls you possess will remain on the spot, and you'll return to the last bonfire you rested at.
Blood Stains (Green)
When you die, you'll drop all of your possessed souls on the spot.
The souls you drop will turn into a blood stain (green) and remain in the area you died in.
Return to the place where you died, and you'll be able to recover them.
If you die again before you can reach the spot, the older blood stain will disappear.
Rolling and I-Frames
When you execute a roll, you are temporarily immune from damage. Your roll speed (and the number of frames for which you are invincible) relies on your equipment load. At 70% or greater equipment load, you will "fat roll", a much slower rolling animation in which you are largely vulnerable.
Mastering rolling makes the game substantially easier. Make sure to look into the effects of Poise and Carthus Milkring. The combat page also has useful information.
Battle Skills
A new mechanic for the series, battle skills are weapon abilities executed with L2. Any weapons equipped to the left hand (including any two-handed weaponry) can execute these abilities which consume FP.
Battle Skills vary, and can be useful in a number of situations. Mastering when and how to employ certain battle skills can drastically improve your play.
Online Play
There are two ways to engage in online play: Cooperative (Co-op) and Invasion (PvP) :
- Co-op involves summoning white phantoms or being summoned into another player's world. When you are in Lord of Cinder mode, you will find white summon signs on the ground; activate these signs and you will summon another player into your world until you either kill the area boss or cross a particular time limit (40 minutes). Summoned players keep their souls if they die in another player's world, and receive a portion of all souls acquired through cooperative play (do not wear a Ring of Sacrifice while summoned, it will still break). In addition, certain covenants make it easier to be summoned in certain situations. To be summoned into another player's world, you must leave a summon sign using the White Sign Soapstone acquired from the Shrine Handmaid.
- PvP can involves being summoned as a Red Phantom invader, using a Cracked or Full Red Eye Orb to invade a random player's world, summon a Red Phantom by touching red summon signs or invade automatically if some convenants conditions are met. When invading, area enemies will not attack you as long as the host doesn't use a Seed of a Giant Tree. The objective of an invasion is to kill the host player (or any phantom if you are in the Mound Maker), which earns you a number of souls. If you used an orb, you will earn an Ember as well. Some covenants also give additional items.
AnonymousBeen playing ds3 for a little while now and I need help on knowing what each symbol in the status octagon shaped thing means. I’ve had a broken looking sword in mine for a while and I don’t know what it means or how to remove it. Someone let me know if it’s a negative thing and how I can remove it if it is. If anyone has some kind of guide
- Anonymous
Been playing ds3 for a little while now and I need help on knowing what each symbol in the status octagon shaped thing means. I’ve had a broken looking sword in mine for a while and I don’t know what it means or how to remove it. Someone let me know if it’s a negative thing and how I can remove it if it is. If anyone has some kind of guide to the meanings of each symbol inside of the octagon, please help.
- Anonymous
um guys i seem to be struggling, how do i turn on my playstation, then turn on dark souls, plz help
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
one thing you need know of dark souls nothing is easy you only will defeat the enemies with your experienses and weapons
- Anonymous
i keep getting destroyed on the wall of lothric where is the best place to farm levels before i go there because i die with all my souls on the wall and i cant get them back to the bonfire
- Anonymous
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I have a question, when we finish the game and start again with the same character, do the enemies get stronger?
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
what does the octagon with the fire on the top left of the screen mean?
- Anonymous
Hi there, the game is not allowing me to level up beyond SL 100 even though I have enough souls to go above that. There have been some unclear mentions of fusing other characters to go above SL 100 but I cannot figure out how to do so. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
- Anonymous
GUIDE TO ALLOCATE STATS FOR A SL100 BUILD. When you choose to limit your final level, you have to avoid wasting points. With the different scaling letters, a lot of players will choose to meet the so-called soft/hard cap levels. But in my opinion, it's not Worth it for scalings inferior to A generally. No scaling (for raw/deep/fire builds)? Just meet the requirements, obviously. E scaling? Same, because more than 6 points allocated to that is yet waste. D scaling? 7-16 points. C scaling? 17-26 points. B scaling? 27-33 points. A scaling? 34-46 points. S scaling? 47-66 points. Not more, except when the scaling is a "super" S, aka for bare fists run… Dont go over 66. Notably for STR, because 2-handing the weapon will allow to reach 99 anyway.
- Anonymous
hallo i am at the dancer and can't beat him so can some one help me pls my level is 49 and i am use the PW is THE SUN
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I am currently doing a level 1 playthru and would like some help on endgame bosses( prince lothric, cinder, friede, nameless) if anyone wants to help me ill will leave a message by the bosses saying "Message required ahead, therefore try ____" it will be filled in with the PW i will be using. the message will only be placed when i am online and at the bosses. any help would be really appreciated.
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
If anyone can help me out with some soul items that be a big help
- Anonymous
RULE NR.1 : DO NOT GET HIT! GAME EXPLAINED! GIT GUD CASULS Check back in another entry of the Ultimate Guide from Anonymous
- Anonymous
Hey guys Can i have a PVE build for an assassin? That's my first run and i can't find literally stat builds anywhere.
- Anonymous
I am a new player and need help with using bows and crossbows. I can equip them and equip the arrows/bolts, and fire them, I just can't seem to get the hang of aiming them. I would have expected to have an aiming point visible. Do I need to change camera settings? Currently I look at the game from behind and above the character - Knight.
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- Anonymous
05 Jul 2018 12:19
i am worried about something, i leveled up my vigor to probably 17 and my health bar expanded(which were good news) but after i died maybe 2 times the health bar shrink pretty small , like when you start a new game, so. anyone knows what should i do to expand it again? and if so, how? and does this mean i wasted my souls leveling up the vigor? i would be so thankful if you could help me
- Anonymous
I am at level 180 I have around 80 luck and i use blood gems on my weapons. Does anybody know why bleed won't work for me?
- Anonymous
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Looking for anybody interested in helping me, first run trough the game (currently stuck at nameless king), we could talk on discord or skype if anyones down.
Steam ID + Username: 212185894 + afrojack_44 (should appear as Jack)
:P
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
If anyone needs help with ANY of the bosses, feel free to leave your ID in the replies section.
I'm more than willing to help you out as a sunbro.
- Anonymous
To sum up the comments : 40% Git Gud, 30% Ask for helps, 20% memes, and 10 % tips and advice
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Half the people in here are new to this game and want to sound experienced but im NG+ 3 so everyone else except new players GIT...GUD...
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
I need help with the Gravetender. Nobody is laying down summon signs at the Deep Painting bonfire, and I can't take on this boss without help. I'm only good at one on one fights and I get completely screwed on the Gravetender Wolf.
My PSN is Legendary_Misaka (no not Attack on Titan, MiSaka as in Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.. can't tell you HOW many people never found me cause of that stupid mistake). PLEEEEASE.. NOBODY IS LAYING DOWN ANY SUMMON SIGNS!!!
- Anonymous
Ps4 player needing help new to console ds3 already done pc last year, wyldcaem is psn name oceanic region anyone free to add
- Anonymous
If any body needs help on ps4 and is stuck on the abyss watchers input username and ill help you
- Anonymous
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I need help with the twin princes fight? I have tried for ages and still haven't been victorious.
- Anonymous
I need help with abyss watchers
Message me on Xbox one at I5diamonds
- Anonymous
Ps4: ureawesome
Need help with soul of cinder. *****ed up the npc questline so dont have ally :/
- Anonymous
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Really need help, could anyone drop some embers for me? My pro build is struggling. My name is ReaPeRxAcE im on ps4
- Anonymous
Help me with ringed city my gamer tag is eggsucker74 on Xbox one
- Anonymous
I accidently attacked a friendly character now he wont stop attacking me and let me play the game, im stuck please help me.
- Anonymous
Pretty sure the Carthus Milkring just makes your character go temporarily invisible while rolling, it doesn't affect i-frames. The Carthus Bloodring is the one that extends i-frames.
- Anonymous
where do I bring the souls of certain bosses (such as the wolf soul from the abyss watchers) for the weapons
- Anonymous
The first covenant, Way of blue, should be pointed otu to all newbcomers who fear getting invaded, as it will try to summon someone to help you.Second, Fat rolling was changed, so that now at exactly 70% you can still ..... normal roll? slim roll? the point is fat rolling is only for 70.1% and up now
- Anonymous
Whenever you feel like raging, say these magic words "I am now stronger than any of the seven deadly si- Oops! Wrong anime!
Rolling makes you invincible for a while. While the game doesnt outright say it, thats been the deal w soul games, part of the roll leaves you invulnerable and if timed right, this takes practice, you can do impossible things like roll into slashes or thrusts, take no damage, and end up behind some enemy. You can dodge a spear thrust by rolling into the attacker as long as your invulnerable frames kick it when you get stabbed. Take advantage of this to get close to bosses with insane range and pass though their attacks so you can land hits. Git gud and learn them timings!
I'll admit its not good to be too aggressive. You can get caught by attacks easier, more parry vulnerability, you get slammed around more...etc, but that doesnt mean aggression is bad. Its just bad to be too aggressive. You do have to keep watch and block and roll, but sometimes attacking is better. Sometimes, you dont have to roll or block normal foes as you can out range them or hit them first with your weapons. Sometimes when a boss pointlessly wanders around, you can sneak a quick hit in or two, just have stamina for a roll. Often when a boss transforms, even if an explosion is coming, you can snag one hit then roll away. Sometimes if a boss combos the ***** out of you and you live, you can snag a hit, then escape and estus, rather than just estus and escape, as bosses have stamina too. If they keep going, they will eventually walk around pointlessly or rest for a while to regain.( depends on boss ) Sometimes you dont have to wait till the combo is over, sometimes you can roll and end up behind a boss, then score a hit before it faces you and you have to dodge again. Its risky, but its not a blind gamble. Well, it does take some getting used to. Just stay alert and judge situations.
- Anonymous
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So I was fighting the Curse-rotted Greatwood and died in the underground arena, you know, when he breaks the floor. I hadn't died since that fight, I did however leave the area(went to Firelink Shrine). I came back to the fight and my stain was nowhere to be found. Not that it was a terrible loss, it was only about 5,000. If it had been more, I would actually be upset, I'm just curious if anyone else has had this issue.
- Anonymous
How is possible that i can summon only one player? Not hollowing so why ?
- Anonymous
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My biggest tip for new players is to activelly engage in Online. Im usualy SP player, so when I bought Bloodborne (my first "souls" game") I totally ignored online for the first half of the game. Then I learned about my mistake. Basically this game offecr you two options:- Help others = if you die in other person world, you will keep all the souls. This is awesome way to learn the enviromenent, enemies, bosses and level up several times without any risks.- Once you know the level and feel confident, go to loot the level in your world- The summon other players and to for the boss.- Repeat in next area.You will find, that the game is really easy this way.
- Anonymous
Please, put a spoiler warning on a video like this. It shows in-game footage that may potentially harm being surprised in game.
- Anonymous
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Souls Games traditionally prey on impatience. Enemies have attack patterns. Get an idea how they move and attack when there is an opening. Also you are INVINCIBLE when you roll. Take advantage of this. Timing and patience are key.
ou je peut trouve des Éclat de Titanite je suis contre pontiff sulyvahn
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