Dark Souls 3 Tips & Tricks
A secrets-focused guide for new and returning players covering hidden items at Firelink Shrine, an early sequence break via The Dancer, the missable Mound Makers covenant, fire weaknesses, and a full list of NPC drops worth hunting.
12 Tips · 5 categories
2 tipsEconomy
Trade Homeward Bone With the Crows for Rewards
After buying the tower key from the Handmaiden at Firelink Shrine, head to the crows' nest on the roof and drop items one at a time to trade them. Notable rewards include Lucatiel's Mask, emotes, and a Lightning Gem.
Kill NPCs to Collect Their Unique Equipment Drops
Every named NPC drops unique gear when killed. Notable examples include Anri's Luck-scaling Straight Sword, Siegward's Storm Ruler and Catarina Set, and Yuria's Darkdrift invisible katana. Most NPC kills also yield ashes that unlock additional armor sets at the Handmaiden.
5 tipsExploration
Find the Illusory Wall for Covetous Serpent Ring
While on the Firelink Shrine rafters, grab the Estus Shard near the crow nest and then walk to the far end and strike the wall to reveal a hidden room. Inside is the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring, which increases souls earned from kills by approximately 10 percent.
Skip the Tower Key With the Tree Jump Shortcut
To reach the Firelink Shrine roof without spending souls on the tower key, face the roof, run diagonally up the large tree, and then press L3 while moving diagonally right to make the jump. This gives you free access to the crow nest, Estus Shard, and Covetous Silver Serpent Ring from the very start of the game.
Emote at the Firekeeper for a Response
Using emotes while standing near the Firekeeper at Firelink Shrine will prompt her to respond. It is a small but memorable interaction worth discovering early.
Find the Black Bow of Pharris in Farron Swamp
On entering the Farron Swamp, follow the left wall to find three tree monsters that most players walk past. Killing them yields the Black Bow of Pharris, one of the best ranged weapons in the game, along with Pharris' Cap.
Stay Embered to Trigger NPC Invasions for Loot
NPC invaders only appear when you are in Ember form, and each one drops unique equipment that cannot be obtained any other way. Make sure to be embered at least once in every area. Yellowfinger in the Crucifixion Woods, for example, drops the Xanthous Helm and Heysel Pick.
2 tipsProgression
Kill Emma Early to Access Upper Lothric Castle
Killing Emma in the High Wall of Lothric cathedral immediately triggers The Dancer of the Boreal Valley fight. Defeating The Dancer at around soul level 35 is extremely difficult, but success opens Upper Lothric Castle ahead of schedule, which contains many valuable Faith and Strength weapons and miracles.
Start With White Branch to Avoid Giant's Arrows
Choosing the Young White Branch as your starting gift causes the giant in the Undead Settlement to treat you as a friend and refrain from shooting at you throughout that area.
2 tipsMultiplayer
Join Mound Makers Before Killing Cursed Greatwood
In the Undead Settlement, turn right at the burning tree, cross the bridge, go around the right side of the building, and climb the ladder. Walk up behind the cage carrier on the rooftop while the Cursed Greatwood is still alive, as he is non-hostile until then. Climb into his cage, get carried down into a pit, and speak with Hodrick to join the Mound Makers covenant.
Farm Vertebrae Shackles by Betraying Cooperative Hosts
As a Mound Maker using a white summon sign obtained from Yuria, help hosts kill enemies and build trust before turning on them. Collecting 10 Vertebrae Shackles unlocks the Bloodlust katana, and 30 shackles rewards the Warmth spell.
1 tipCombat
Use Fire to Cripple Dogs, Hollows, and Maggots
Dogs and tree hollows writhe helplessly on the ground when hit with any fire damage, making them trivial to finish. Maggot monsters are completely incapacitated by fire. If maggots attach to you and begin raising your bleed meter, pull out your torch to knock them off immediately.
Verified: 2026-05-26 · All content is original with full credit to original creators.